What are Panty Liners?

Our vaginas and vulvas experience a range of different flows throughout the menstrual cycle  – from white discharge to spotting and everything in between. While they’re all completely natural, flows can be inconvenient or even uncomfortable at times. 

The good news is that there are special products available designed to help us handle the fluids Mother Nature may send our way. It's all about finding what works best for you and your body, and we're here to help you do just that.

If you're new to the world of panty liners, you might wonder how they work, when to use them, and if they're the right fit for you – we've got you covered! 

Liners are made of a soft, absorbent side that lays beneath your vulva, which is specially designed to take care of light flows as they leave your body. The other side consists of an adhesive that keeps the liner securely in place by sticking to the gusset (that’s the bottom of the pants that goes between your legs and would rest against your vulva) of your underwear. 

You can think of liners as a ‘barely-there’ thin, comfy barrier between your body and your underwear, keeping you feeling fresh throughout the day, no matter what you're doing.

Liners are incredibly versatile and can be used to manage all types of fluids outside of your period. And that's not all – they can also absorb sweat, helping keep your intimate area fresh on active or warm days. Plus, on the days just before and after your period, wearing liners can help avoid any staining and potentially extend the lifespan of your favourite pairs of underwear.

Let's take a closer look into how liners can come in handy for different flows. 

Daily vaginal discharge

Vaginas are great at keeping themselves clean thanks to the balance of bacteria inside that maintain a natural acidity level (pH balance). Part of this self-cleaning process means you'll experience vaginal discharge on and off during your menstrual cycle – it happens to all of us!

Remember that it's completely normal for the consistency and amount of your vaginal discharge to vary depending on where you're at in your menstrual cycle. Some women+ choose to wear liners every day regardless of the type of discharge, while others prefer to use them only when their discharge is heavier, like the week leading up to their period. 

Whichever way you lean, liners such as our Bodyform's dailies V-Protection & Freshness Regular Liners come in very handy. With their thin and absorbent core, they give you the freshness and protection your V-Zone (that's everything to do with our vagina, vulva and the V-shaped front of our body) needs.

You might also want to try washable absorbent underwear for all fluids, including discharge and urine. It looks and feels just like your regular underwear, but gives protection for up to 12 hours and is reusable 

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Irregular periods

An irregular period happens when your menstrual cycle doesn't follow a typical pattern. This means that sometimes it comes earlier than you expect it to, other times, later, and on occasion, it may not come at all. You might even notice that the length of your menstrual cycle changes from month to month. Frustrating as this guessing game is, try to be kind and patient with your body — it’s not a machine, after all! And there are things you can do to cope.

To help you stay better prepared, liners can be a trusty tool to prevent menstrual flow from catching you off guard. They can take care of any unexpected surprises, giving you time to change to a period product when necessary. This way, you’ll feel more confident and comfortable, regardless of when your next period decides to start.

An alternative way to deal with irregular periods is by wearing menstrual underwear like our intimawear period pants. They look and feel just like regular underwear (which means you can wear them every day) but they’re specially designed to absorb your flows. That’s right, even if your period sneaks up on you, they’ve got you covered for up to 12 hours! And because they’re reusable, having a sustainable period is as easy as rinse, wash and repeat!

Spotting

Have you ever had those moments when you thought your period had stopped, but then some pesky drops of blood show up uninvited? Well, you’re not alone!

If you notice a few reddish-brown dots on your underwear or toilet paper when wiping outside of your expected period days, it could be spotting. 

Sometimes hormonal changes in the body can cause spotting, especially if you're using hormonal contraception or are approaching menopause. It's just your body's way of adjusting to these changes, so there's no need to worry. 

Although spotting is much lighter than a period and usually won't soak through your pants, it might still stain them. This can happen unexpectedly, so getting into the habit of wearing liners regularly can prepare you for it. Our Bodyform dailies V-Protection & Freshness Long Liners are a great option to give you that peace of mind, as they offer not only an absorbent core but also extra length to maximise protection.

Sweat

Like our armpits, our intimate area has sweat glands and hair follicles, which can cause it to become warmer and moister than other parts of our body. While this is normal and nothing to be self-conscious about, it can feel uncomfortable, especially when living or travelling in humid places or while doing exercise. Not to mention that trapped heat and moisture can make your V-Zone an appealing home for nasty bacteria. ^[1]

Using liners can be super helpful in sweaty situations as they help absorb excess moisture and keep you feeling fresh and comfortable throughout the day. Just make sure to change your them regularly to help reduce the risk of any skin irritation and infection. 

Arousal fluid, lube, saliva, and even ejaculate — so much can come into play during sex! It's all completely normal and can add to the fun while also preventing friction. But not everyone is into a sticky feeling lingering afterwards, especially in their V-Zone.

If you want to avoid that sensation, you can start by using intimate wet wipes. And putting a liner on your underwear will help manage all those after-sex fluids, ensuring you stay fresh and comfortable. So, no need to worry about the mess – just pop on a liner, and you're good to go!

Many of us have been there — minding our own business when suddenly, a few drops of pee sneak out during an intense exercise class, together with a sneeze or when laughing a little too hard with your friends. Wearing a specialised liner comes in really handy in those situations!

While most liners are designed to work like champions for managing vaginal discharge and even light menstrual flow, specially designed ones like our Bodyform All Fluid Protection Liners can also handle a little bit of pee.

Just bear in mind that these types of liners are not designed to handle full-on pee, that’s what incontinence products are made for, giving you the strongest protection. 

1. Regular liners to help you stay confident

With our Cour-V™ adaptive technology, our regular liners are designed to provide you with next level V-Zone care. 

Our Bodyform dailies V-Protection & Freshness Regular Liners are thin and offer maximum absorption – including odour, so you can stay fresh and protected all day. Plus, its flexible design allows it to adapt to the unique shape of your body, so that you feel confident no matter what you’re up to.  

Long liners are ideal for days when you experience heavier discharge or sporadic spells of spotting.

Our Bodyform dailies V-Protection & Freshness Long Liners are slightly longer compared to regular liners, giving you better protection and coverage. So when you need some extra peace of mind, long liners are your go-to option.

Scented liners like our Bodyform dailies V-Protection & Freshness Regular Deo Liners  come with a delicate floral fragrance for an extra fresh feeling.

If you’re unsure whether scented liners are your thing, why not try one when you’re at home? That way you can remove the product and switch to an unscented one if you change your mind.

^[1]Sweaty Vagina: Why It Happens and What You Can Do