4 common questions about free bleeding.

by

 

thinx period panties

(These Thinx aren’t my fave. I’m not a fan of buttcheekhangout.)

I’ve been free bleeding.

Confession:  I cannot stop singing about this fact to the tune of Tom Petty’s ditty.

I also think here’s where I’m supposed to offer a disclaimer about how, if you’re male, you might want to skip this post.

The thing is I don’t really feel that way.

I believe the world might run more smoothly if we all knew a bit more about each other and how it all works.

Whatever the it is you need to learn more about.

But I digress.

Back to Free Falling Free bleeding.

In 2014, I began to hear friends talk about period panties.

Initially I assumed they meant underpants worn only during that time of the month due to the fact the pairs were old and it didn’t matter if they became irrevocably stained.

I thought they employed the phrase period panties as euphemism for no longer pretty panties.

I was wrong.

I was entering a world I wasn’t aware existed and, initially, wasn’t sure I wanted to know about.

I was a diehard tampon user.

I’d tried the DivaCup and it wasn’t for me (period panties fanatics insist it’s not a great option because it keeps toxic menstrual blood inside a woman, but that wasn’t my reason).

I’d used pads back in the day and they felt bulky and limiting.

I was committed to my tampons, but even though all pediatricians I’d chatted with assured me (with frequent changing) they’d be fine for my Girl to use during swim team or gymnastics I wasn’t convinced.

I thought about how once she wore tampons for those activities she’d never want to return to pads.

I longed for options and period panties arrived in my world right as I’d begun my search.

thinx period panties

I love my Hi Waist style.

I was skeptical they’d work as touted (no leaks! all day protection in 1 panty!).

I tried them (I’m Period George Plimpton).

To the shock of myself and my People: I became a convert.

4 Common Questions About Free Bleeding.(1)

#1. Do they feel icky in the Texas heat?

Here’s the thing: Thinx are not internal like a tampon and I haven’t worn pad in years–wearing them was different but not definitely “icky” or damp.

According to Thinx there are 4 super-thin micro-layers which work to absorb the blood. This technology makes the panties (I’m not a fan of that word for some reason) leak-resistant, moisture-wicking and antimicrobial.

Essentially the panty’s (see above) very top layer swiftly wicks liquid into an absorption pad layer underneath.

The result is I never felt icky or wet–even in the Austin heat.

#2. Does one pair really last all day?

Even a heavy flow day? is typically a follow up to this one.

The Thinx did last all day without leaking, but my first go ’round I was fearful and I used tampons/Thinx-as-back-up on my second (heaviest) day.

In addition, at least I found I needed to help my Thinx along at times. I guess (?) I could have let any clots etc sitting on the surface of the panty (see above and above)—but I didn’t.  When I used the restroom I wiped off with toilet paper and flushed.

I own enough hip huggers for my entire cycle. I did buy a pair of the boy shorts and only use those on the laaaaaaast day. Love the look of the boy shorts. Don’t trust ’em entirely.

The best pair I own is the hip hugger. They are technically for heaviest flow days, but Ive discovered I tend to wash and wear and wash and wear them regardless of flow.

#3. Speaking of which–what is washing them like?

I’m a mom. Ive cleaned up after an 160 pound dog. Whether or not Thinx would be “gross to wash” didn’t even occur to me prior to purchasing!

The brand suggests you rinse in sink and then wash with laundry/hand dry. I chose to hand wash/hang. Surprisingly (now that people keep asking and I’ve thought a lot about it) blood doesn’t come rushing out/fill the sink. The water turns a bit darker, I rinse, I repeat, I hang.

#4. So wait, they aren’t like wearing a diaper?!

Here’s the embarrassing thing (actually I think we kinda talked about this before) Thinx are probably more sexy than my usual underwear!

I tend toward plain old cotton thongs (TMI, but so is this entire post). As a result, the first time I yanked a pair from the package I didn’t think diaper I thought Wait what?? Will these pretty, sexy things work?!

