These Period-Proof Panties Are Your Monthly Secret Weapon

Nov 01, 2014

Period panties. Every girl has a stash of them in the verrrrry back of her lingerie drawer, reserved for that week each month when comfort and caution trump anything remotely cute. Because, try as we might, we often *can’t* control the period powers that be. That means on top of prepping for the worst case scenario with the basic undies, there’s discreet liners and overly-protective pads to deal with — and even those bulky backup resources aren’t 100% leak proof. A worry-free period may seem like a dream world scenario, but a Kickstarter campaign from Padkix Design Lab is trying to make just that a reality with its innovative leak-free, reusable underwear — and the wash-and-wear-again pairs are pretty cute too.

On the outside, Leak Free Period Panties look like they would fit right alongside the pieces in your everyday underwear collection — they’re spotted, striped, colorful and snuggly-soft. But on the inside, they’re an all-in-one form of period protection. Made with super absorbent materials like bamboo microfiber built right into the crotch (technical term), the patent-pending design makes these pairs alone three times more absorbent than a disposable pad. The black fabric-lined undies are fully washable and reusable, making them the most fuss-free partner in crime to the tampon ever. That means pads and panty liners really could be things of the past, resulting in both a more comfortable and confident YOU (with more dough in your pocket because spending money on pads is like ugggh) and promoting a more eco-friendly approach to your period. Wearing Leak Frees means you’re not contributing to the on-average 20 billion pads and tampons that are added to landfills each year in North America. Yep, that’s a whole lotta pads and tampons.

Leak Frees are affordable ($20 for one pair and $35 for two etc, through Kickstarter), they’re environmentally sound and they help women on a global scale too. For each purchase, Leak Free will donate a pair to adolescent girls in parts of the world where menstrual sanitation is lacking. Currently, the campaign is halfway to its $10K goal, which means we’re not quite living as carefree as the gal in Leak Free’s promo video. It’s a “we’ve all been there kind of scenario” — more donations means we’d most likely never have to be there again.

Would you rely on these period-proof panties? Or can you not imagine life without panty liners (try!). Tell us in the comments below.

This Is What PCOS Looks Like In Your Early 20’s

Your early 20s are supposed to be a time of freedom and discovery. You’re meant to explore the world, find your passion, deepen relationships and embrace transformative experiences – but not everyone gets that luxury. In fact, nearly 6 million women in the United States (including far too many young women) deal with PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome), a hormonal disorder with symptoms ranging from infertility to unbearably painful periods, says Endocrine Society.

If this is new information to you, let me break it down for you. In simple terms, PCOS is the most common hormonal disorder among women of reproductive age, but many women don't even know they have it. Unfortunately, too many women aren’t diagnosed with PCOS, despite having the condition, because many doctors still view the symptoms as “just something women have to deal with.” This subsequently causes some women to spend years advocating for themselves until any testing is done — which is absolutely ridiculous, BTW.

While the exact causes of the disorder are still unknown, there are some uncommon discrepancies that may correlate with the syndrome. For instance, Androgen excess (male hormone excess), is “seen in 60-80% of girls and women with PCOS, [and] is a key problem in the disorder and likely comes from ovaries in most women,” Endocrine Society states. Insulin resistance or elevated insulin levels, along with “abnormalities in how the brain or pituitary gland communicate with the ovaries may also lead to androgen overproduction. Other hormones from the ovary or fat tissue may also be involved.”

It’s believed that PCOS is generally inherited, but environmental factors (like low birth weight, rapid weight gain in infancy, early pubic hair and puberty development, childhood obesity, excess adult weight, unhealthy lifestyle, etc.) also play a role in the development of PCOS.

As we mentioned before, many women are only diagnosed after years of self-advocacy, and after consistently experiencing infrequent or painful periods, difficulty getting pregnant, ovarian cysts, abnormal weight gain, and hair loss (or excessive hair growth). You’d think this condition would be widely talked about, but truth be told more women have been diagnosed recently thanks to the advent of TikTok.

