Photo by Ilaria Vilardi
Clue Reviews: WUKA Period Underwear
Menstrual products are a world apart from what was available even only twenty years ago. But it can be difficult to determine which product is right for you—a decision that may be influenced by lifestyle, physical activity, comfort, fit, cost, and many other factors.
That’s why we’re publishing a series of menstrual product reviews, written by the staff here at Clue (and a few of our loved ones) to show you how we used these products, and how they worked for us. Check out the reviews here.
Full disclosure—many of these products were sent to us free of charge, for the purpose of reviewing them. These are the unbiased opinions of the folks who used the products.
WUKA Period Underwear
Designed in the United Kingdom
“The champion for absorbing period blood”
My flow is: Medium to light
I’m looking for: Something practical, sustainable, and glamorous
WUKA Period Wear has a nice design. The fabric is soft and stretchy—a little too stretchy for my taste. I could feel the “absorbent” lining in the crotch of the underwear, which is thick and feels kind of bulky. WUKA is, however, definitely the champion in absorbing period blood. It was perfect to use on the first day of my period, when I normally want to stay in my pajamas all day. I wouldn’t use them on an active day—for example, if I were playing sports or running.
WUKA offers two types of period panties: for heavy or light flows.
I would definitely wear them again, probably overnight while I sleep.
—Lucia, Director of Growth at Clue
WUKA stands for “wake up, kick ass” which is a sentiment I can get behind.
My flow is: Apocalyptic the first couple of days, then medium to light
I’m looking for: Something convenient, comfortable, stylish and environmentally friendly
WUKA stands for “wake up, kick ass” which is a sentiment I can get behind. If anyone kicks your ass with these panties on, you will be protected by the generous padding. On my heavier days I can fill a menstrual cup in a couple of hours, so I use pads as a backup. When my flow is not in geyser-mode I prefer to sleep using pads or period underwear, rather than a cup.
I like the black fabric, sporty mesh and androgynous design of these, but I felt self-conscious wearing them in public, because of the diaper-like padding on the butt. I decided to try wearing the WUKA underpants as an alternative to an overnight pad.
They were comfortable, I slept well, and my sheets were spared any splashes. But when I went to change them in the morning, there was a puddle of blood in the gusset, some of which slid off and landed on the bathmat—not how I planned to start my day.
I wanted to give the panties another try, so I washed them according to the supplied instructions. But when I hung them to dry they were still a little damp three days later. I dried them on the heater, but I wonder if this dampness could cause mold or other issues (the website says the panties are made with antibacterial properties).
I might use these underpants again, at night, when my flow is less intense, but I’m still searching for my perfect period underwear.
—Jen, Writer at Clue
“The material of the WUKA panties was soft to the touch and seemed durable enough to withstand a good couple of bleeds.”
My flow is: Let’s just say that my menstrual cup needs to gather a party before venturing forth.
__I’m looking for: __New products to add to my rotation and make me excited about getting my period.
The material of the WUKA panties was soft to the touch and seemed durable enough to withstand a good couple of bleeds. They were comfortable, but I kept thinking I could hear the thick layers of lining rustle. I even asked a colleague whether they could hear my underwear (not a sentence I ever thought I'd say!) and they said “No.”
As a menstrual cup user, I don’t experience the sensation of clots sluggishly oozing out of my vagina anymore, which often happens with an external product. On the first day of my period, the WUKA panties didn't leak and were quite absorbent. I couldn't feel any moisture until about two hours in, but I still couldn't shake that feeling of being “not quite clean” that I remember all too well from my pad days as a tween.
I was excited to try them again on days two and three of my period to present them with the truer challenge of a heavier flow. They didn’t dry quickly enough after I washed them, so I ended up switching to my regular cup instead. Perhaps it's for the better, as only later did I notice that their website warns their panties last "up to eight hours", which doesn't sound encouraging for heavier flow days.
Overall, I am quite satisfied with my WUKA experience. The rustling lining discourages me from wearing the panties out on the town or with tight-fitting clothes, but I will definitely wear them again while lounging on the sofa on light flow days, or as additional overnight protection with my menstrual cup!
—Ada, Messaging at Clue
“WUKA Tween panties are perfect for the last days of my period.”
My flow is: Regular
I’m looking for: Something that I don’t have to change often, and that’s also good for my yoga practice
WUKA period panties were a great surprise! I think the design is very sexy and sporty. I had never tried period panties before, because I had some prejudices against them. I thought that they might only be a good backup period product (for a cup or tampon, for example).
I used WUKA Tween period panties for the first two days of my period, which are the heaviest for me, and I was happy about the results. The WUKA Tween panties did not leak, or smell. This is a great result, because I was at a concert so I couldn’t change them for five hours.
I definitely felt the blood in the panties, because they’re a bit heavier, but overall they were very comfortable and there was no odor.
I pushed them even further by wearing the panties overnight. After sleeping for six hours, I woke up to check if my panties leaked, but they didn’t! I did, however, feel that the panties were full of blood, which was an uncomfortable sensation.
For after care, I pre-washed the panties in cold water and then put them in the washing machine. They dried quickly,which was another great surprise.
WUKA Tween panties were perfect for the last days of my period. But if you travel or work outside a lot, and you do not have access to a comfortable toilet, there could be challenges because their website says that they should be changed every eight hours.
—Sil, Support agent at Clue
If you want to explore more period underwear, then check out what Clue had to say about Rael period underwear next. You can read all about this and the rest of Clue’s period product reviews here.
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