We've listed the brands which state they do contain silver below, and our test findings where relevant, so you can make an informed choice. For more on this, read our full investigation into silver in period pants . Little scientific data exists on the impact of nanosilver on the human body. Existing research to date has either focused on other areas of the body or on animals. However, skin surface fluids and skin barrier integrity are known to have an important impact on exposure potential from textiles. This is of concern because vulvar and vaginal tissue are known to have unique properties and to be especially absorbent. There were moments when I leaked in class and had to do a kind of shuffle to try and wipe the seat, or I’ve stood up with a big mark and somebody’s seen it.” Yet for up to seven days in every 30, for more than three decades, there has been very little she could do about it. Kerr is not currently an operational officer, in part because of her endometriosis. All of our products are certified according to OekoTex standard 100 which means that every single component has been tested for harmful substances and that the underwear has been designated as harmless for human health.’ Primark You can find a range of free resources online to help you discuss periods with your pupils and students. You should assess each resource before using it to make sure it is appropriate for the age and maturity of pupils and students and sensitive to their needs. Research

We asked 563 period pant users to tell us their views on the brand (or brands) they used, focusing on aspects such as comfort, durability, appearance, value for money and protection from leaks. They can be good options for overnight wear and lighter days, or when you think your period might start soon. Some manufacturers have branched out into period proof swimwear and gym wear, too, or pants that are easily removed and swapped when you're out and about. AbsorbencyWhich? spoke to Thiago Verano-Braga, Associate Professor at the Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais in Brazil, who has studied silver nanoparticles for a number of years. He told us that "manufacturers absolutely shouldn't be using silver nanoparticles in pants before a critical assessment of potential risks" and that, "while the anti-microbial properties of silver nanoparticles have led to them becoming one of the most widely used nanomaterials in consumer products, there is a high chance of these nanoparticles being absorbed into the human body. With that in mind here is almost everything you might want to know about period pants. I’ve been using mine for over four years now, so feel well-qualified to take on your concerns. What Are Period Pants? But she accepts the need for a pragmatic middle ground, particularly given the constraints of the eight-hour working day (another construction, she points out): “Our bodies don’t necessarily conform to the dictates of an industrial society.”

A 2015 study on rabbits by the National Institutes for Food and Drug Control, Beijing, concluded that nanosilver caused structural changes to vaginal mucosa, urethra and rectum, which accumulated in the rabbit's blood circulation. Every pair of period pants has been tested and approved by our panel of 350 women and people who menstruate. They tried a variety of styles, sizes and absorbencies over the course of the trial period (the length of one actual period, which varied for each tester) from 22 brands. They rated them for comfort, breathability and softness, as well as how well they protected against leaks. Smillie freely admits she underestimated the challenges when she launched her product in 2012 with her friend Annabel Croft, the former British tennis No 1; it was then called Diary Doll and aimed at teenage girls. (Smillie has since bought out Croft’s share.) Sales at Debenhams and John Lewis were slow. It dawned on Smillie that it was no good marketing sanitary products to teenagers when it was their mothers who would be paying for them. We could only include user insights for brands where we received 50 or more responses in our survey, so while our list above covers the more common brands in the UK, there are some options that aren't featured. The material is designed to be absorbent and allow air to move through it, so you can stay dry and odour-free while wearing them. Primark period pants provide a layer of protection against leaks and spills, as well as a barrier against bacteria, fungi and other contaminants. The pants also come with an elasticated waistband for extra comfort.Sample sizes by brand: Flo (71), Bodyform (99), LoveLuna (63), M&S (168), Modibodi (87), Pantys (62), Primark (176), WUKA (51). Minimum sample size 50. alternative provisions, including pupil referral units, with pupils or students in year 5 and above

Much like reusable menstrual cups, period swimwear and period-proof activewear, period pants have seen a boom in popularity over the past few years. Some brands only offer one absorbency level, which pretty much replaces one tampon, but others have pants designed to be worn for longer periods of time or heavier flow, and hold up to 12 tampons. It also says 'Our antimicrobial treatment (our special odour control solution) contains zeolites, silver and copper ions which have antibacterial properties which means they're really good at helping to reduce any odours that are caused by bacteria, as well as limiting the growth of bacteria in the first place.’Thinx, Luna by Superdrug, and Modibodi contained 8.3mg/kg, 7.4mg/kg and 0.9mg/kg respectively, while Airism by Uniqlo and Cool Period contained smaller amounts of 0.3mg/kg and 0.2mg/kg. Some words associated with periods may discourage pupils or students from using the products and cause embarrassment. When talking about periods or promoting the scheme, you should avoid using words most negatively associated with periods like: If you are a woman who uses social media, chances are you have already come across its ads. One is an endorsement from an effusive Mila Kunis. Another shows a Gal Gadot-lookalike playing ping-pong with a blood bag hooked into her underwear, to demonstrate (sort of), the product’s absorbency. No matter what your needs are, Primark offers a great selection of period pants that can provide you with the protection and comfort you need throughout your cycle. Purchasing Primark Period Pants Online The learning curve of using a menstrual cup, particularly the difficulty of inserting and taking them out, tended to the main thing people disliked but 61% of users told us that overall they liked using them because: