Are Dear Kate Ada Full Brief Period Panties Worth The Money?

Thanks to sexist structures such as the pink tax, people who menstruate must deal with the costly price of stocking up on period products roughly every 28 days. If the aching cramps, bloating, cravings, and general state of misery weren't enough, the high prices of pads and tampons add to the frustration.

In addition to the high cost of period products on consumers, the environment also pays the price. According to All Matters, products such as tampons, pads, and panty liners can generate up to 440 million pounds of waste in a single year. And these period products can also be harmful to your health. Many feminine products like wipes, pads, tampons, and anti-itch creams contain chemicals that may cause cancer, allergic reactions, and reproductive harm (via Women's Voices for the Earth).

Rather than risk using these products and further harming the environment and their health, many people have turned to period underwear. These are washable underwear designed to be worn on your period over and over again. Many of them can even be worn without other period products, so they're better for the environment and your health. The Dear Kate Ada Full Briefs are just one of the period panties that have come onto the market in recent years.

The New York Times reports that the Dear Kate briefs are soft and stretchy, mirroring the feel of regular underwear. Rather than using a waterproof lining like other period panties, Dear Kate designed the Ada briefs with several layers of absorbent fabric for a comfortable feel. They hold up to two tampons worth of blood and are moisture-wicking, so they don't hold sweat in (via Allure). While the briefs are comfortable and absorbent, they run a little bit small, so you may want to size them up if you buy a pair. 

On average, changing your tampon about every 4 to 6 hours is best. With this in mind, you might experience some leaks if you wear the Ada briefs the entire day, depending on your flow. That being said, if you can afford the $46, the Dear Kate Ada Full Briefs are definitely worth the money. While the price may seem steep for a single pair, it's a one-time purchase that can last anywhere from 6 months to 2 years (via WebMD). When the average menstruator spends about $20 a month on period products, according to the National Organization for Women, that's a steal.

Taking care of your period underwear ensures you're getting the best bang for your buck by not having to replace them every few months. When washing period underwear, you'll want to use cold water. Hand rinse them under running water to remove as much blood as possible, and then machine-wash them on a gentle cycle with your choice of detergent. To maintain the shape and absorbancy of the panties, hang them to air dry rather than putting them in a dryer.

Though period underwear is designed to be stain-resistant, you might be worried about leaving something behind if you have a particularly heavy flow. If stains persist, don't toss out your period panties quite yet. Rinse the underwear under cool water until it's clear (via InStyle). Then put a small amount of any stain and odor-fighting detergent on an old toothbrush and scrub gently. Let it sit for a few minutes before tossing the underwear into the washing machine.