UPDATE 2023: I recently learned that THINX has settled a class action lawsuit claiming that their period panties contain PFAS (per- or polyfluoroalykl substances). The primary offense was that the THINX brand was marketed as "organic, sustainable and nontoxic," according to the New York Times article published January 20, 2023, and these claims were considered false and misleading in light of the PFAS contamination. Do your own research on PFAS, which are found in many products, and how they may disrupt hormonal function and cause other women's health issues. If you're interested in better understanding the testing process and the results for a variety of period panties, check out this post by Mamavation.
Dear Kates, the brand I use, wasn't tested by Mamavation; however I did review the Dear Kates website to see if they address whether their products contain potentially harmful chemicals. I was relieved to find that they do address the issue and that the materials they use do not contain PFAS.
"DOES YOUR LINING CONTAIN PFAS? No. The tech we use in our garments is proprietary and was designed and developed to be safe and effective. We use our lining materials in a double layer with the top layer coming into direct contact with the body. These materials do NOT contain PFAS (per- or polyfluoroalykl substances) and they are compliant with Proposition 65, REACH, RoHS 2 and RoHS 3; PFOA, PFOS, Phalate, DMF, BPA and APEO free. We have used the same materials since day one, sourced through a company that has been named to the World’s Most Ethical Companies by the Ethisphere Institute. In everything we do, we will continue to uphold our commitment to quality, consistency and safety, providing customers the most up-to-date information." - From Dear Kates FAQs
The only brand of period panties I have used is Dear Kates, so I don't have any reference for comparison. However, I can say that Dear Kates feel like regular panties, only the crotch lining is thicker. I do not believe that the Dear Kates are a substitute for a tampon or cup (or other similar product) as advertised, and should only be used as a panty liner and not as a alternative to a pad. There is no plastic barrier that prevents leakage like you would see in a panty liner or pad, so while the panties can absorb some amount of fluids, I don't believe they can handle any amount of substance without leaking. With this in mind, it makes sense that the panties would not contain harmful chemicals or plastics that are often used in water proofing and in other period panties.
From Dear Kates FAQs: "We do not claim that our garments are “leak proof” as most of our competitors do because we do NOT use any films, barriers or backings (PU, PV or otherwise) in our products. These elements, which are used by most period underwear companies, are problematic for many reasons including they prevent airflow, trap moisture, promote bacteria growth and often use materials that have the potential to be unsafe. While “leak proof” is an appealing buzzword in our industry, we prioritize your health and well-being above all else."
After reading this, I'm even more confident in my purchase and use of Dear Kates. And in case you're wondering, no, I am not in any way affiliated with Dear Kates, nor do I receive anything for recommending their product.
UPDATE: It has been over five years and I still much prefer the combination of a menstrual cup and Dear Kate panties to any other period products! I have tried both the Lena and June cups and like both. The few situations in which I initially thought a menstrual cup might be a minor inconvenience (when I was just getting used to them) have proven wrong. I actually prefer a cup when hiking/camping. Just make sure you carry something to clean your hands, which hopefully you would do anyway! As for the Dear Kates, my favorite style is the Ada Hipster Mini. And for the record, the Dear Kates I bought years ago still look as good as new. So while the initial upfront cost is steep, the quality of these panties will allow you to keep them for many years; a bonus for your wallet and the planet!
Let's be honest, ladies. Every month, Aunt Flo comes to visit and we break out the boxes of tampons, pads and/or panty liners. Every month...year after year. Have you ever wondered if there's an alternative to all this waste?
My husband jokes that one day I'll try to cut out toilet paper in my quest to waste less. I can't say I'll ever go to that extreme though I am in the process of banning facial tissue and paper towels in our household. But surely, I thought, there has to be an alternative to the many disposable products we women use every month. So I began my search...
And I've settled on a one-two punch that works great for me - a LENA cup and Dear Kate undies. It's important to note that everyone is different and we all have to find what works best for us. But I encourage you to experiment a little. Test a few products to see if there is something you like that leads to less waste. You just might find that you prefer the alternative!
So why the Lena cup and Dear Kate combo?
I wanted to try a medical grade silicone menstrual cup because of its long-lasting durability. After researching the various options - and I was surprised to find out that there are actually many menstrual cups on the market - I settled on the LENA cup. Since I have only tried LENA and not a plethora of other brands, I can't comment on which is better but the LENA cup is a good fit for me. They come in two sizes - small or large.
The Dear Kate undies are super cute and have a thicker layer of padding than typical panties making them a perfect alternative to panty liners. I can't imagine using them (or any other brand) as a pad - they aren't that thick - but they're perfect to accompany the LENA cup or on light days. Honestly, I haven't worn a pad since middle school and can't imagine wanting to ever again!
Because of the thick lining of these panties and their super ability to absorb odor, they're great for workouts! And I've read that they're great for women who have recently had a baby. Really, they're cute and comfortable just like regular undies and if it weren't for the price, I'd make all my panties Dear Kates!
So on to the pros and cons. What are the benefits and restrictions with this power combo?
Pros
Comfort - It took two tries for me to figure out the LENA cup, but once I got used to it, I've found it to be much more comfortable than tampons. And there's no string that gets pulled on during exercise, so you basically forget it's there. Plus, you can use the menstrual cup on your lightest days as compared to using tampons which might be irritating to get in and out. The LENA is comfortable no matter what day you use it.
Cleaner - Yes, you do have to clean the LENA cup, which is a pain (see con below), but overall, this one-two punch feels a lot cleaner than a tampon/panty liner combo. Think about it - with a tampon, you have a string that you pee on that just hangs out with you until you throw it away. To me, that's pretty gross.
No smell - I always found panty liners to be a bit smelly but the Dear Kates have virtually no smell! It's nice to feel clean and this combo delivers!
Convenience - The LENA cup only needs to be emptied every 12 hours depending on your flow. It's nice to put it in and forget about it most of the day! You can shower, swim, do yoga, whatever you like with the LENA cup and you won't even notice it's there.
Eco Friendly - One of the main reasons I sought out an alternative to tampons and panty liners is because of the environmental impact. With this combination, absolutely nothing is going into the landfill!
Cost - This is really both a pro and con. The initial cost of the LENA cup and a collection of Dear Kates is steep, especially the Dear Kates, but if you think of the cost over the course of several years, they start to pay for themselves. The LENA cup, in particular, is a good buy compared to several boxes of tampons. And with the Dear Kates, you always enjoy free shipping and will get a discount the more you buy.
Cons
Inconvenience - While the LENA cup is convenient in that you may not have to think about it all day long (depending on your flow) it does have to be dumped and cleaned at some point. If you're at home, it's really not that big of a deal. I take the cup into the shower with me to clean it once a day. If you don't have access to running water within 12 hours (or whatever your flow dictates), tampons might be a better alternative. For example, if you're camping or at an all-day concert where porta potties are the only option, I think I'd opt for a disposable, but in just about any other scenario, the LENA cup is preferred.
Cost - Big upfront cost, savings long-term.
So consider this a girlfriend chat or a little birdie whispering in your ear - there are alternatives to tampons and panty liners and you just might prefer them! Check out the options and think outside the box...the tampon box, that is.
