Choosing period underwear comes down to three things: how much you need it to hold, the style you actually like wearing, and getting the fit right. Nail those and you get protection you forget about and undies you'd wear on a normal day. Here's how to land on your perfect pair without the trial and error.

How much absorbency do you need?

Match the pair to your flow, not your fear. Light days and spotting need far less than your heaviest night, so a lot of people build a little mix. As a rough guide: light styles for spotting, the end of your period or backup with a tampon or cup; moderate for regular days; heavy or overnight for your first couple of days and for sleeping. If you tend to flood or you're a heavy bleeder, start with heavy and thank yourself later. See how the absorbency actually works.

Which style suits you?

This is the fun part, because period underwear now looks like underwear you'd actually choose. Boyshorts and full briefs give the most coverage and the comfiest overnight fit. Bikini briefs are the everyday all-rounder. A g-string or thong keeps things invisible under fitted clothes for lighter days. The pocket high-waisted style holds a rae Heat Device against your lower belly, where it quietly earns its keep on a cramp day.

How do you get the fit right?

Go by your usual underwear size and check the size guide rather than sizing down. Period underwear needs to sit snug against your body, especially at the gusset and legs, because that's what stops leaks at the edges. Too big and you lose the seal, too tight and you won't want to wear them. If you're between sizes, size up for overnight comfort.

How many pairs do you actually need?

Enough to get through your period between washes. For most people that's around 3 to 5 pairs to start, more if you'd rather do laundry less often or you have a longer or heavier period. A common combo is a couple of heavy or overnight pairs plus a few moderate for daytime.

How do you care for them so they last?

Rinse in cold water after wearing until the water runs clear, then machine wash cold and hang to dry. Skip the fabric softener and the dryer, both shorten the life of the leak-proof layer. Looked after, a good pair lasts years, which is where the cost-per-wear quietly beats disposables. Full wash guide here.

Shop the Period Underwear range, including Light, Moderate and Heavy Flow collections, or the Pocket High-Waisted Brief.

Quick answers

How do I know what absorbency period underwear to buy?
Match it to your flow: light for spotting or backup, moderate for regular days, heavy or overnight for your first days and sleeping. If you flood, start with heavy.

What style of period underwear is best?
Boyshorts and full briefs for coverage and overnight, bikini for everyday, g-string or thong for lighter days under fitted clothes. The pocket style holds a heat device too.

How many pairs do I need?
Around 3 to 5 to start for most people, more for longer or heavier periods, or if you'd rather wash less often.

How do I wash period underwear?
Rinse cold until the water runs clear, machine wash cold, hang to dry. No fabric softener, no dryer, so the leak-proof layer lasts.