These Period Panties Are So Good, I’m Never Going Back To Pads & Tampons

I’ve been a period underwear convert for a while now – ever since an ad for Australian brand Modibodi popped up on my feed, mid-lockdown. Never a fan of pads (the constant need to rearrange a sneaky wedgie or flatten an unstuck wing) or tampons and menstrual cups (inserting them never came naturally to me), period pants felt like the ultimate alternative. Pop on a pair when you think you’re due and you’re sorted. It's a lifesaver for someone with an irregular cycle: no longer do I ruin my favorite pants or panic about wearing white jeans at that time of the month.

Modibodi also benefits from its sustainability credentials. Most tampons and pads contain a shocking amount of plastic and an estimated two billion menstrual products are flushed down Britain’s toilets each year, the majority of which will end their life in landfill, incinerated or polluting our seas and beaches. With Modibodi's period pants you can say goodbye to a use-once-and-dispose mentality. Simply hand-wash them after use, pop into a cold delicates wash, hang to dry, reuse, repeat. A perfect fit for our new, pandemic-era, work-from-home world. Comfort and ease first, always.

Now, Modibodi is getting even kinder to the planet with its brand-new biodegradable collection. Two years in the making, the launch is the latest in a string of brand moves, from leak-proof swimwear and workout gear to vibrant, colorful and printed period pantis that can brighten even your worst PMS.

Modibodi wasn’t the first period underwear company I tried in 2020, but it is the one I’ve stuck with ever since. Its styles look just like any other pair of underwear and you can opt for a simple black or beige design, or try out the new range of bold, summery brights and patterns. There's everything from leopard print to abstract florals in full brief, high-waist bikini, French cut, boyshort, and seamless styles (even sexy, lace-trimmed designs). Forget any notions of Bridget Jones-esque pants – these have a 3-millimeter-thick, absorbent gusset which uses three layers of fabric to wick away moisture, fight bacteria and absorb fluid. They can hold up to 20 milliliters of menstrual blood (three to four tampons' worth).

Finding your perfect Modibodi match is easy. Your choice is based not only on style and cut but also on different levels of absorbency (measured by 'flow' or how many tampons' worth each level holds) and how the pants will leave you feeling ('fresh, dry and free' for Light-Moderate, 'comfortable, secure and carefree' for Moderate-Heavy). There are options for everyday use, hot days and sweat patches (Moisture Wicking pants), periods, heavy discharge, bladder leaks, and overnight wear.

Available in a beautiful teal color and your choice of either a bikini or full-coverage brief cut, Modibodi’s new biodegradable period pants are made with a blend of sustainably made Tencel™, bamboo, and merino wool. According to the brand, 97% of this blend's components are scientifically proven to break down into nontoxic substances at the end of their usable life, with most of the pant materials decomposing within six months when buried in active soil (aka, soil full of bugs and microorganisms). Worried about how long they will last? There’s no need. Modibodi claims that its biodegradable pants can be washed over 100 times, the equivalent of eight years of periods when washed once a month.

Just like all of Modibodi’s undies, they’re super soft and comfortable to wear. Once they’re at the end of their wearable life, they’re ready to bury before starting to biodegrade within a few weeks.

Period pants can feel a little odd at first if you’re used to using tampons, pads or a menstrual cup. Really, they’re super comfy – just like wearing normal undies. You might feel your flow but there’s no need to worry about leakages. From workouts to work days and sleeping, even on my heaviest days, I’ve never found them to fail. I now have a full week’s worth of Modibodi period pants so I’m covered for my entire cycle. Usually, I have a moderate flow and so don’t see or feel any blood on my pants, even after a full night’s wear. Sometimes you’ll find the odd clotted blob that can’t be absorbed but these are easily wiped away with a tissue.

My personal favorites from the new collection are the Classic Boyshort (a great choice for those first few days of your cycle when you might prefer a little more coverage at night) and the Recycled Seamfree Full Brief (a higher waist style with more support for bloated tummies).

Wash your new Modibodi period pants before wearing them for the first time. This activates the technology in the gusset (aka the crotch area of the undies) for maximum absorbency. After a full wear, start with a cold water rinse – not soak – in your sink or tub until the water runs clear, then throw them into your washing machine on a cold delicates wash sans fabric softener (this breaks down the pants’ absorbency powers). Wash in a delicates laundry bag like Modibodi’s own to protect your pants and the rest of your washing. While some customers have found that their Modibodi undies, ahem, smell, I’ve found that this is an issue of not fully drying. Be sure to hang yours until fully dry before reusing, and you'll be in the clear.