I don’t know what the big deal is, honestly. I’m a 31 year old woman. I get my period. I’ve gotten it every month since I was 12 years old. That’s (almost) 240 months of bleeding red in white underwear. (Because of course 240 months later, I’m still surprised every month my period arrives. And it never fails to arrive on the day I’m wearing white lacy panties).
I’m a tampon girl. I put one in on day one and don’t think about it again until day 5 except when I send up an occasional prayer against TSS (#1996nightmares). Just kidding, but really. I don’t let the red stuff see the light of day EVER. So when I heard about SheThinx, a company that makes re-useable underwear for during your period, I was skeptical. So I read about them and learned about their social mission and fell in love. I asked if I could try them out for all you skeptics at TN, and well….. see for yourself:
Can you tell that for the first time since I was 12 and 1/2 I’m using something other than a tampon to hide the evidence of that time of the month?
How about this one? Does it look like I’m wearing a diaper for the menstruating woman?
One more! Can you tell I’m wearing period panties by SheThinx and not getting Toxic Shock Syndrome, clogging the toilet with something I shouldn’t flush but totally do anyway, or adding to the waste pile-up in the world? No? You can’t tell all that?
Good!
Thinx: For Women with Periods
Thinx Underwear IS underwear you wear during your period that works in compliment with tampons or a menstrual cup, absorbing excess liquid, keeping you dry and leak-free. Plus, they’re washable and reusable.
They come in 4 types from Thong for your lighter days to Hiphugger for your heavy days. Prepare yourself for jokes about adult diapers from your significant other. Laugh it off, baby, because you’re doing the world GOOD by wearing them.
Social Mission of SheThinks
This social mission of THINX is why I first got excited about the company. Every day around the world, girls and women have to drop out of school, leave their jobs and stay at home because of inadequate menstrual hygiene education, insufficient water and sanitation facilities, and poor access to sanitary menstrual materials. BECAUSE OF THEIR PERIODS. This is heartbreaking.
When you buy a pair of THINX, the company sends funds to their partner organization AFRIpads which trains women to sew and and sell washable, reusable cloth pads, turning local women into local entrepreneurs. Then a girl is able to purchase an affordable and sustainable pack of pads, keeping her in the school every day of the month.
Thinking about helping women who are at a disadvantage because of something I’ve dealt with for 240 months with the ease of a tampon was enough for me to give them a try.
Full disclaimer: SheThinx sent me a pair of Hip Huggers (The strongest pair), but this is my honest review. I did NOT wear them on my heaviest day. TMI Time: Towards the end of my period, I generally go tampon-free and pantyliner only. These undies are PERFECT for that time o’ the month! (Also, had this been Day 1 or 2, the photos would have been of me stabbing myself in the gut instead of enjoying a leisurely stroll through the city). But I can say I felt dry, comfortable and cute in these panties.
If you’re looking to try something new next time Aunt Flo comes to town, or if you want to support an awesome company making a difference in the lives of women around the world who CAN’T just throw in a tampon and go on with their day, check out SheThinx. You’ll be glad you did!
(I did not break an ankle jumping in those heels. Thanks for asking)
UPDATE FROM SHETHINX: SheThinx reached out to me to tell me that, in fact, you do NOT wear THINX without a tampon or cup. I did point out that no where in all of their marketing or in the entire 2 months I’ve known about them, was that the impression I got. They responded:
We are in the process of updating our website and creating new copy, that is a better reflection of product functionality. Yes, the Hiphugger does hold 4 tampons worth, but for liability reasons we cannot market THINX as a complete back-up (some women who think they have light flows might bleed more and in turn have issues with the Hiphugger). THINX are meant to replace pantyliners, and serve as a complement to tampons and menstrual cups. THINX are worn without pads because the underwear was designed to absorb your flow.
Now you know!
