I like to think of discovering period underwear as a two-fold process. Just like the underwear themselves, it's layered.
First comes the discovery of just how game-changing period undies are during your menstrual cycle. What do you mean I don't have to do tampon runs anymore? It's no surprise then that period underwear has become best known for, well, periods.
The next phase, however, is discovering that the power of period panties extends beyond just periods. They are leakproof, after all.
Sure, period underwear is great to have on hand during heavy flow days—but what about all the other days of the month when daily discharge, sweat, and spotting rear their heads? It turns out, Leakproof underwear is pretty useful then, too.
So, let's dive into the versatility of period underwear and how you can harness Leakproof undies just about any day of the week to make everyday life a little comfier. Including, but not limited to, never again having to check your butt in the gym mirror for sweat marks.
Fully (Dis)Charged & Ready to Go
As a society, we don't talk about discharge nearly enough. And, yet, it's a near daily occurrence for those of us with vulvas and vaginas.
Vaginal discharge varies day by day, and person to person based on hormonal fluctuations (hello, ovulation phase) and other factors. On the whole, experiencing discharge on the daily is totally normal—in fact, it's your body's way of keeping your vagina clean, healthy, and lubricated.
One way Leakproof underwear might outshine your regular underwear is in its ability to absorb and draw moisture (read: discharge) away from your body. Since they look and feel like regular underwear (from thongs to boy shorts), you likely won't even notice the difference.
If you're considering using your period panties for daily discharge needs, I'd recommend going with a lighter absorbency that will have a barely-there feel that absorbs anywhere from about 1-3 regular tampons worth of fluid. Since discharge is unlikely to stain, you can also stick to your regular underwear or opt for Leakproof undies on heavier discharge days only.
Plotting Your Spotting
Spotting is a bit of a different story. While it's relatively easy to get discharge out of your underwear in the wash, spotting can stain your regular underwear. Browns, pinks, and reds can turn up in the days leading up to and following a period, which is why so many people keep a backup stack of period products.
That's why Leakproof underwear is a no-brainer in the days right before and after your period, when you're most likely to experience spotting. It can take the guesswork out of deciding whether or not to wear a pantyliner. Besides, how many times have you put on a pad, anticipating leakage, and gotten none?
Leakproof underwear have several absorbency levels, and on regular period flow days moderate absorbency (absorbs about 2-3 super tampons-worth) or heavy absorbency (absorbs about 3-6 super tampons-worth) styles are good go-tos. Whereas, when it comes to spotting, lighter absorbency styles will likely do the trick.
Free to Pee
Is your bladder fighting for its life every time you cough, laugh, sneeze, or lift something heavy? You're far from alone on that front (or back, we should say).
Whether you're in postpartum recovery, experiencing hormone changes due to menopause or perimenopause, adjusting to a challenging workout routine, or dealing with pelvic dysfunction, women are highly likely to experience urinary incontinence at some point in their lives.
While it's always a good idea to consult a pelvic specialist if you're experiencing urinary leaks, know that it's super common—there's no shame in the bladder leak game. It's so common, in fact, that there are Leakproof styles and reusable pads designed specially with bladder leaks in mind.
A far cry from adult diapers, Ultra Leakproof underwear styles absorb about 9 super tampons worth of liquid and are designed with full coverage in the front and back. So, you can have all the belly laughs and none of the emergency bathroom runs.
Sweat, Baby, Sweat
For those of us who like to stay active and fit (in any way shape or form), we all know the feeling of moist underwear. Movement is all about working up a sweat—but what's less ideal are sweat marks on your derriere. Or worse, the dreaded snail trail.
Women-centric designs in activewear and athleisure are finally embracing the Leakproof trend, which means there's a whole assortment of leggings designed to absorb sweat, discharge, and period flow while you downward dog. And the same goes for period-proof swimwear, which means folks can ditch the tampons when they hit the beach.
The beauty of these garments is that they provide full-on or backup protection for period days, but also transition seamlessly into your regular rotation by absorbing everyday sweat. And no, you can't tell the difference between Leakproof leggings (or shorts and skorts) and regular leggings.
But if that's not your thing, consider bringing your usual period underwear into your workout rotation. Since period undies are moisture-wicking, it should help minimize any feeling of dampness and, of course, curb any crotch stains. Since Leakproof underwear is designed to be seamless and nearly invisible under fabrics, it also won't hamper your curated gym fits.
Leakproof Underwear: The One Pair That Does It All
Leakproof underwear: the overachiever of your top drawer.
Overnight protection? Check. A fresh pair post-workout? Got it. Sweat, spotting, discharge, and even the occasional bladder leak? An afterthought. And no, you don’t have to toss out your entire underwear stash and start from scratch. Just start with one pair, wear it, see where it fits into your life, and add a few pairs as you go—so you’re covered for whatever the day (or night) throws at you.
Taking care of them is just as low-effort. Machine wash in cold water, skip the fabric softener (it messes with absorbency), and either hand wash or toss them in with your regular laundry. Lay flat or hang to dry, and you’re good to go.
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We hope you found this post informative — but remember: we're not doctors and this post is not medical advice! While all posts are fact-checked and well researched, we always recommend you chat with your doctor about any questions or concerns you might have regarding a medical condition. We're here to support and educate, but never with the aim of disregarding professional medical advice you've been given. Phew, now that that's out of the way, you can go on living unapologetically free.