Daki's Journey to period underwear: My Assistant on the Path to Self-Love

I woke up this morning, it was the second day of my period. Normally I would wake up to a bloodstained bed. But today it wasn't like that, because I was wearing the period pants.

Every woman probably has so many stories of times when pads have failed, tampons have been too absorbent, or days have just started unexpectedly and we have had to creep along the edge of the wall or tie sweaters and scarves around our waists to hide stained pants and skirts. It has caused embarrassment and shame, it has caused a feeling that our bodies are shameful, it has caused anger towards our bodies. And yet periods are something so normal, almost half of the population menstruates at some point, and menstruation is something that is taboo to talk about, and something that is dirty to see.

The last few years have been a journey for me to learn to love my body and not just accept my periods, but to consider them something to be proud of. Because I grew up in a society where days were barely talked about, and when they were, it was always in a mocking or derogatory way (“What, you have bad days, huh?!” – remember those taunts from my classmates?). When I became a teenager in the 90s, there weren’t many options, and to be honest, it wasn’t until I was in my 30s that I realized that no one had ever told me how to choose a tampon or use pads. Not that it’s rocket science, but I suffered from bacterial vaginosis too often, so I long ago ruled out tampons; and pads became more and more uncomfortable.

When I gave birth, I had an IUD inserted and the worries of the day were gone for years.

It wasn't until I was about 35 that I decided I didn't want any extra hormones. I wanted to know how my body felt without any extras - and I had the IUD removed. I also started

using a menstrual cup, or cup, which was the first big step towards making menstruation something that was truly mine. It was no longer something disgusting and unpleasant, even the blood became somehow lovely.

The next step was very logical – period panties. I looked at different offers, but I still ended up with Rocking Undies pants. First of all, I wanted to support a domestic company, but secondly, I liked the design and price. Initially, I ordered just one (high-waisted panties) as a sample, and I soon realized that it is most convenient to operate if you have at least two

pairs of panties. You take one off at night, quickly rinse it in the morning and let it dry; and then you put on fresh ones during the day. Change again in the evening. Really easy! And I

don't actually know if you can dry them in the dryer, but I have done it – and in the summer,

when the radiators were cold, I dried them on the bathroom floor (underfloor heating!).

Why do you need these day panties at all, if the cup catches everything so well – you might ask (I would ask!). Firstly, I don't want to wear a pad on days when my flow is light. Although wearing a menstrual cup is convenient, it can be a bit tiring in the end. Secondly, some days are more flowy or active than others, and on those days, extra protection is really needed.

For example, I was on a business trip abroad the other day, and it (of course!) happened to be on one of the days with the most flow. I had to leave the hotel at 7 am and got back around midnight. Of course, I had the opportunity to go to the toilet to empty the cup, but honestly – without Rocking Undies I wouldn't have made it through that high-stress day so smoothly!

What surprised me about the period undies was that, unlike pads, they really do trap odor very well or almost none at all. That means: of course, the decomposing blood will start to emit its own aroma, it's just how it is. But with synthetic pads, it's somehow... more technological and unpleasant.

I also love wearing day pants as night pants. Especially at the beginning and end of the periods, but they also provide extra protection when the body can surprise you with a lot of blood. And, let's be honest, sometimes you just can't get that cup in place, do what you want! But I'll never go back to tampons, so pants - of course!

My baby will soon be arriving to the age when she needs period underwear. At home, she already has boxers designed for teenagers in her drawer, because I wouldn't want her to ever have to go through the shame that I did on my 15th birthday, when I went to school in white pants and suddenly the periods started... I want her to have the same confidence in her body and her periods that I didn't have when I was young and that I have struggled to achieve over the years. In addition, Rocking Undies has been a very important helper for me on this journey of self-acceptance and self-love.