Are you the prepared type? The one with three hidden purse compartments for spare safety pins, antacid chews, and bandaids? Maybe your friends think of you as the reliable one, or the group mom. Either way, you’d never dream of leaving the house without all the essentials — what if something doesn’t go as planned?
Maybe you’ve always been the same way when it comes to your period, too, backing up a tampon with a pad or pantyliner. If you’ve thought about making the switch to reusable period products, you might’ve worried they wouldn’t offer you the same level of protection.
On the contrary, with the right dynamic duo of products you can feel just as secure — or even more so. Read on to learn more about the cup + period panty combo, and how to feel twice as confident in your period protection.
Understanding Your Period Protection Options
There are a ton of different reusable period protection options, from washable pads to a range of insertables. Today, we’ll look at two of our favorites, the menstrual cup and period underwear.
The Menstrual Cup Lowdown
A menstrual cup is a small, flexible cup made of rubber, latex, elastomer, or medical-grade silicone. In one form or another, they’ve been around for well over a century, but they’ve recently gained a ton of popularity.
To use a menstrual cup, you fold it up and insert it into the vagina, where it suctions onto your cervix. This isn’t as scary as it sounds: it really just creates a gentle seal so it can collect menstrual blood without springing a leak.
Depending on your flow and the size you choose, you can wear a menstrual cup for up to twelve hours, including sleeping and swimming. You don’t need to sterilize it between uses (only between cycles) — when it’s full, you just empty it, rinse, and put it back in. This means you can use the same cup for the duration of your entire period, without any other period products.
Menstrual cups are especially beloved by travelers, since they can mean packing way fewer period products. With proper care, some cups can also last up to a decade, so they’re an incredibly affordable choice.
The downside to cups is that some people struggle with getting the right fit or knowing when the cup is full. Especially for newbie users, leakage or even spillage can be a major problem — that’s where period panties come in.
Period Underwear 101
Period underwear look just like regular underwear, with one very important difference: they’re made with special fabrics designed to absorb menstrual blood. Period underwear come in many different styles, from thongs and bikinis to boxers and boy shorts. Whatever style of underwear you’re used to wearing normally, there’s probably a period underwear version.
To use period underwear, it’s important to pick the right absorbency level for your flow. You also want to make sure your period underwear fit comfortably and snug-ly, so there’s no slippage or leakage.
Period underwear are made to offer varying levels of protection, for lighter and heavier flow days. Ultra absorbency versions can even tackle higher amounts of liquid, serving double-duty as the perfect underwear for light bladder leaks.
As with menstrual cups, you can safely wear period panties for up to twelve hours before changing them. However, how long you actually wear them depends on your flow, the absorbency you choose, your activities, and your comfort level.
When you’re done wearing a pair of period panties, you simply give them a rinse, then wash them on a cold, gentle cycle. With proper cleaning and care, a pair of period panties can last several years.
To get the most out of your period panties, try wearing them in conjunction with an insertable. They make a great form of backup protection in case of leaks, and can ensure you get a full 12-hours use out of your menstrual cup.
The Perfect Combo: Period Underwear and Menstrual Cups
The beauty of using a menstrual cup and period Leakproof panties together is the security and confidence this combo provides. A menstrual cup can absorb a lot of volume, while period panties help guard against leaks.
For extra heavy flow days, a heavy-duty cup and heavy absorbency period panties can get you through your day with leak-free confidence. Double the protection means double the sense of security, and a whole lot less period anxiety.
An even bigger reason to wear period panties is that the right absorbencies can double as incontinence underwear. If you’re coping with heavy periods and bladder leaks, this combo can help tackle all those extra fluids.
Another nice perk is that you can keep the same pair of period panties on all day, but empty your cup whenever you like. Either way, your period panties should feel fresher and cleaner, since your menstrual cup is holding most of your flow.
Potential Challenges and How to Overcome Them
As we mentioned above, one of the chief concerns about menstrual cups is the risk of leaks and spillage from the cup. If you’re new to using a menstrual cup, it might be challenging to get a proper seal or to know when your cup is full.
Even if you’ve been using a menstrual cup for a while, leaks can still sometimes pose a problem. Your size can change, the position of your cervix can change, or your flow can be heavier than usual.
Some people also find that their cup accidentally becomes displaced when they bear down to go to the washroom. If there’s pressure on the cup or the walls of the cup become creased or folded, that can cause the suction to break.
To prevent leaks, make sure you choose the right size menstrual cup for your anatomy. Most brands offer at least two sizes, though some offer a wider range of options. The right size will depend on factors like your flow, your cervix height, and whether or not you’ve given vaginal birth. It may help to try a few different brands in order to find a perfect match.
If you’re fairly sure you’ve got the right size cup but you’re still experiencing leaks, it might be an insertion problem. Try removing the cup, refolding it, and reinserting it — you should hear it suction onto the cervix when it’s been inserted properly.
Don’t be discouraged if menstrual cups don’t work for you — they just aren’t the right fit for some peoples’ anatomy. But if you really want to make it happen, consider booking an appointment with your gyno to see if they can recommend the right fit for you.
Your Personalized Period Product Combo
The right menstrual cup and period panty combo will be different for every individual. Some folks might prefer to use a high-volume menstrual cup and a light absorbency period panty in case of small leaks. Others might be more comfortable with a smaller cup and a heavy duty pair of period boyshorts.
There’s no one right answer, so experiment with different styles, fits, and absorbencies, to see what works for you. Try testing out your combo at home, or in situations where you don’t have to stress too much about potential leaks.
Most importantly, listen to your body: everyone’s period is unique. Choose the combination of products that makes you feel the most secure and confident in your period protection.
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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.