Through the app, hundreds of women recount their experiences with PCOS, some even documenting their journey pre and post diagnosis. This has led to more women seeking medical attention for traits that were once considered “not a big deal,” and having the information to move forward with their lives.

I interviewed five women in their early 20s on how this condition has affected their lives, and how they move forward with this newfound information.

Photo by Cliff Booth / PEXELS

Andie, 22: “I’ve dealt with painful and infrequent periods my whole life. Of course, doctors always told me it was ‘normal’ because my tests were ‘normal,’ but I always knew something wasn’t right. I actually first heard of PCOS through TikTok, and I was like, ‘this sounds a lot like me.’ Since then I've been super proactive in my health. To get diagnosed I had to go to several doctors which wasn’t great, but my new OBGYN took me seriously enough to do more intense testing. As I kinda expected, I was diagnosed with PCOS shortly after, but since not much is known about it I started doing a ton of research on my own. I take lots of supplements along with birth control, and have a pretty clean diet with regular exercise. My periods are a bit better now, but honestly it just feels good knowing that my gut was right all along.”

Cameron, 23: “I was diagnosed with PCOS when I was just shy of 19, which is pretty lucky considering most women don’t get diagnosed until later. My primary care doctor and OBGYN both believed me at face value, which made the process much easier than other women I have heard of. TikTok has helped me a lot to listen to my body and use more holistic methods to heal myself, most of which have worked, at least in my opinion. Honestly it could just be a placebo effect but I don’t care. I want to have kids one day, so it’s definitely a bit nerve wracking knowing I could have infertility. My doctors said I’m OK right now, but it’s still something extra I have to think about that my friends don’t.”

Photo by KoolShooters / PEXELS

Lucy, 21: “I was literally just diagnosed two months ago, so I’m still learning a lot about it and how I can try to actually ‘cure’ myself. I mean – obviously I’d rather not have PCOS, but what am I going to do?! I’m currently taking fish oil, magnesium and probiotics, all of which I’ve heard good things about from other girls with PCOS. One of my best friends in college also has PCOS, so it’s nice to have someone else to talk to who ‘gets it.’ I would definitely recommend for other women who suffer from PCOS to find someone else with it to talk to, it’s been super helpful for me.”

Jenna, 20: “I’ve had periods of excessive weight gain and weight loss throughout my life, but I just thought it was because of exercise – I never thought it could be a sign of something bigger. I recently moved for school and started seeing a new doctor, because I kept gaining weight even though I ate a super clean diet and exercised a lot. He decided to send me for some bloodwork and other tests just to see if anything was wrong, and that’s how I found out I had PCOS – which was definitely surprising for me since I never had inconsistent periods. The diagnosis has allowed me to find new ways to workout so I can actually lose the weight I want to. It’s not as much as I’d like, but I’ve lost 15 lbs in the last four months!”

Photo by Rachel Claire / PEXELS

Lydia, 22: “Obviously, it’s never fun to cancel on your friends because you’ve got excruciating period pain, which is why I went to the doctor in the first place. After months of this stabbing-like pain the doctors finally diagnosed me with PCOS. It hasn’t changed a lot for me, if I’m being honest, but at the very least I am taking some medication so my periods aren’t nearly as painful anymore.”

It’s simultaneously wonderful and unfortunate that more young women are advocating for themselves. Wonderful that they find the power to advocate, but unfortunate that they have to. We hope these stories encourage you to take authority over your own health and wellbeing, and to be confident in your knowledge of yourself over someone else’s perception of you. Only you know how you feel, so advocate for that!

Take charge of your health with tips and tricks from Brit + Co.

