As you may or may not know by now, I am a huge fan of period pants. When I first discovered the existence of period pants, after being recommended them by a friend, I took to them straight away… and they have genuinely changed my experience of having a period. So, unsurprisingly, I was overjoyed when Wuka sent me two of their new Wuka Flex pants to try out and review. What’s more this range includes accessible period pants!
What is Wuka Flex?
The Wuka Flex line offers two different types of period pants. The Wuka Flex detachable bikini, with a detachable clasp at the side for easy removal of the pants, and the Wuka Flex Logo pants which are adjustable to fit multiple sizes in one pair of pants.
The Wuka Flex Detachable Bikini
Wuka Flex detachable are period pants made specifically to be accessible for people with lower mobility or people on the go. Instead of the traditional period pants that you have to pull on and off over your feet, the Wuka Flex detachable has a little clasp on your waist so that you can take the pants off without removing your trousers: simple but honestly it makes such a huge difference.
I have a very distinct memory of needing to change period pants whilst on a long-haul flight. Airplane toilets are not the biggest spaces to change in, so as I thumped around in there trying to change – with the turbulence obviously popping up to say hello – I remember wishing that there was some way of making period pants that you didn’t need to full-on undress to change! If only I’d known earlier!!
These pants are also more accessible for people with lower mobility in certain areas and for people who struggle with changing clothes. They can be changed standing, sitting and lying down – also great if you are caring for someone with limited mobility. As someone with an energy-limiting condition I have definitely had times where changing underwear requires a lot too much energy, so can see how these will really help me too, as I wouldn’t necessarily even have to sit up to change them – perfect for a very Potsie day!
And as a side note: something I really love is when a product is marketed not only as accessible for disabled people but is also as really useful for non-disabled people. Because, in reality, a lot of mobility aids or accessible products are also very helpful for non-disabled people too. So why not reduce the stigma whilst making life easier for everyone?!
The Wuka Flex Logo bikini pants
Each pair of the Wuka Flex Logo underwear (that I am pictured wearing) has clasps so you can adjust the size of the underwear (these clasps are not detachable). For people with endometriosis, IBS or any other condition, such as peri-menopause, that makes your stomach bloat a lot and causes fluctuating sizes throughout the month or even the day, this is perfect because you can wear the same pair of pants no matter how bloated you are. I always bloat a lot around my period and my size fluctuates quite a lot so this is super useful!
Not to mention that a lot of disabled people or people on medications find their weight fluctuates a lot. It can be very expensive to keep needing to buy clothes that fit your size. To be able to adjust one pair of pants to whatever size you are the time is so mentally refreshing and saves a lot of money too!
Features of the Wuka Flex
So I wanted to run through some of the features of the Wuka Flex line that I find useful or important:
- The medium flow underwear absorbs the equivalent of 3 tampons worth of blood and can be worn for up to 8 hours. The heavy flow holds around 4 tampons worth. So instead of having to think about your period constantly you can forget about it for a lot longer and change less regularly!
- Wuka period pants are much more environmentally friendly than disposable alternatives. As a disabled person, it is sometimes harder to live in a more eco-friendly way (for instance flights are often far more accessible than long-distance buses and trains) so when I can make a more eco-friendly choice it is something I really want to do. Period pants create far less waste than disposable alternatives!
- Wuka period pants are much cheaper than disposable products. One pair of either sort of Wuka Flex pants costs £15.99 for the Medium Flow and £17.99 for the Heavy Flow pants and they will last far, far longer than one use!!
- Wuka Flex is very size-inclusive. Both sorts of Wuka Flex pants come in two sizes that both span four sizes. The smaller spans from XS to L and the larger spans from XL through to 4XL. I will never understand why brands do not choose to be size inclusive and are very thankful that Wuka is doing so.
So what did I actually think about them?
When I first opened the package I have to say I was a little nervous about the high cut on the legs of both pants. But having tried both pairs on, on and off my period, I have to say they are incredibly comfy, but the high cut makes them feel quite stylish!
It’s really nice to be able to have a pair of period underwear that isn’t just a ‘sensible’ pair of pants – instead, they are cut nicely and honestly look like regular underwear.
In terms of comfiness, the first time I tried a pair on was during a heatwave, on the sort of day when you’d really rather not wear anything at all, and they ended up being a great pair of pants for that. Not only did they still feel dry but they were very comfy too! Having used both pairs a few times now I can say without a doubt that both designs are comfortable, lightweight and feel like wearing a normal pair of pants.
I think on my heaviest period days I would still choose to use a pair of underwear with full coverage like boxer shorts but then, to be honest, all I want to do on those days is to layer lots of clothing and then hide under my duvet for the day. However, if I am out and about or on a normal flow day, I feel completely safe and comfortable going out with this underwear on, knowing that I will be leak free and comfy all day. Even if I decide to eat a little too much, I can extend the pants to feel comfortable around my bloat!!
Last thoughts
One of the Vagina Monologues, if you’ve happened to see them, is all about a character who is angry about products made for vaginas. One of the quotes I remember relating to strongly is when she says
“[my vagina] It’s pissed off and it’s staying right here. Like tampons — what the hell is that? A wad of dry fucking cotton stuffed up there.”
And I can’t help but think how joyous this character would feel if they were given a pair of period pants to try out! No more painful, scratchy, dry disposable products, instead you can almost free bleed into a pair of pants that absorb everything, feel dry and are odour free. What is not to love?!
Anyway, if you still haven’t tried period pants, you really, really need to. Wuka period pants are affordable, stylish and comfy. And for people travelling, flying or going to festivals, or for people with limited mobility or who bloat around their period, I would highly recommend Wuka Flex detachable pants as the future of period pants or try Wuka Flex to know you will always have a well fitting pair of period pants on hand.
This is a sponsored post, but all opinions are my own!
Enjoyed this post? Then feel free to check out more of my writing on the rest of my blog!
