FLO x Sex Education | Women's Hip Hugging, Period/Leakproof, Flow-Absorbing, Washable Underwear Briefs | Made from Better Cotton | Black - XS (UK 6) FLUN-B-XS

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Good quality (37%) ' I think they're great, and would have been fantastic to use as a young person whilst at school. I actually bought them first for my daughter. She was only 10 when she started her period and I wanted her to be as comfortable and confident as possible.' Much like reusable menstrual cups, period swimwear and period-proof activewear, period pants have seen a boom in popularity over the past few years. Can't wear for long periods of time (13%) 'I just find I can't wear them for long periods of time which is quite a faff.' Due to the prevalence of plastic in many period products – such as applicators and pads, not to mention other reusable products as well – using period pants is a good move for the environment, especially if you can get a significant wear out of each pair! We know it's generally better for the planet to reuse things than rely on single-use products, so in this regard, period pants get an automatic leg up over conventional disposable tampons and pads, particularly the plastic-based ones.

It’s normal for periods to come every 28 days," advises Dr Ameen. "Some people have shorter or longer cycles. Sometimes it can also be normal to have periods every 21-35 days. It may take two to three years for periods to become regular." If you feel well enough, there are no issues playing sports," advises Dr Ameen. "Using tampons rather than sanitary pads can often make swimming and exercise more comfortable." Taking simple painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen if suitable for you*, is usually enough," explains Dr Ameen, with Sarah also advising using a hot water bottle and wearing comfortable clothing for mild pain. If you're still not convinced, you can wear period pants with a tampon, pad or menstrual cup too, using them as an extra layer of support instead. How do you wash period pants?

Can you wear period pants all day and how often should you change them?

Honesty is key when talking about this once taboo subject. "It’s important to speak with young people openly and honestly, reassuring them that it’s a natural part of life that most women experience," advises Dr Ameen. PMS – premenstrual syndrome – is the term used to describe the emotional and physical symptoms that happen before or during the period. The NHS advises that symptoms can include: You may want to change your underwear or use a wipe, but don’t worry if you don’t have these to hand," advises Sarah. If you’re at school, ask a teacher or school nurse who’ll be able to help or stop by the shops if you’re out and about. "It can be as simple as popping a pad into your underwear and carrying on with your day," Sarah adds. Young people aged 19 and under can get free period products at educational institutions under a government scheme. So if you can’t afford them, or for other reasons including if you’ve forgotten to bring any with you, or unexpectedly come onto your period, you still have options. Your body tells you stuff; it’s about tuning in and being aware, so we can make sure that they know what is normal and what is healthy for their body. What would be the ideal first period kit for teens?

If you’re concerned about your periods, Nevinson advises consulting your pharmacist or GP. Why are period pants so expensive? If sustainability is very important to you but you can’t deal with a menstrual cup, then this is the one for you. We've seen anecdotal reports of people using period underwear for mild incontinence issues as well. Some of our survey respondents said they used period pants for this purpose, and indeed some brands, such as Modibodi, advertise their pants for light incontinence leaks too. Regular exercise, eating a healthy, balanced diet (potentially with small meals every two to three hours), seven to eight hours of sleep per night, reducing everyday stress with yoga or meditation, taking pain relief, such as ibuprofen or paracetamol if suitable for you*, and keeping a diary of your symptoms for at least two to three menstrual cycles can be helpful. Every pair of period pants has been tested and approved by our panel of 350 women and people who menstruate. They tried a variety of styles, sizes and absorbencies over the course of the trial period (the length of one actual period, which varied for each tester) from 22 brands. They rated them for comfort, breathability and softness, as well as how well they protected against leaks.All state-funded schools (including primary schools with Year 5 pupils and above) and DfE-funded 16-19 education organisations in England are eligible to access the scheme. How does the scheme work? GH Tip: While organic tampons can be composted, the cardboard is non-recyclable because it's considered to be medical waste. Reusable tampon applicators Remember to wash pants before first use too, as most brands advise this. Period pants for incontinence

Also, as your period progresses, the absorbency you require will change. Where you may need maximum absorbency on the first day, the final few days may require much lighter protection. But not all period pants are created equally on the sustainability stakes. Many still use synthetic fabrics such as polyester and nylon, which aren't biodegradable, and might release micro-plastics when they break down. All state-funded schools and 16-19 colleges in England are eligible to access the scheme, providing period products to girls, women, and non-binary and transgender learners who have periods. How does the scheme work? When starting to design period underwear, Ruby Raut, CEO and co-founder of WUKA, envisaged what a teen would need in school. So, she asked Cath what the ideal first period kit for teens would look like:Reusable period pants have grown in popularity and have become more stylish, subtle and most importantly affordable. Not only have we learned that traditional single-use period products, like tampons and sanitary towels, contain materials that take thousands of years to decompose, but they are also a large contributor to plastic pollution in the ocean. Another thing is that kids expect their periods to be regular, every month after their first period, but this doesn’t happen. Many of the products on our list of best period pants have enough absorbency that matches approximately 2-3 tampons worth of blood. When you compare that to your own flow and product usage you will likely only need one pair for the day and one for nighttime.