Header image via Antoni Shkraba / PEXELS

Not Close With Your Family? Here's How To Have a Joyous And Connected Holiday Season

Last year, some of us celebrated the holidays apart from our families for the first time. COVID has brought with it many changes, some of them arguably positive (like increased flexibility to work from home), some difficult (such as the realization of vastly different political and social views between family and friends), and some horrible (obviously, the health implications of a global pandemic). However, for some of us, celebrating the holidays without family members isn't exclusively due to COVID. In addition to so many of us living in different areas than our families of origin, some of us simply don't have close bonds with the people we grew up around. Sometimes, this can cause loneliness.

If you're not close with your family members, the holidays can be a difficult time. This is doubly true if you don't have a close circle of friends to call upon. But make no mistake, if this sounds like your situation, you're not alone — there are thousands of other people going through the same struggles you are. We sat down with Irad Eichler, founder of Circles, a website that connects people who are sharing similar struggles, like heartbreak, grief, or loneliness. Here are some of Eichler's tips for coping — and even thriving! — during the holiday season when you're not planning on spending it with your family, for one reason or another.

Don't Fall For "Perfect Families" On Social Media

Laura Chouette

The first VERY important step to having a joyous holiday season when you're going it alone is to stop believing the narrative that others' family situations are perfect, Eichler says.

"Remember people only post a moment in time, and only the moments when they look their happiest and best."

In addition to the fact that everything you see on social media is curated for the 'gram, it's also important to remember that by focusing on what others have and you lack, you risk failing to see the great things at play in your own life.

"These holiday periods can become a time of focusing on who and what we don't have, rather than who or what we do, and can cause a negative spiral into depressing and dreadful feelings of inadequacy," says Eichler.

Gratitude is the reason for the season, after all. So instead of only seeing the negative, try some gratitude journal prompts to help you focus on what's actually really wonderful about your life right now.

Make An Effort To Deepen New Connections

Joel Muniz

While it may seem like everyone has friends and family to spend time with during the holiday season, that doesn't mean no one is available for deepening a blossoming relationship or new friendship.

"Make a list of people you can or would like to connect with, and try to reach out to at least one of them," advises Eichler.

Reaching out doesn't have to mean a big plan or an hour-long conversation. Even a quick text letting a friendly coworker know you're thinking about them can go a long way toward deepening the relationship and moving it in the direction of closer friendship.

Don't have an acquaintance in mind? Then it's time to make new acquaintances. What's more in line with the Christmas spirit than attending a Meetup or event full of people eager to make new friends?

"Join groups with similar interests to yours, such as hiking, baking, or games. Push your boundaries and be brave - you might find new people who have much in common with you."

Give Back

Priscilla Du Preez

The holiday season is a great time to focus on giving back to your community, and coincidentally, acts of generosity and kindness are known to reduce loneliness and help people feel happier. One study found that knowing a few of your neighbors and doing small acts of kindness for them — such as cheering them up, listening to them, mowing their lawn, providing advice about local business recommendations and job opportunities, and chatting over the fence — was statistically correlated with feeling less lonely and having a lower risk of depression.

Helping out elderly neighbors can be a particularly gratifying way to give back.

"Notice older lonely people in your neighborhood or community who might have no family at all, and offer to help them," says Eichler. "These can become mutually meaningful connections, and help you 'adopt' a grandparent."

Connect With Others Online

Thought Catalog

Finally, use the Internet for its highest and best purpose: to connect people. Whether you're using Meetup to find in-person events, digital forums for having conversations about special interests, or programs like Circle for getting support from others in your situation, the opportunities to create new connections are practically endless.

"There are many interest groups that can be found digitally, where or any person can connect with others in the same life stage, going through the same challenges, or who would like to explore the same interests," Eichler states. "Meaningful connections can be formed easily in these circumstances. The Internet enables us to find and connect to people all over the world who fit this, and to whom we can become more easily attached, as we are able to find people with the exact interests that energize us."

If you're struggling with loneliness, you're not alone. Connect with our digital community of makers and creatives here at Brit+Co by following us on IG and signing up for our newsletter!

