Sustainable Period Underwear Gave Me Freedom!

I'm going to let you in on a little secret...

The thought of switching to reusable pads, or period underwear, from tampons and disposable pads was something that I was very uncomfortable with for a long time. 

Some of my friends had made the switch to either these options or a menstrual cup (that's something I can safely say I will never feel comfortable trying but more power to you if you've mastered it!) and shared their positive experiences with me, but it still just felt well...a bit icky really!

I hated the thought of having to rinse blood out of my underwear multiple times a day and was very nervous of leaks. Regardless of the glowing reviews I read online, I was certain that I would be the exception to the rule! 

When I thought about it though, using tampons was no less "icky" than the simple act of rinsing out underwear!

And then, of course, there was the environmental factor.

I felt guilty every time I had my period because I knew I was contributing to landfill each month. 

I felt like a hypocrite to be sprouting how you can reduce, reuse and recycle and yet, here I was using multiple disposable pads and tampons every single month. 

So...I thought I'd ease into giving period underwear a go by using it for the first time toward the end of my period. 

The brand that came with the highest recommendation was ModiBodi, Australia's number 1 period underwear brand. 

The built-in lining (it's black by the way so you don't actually "see" the blood regardless of which of the gorgeous colours or prints you purchase) features patented technology that absorbs fluid and locks it away. 

Their website offers easy to use "flow" guides with underwear suited for everything from light-spotting to Maxi-24-hour coverage which absorbs up to 10 tampons' worth!

There are also a plethora of styles to suit every body. My personal fave is the Sensual Hi-Waist Bikini, but I'm also a fan of their Seamfree Full Brief which moulds to your body after a few washes! 

They even have some recycled material options!

Being a nervous Nelly, my first purchase was of the Maxi-24-hour and the heavy overnight bleeding style...in black. I couldn't have gone any safer with my choice! 

Something to be aware of though, is that the Maxi-24-hour style does take a little getting used to, since the absorbent lining goes all the way up to the waistline of the back of the pants.

They felt more comfortable than wearing a pad given the softness of the lining and less intrusive than wearing a tampon. 

I didn't need to worry about taking supplies with me every time I left the house or the awkward run to the garbage bin if I was visiting someone. 

I also didn't need to change as often as I thought because I had purchased the heavier flow options. 

In short...I felt free! 

I didn't realise how much my period weighed me down before making the switch. Not only physically and emotionally, but from a mental load perspective. 

Did I have enough pads or tampons? Would my period come and I wouldn't have supplies? Did I remember to pack supplies when leaving the house?

I can't tell you the amount of times I've had to do a mad dash to the shops (or send my hubby out for me!) because I forgot to purchase pads or tampons, or run late to an event because I forgot to pack them in my bag and had to find a shop that sold them en-route!

Making the switch has equalled freedom for me!

I've even purchased a wide range of their light flow options because they're so comfortable that I use them throughout the month now! Go figure!

My message to you is this...give it a go.

You have nothing to lose...literally...ModiBodi offers a 60-day risk free trial where you can actually try their period underwear and, if it doesn't work for you, request a refund with no questions asked and no need to return the underwear (for obvious reasons of course!) either!

Let me know if you use any sustainable period care, or whether you're willing to give it a go and what you think about the concept in the comments below. 

DISCLAIMER: There are a vast array of period underwear and reusable pad options on the market. This is by no means a paid posting for ModiBodi. I've paid in full for every product purchased from them. I just LOVE the brand and can speak to its quality and effectiveness where I can't with other brands. 

Image credit: ModiBodi