Green the red, they told us. In India, sanitary napkins are responsible for 1,13,000 tonnes of waste, annually. This is further aggravated by the lack of proper solid waste management infrastructure, which means most of these pads are handled—literally—by waste pickers. And that, is only the waste part of the problem. Sanitary pads are largely made up of plastics and contain a variety of harmful chemicals, ranging from bleach to phthalates and even PFAS. These are all known endocrine disruptors—which means they mess around with our hormonal systems—as well as carcinogens or cancer-causing chemicals. It isn’t coincidence, then, that over the last few decades, there has been a sharp rise in the number of reported cases of PCOS/D, endometriosis, ovarian and cervical cancers, and even thyroid imbalances. If that isn’t enough reason to switch out your department store-bought period care product for something more planet- and you-friendly!
For the longest time, now, the gold standard for a greener period has been the menstrual cup. But let’s be honest: A menstrual cup isn’t everybody’s cup of tea. I first switched to one in 2018. And for a few years, I swore by it. Till perimenopause came creeping along. From what I’ve since discovered, I’m not the only one who loved it to start with, but had to go off it, for reasons ranging from vaginal dryness and discomfort to lesions and persistent infections. Also, while menstrual cups are made from medical-grade silicon, silicon is also a kind of plastic, which means they are sitting inside you and leaching microplastics into your system. Not an ideal situation.
In my personal journey, the next step was cloth pads and period panties, which were great, except some cloth pads have a velour surface, which is again a synthetic microfibre, and because most of these pads are held together with just a tich button, they often slide and shift. The period panties of 2019 were not very absorbent, but fortunately, we’re in 2025, and that’s no longer the case. Several brands have gone ninja with their innovation, and given us much better products, with higher absorbency and comfort. We scoured the Indian market, to find the best period panties for you to choose from, for a more comfortable and sustainable period. Here’s what we found.
FabPad
Founded in 2021, by Shripriya Khaitan Dhelia and Upasana Todi Prakash, Kolkata-based FabPad focuses on functionality, while addressing 3 key issues: Sustainability, period poverty, and accessibility and affordability. They have a high-waist, mid-waist and shorties version, in cotton-spandex, available in a variety of colours. They also have a seamless one in nylon-spandex, which they offer but don’t really recommend. Sizes start from Teens, starting at 10-years-old, all the way to 2XL. The outer layer is cotton, with spandex for fit, while the inner layers consist of a terry fabric in high GSM, and a leakproof cotton laminate layer and a honeycomb stitch to lock in the flow. The panties are good for 100 washes, which means a set of five, should see you through 3-4 years.
For every 25 period panties sold, FabPad donates one to an economically-disadvantaged menstruator. They also run Project Padma, under the aegis of which, they train and upskill women from rural Bengal, and then employ them, paying them in a tiered fashion, based on skill level but well above the minimum wage. They also offer private label manufacturing facilities to other brands looking to enter the period care market.
And, they’re gender inclusive. FabPad isn’t just using their technology to offer period care. They’re using it to make men’s incontinence underwear, too.
Find them at: https://fabpad.in
Woomflo
Founded by Bangalore-based Pauline Dal Luca and Diya Punjabi, Woomflo aims to revolutionise period care in India, through their product as well as through educating menstruators. French-born Pauline is a nurse, health coach and yoga teacher, who is also a Free Intuitive Flow educator. Diya is a fashion designer, educator and endometriosis survivor. Together, they started working on a one-of-a-kind product for the Indian market, in 2023. Following two years of R&D, Woomflo finally launched earlier this year. The product is completely made in Bangalore, in an OEKO Tex-certified facility, with locally-sourced, OEKO Tex-certified fabric, which is 95% cotton and 5% elastane, for the outer and inner shells, a polyester layer for absorbency and a PU layer for waterproofing. The products are well-designed, without any bulkiness, and ensuring they look attractive, so you feel better at a time when you would otherwise feel pretty meh!
For now, the only offerings are in black, to be able to maintain small batch production, in Low-Medium and Medium-Heavy absorbencies (marked by attractive little moons at the back of the panty). They will be introducing a lighter colour as well as a superheavy absorbency, too. Their sizes start at XXS for preteens, going all the way up to 4XL.
Through their Woomflo Circles, Diya and Pauline have been leading period conversations, where Pauline also guides women on how to manage their period flow (without controlling it), so you need lesser period care. Sounds counter-intuitive, coming from a period care brand, but that’s what a brand that truly cares, does!
Find them at: https://www.woomflo.co
Superbottoms
What started off as a reusable diaper brand, expanded to include incontinence underwear for new moms, and decided the brand would be incomplete without a period panty, to complete the loop. The women-led brand launched period panties in 2022. Its shell is made with 50% bamboo, 45% cotton and 5% elastane, and the absorbent layer is a combination of bamboo and cotton. While the product is a bit bulky, they’ve intentionally opted for a high-waist design to support the abdomen, to provide relief from abdominal discomfort. But they’re also innovating to create better designs. So be on the lookout for that.
Superbottoms is also perhaps the only brand on the Indian market to not have any plastic, except for the 5% elastane they use to add stretchability to the product, making it almost entirely biodegradable. They also offer a wide range of choices, starting from XXS to cater to teens, going all the way up to XXXL.
Find them at: https://superbottoms.com
Revaa
Revaa was born as the result of a personal crisis. When founder Mahipal Singh’s daughter got her first period, his wife was down with Covid and in isolation. He found himself at a bit of a loose end, but with little choice but to help her navigate the situation. The experience pushed him to look for a solution to make periods more comfortable, while prioritizing sustainability.
Manufactured in an OEKO Tex-certified factory, the period panty has a 95% cotton shell, with 5% spandex, and a double absorption layer, with terry and PU laminate. There is also a bamboo version, with 95% bamboo and 5% elastane in the shell and 95% cotton and 5% elastane in the inner lining. Their unique offering is a pair of shorts with an in-built period panty, which can be good for up to 12 hours, depending on the flow. These shorts, however, are made in nylon and spandex. Sizes go from S up to 5XL. The products are good for up to 100 washes.
Revaa has also been conducting public outreach programmes, through menstrual hygiene sessions in schools, and even a collaboration with the Haryana Auto Association, wherein they placed reusable menstrual products in autos.
Find them at: https://revaaforyou.com
