period underwear, do they smell?
Ever catch yourself feeling a tad worried about your period’s distinctive smell?
No worries, it's totally normal. Your period blood comes with its own natural scent.
Now, we'd all love period blood to smell fresh air, but let's face it, that's not the reality. No need to stress about that tell-tale scent. However, did you know our period care products play a role?
Yup…
So yeah, if you've forgotten about your pad, tampon or cup for a while, you might cop a whiff of a strong odour.
What about wearing period underwear… does period underwear smell?
Stick around for a tick. And we'll spill the beans on why not all period undies are born the same.
The short answer is – No.
Disclaimer: Not when they are brand new, anyway. 😉
Before we get into the nitty-gritty, here’s how they generally work…
Period underwear is usually made with multiple layers of absorbent fabric, often including a moisture-wicking layer to keep you dry and comfortable.
The absorbent layers in period underwear help keep the surface dry and reduce the chances of bacterial growth and odour.
do you know how odour control works in most period underwear?
Here's the lowdown: Do you know why many clothing items say they're anti-odour or anti-bacterial?
It’s simple. The fabrics are treated by adding chemicals during the finishing stage of production so that the chemicals bind to the fibres. This means antimicrobial properties are incorporated into the fabric to inhibit the growth of odour-causing bacteria when you’re active.
We're taking a bit of a punt here … and assume these brands have given them a fair dinkum test to make sure they're safe for our vulva skin.
The truth is, medical research says our delicate vagina can secrete and absorb fluids more quickly than our skin. So, you want to be on the lookout for any chance these chemicals might stir up some trouble – irritation, rash or itching.
As you know, the vagina has a delicate balance of vaginal flora (bacteria) to keep her healthy.
And we can tell you with absolute certainty the added chemical treatments will wash out over time. Once the chemicals wash out, the absorbent layer of period underwear can start to smell (we put them to the test).
Let us repeat that: Once the chemicals wash away, period underwear can get smelly. We know this from first-hand experience. Even the best chemical treatment with the highest concentration will eventually wash away, leaving your undies absorbing your period blood without the anti-odour functions.
That’s not all though.
When you get active, you sweat. Sweat is almost entirely odourless. But different body odours are produced when sweat reacts with bacteria (vagina flora).
That’s why active odour control is an important feature down under.
so why are we telling you this?
Simple. We care.
You see… with [pee chee cheex], we design our undies to actually work without adding chemical treatments for moisture management or odour control. Our designs avoid adding harmful substances like PFAS, PFOA, PFCs, Phthalates, and Volatile Organic Compounds. Additionally, our undies undergo thorough testing by a top global company to ensure quality.
We care deeply about this issue, so we set our own standards higher than the Oeko-tex Standard 100 requirements. Why? Because our undies are crafted from love, for loved ones.
Here’s the secret: From thousands of hours of research and development, we’ve got a cracking combo of natural fabrics to keep you feeling clean and fresh during that time of the month.
The leakproof design works hand-in-hand with the materials we carefully selected for your protection and comfort.
And they are so effective at keeping you feeling clean and fresh all day… it is protected by a patent!
Obviously, this is no ordinary undie. No undie protects like [pee chee cheex] ...or feels like them.
here's the million-dollar question: do [pee chee cheex] period undies smell?
Nope, they stay fresh if you follow the simple wash and care instructions.
That’s right. Forget about nasty chemicals being added… forget about period products causing odours… forget about unwanted stains… forget you're even wearing period undies, they’re so comfy (so we’ve been told).
Our 'We Care' ethos is at the core of everything we do.
The plain fact is… we care so much, that it led us down the path to this Amazing Secret Fabric Discovered By Sniff Tester Absorbs Your Heavy Flow, Combats Odour, Eliminates Antibacterial Coating… And Can Help You Feel Clean And Fresh All Day
The [pee chee cheex] ethos guides every step of our process, from designing to sourcing to producing, with genuine dedication. This unwavering commitment drives our passion for crafting with love.
With Care and Love
[pee chee cheex]
PS: at that time of the month, you want to step up your regular hygiene game to keep things feeling clean and fresh down under. Without extra care, it could lead to an unwelcome odour.
PSS: if that smell persists and starts to go off or smells seriously unpleasant, then it’s best to get it checked out by a doctor. Different types of smells can indicate different causes.
References:
Yang H, Zhou B, Prinz M, Siegel D. Proteomic analysis of menstrual blood. Molecular & Cellular Proteomics. 2012;11(10):1024-1035. doi:10.1074/mcp.M112.018390
Bacterial vaginosis – Mayo Clinic. 2023, June 10. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bacterial-vaginosis/symptoms-causes/syc-20352279
Khanna, K, Ph.D. 2021, December 30. Microbial Origins of Body Odor. American Society For Microbiology. https://asm.org/Articles/2021/December/Microbial-Origins-of-Body-Odor
Nicole W. A question for women's health: chemicals in feminine hygiene products and personal lubricants. Environ Health Perspect. 2014 Mar;122(3):A70-5. doi: 10.1289/ehp.122-A70. PMID: 24583634; PMCID: PMC3948026.
Farage M, Maibach HI. The vulvar epithelium differs from the skin: implications for cutaneous testing to address topical vulvar exposures. Contact Dermatitis. 2004 Oct;51(4):201-9. doi: 10.1111/j.0105-1873.2004.00444.x. PMID: 15500670.