What’s the verdict?

I love them.

I love them for sleeping. I love them as back up on heaaaaavy flow days. I love them solo on light days.

I love the fact I can get a pair for my Girl and know there’s only the tiniest of chances she will experience what we all have:

That moment where we’re sitting somewhere in public and think: SH*T, I HAVE STAINED MY PANTS.

If nothing else Thinx eliminates this without being bulky like a pad.

Even I cannot believe I’m saying typing this, but I’m officially a loud & proud period panty loving free bleeder.

And you?

  • Have you tried Thinx or another brand of period panty?
  • If you’re a New Yorker have you see the enormous Thinx ads in the subway? What are your thoughts?

 

 

Disclosure: I reached out to the Thinx eons ago and inquired about partnership. They immediately responded/repitched me on their pee-proof underwear.

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Comments

  1. I have NEVER heard of these but I am intrigued…and also find it funny that you don’t like the word panties…I HATE THAT WORD…not sure why but why can’t we just call them underwear like the guys?!?! So here’s to hating the word panties my friend!

  3. This terrifies me!!! I know you said you don’t even feel wet or icky in any way but…really??? I like the idea of them but just scared to make the change I guess. I will have to think about this one as I really love my tampons…as much as one can.

    • I think it depends on PREFERENCE. I love my size small high waisted ones. The smalls in CHEEKY and THONG felt too small to me (more the former than the latter. I think I may just not be accustomed to my cheekys hanging out?!) So Id say YES, for the most part the run true.

  5. I have seen these in my facebook ads and I’ve read some articles about the creator. I think that is the part that impresses me the most–the woman who decided to revolutionize our periods!

  6. So freaking intrigued! Thanks to recent changes in my … flow … I’ve been free bleeding even when wearing a tampon and have just started using panty liners as back-up. I will have to check these out but seriously have doubts about my super-sized days.
    P.S. Did you not qualify for their period panty influencer program? 😉

    • I really do not not not think I will miss mine either. I told a friend yesterday I WILL WEAR WHITE PANTS EVERY DAMN DAY WITH WILD ABANDON 🙂

  8. Never heard of these, and i will tell both of my girls about them. Had they existed when i needed them, i know i would have loved them (tampons always felt very uncomfortable to me).

  9. Ok this is better then where I thought you were going to talk about letting the blood soak thru your clothes or run down your legs. That’s free bleeding to me, the extremist.
    Those panties ( I’ve never thought of the word that much, but maybe it does seem like a childish word) actually seem like a good idea for this ‘entering menopause’ woman who never knows what or when or how long her period will be.

    • Amen, sister. Im your doppelganger when it comes to that final sentence—reason #2 I love these.

  10. I haven’t tried these yet, but I’ve been thinking about it. I too didn’t like the Diva Cup. I do use reusable organic cotton pads and I love those, but they are indeed a bit bulky. So, the washing out thing doesn’t phase me a bit.

    Off to go see about buying a pair…

    • OK now all of you have me intrigued about the reusable pads, too. I need to check out the thickness etc of those as well.

  11. Given that it’s been several months (nearly six) without a period, it probably wouldn’t be a wise investment for me, but I would have loved this option back in the day!

  12. You know what I’m taking away from this? I am glad I don’t have to worry about it anymore. Haha. Although, after reading this, I would probably have at least tried them.

  14. HMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM…………. I always say I’m looking for an alternative to tampons but I never follow through with trying anything different. Thanks for the info!

  16. Been wondering about these. Glad you wrote them up. So how many pairs would a person need to get through a period with any tampons or pads? 3? 4?

    • I have five BUT BUT BUT there is a link on their site which specifically tells you how to create a set for your cycle!

  17. Here the thing, I totally believe you! I think these are the new wave of the future because I am not a fan of neither pad nor tampon. So maybe this will work for me? I just love how fancy they are.

    • I truly anticipated Id pull out a DIAPER LOOKING THING from the package the day it arrived as well… Nope.

