PFAS, Period Underwear, and the Measures We Take

Recently there have been a spate of articles and online posts about period underwear, PFAS and cancer. And now consumers are starting to question what kind of chemicals are in their underwear and whether or not it could make them sick. You may even be wondering if your recently purchased leakproof or period underwear is safe to put on or not.

First things first – let’s clarify what PFAS are.

The PFAS family includes hundreds of man-made chemicals commonly used in water-repellent and stain-resistant finishes and have been used across many industries – including food wrappers, surgical gowns, carpets, outdoor clothing, and cookware. While these chemicals are effective in what they do, some compounds in the family are also linked to a number of health issues, including an increase in the risk of cancer and decreased fertility. In other words, these are not the type of chemicals you want pressed up against your body, particularly between your legs. Vaginal tissue is very thin and absorbent, making it especially vulnerable to toxins.

However, today’s underwear products being marketed as “period-proof” have water-repellent properties. So are they safe to wear?

Almost all TomboyX underwear and swimwear are Oeko-Tex Standard 100 Certified – a highly-regarded international standard for protecting consumer safety. In fact, some would even call it the “gold standard”. This certification means that our fabrics and materials are free from the 100 chemicals known to be toxic to humans, including compounds within the PFAS family that can cause infertility or cancer. And just to be extra sure, we had an independent laboratory test our First Line materials for the PFAs commonly used in clothing production, which all came back negative.

TomboyX has gone beyond the usual due diligence in assuring our products are living up to our values. We pay visits to our factories and mills regularly to ensure they are staying true to our aligned values. We also request proof of Oeko-Tex Standard 100 Certification from our partners, which must be renewed annually.

Our First Line underwear provides all-day comfort while protecting against light period flow and mild incontinence. The crotch lining has been developed to wick and absorb liquid, holding it away from the body. Each pair contains three layers in the crotch area to help keep you dry: a moisture wicking twill on top, followed by an absorbent terry cloth, and then supported with a water-resistant cotton shell. All of these materials have been tested and proven free of PFAS commonly used in clothing production and other known harmful chemicals.

At TomboyX, we understand the most important aspect of our relationship with our customers is trust. And we want you to trust that we will always do right by our customers. We will never knowingly create a product that could potentially harm any user. We will always strive to use only the safest and highest quality materials available.

Learn more about our First Line products for periods and leaks.