How often should you change period pants?

Updated July 2023

This is a question that comes up all the time. Not just by email or in response to our period questionnaires and in comments on our facebook and tiktok posts.

And in honesty, it's a REALLY tricky question to answer. On average you should change your period pants every 4 to 6 hours however that depends on:

• how heavy your period is
• what level of absorbency pants you are wearing
• whether you mind feeling a bit damp in your knickers

How often should you change period pants for normal Periods?

For normal periods, period pants should be changed roughly two to three times a day, depending on flow. We estimate our regular flow pants hold up to 2 tampons worth of blood

I reckon I have 'regular' periods. One medium day, one heavy-ish day, two light days. On days one, three and four, I will probably change wear the same pair of regular absorbency period pants all day,with a fresh pair in the morning and a fresh pair early evening / bed-time.

On my heavier days I'll wear the same absorbency level period pants. However I'll also wear a reusable cotton panty liner which I will remove at lunchtime and bring home for washing later. Then I'll wear the same pair of period pants for the rest of the day. That saves me changing period pants in a cubicle at work.

At 12, my daughter prefers to wear menstrual underwear on their own . She LOVES the feeling cosy period shorts and wears them from morning til she is back from school. Then she she changes for the afternoon and then again for the night!

"Fantastic product! Ideal for a young lady who has just started her periods, they last the whole time she is at school without the need to change. Will definitely be buying again and I recommend them to everyone!" Mrs Gilbert via Trustpilot

How often should you change period pants for Heavy Periods?

If you have heavy periods we'd recommend choosing our heavier flow period pants which have an extra layer of high absorbency. If you're wearing heavy flow period pants, you should change your period pants three times a day for heavy periods.

If feeling damp bothers you, or you don't want to change your knickers at lunchtime, wear it with one of our reusable pads. The reusable bamboo sanitary pads are BRILLIANT for heavier periods.

At 45, my colleague Kirstin is now in the throes of perimenopause and has short and sweet periods with a lot of flooding. She like to wear Feeling Fearless pants which are super absorbent, plus a reusable pad and switches this out when needed. This also means she needs a few less pants than if she just wore our leak proof pants.

Washable period pants and pads cope with heavy periods (and the clots that come with it). Far better than disposables!

With styles to suit all flows, from size 2-30 you will stay leak free and can change underwear when you feel wetness.

"Wish these period pants had been around when I was younger. Don’t know how many more periods I have left, but have just ordered some more pairs anyway, because they change everything. The crucial thing is the fact that the protection goes all the way up the front and back - I have found that no matter what size of pad I wear, there is frequently escapage off the front or back, but with these pants, that problem is over. I’m still using pads for the main days, but don’t have to size up ridiculously anymore, and can go without as things get lighter." Rebecca via Trustpilot

How many pairs of period pants will I need?

Now, if you are me - you need every style and colour!! But on average, you will need around 5-7 pairs of period pants for your cycle. However, this will depend on several factors, including:

1. How heavy your periods are
2. How often you have a washload on as the pants are machine washable
3. Whether you want to wear pants alone or marry up with pads
4. How many days your period lasts
5. Whether you need day to day protection for incontinence as well as periods
6. Whether you want to stash spares in your car / work bag / changing bag / if your cycle is unpredictable!

Our handy period and pee protection questionnaire that will help guide you in how many pairs of pants you might need for your period to suit your needs and flow!

Once you have completed a quick questionnaire we can reply with an email which you can keep, full of advice and links to products.

As an example, for a heavy period, washing daily, you might need 6 pairs of pants if you are wearing them on their own or 4 pairs if you wanted a couple of pads too!

What period underwear should I go for?

Everyone’s bodies and periods are different, so the period underwear you go for should be tailored to your cycle and personal comfort.

Light flow - If you know your period is on the way or you are heading to the gym and want some backup for a menstrual cup, go for our Feeling limitless thong 

Moderate flow - Most of our styles fall into this absorbency range, for a jersey feel boy short go for Feeling Free, for a sexy satin low rise pair go for Feeling Sassy. We'll also be taking delivery of some organic cotton sporty period pants shortly!

Heavy flow - Our low rise Feeling Sporty heavy, high waisted Feeling Fearless and Bamboo Cosy Period shorts are perfect to keep you comfortable on your heavier days or if your incontinence is moderate.

Plus size - our range currently covers UK adult sizes 2 to 30 in the Bamboo Fearless. We are super reactive to customers needs and feedback so have listened and extended our size range!

If this is your first foray into reusable period products, do make sure and check out how to wash and care instructions for your period pants. You may also enjoy reading:

• Menstrual Hygiene: Hygiene on your period, your questions answered
• Best Period Underwear Brands 2023
• Do Period Pants really work

As always, if you're unsure of what you need to make the switch, 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.