are period underwear safe?
What actually is safe period care anyway?
During our search for safe and effective period care solutions, we accidentally discovered the KEY to ‘good-for-you’ period care.
And it involves…
…monitoring your vagina while bleeding.
Very simple. A bit scary, too…
…but mostly simple.
Here’s what happened to one of us:
So, here I am, burning the midnight oil to meet those impossible deadlines, and, wouldn't you know,
...it's day one of the heavy period cycle.
Time passes, but I ignore the call for a fresh pad. Too absorbed in my work.
"Alright, gotta take a breather, tend to my vagina," I remind myself.
Feeling more irritated, there’s an itch that just won't quit, exacerbated by the constant dampness.
I need a new pad, but work's got its claws in.
There’s a bit of soreness and discharge. I suspect it’s a bloody yeast infection.
Comfort pleads for a break, but work demands yank me back in.
A relentless struggle, a familiar bloody battle.
The question nags at me: What’s in these pads and tampons? Why can’t they go the distance?
And then there's the other one: Is pushing pads for so many hours risky?
We want better period care.
But not enough to consider long-term risks.
This is when we recall the age-old advice… change pads/tampons regularly.
Recommended Usage Time can be a useful measure of good and safe period care.…
…all the wannabe reasonable period products out there trying to protect you…
…in a world they see is hostile to your vagina’s comfort and health.
And the world can be tough on your vaginal health…
…if you don't reduce exposure to harmful chemicals.
And, to be sure, we checked what doctors recommend.
But nothing concerning yet. Just a bunch of recommendations: like tampons, the maximum Recommended Usage Time is 8 hours…
Menstrual cups had the longest wearing time – up to 12 hours.
With cups, bacteria growth and infection are still a worry.
The biggest concern is that any internal vaginal period product carries the risk of Menstrual Toxic Shock Syndrome (mTSS).
Not to mention, there’s a learning curve, and things can get a little messy.
We keep researching.
Now, there's period underwear.
Seems like the saviour…. fits and feels like regular underwear. Your flow is drawn away from your vagina and the gusset's surface layer.
They look like the winners; they all seem to have similar features and do the same job.
Based on Recommended Usage Time, some trustworthy sources, like government authorities, say they typically last about a day.
While some doctors (and brands) recommend wearing it for up to 12 hours. Why?
What concern do some doctors have about undies?
Something didn't make sense.
We checked for harmful chemical exposure risk. It’s a biggie. Going deep, looking at the moisture management treatments they added. Weighing up the pros and cons.
Still not 100% sure.
Then, we discovered a significant problem. And this stopped us in our tracks and…
…we knew something better must be made.
Cuz we all desire the comfortable, leakproof undie they offer. Badly.
We didn’t want to risk not having period undies.
Turns out, our loved ones (some heavy bleeders) experienced the same issues after trying several different products.
What pushed us to innovate?
It was not just the risk of long-term chemical exposure, nah… the problem was even more immediate.
It was the risk of leaking (and odour) before they were even full.
Doctors advise changing early to avoid leaks and odours.
Heavy bleeders confirmed this, especially at the thigh gap.
To our surprise, this is a very common problem… most leaked well before they were ‘full’. Yet, according to their product details, they should hold more blood.
But when you start seeing red in between the thighs. Anxiety starts to creep in cuz it can only get worse with each new gush.
We were frustrated that they couldn't handle heavy flows.
By now, we're in a bit of a pickle, not even thinking about long-term chemical exposure.
We wanted something we hadn’t known existed earlier,
…thigh gap leak protection (without adding chemicals).
We want the best period care for ourselves and our teens.
They deserve to feel good about having their period. Not something that causes embarrassment, stress or panic.
So, what did we do, you ask?
After our team spent thousands of hours together…
We crafted a comfy, reusable, leak-proof undie. It absorbs more of your period and pee…
… [pee chee cheex] period undies are so effective at keeping you feeling protected, confident and clean and fresh all day…
It is Protected by a Patent!
So no undie protects like [pee chee cheex] ...or feels like them.
Here’s what you can expect from [pee chee cheex]
- No adhesives or potentially irritating chemicals,
- Frequent testing to ensure there are no harmful substances (PFAS, PFOA, Phthalates, Volatile Organic Compounds, etc.),
- Made with skin-loving planet friendly materials derived from plants,
- Natural fabrics that fight odours without added antibacterial coatings, and more.
Here’s the BEST part…
We have the best thigh-gap leak protection and a 3D Comfort gusset.
It's thin at the legs, no matter your style—Regular-Heavy or Super-Heavy.
Keen to check out the extra perks we've packed into this banger of an undie?
Check out our 'crafted with love' page here.
With Care and Love
[pee chee cheex]
PS: Our [pee chee cheex] team tested for harmful substances, and the undies PASSED with flying colours.
PSS: Let’s talk sense… and cents. Most of us spend around 15 to 20 bucks monthly on disposable period products. That’s made up of two packs of pads and or tampons (three plus if your flow is super heavy), which is about five bucks a pop, plus a pack of liners. Bottom line? You're looking at $180 to $240 a year, easy. And that's just for the basic stuff (not the cotton or overnight or extra-long wings).
PSSS: Now, here's the genius. Our Bikini Regular-Heavy 4-pack is only $119 during the sale. You'll break even in 6 to 8 months. Want more freedom? Grab the 7-pack from $189, which pays for itself in about a year.
Resources:
How often should I change my pad, tampon, menstrual cup, sponge, or period panties? - Office on Women’s Health in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. 2021, February 22. https://www.womenshealth.gov/menstrual-cycle/your-menstrual-cycle
Santos-Longhurst, A. 2020, December 15. How Often Should You Change Your Pad? Healthline Media. https://www.healthline.com/health/menstruation/how-often-should-you-change-your-pad#per-day
Menstrual Hygiene - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 2023, May 26. https://www.cdc.gov/hygiene/personal-hygiene/menstrual.html