  18. Never heard of these, never saw the ads in NYC. HMMM. No longer a consideration for me (thanks, early menopause) but still … I have a 20 year old daughter so knowing about options rocks! And thanks so much for the Tom Petty earworm. 😉

  19. Wow, I had not heard of these for period. Love fabric technology. What a great option! What I like especially for young women is, not sure when your period will start, just put these on in the morning!

    • YES YES YES TO ALL OF IT. The initial ick and skepticism and the working out. I do think we are all different and have unique flows BUT I’ve worked out, worn the high waist pair and been GREAT. I also have done same with the SPORT.

  21. Interesting, Carla. Unfortunately, I’m way past my period, but would’ve liked to have tried these. Oh well, instead I had my stash of black nylon panties, used for only those special times of the month. Had forgotten about those…

  23. I could use these for older women issues – after the period & older issues even though I squeeze like no tomorrow in my workouts! Leak no matter what! Insurance needs to cover this for women as they age! 🙂

    Great review!

  24. I’ve been using reusable pads for the past 5 years since I didn’t like the thought of using tampons… I got a Divacup not too long ago that I haven’t tried using yet (but soon)! I’ve heard really great things about Thinx but haven’t delved into that yet–I love that there are so many eco-friendly options now though! Great review!

    • It really does make me SMILE how many options there are now as well–youve nailed it. Would I ever have chosen tampons if Id had choices? Perhaps, but perhaps NOT.

    • Quite frankly THAT is my WAIT WHAT for the child as well. Not even that it’s too late for me 🙂 but DAMN IVE ALREADY BEEN DOING IT FOR YEARS.

  26. Haha! I have those underwear just for period days! My first reaction to free bleeding panties was that they would feel wet and sticky, but what about odor? Especially if they can be worn all day.

  27. *spoken in an old-timely woman’s voice:* “Well, as I live and breathe! They didn’t have those new-fangled panties when I was having periods!* —

    I laughed out loud at the Tom Petty reference! Haw!

    Welp, I don’t need these – I grieved that when it was over, at first, then I was quite happy about the whole thing.

  28. The best thing I ever did was have an ablation. No more bleeding for me. Ever. But I was also done having children and surgeries don’t bother me.

    That said, these aren’t really “free bleeding” because they have a collection method. Isn’t free bleeding where you literally throw the bird to the man and bleed all over your clothing, chairs in restaurants and stores, carpets if necessary and darn-it it isn’t your fault mother nature imposed this on you!

    I too would need to wipe them off and I’ve thought about that any all the reviews I’ve read. I could never just pull up 3 purple black clots of blood to my coot coot and move on with my day. I mean wow, they think menstrual cups are bad for your girl parts?

    I have so much more to say but figure I’ve covered more than enough ground. 😉

    Lee

  29. Hmm, so are you saying these would work while swimming?? Maybe I misunderstood, but you said you had asked about tampons for your daughter and are thinking of these as an alternative. I should look at their site. I’ve heard of them and at first I thought they were really gross, but the more I’ve read about them, the more I’m interested. The cup is nice because it doesn’t dry you out and can be worn all day when you’re not in the heavy phase. But it’s really annoying, messy, and sometimes not worth it at the start.

    • I have not worn them for swimming, but I have a number of friends who do. I think it’s their sport cut? Or perhaps it’s called boy shorts? Regardless they swear by them for swimming. And I think I may try my girl on those when she starts…

  30. Wow, I hadn’t ever heard of these. Very interesting…

    Oh, & I’m totally w/ you on the whole “panties” thing… just eww. I always feel like a man came up w/ that word to make them sound sexier. “Underwear” please.

  31. Wait, what?!? I’ve never heard of these! Wish I had them at the moment as I’m currently recovering from surgery on my uterus (lucky me!) and am getting really tired of wearing pads (tampons not allowed). These are brilliant. Thanks for the introduction!

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