In the Spotlight: Modibodi Period Underwear
Period mishaps can happen to anyone, at any time. Everyone who has had a period knows that no matter how prepared you are, you can never guarantee a life free of period leaks and stains. What makes it worse is that we are still using the same tools to cope with our periods that our mothers used decades ago. While I hesitate to use the word archaic, it’s not far from the mark! Thankfully, a period revolution is well underway and we are revolutionising how we talk about our periods, and how best we can minimise any mishaps.
I’m a massive fan of this said revolution that has kicked off over the last few years. One of my favourite companies making waves in this arena is Modibodi. Modibodi are the creators of epic period underwear – undies that capture your flow and wick it away whilst you wear them. They’re an awesome, sustainable alternative to pads and tampons, and now sit alongside menstrual cups as my most-loved sanitation necessities. Modibodi are Australian designed and owned, giving them extra brownie points for sustainability, and get dropped off straight at your door. Each pair of underwear can hold up to 4 tampons and they come in all sorts of shapes and sizes to suit your individual preferences.
Now before you turn up your nose at the thought of period underwear, take a few minutes to read through this article. I was in exactly the same position several months ago – I’d be lying if it said I wasn’t disgusted at the thought of period undies. It’s been years since I’ve been able to tolerate pads, and in my head I was visualising a big, adult nappy filled with blood.
When I first received my Modibodi, I was shocked to see that they looked just like a normal pair of black underwear, except that the crotch is slightly thicker. Even the pair designed for overnight / heavy flow was nowhere near as thick and bulky as a pad. Safe to say, my intrigue was captured. What’s even better was that they were delivered in compostable packaging – you go Modibodi!
This sustainable aspect is actually one of the biggest drawcards for me, and now that Modibodi have released an entire vegan collection, they’re more sustainable than ever! Did you know the average woman has 450 periods during their lifetime? During those 450 periods, the average woman will use between 12,000 and 15,000 pads, tampons, and liners, as per a report conducted by the Rochester Institute of Technology. That’s a hell of a lot of wastage and plastic packaging leaching into our landfills. Thankfully, this is an easy place where we can reduce our impact – using period underwear will save you thousands of dollars and drastically reduce your imprint on our planet!
So how does it work? Modibodi are a layered combination of different fabrics designed to pull fluid away from the body, and trap it inside so it doesn’t leak out. I pulled this breakdown about the underwear’s design from their website:
The top layer quickly wicks away moisture, fights bacteria and stops smells, so you stay dry and fresh
The middle layer safely absorbs fluid and locks it away (2.5-20mls depending on the flow you go with)
The bottom layer is extra waterproof protection, so you’re super secure and sassy as always.
I tried this underwear for my cycle last week and am so excited to share with you my thoughts!
The Pros:
They are super comfortable and don’t bunch up or feel bulky like pads do.
They come in all shapes and sizes – seamless, high-waist, thongs, swimwear, to name a few!
They are highly sustainable as they are a reusable alternative to pads and tampons. Because of this, they also save you a whole bunch of money over time.
The higher absorbency underwear are great for overnights – I didn’t leak a drop!
The design really is on point – they wick away the moisture and leave your underwear dry to the touch (something I always detested about pads).
They have small sizes so would be great for young ladies who have recently got their periods – I wish I’d had this option!
Modibodi actively supports a whole bunch of charities that are committed to the empowerment of women. They have developed several amazing initiatives which you can check out here: https://www.modibodi.com/pages/modibodi-gives-back
The Cons
You definitely need a few pairs to get through your cycle, so it’s a little costly upfront.
They’re obviously not as environmentally sustainable as a menstrual cup (which you buy once and lasts up to 10 years).
They need to be rinsed in cold water straight after wearing, so if your period is heavy and you need to change them at work this can be a pain in the backside.
I haven’t yet tried wearing them on a heavy day – I’m working up to it next cycle!
The Verdict
I’m in love! I had such success and was honestly so blown away by these underwear. They’re absolutely perfect for days where you just don’t feel like using a menstrual cup, and they are insanely comfy! I love when brands can shift my preconceptions about things and Modibodi has done just that. Thank you Modibodi for paving the way!