Periods. If you’re a woman, chances are you are you get ’em every month, and between cramps and leaking, they can sometimes be pretty frustrating to deal with. Luckily, the invention of period underwear has made avoiding leaks more attainable than ever, not to mention they’re much more comfortable than wearing a maxi pad or tampon for hours on end.
In today’s social media-driven age, talking about periods (and the undies we wear during our periods, by extension) is far from the taboo subject it used to be; and with period undies being anything but a niche category, you can readily find them everywhere from Amazon to Nordstrom — not to mention, at more price points than ever before. Well, calling all free bleeders: we’ve rounded up the best period undies to rock during your cycle, ranging from a breathable bamboo pair to a thong so comfortable, you’ll want to wear it even when Aunt Flo isn’t in town.
At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. If you buy something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.
Revol Girl Lingerie The Gloria Underwear
The last thing you probably want to wear during your cycle are a pair of NASA fabric undies that scream, "These are period panties!" These handmade Etsy gems are not only totally chic thanks to the mesh paneling, but come in sizes XXS to 5XL.
Innersy 3-Pack Protective Cotton Panties
Stocking up on a couple days’ worth of underwear is easy with a multipack of period panties — this Amazon find rings in at just under $20, a.k.a. $6.66 a pop.
Innersy 3 Pack Menstrual Period Protective Cotton Panties, $19.99, available at Amazon
Anigan 2-Pack Absorbent Period Panty
Looking for a simple option? These black, scalloped-edge undies are made with a nylon, cotton and spandex blend to absorb fluid and wick away moisture for ultimate comfort.
Anigan 2-Pack Absorbent Menstrual Period Panty, $39.95, available at Amazon
Knix Leakproof Bikini
Knix’s seamless underwear features a thin, built-in liner made with triple-layer technology to absorb up to 3 tsp of liquid — perfect as a backup for leak protection.
Knix Leakproof Bikini, $23, available at Knix
Thinx Thong
Thinx is an OG player in the period underwear game, and their stylish options are proof of that. This geometric lace thong is as close to ground-breaking as period undies get because, hello, who thought you could actually wear a cute thong on your flow?
THINX Thong, $24, available at THINX
Lunapads Boxer Brief
"A lot of people don’t really think or talk about trans and nonbinary people getting periods," Mia Harris, a Londoner who identifies as nonbinary, previously told Refinery29. "On adverts it’s always cis femme women with long hair saying, ‘Look – you can wear a short dress and be on your period!’ but that’s not everyone’s experience." A boxer brief style with absorbing fabric is a simple, no-fuss way to address the dysphoria surrounding having a periods if you may not identify as female.
Lunapads BOXER Brief, $41.99, available at Lunapads
Bambody Overnight Period Panties
Fact: You can never have too many solid black undies. Shop this super comfy, high-waisted bamboo-spandex blend pair solo or in a three-pack.
Bambody Overnight/Heavy Discharge Period Panties, $14.9, available at Amazon
Hesta Organic Cotton Briefs 3-Pack
These organic cotton undies are not only baby-soft to the touch (and come in sizes up to 4XL), but are available in a variety of colorways, including beige, ivory, and black.
Hesta Women’s Organic Cotton Briefs Underwear 3 Pack, $39.9, available at Amazon
Yoyi Bamboo Viscose Leakproof Panties
These bamboo-viscose full-coverage briefs are available in value packs of 2, 3, or 5, and are available in all sorts of bright, feel-good hues.
Yoyi Bamboo Viscose Brief Menstrual Leakproof Panties, $16.69, available at Amazon
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Source: Refinery29 – Karina Hoshikawa