Environmentally friendly alternatives to conventional menstrual products are becoming more and more popular in a world that is becoming more concerned with environmental sustainability, and rightly so! Did you know that close to 20 billion sanitary napkins, tampons and applicators are dumped into North American landfills every year? When wrapped in plastic bags, these feminine hygiene waste can take centuries to biodegrade.
Period pants are one such innovation that has captured my eye and I’m glad that these are around for my daughters generation, to provide her with confidence and also prevent young women being exposed to the chemicals of traditional feminine hygiene. So, today, we’ll go through what period pants are, why they are healthier for the environment, how to care for them, and a thorough comparison of five popular brands: Bambody, Hanes, Modibodi, Goat Union, and Bonds in an in-depth assessment.
What Are Period Pants?
Period pants, also known as menstrual underwear or period underwear, are a sustainable alternative to disposable menstrual products like pads and tampons. They are designed to be worn during your period and offer leak-proof protection. These innovative undergarments feature multiple layers of absorbent and moisture-wicking fabric, allowing them to replace traditional menstrual products while providing comfort and peace of mind.
Why Should I Use Period Pants Over Other Types Of Feminine Hygiene?
If you think tampons and pads are just plain cotton pieces, think again. These items might include dioxin traces from bleach, pesticide residues from conventional, non-organic cotton, and unidentified “fragrance” compounds. You can learn more at SafeCosmetics.org
Other reasons to make the switch include:
- The lifetime cost of disposable products compared to reusable ones
- Waste that lasts decades or even centuries in some cases
- Comfort
- Period odors
How to Wash Period Pants
Proper care and maintenance are essential to ensure the longevity and effectiveness of period pants:
Rinse: After use, rinse the pants in cold water to remove excess blood. Try not to let blood dry and avoid using hot water as it can set stains.
Pre-Soak: If needed, pre-soak the pants in cold water with a mild detergent for up to 30 minutes.
Machine Wash: Wash the pants in a washing machine using a cold water cycle. Use a gentle detergent and avoid fabric softeners or bleach.
Hang Dry: After washing, hang the pants to air dry. Avoid using a tumble dryer, as it can damage the fabric and elastic.
Stain Removal: For stubborn stains, you can try a natural stain remover or spot treat the area before washing.
Is There Any Odor From wearing Period Pants?
NO!
I was surprised that there wasn’t the customary “period odor” that you get when wearing a pad or liner when I was wearing these period panties, but as I found out – its actually the chemicals used to make standard pads and liners are the cause of the odor that develops after using them. It produces that odor by undergoing a chemical interaction with your blood.
What do Period Pants Feel Like To Wear ?
Depending on how absorbent the period pants are, it is similar to regular underwear but a little thicker.
In contrast to using a pad, you are not “sitting” in your blood. The genius of the underwear is that it is designed to absorb your blood into the lining.
I was dry unless my period had lots of blood clots.
Now to the Comparison!!
BAMBODY
Absorbancy: 2 Tampons Worth of Blood 
Packaging: Bubble wrapped plastic packaging
Comfort: 10/10!
Price: Check Current Prices
My Personal Experience: I bought 2 different styles – the hip hugger as well as the Aborbent panty. For me, I preferred the hip hugger which was a more bikini-style pair of underwear and slightly more comfortable sitting lower on the waist. I ordered a size up like recommended and they fit perfectly and as for the question how well they worked? I was dry all day wearing both of these styles!
Absorbancy: 2 Tampons Worth of Blood
Packaging: plastic packaging
Comfort: 8/10! 
Price: Check Current Prices
My Personal Experience: Whilst this pair of pants did the job keeping me dry, I found that it bunched slightly at the back and made me feel a bit self conscious. I was ok as I was wearing jeans, but I’m not sure I would wear these panties with leggings or without a longer top to cover over my pantline.
Absorbancy: 2-3 Tampons Worth of Blood
Packaging: plastic packaging
Comfort: 10/10! Price: Check Current Prices
My Personal Experience: I purchased the seamfree boyleg and it needs to be noted that these pants do run slightly small so go up a size from what you would normally be, but no more than that as period pants need to be snug or else they may leak. These were by far my favourite pair of period pants – the most absorbent and the least bulky!
Absorbancy: 2-3 Tampons Worth of Blood
Packaging: plastic packaging
Comfort: 10/10! Price: Check Current Prices
My Personal Experience: I purchased the boyleg and like many of the other brands of period pants, I’d recommend you go go up a size from what you would normally be. These were another favourite style of mine, super comfy and even made it through an entire night when I had a super heavy flow. They were comfy and not at all bulky.
Absorbancy: 2 Tampons Worth of Blood
Packaging: plastic packaging
Comfort: 8/10! Price: Check Current Prices
My Personal Experience: I purchased these for my daughter as they can also double up as a swim pant/bather bottom for when it’s that time of the month and my daughters friend had recommended them for this purpose. I was a little skeptical and told my daughter to wear other shorts over the top, but was pleasantly suprised and even ski-ing on the river, there were no leaks! And super comfy with no bulk, no-one could even tell!
Final Thoughts
Overall, I adore period pants! When you consider how much longer they last than regular tampons, pads, etc., they are cozy, environmentally friendly, and inexpensive.
Additionally, each pair of these period underwear is well-made, which shocked me a little considering that they range in price from $13 to $60. I’m not suggesting they’re all equal, though and there are other cheaper brands on the market and there is a noticeable difference in the makes. Saying this though, I’m trying to emphasize that none of them were produced at a low cost in a non-sustainable manner.
The most important thing, and what Earth Month is all about, is that you’re using a sustainable feminine hygiene solution that not only saves you money over time but also saves the environment.
