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Leak-proof panties are about to change the underwear game forever

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U.S. undies brand THINX boasts on its Instagram account that it creates and sells ‘Period-proof, patriarchy-proof underwear’.

Known for their period leakage proof panties, THINX is now back with a range of Icon Undies that cater especially to women who experience light urinary leakage. Leak-free panties were created to absorb urine in particular (up to six teaspoons a day) since period blood has a slower release than urine.

This revolutionary company wants to destigmatise outdated cultural taboos related to period blood and leaking by creating panties that are leak-proof, odour-free and comfy.

Read more: Urinary incontinence

Image: THINX

How common is light urinary leakage?

Their site states that 1 out of 3 women suffer from light leaks and that goes for younger and older women alike.

According to WebMD this leakage can be caused by a plethora of things including pregnancy, childbirth, menopause, hysterectomy, Multiple Sclerosis and vesicovaginal fistulas. The latter is particularly common in developing countries where a hole forms between the bladder and the vagina during labour from which this leaking then comes.

Read: 73-year-old model becomes new face of Calvin Klein lingerie


Over the last decade or so the period taboo has been (and is being) broken. Period blood and period stains are already talked about in mainstream media and even joked about in TV shows and films, which has destigmatised it to some extent.

These days, after much activism, periods are seen as ‘normal’ in many parts of the world. Sadly, this is not the case with leaking.

THINX's VP of marketing and 'VPee' of ICON Kejal MacDonald told Refinery29.com:

"There's this misperception that leaking a little pee is only something that happens when you eat dinner at 4 p.m. and play bingo on Tuesdays (which, TBH, sounds amazing), but it happens to women of all ages."

Openness and information about this highly common condition are very necessary and women around the world have been embarrassed about it for too long.

Read more: Sexy underwear makes incontinence look good

In the past women who leaked have had to resort to wearing pads and pantyliners on a daily basis, which is why we LOVE this Icon Undies quote:

"Icon replaces bulky pads and pantyliners, because who wants to feel like they're wearing a diaper? (No one, that's who.)"

Damn right.

We also love that the company gives a margin of their profit made on each pee-proof panty purchase to benefit The Fistula Foundation. Also check out thinx.org.

Shipping to SA will be about R260.

Or shop it locally at Feel Good & Co. Prices range from R295 to R495.


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