A New Favorite Among People Who Menstruate: Period Underwear

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Have you heard about period underwear? The new technology makes periods easier and more comfortable to manage, but are they right for you? An OB-GYN shares 5 facts to know before buying a pair.

Transcript

Host (00:00):

Welcome to the Michigan Medicine News Break, your destination for news and stories about the future of healthcare. Today, what is period underwear? The new technology makes periods easier and more comfortable to manage, but are they right for you? An OGBYN shares five facts to know before buying a pair.

(00:17):

Period underwear have quickly become mainstream and a favorite menstrual product according to nearly daily discussions in the office of Melina Dendrinos MD. She is a pediatric and adolescent gynecologist with the University of Michigan Health Von Voigtlander Women's Hospital who also helps adults with gynecologic issues. "I get more people telling me they are using it than asking about it," said Dendrinos, but she is quick with information when newbies seek her expertise on how it works. Here is her primer on period underwear.

(00:45):

What is period underwear? It's a washable, reusable underwear that absorbs menstrual blood and prevents leaks from getting on clothes. "I describe it like there's a pad that's sewn inside the underwear. While you can't see it, there's an absorbent area in your underwear where you would wear a pad," Dendrinos says. Each brand tends to have a different objective and different absorbency. Read the labels to understand if they a) hold a pad in place b) block leaks c) hold a pad in place and block leaks d) absorb menstrual blood e) prevent leaks and absorb menstrual blood. What style you choose depends on comfort, flow level, and when the next time you may be able to change to a fresh product is. Companies recommend no more than 12 hours of wear time to prevent odors or leakage.

(01:30):

Each style has three or four layers of material. The top layer is moisture-wicking so the wearer always feels dry. The material is usually black so the wearer never sees any blood. The second "optional layer" is an anti-microbial layer that neutralizes odors. The third layer absorbs up to five tampons' worth of blood and the final layer is leak-resistant to help curb possible period stains.

(01:52):

Next, who uses period underwear? Menstruating people of all ages use period underwear. Often they combine it with a pad, a tampon, or a menstrual cup. Others wear it as a form of prevention. "Some brands market thinner, smaller underwear for those who are preparing for their first period. Since they don't know exactly when it will happen, period underwear can help prevent any accidents while at school," Dendrinos says. Caregivers also find period underwear a better option when assisting loved ones with developmental or cognitive delay or chronic illness that prohibits certain movements that make changing pads or tampons difficult.

(02:25):

Next, why use period underwear? Comfort, cost savings, and environmental friendliness are the top reasons for patients to prefer period underwear, Dendrinos said. Most claim that they are more comfortable than any product on the market. While some report a need to get used to free bleeding, the moisture-wicking layer assists with that. While the initial cost of purchasing period underwear can be steep with companies charging anywhere from $13 to $75 for a pair, reusability makes it cost-effective. A menstruating person uses on average 17,000 pads or tampons over a lifetime, costing about $1,800 according to the American Medical Association, and by using disposable period products, 250 to 300 pounds of pads, tampons and applicators are disposed of over a person's lifetime, according to Flow: The Cultural History of Menstruation. Period underwear would lower that landfill number. They also cut down on last-minute laundry. Period accidents often require immediate laundering to get stains out of clothing and bedsheets.

(03:21):

Next, is period underwear sanitary? If you wash them between uses, period underwear are sanitary. Most manufacturers recommend rinsing them by hand before putting them into a washing machine, Dendrinos said. "I typically skip that step and throw them in with my other laundry," she said. Manufacturers suggest air drying because of the presence of elastic. However air drying will take longer than usual. Because of the material's absorbency, some may take up to 48 hours to air dry. Be sure to read the laundering instructions before purchasing. "The easier a product is to use, the more likely you'll embrace it," Dendrinos points out.

(03:54):

And lastly, how do you know if it's the right fit? To get the right fit, Dendrinos suggests following your true underwear size and trying them on while wearing a pair of regular underwear underneath. If they're too tight, it will cut into the stomach or thigh area, and if they're too loose, they'll be baggy in those areas. A good, comfortable fit will prevent leakage and ensure satisfaction. Dendrinos bought her first pair of period underwear online about three years ago when patients mentioned they were using them. She was hooked. She uses period underwear at night. "I don't have to use any other product at night, so it's comfortable," she said. And like her patients have found, they are perfect for a good night's sleep without the fear of leakage. For more on this story and others like it, visit uofmhealth.org/healthblogs and you can subscribe to the Michigan Medicine News Break wherever you listen to podcasts.

 


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