Thinx period-friendly gym shorts have launched
- The four layer absorbent structure may let women exercise without tampons
- NYC-based underwear brand Thinx claim the shorts are still light and breathable
- Gynacologist Dr Francis Gardner says they may allow women to carry on with their normal physical activities while menstruating without fears of leaking
- Yet, Dr Christilla Nevi argued, excessive bleeding that requires more protection than conventional sanitary products may be a sign of an underlying problem
Alexandra Thompson Health Reporter For Mailonline
2
View
comments
Being on your period is top of many women’s excuses to give the gym a miss.
Crippling cramps and fear of leaking put many women off being active during their time of the month.
Yet, the launch of period-friendly gym shorts may encourage women to get physical while menstruating without having to wear a sanitary towel or tampon.
The shorts, by underwear brand Thinx, can allegedly hold up to 10ml of blood – the equivalent of two tampons worth.
Period-friendly shorts may encourage women to exercise while menstruating (stock)
PAINFUL PERIODS ARE A CLUE TO WHAT GIVING BIRTH WILL BE LIKE
The level of discomfort you feel while menstruating may be a warning sign of the level of pain to expect from child birth, an expert reveals.
‘The initial stages of labour are very similar to periods,’ explains Dr Dasha Fielder, an Australia GP who specialises in women’s health.
‘Except with periods the pain stays about the same, whereas with labour it continues to increase and get worse until the baby is born.’
The reason behind the thinking is that period and childbirth pain are similar as they both originate from the cervix opening.
As with childbirth, menstruating also involves contractions.
The shorts have a four-layer structure. The top layer fights bacteria and the lower layers absorb moisture, according to Thinx’s website.
Priced at $65 (around £50), NYC-based Thinx claim the comfortable shorts will help women train better while menstruating by taking away any leaking anxiety.
Dr Francis Gardner, clinical director of gynaecology at Queen Alexandra Hospital, Portsmouth, told MailOnline: ‘It is fantastic that companies such as Thinx are providing women with support to carry on their normal activities.
‘There is good evidence that regular exercise and avoiding excessive weight can reduce menstrual difficulties, however, for some women their menstruation prevents them from exercising during their period due to pain or excessive loss.’
Yet Dr Christilla Nevi, gynaecologist at The Medical Chambers, Kensington, argued that sanitary towels or tampons alone should be sufficient to control women’s menstruation while exercising, adding that leaking may be a sign of an underlying condition causing heavy bleeding.
The shorts’ (pictured) four-layer structure allegedly fights bacteria and absorbs moisture
She told MailOnline: ‘I think that if you go to the gym you can wear a new tampon or pad just before exercise.
‘If this is not enough it means that you have heavy period and that you should consider taking care of it because it will probably cause anaemia and fatigue.’
Dr Nevi also warned blood is often difficult to wash out of clothing.
Thinx have been approached for comment.
This comes after researchers from the University of Oxford revealed period syncing is a myth.
Such findings contradict previous claims that women living together give off pheromones that influence the hormones that control ovulation.
Share or comment on this article
-
Macron, 39, threatens tough stance on Brexit after… -
‘Throw her in!’ Shocking moment an elderly woman is body… -
Queen of the road! Her Majesty, 91, is spotted driving a… -
France’s 64-year-old new First Lady – who Macron fell in… -
‘The loneliness became unbearable’: British woman, 22,… -
‘I wish they didn’t let you in the country’: Fury as… -
‘The dog’s got the baby’: Aunt screamed for help as… -
This is your captain sleeping! Pilot is suspended after… -
Obama fights for his legacy: Former President appeals to… -
‘Everybody was surrounding him, laughing and pointing’:… -
Labour’s sneering Emily Thornberry suggests that voters… -
Diver shares shocking photos of rays with their heads… -
Boston doctor sent desperate message to friend pleading… -
The school-run road that’s raked in £2.6million of fines:… -
Head of ISIS in Afghanistan was killed in a raid by US… -
A £20m glass house for skiing, a £2.5m birthday bash and… -
British woman, 29, is attacked with ‘two litres of acid’… -
Zoe Ball’s tragic lover was ‘under enormous pressure’…
Comments 2
Share what you think
-
Newest -
Oldest -
Best rated -
Worst rated
The comments below have not been moderated.
The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.
Close
Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual.
Close
Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual
We will automatically post your comment and a link to the news story to your Facebook timeline at the same time it is posted on MailOnline. To do this we will link your MailOnline account with your Facebook account. We’ll ask you to confirm this for your first post to Facebook.
You can choose on each post whether you would like it to be posted to Facebook. Your details from Facebook will be used to provide you with tailored content, marketing and ads in line with our Privacy Policy.