This post has been updated.

relationship advice wellness friendship relationships holidays

I Tested 10 Brands Of Period Underwear – These Are The Ones To Pick Up For Your Next Cycle

I’m not going to lie – I was hesitant to try period underwear for the first time. How could they not leak? It truly didn’t make sense for me at first, but after testing them out I can confidently say that I am a changed woman. This is one modern invention I can get on board with, and hopefully I can convince you to forgo constantly changing pads or tampons in favor of this (IMO) far simpler option.

Before I jump into the best brands, though, let’s go over the basics. You’re probably wondering:

Wouldn’t period underwear smell?

Period underwear, like pads or tampons, do smell over time. As long as you change them according to your flow, then you’ll be all set.

How does the fabric in period underwear actually catch blood?

The moisture-wicking fabric is made up of thousands of small filaments, all of which trap blood and other liquid and contribute to its “leak-proof” title.

How do I wash period underwear?

When it comes to washing, you can machine wash your period underwear in cold water on a delicate cycle. While you can wash with other items, I prefer not to.

My 5 Top Period Underwear Brands

1. Cora ($30)

These are by far the most comfortable period undies I’ve worn. If I’m being honest I have been using Cora products long before I tried their underwear, but even so these are a game changer.

2. Unders by Proof (starting at $25)

Unders has a style for everyone. Whether you prefer a thong, need a seamless style or rock granny panties (same, BTW), you’ll find the perfect option for you. Oh, and they are super comfortable, too.

3. Knix (starting at $24)

I love all of the seamless options Knix provides. If you’re looking for cute styles and even cuter colors, definitely give these ones a go.

4. Lola ($30)

Even though Cora and Unders are my go-tos, I still enjoyed Lola’s Washable Period Underwear. If you’re on the hunt for a practical, comfortable pair of underwear, Lola is definitely worth the try.

5. Saalt (starting at $27)

Known for their menstrual cups, Saalt recently came out with a variety of undies for any level of flow. Personally, I don’t love the stretch (I want to feel like nothing is moving LOL), they’re still a great leak-proof choice.

There you have it! The five best period undies on the market. Don’t be mistaken – the price is definitely worth the functionality, so give these a go and let me know what you think!

Find the best product recs with Brit + Co, and be sure to sign up for our email newsletter!

Brit + Co. may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

Header image courtesy of Lola.

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Zach Bryan & Brianna Chickenfry's Break Up Is COMPLICATED — Here's What To Know

Zach Bryan and Brianna "Chickenfry" LaPaglia's explosive breakup is everywhere right now. From his seemingly one-sided social media posts to all the bombshell revelations she keeps dropping, it's clear this split is NOT amicable. Both parties are dropping tons of lore, info, and everything in between — including new music?! — right now, so it makes sense if you can't keep up. Luckily, I'm here to help break this breakup down for you! Here's everything you need to know about Zach Bryan and Brianna Chickenfry's relationship...or lack thereof.

Neilson Barnard/Getty Images for The Recording Academy

October 22, 2024 – Zach Bryan Announces His Breakup With Brianna Chickenfry

On October 22, 2024, after some recent speculation that Zach Bryan and Brianna Chickenfry split up, Zach took to his Instagram stories. The country star said, "Addressing something: Brianna and me have broken up with [each other] and I respect and love her with every ounce of my heart. She has loved me unconditionally for a very long time and for that I'll always thank her."

He continued, noting, "I have had an incredibly hard year personally and struggled through some pretty severe things. I thought it would be beneficial for both of us to go our different ways. I am not perfect and never will be. Please respect Brianna's privacy and space in this and if you have it in your heart, mine too."

To wrap it all up, he closed by apologizing to his fans. He said, "With everything I am and to anyone I let down, I am sorry. I try my best in everything. I failed people that love me and mostly myself."

www.youtube.com

- YouTube

Brianna hopped on her own Instagram stories shortly there after. She posted, "Hey guys I'm feeling really blindsided right now. Gonna hop off social media for a while and attempt to heal privately, when I'm ready I'll be back and ready to talk. I love you guys so much thank you for all of your kind words. Remember you are so loved and everything's always gonna be okay 🫶"

The Brianna got on Youtube next, posting a raw, emotional video about the situation. Sitting on the floor of her bathroom, she opened up as much as she could in the moment about her breakup. She said, "I just woke up to Zach posting on his Instagram that we broke up and I had no idea that post was going up. He didn't text me, he didn't call me. I just woke up to a bunch of texts, like, 'Are you okay?'"

Brianna, with her teary eyes and red face, explained she's been crying for "five days straight." She said, "I'm at the point where it's like, how can you give someone everything and love them so unconditionally, like through stuff that you shouldn't because you just love them and you want them... like you see the good in them?"

The internet personality said that this is all "so embarrassing" and "really, really heartbreaking." She elaborated that the couple broke up on October 21, but wanted to process on her own and "didn't want it to be public."

Much like her Instagram story, she told her audience that she'll come back when she's ready.

www.youtube.com

- YouTube

November 7, 2024 — Brianna Claims Zach's Emotionally Abusive, Wanted $12Mil NDA

Well, it appears this week, Brianna decided she's ready. On Barstool Sports' BFF's Pod November 7, 2024, Brianna gave an inside look at the breakup unlike any other. Not only did she claim Zach was abusive, but she also alleged that he offered her a $12 million NDA to "not talk about the relationship."

After saying it's been the hardest year of her life, she said. "I'm still scared right now because I'm scared of him. My brain's rewired and I'm scared to make him mad and last week, I didn't want to talk about it 'cause I was scared."

Brianna then described the alleged emotional abuse. She noted that everything was cyclical and that he would build her up only to break her back down again. "There was always another excuse as to why he was treating me so poorly and why I'm crying myself to sleep every night, why he's screaming at me," she said. "And then you wake up, it's the apology, it's the 'I'm going to be better like I need you in my life,' but if you've been through this — I don't expect people to understand emotional abuse if you haven't been through it. I hope you never have to go through it but if you've been there you know what I'm talking about."

Not only does Brianna allege she was offered an NDA, but she said that other women that came before her had to sign their own agreements. She declined the offer because she didn't want to "sign away [her] experiences and what [she] went through to protect someone that hurt [her]." She also wanted to share this experience for other women who've suffered something similar.

And when it comes to the logistics of losing out on the famous lifestyle and alleged $12 million? She said, "It was never about the money — I was with the dude because I loved the dude."

Jason Kempin/Getty Images for Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival

November 8, 2024 — Zach Quit Touring Amid Abuse Allegations

On November 8, 2024, Zach posted on Instagram — where he clearly loves to share all his big news — that not only is his new single "High Road" out today, but that he's also ending his tour early. Read his full statement here:

After not being home for a year and a half I drove out to my mothers gravestone in the dead of night a few days back on familiar Oklahoma roads and I came to realize just like in the past, that she never would call me again

Told her I quit touring because I got accepted to get my masters in Paris next year, I told her I was back in Oklahoma, told her about all my best friends in New York and all the nights we howled with the moon, told her about the immeasurable laughter my band and me have shared these last five years, all the calluses on my finger tips, every tear shed, told her about making it on The Rolling Stone and most importantly told her about porch swinging with my beautiful sister.
I wrote the chorus for this song a month or two back and finished it when I realized I was blessed with all these things.

I figured it was about time I released it.

Thank you guys for listening to ‘This Worlds a Giant’ last night and thank you to all the people who love me; who have truly carried the weight with me.

Seems that all these Quiet Dreams have gotten much too heavy but I’m home now and I’ll hold you through the pain.

High Road is out today and I appreciate all of you"

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83 Budget-Friendly Finds Under $30 That'll Have You Gifting Ready This Season

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