News Taffy

This week’s column is for ladies only. Sorry, gentlemen, I don’t think you’ll be interested in this week’s topic but do feel free to show it to the women in your life. They just might thank you for your concern about their comfort, happiness and well being.

All that aside, this week’s topic is about your period and the urinary incontinence that some women experience and a fairly new product that might make your life easier. Recently, my daughter discovered period panties, real underwear that is designed to take the place of using a disposable and often uncomfortable pad or tampon. While there are several types of period panties out there such as Lunapanties or Anigan, I’m going to focus on the Thinx brand we have tried. Thinx are designed by three young women from NYC who felt there had to be a better solution for women’s needs.

Thinx panties look and feel like real underwear; they are made from comfortable material that is moisture wicking, anti-microbial, absorbent and leak resistant. They feature a waterproof layer and provide up to two tampons worth of absorbency depending on which pair you buy. Thinx keep you dry without feeling like you are wearing bulky diapers. They can also be used as a back up for your regular menstrual products.

After using them for a few months, my daughter says, “they are way more comfortable than any other personal care product I’ve used. They feel comfy like normal undies and look stylish.” The only downside as far as she is concerned is that you can’t always tell when they are at their maximum capacity and that you have to soak or rinse them before washing. She wants more, what better endorsement is there?

The Thinx people have also created the urine proof underwear, Icon, for those women who experience occasional light incontinence. These also keep you dry, odor free, are anti-microbial and can hold up to 6 teaspoons of liquid. Icons are machine washable and come in several styles that look like regular underwear. Forget wearing those awful, bulky diaper like Depends or other types of disposable pads. Note, however, that the two kinds of underwear are not interchangeable for either problem as Icon and Thinx use specific technology for each type of liquid, according to information on the company's website.

Thinx and Icon are a bit pricy but not so much when you consider how much you spend on disposable products. I like the fact that they are environmentally friendly and that you won’t have to carry around disposable products in your purse. Some women have commented that the idea of these panties seems gross but they are no different in the way they work than pads when you think about it. The company stands behind their products so if you aren’t satisfied after 30 days, they will happily refund your money. You can find either product online. Visit iconundies.com for the incontinent undies or shethinx.com for the period panties.