1. disposable liners
2. cloth, reusable liners
3. period panties
Disposable liners create landfill waste + need to be purchased over + over. Reusable, cloth liners can have a hard time staying put. A lot of people use them, but many reviewers do mention their shifty nature. (These would be my choice, because they are made from organic cotton + have a waterproof cotton layer.)
I've been experimenting with period panties for a few years. My top choices after considering my findings included:
-Hesta ::
pro: organic cotton
con: reviews mentioned noise with walking + leakage
-Dear Kate ::
pro: made in the USA
cons: thick, synthetic fabric + reviews repeatedly mentioned tightness around thighs
-Thinx ::
pro: style
cons: synethic, not clear where they are made, poor press involving the founder
-Lunapads ::
pros: organic cotton options, made in Canada, boy short option
con: reviews mentioned shiftiness of pad inserts
I tried ::
-Thinx High waist. I bought my first pair of period panties a few years ago, when I finally decided to spend more than I've ever spent on that item of clothing. I wasn't thrilled about the synthetic materials, but the reviews made Thinx sound like the best bet in the anti-leak department. Here are my impressions:
-the "cheeky" fit had me in a perpetual state of wedge...which isn't great for stopping leaks
-the material is like bathing suit material...slippery, hot, + not breathable
-they compressed like spanx, which may have been appreciated at any other time of the month, but was not comfortable in combination with cramps
Conclusion: I just didn't wear them.
-Lunapads MAIA brief. I chose Lunapads because of the organic cotton option + the fact that they are made in Canada. My plan was to use them without the extra liners anyway, so the shifty insert review was not a huge deterrent. These fit like my favorite Pansy. They are comfortable + have a larger absorbent area than the Thinx, which is nice at a night. They are breathable, + there is no noise with movement.
Conclusion: If I must, these are the ones for me.
Photos via Lunapads.
I can't leave this topic without mentioning a menstrual cup as a fantastic waste reducer for so many.
I would love to hear what you have to say on this topic!
Love,
Jane