Are Period Pants Worth the Money?11 December 2022 Last Updated: 11 July 2024 Period pants have surged in popularity in recent years as a sustainable alternative to traditional period products like pads and tampons. But with a higher upfront cost than disposable products, many wonder: are period pants really worth the money? In this blog, we crunch the numbers to compare costs of disposable pads and tampons against period pants and reusable pads. What Are Period Pants?Period pants are absorbent undergarments designed to be worn during menstruation. They look and feel like regular underwear but, through multiple absorbent and leak-proof layers, are capable of absorbing period blood and preventing leaks. There are several benefits of period pants, including increased comfort, convenience and leak protection. Some people even report that switching to reusable period pads reduces their bleeding, pain and flow. One of the most significant advantages, however, is their environmental impact. Unlike disposable pads and tampons, period pants can be washed and reused for several years, reducing waste. The other huge benefit is their cost-effectiveness. While the initial cost is higher, period pants can save you money over time. While the average person spends a significant amount on disposable products each year, this can be reduced or saved with just a few pairs of period pants. 
Are Period Pants Worth the Money?The short answer is yes, period pants are worth the money. As well as offering significant benefits in terms of comfort, convenience and environmental impact, the long-term savings far outweigh their initial cost. Yep, you heard us right - period pants can help you save money in the long-run. Our research found that period pants can save you at least £120 the year you invest in reusable protection, and then AT LEAST £240 every year after that. That's a huge cost saving over the monthly/yearly cost of period pads or tampons. Keep in mind that this is only if you go for a full stash of reusable pants in one go. You can build your period pants stash up as slowly as your budget allows and phase out disposables over time. Let's look at this in more detail... Average Period CostsMost period flows requires at least four changes a day to stay fresh and leak-free in disposable protection and to follow tampon time limit guidelines (at a minimum). An average period is five days long, meaning over a calendar year you will menstruate for 60 days minimum. That's 240 changes a year, which is 240 tampons or sanitary pads heading to landfill, and costing you money, along with the need to stay constantly supplied. Eight ultra pads cost £1.80, which would last two days. If you add in a few tampons when you are worried about leaks - around £1 a day - that would mean you spend £240 a year on disposable protection for a regular flow, average length menstrual cycle. For heavy menstrual bleeding where high absorbency or super absorbent products are required, or where you might be wearing two pads at once, the cost rises. For those with bladder weakness, this cost is astronomical as unpredictable; frequent leaks make sufferers need pee protection 24/7. Many women use panty liners daily for this reason. However if the bladder weakness pad stays dry it will still need to be discarded at the end of the day for hygiene reasons. A packet of eight pads costs on average £2.50 and a pack of twelve disposable pants costs £7.20 - some of our pants are only 30p more and they will wash and be used over and over again, lasting years. 'I have bought numerous pairs of cheeky period underwear over the past 18 months. I originally bought a few to wear at night, but now they are the only period product i use.
Highly worth the money, and still just as perfect as the day i bought them. Have purchased more in their sale this year too.' Trustpilot 
How Much Does Period Underwear Cost?Period underwear costs from £8 to up to £25, depending on the brand. However just because some brands of period underwear are more expensive, doesn't necessarily mean better! Read our article to find out why (some) period pants are so expensive! Imagine you took a years worth of the money you would spend on disposables and invested it in reusable period protection? You can buy 7 pairs of Cheeky period pants for £50 and get a free wetbag, with our cotton and bamboo pads from £2.69. For £240 this would give you twenty eight pairs of pants (including 4 wetbags) along with ten bamboo or cotton pads. This would be more that enough to kit out TWO menstruating people with enough change to cover washing powder for a year! Because you can wash alongside your other washing it also covers the extra loads! Better yet, out whole range of standard reusable period pants are in our 5 pairs of period pants for £49 range. Indeed, for an average length, regular flow period, with washing every other day and leaving time for drying, we estimate you would need six pairs of period pants and four or five pads. For a heavier flow, add a couple of extra pairs. With this in mind, period underwear costs less than £100 for a full monthly stash with spares to cover a rotation of wearing, waiting for the wash and drying. We recommend you try one pair of pants or one reusable pad to check that reusable undies are for you, testing the water for heavier days. Then once you are committed you can dive right into a five for £49 or seven for £50, along with a few pads. Building your stash slowly will help to spread the cost. Cheeky period pants have absorbency to front and rear waistband as standard and feel just like regular underwear. They have various absorbency levels to cover regular to heavy flow days. We even have a period thong which is suitable for light flow or as a backup to a menstrual cup! 'I love the ethics and aim of this company. Please try these products! Another bonus to period pants I wasn't expecting; My periods are not regular so I would obv use sanitary products when I was 'supposed' to come on, then waste them because I am late. Or worse get caught out if my period came early. NOW! these products are so comfy I can wear them when I am due on, and if I don't, there is no issues, I just wash them like any normal underwear. I'm also not wasting -one time use products (and money).' Trustpilot 
If you are confused or unsure of what to buy to suit your body or your flow, we have a really handy period and pee protection advice questionnaire that can guide you through all 17 of our styles, to help you choose the best products for you and a pants comparison chart for you to compare our whole range. If you enjoyed this, we think you would like these blogs on - or have a browse of all our blogs! As always, if you're unsure of what you need to make the switch to reusable sanitary products and period pads, please do drop the team a line or use the online chat function. The team all use the products themselves and just LOVE to chat pee poo and periods, all day long, nothing is TMI and we all love to overshare based on our own experiences... About the Author: Kirstin Scriven is part of the Customer Experience team at Cheeky Wipes, which since 2008 has been selling the original reusable wipes kit. She is mum to 3 and loves the forest, the sea and the hills! Along with the rest of our crack team, she spends most days talking about poo, pee and periods and loves a chance to overshare. The business was recognised with a Queens Award for Enterprise in Sustainable Development in 2021, celebrating their hard work over the last 13 years. | 
