A new start-up, Thinx, announced their invention this week, the menstrual panty. Their goals are good in that they want to sell you their fancy stuff while using some of the cost to pay to give reusable pads to girls in need in impoverished countries. This is an awesome goal, and one that should be applauded, but I have questions.

Exactly how many pairs of these do they expect a woman to wear in a day? I gotta tell ya, something that in its largest size is only equal to the absorbency of two (I’m assuming) regular size tampons is not going to cut it for my post-child bearing flow. I’d need to change them every hour or so on days 2 and 3. Then am I supposed to wash them every night so I can wear them again tomorrow or should I buy enough to cover my entire cycle each month. At $30 a pop that’s a bit pricey.

Interestingly this has popped up on every page of their website when I clicked on it today:

THINX are made to be a backup to tampons or menstrual cups, though some opt to use it as a replacement on lighter days.

You #knowyourflow though, so you’ll find what’s best for you!

This statement was not there earlier this week so I guess they felt the sting of the criticisms. It’s even more pricey for a back up, but that resolves many of the issues I had. They also make it clear you will need to “build a cycle set” of enough panties to get you through the month.

I have to say the menstrual cup to me is still the better deal. I bought one cup for $30 that I can use for a year or more. It can handle any flow. It simply becomes a question of how often you empty it. I’ve saved tons of money not buying tampons and fewer, smaller pads ( I don’t really need them but I’m still too paranoid to go without on my heaviest days). I’ve been accident free for three months (the first month was a major learning curve) and it’s insanely convenient to just carry the cup in its pouch all the time so I’m never caught off guard.

There’s no denying it took some getting used to. I definitely didn’t master it until the third month but now I’m a complete convert. So I did some digging to see if any of the cup companies do the buy one donate one deal. Ruby Cup does in fact do the same, buy one, donate one type of program.

But I also found there may also be reasons why cups seem like a great idea but aren’t necessarily that great for women in developing countries.

If you want to help the enviromentment and save some money, I still think cups are the best product. They’re easier than you think but you have to be very comfortable with your ladyparts to use them and even then they are not for everyone.

If you’re interested in the different kinds this is a fantastic video comparing the different brands.

If you want to stick with your current products but like the idea of helping women around the world, there are many places you can donate through:

AFRIpads – which donates reusable pads and holders

FEMMEInternational – which does use cups in their menstrual kits