A tweet has sparked debate on-line concerning the potential advantages of interval underwear.

Interval underwear consists of supplies which are designed to absorb menstrual blood and maintain moisture away from the wearer's pores and skin. As soon as a distinct segment product, they're now available.

Earlier this week, Twitter person @_gardenoflotus shared her view of the advantages skilled by sporting interval underwear. The publish has been favored practically 100,000 instances on the time of writing and has been retweeted greater than 4,500 instances.

"I used interval underwear for my final cycle. Inform me why it was one of many lightest durations I've ever skilled, in addition to symptomless. I virtually had no bloating, much less clotting & my interval blood was shiny crimson," @_gardenoflotus stated within the publish.

"Interval underwear is an effective approach to domesticate a more healthy relationship together with your interval & physique. Society has created a unfavourable stigma surrounding durations & how our durations make us really feel nasty. One thing that we should not stay up for," they stated.

Quite a few folks commented within the replies, with many echoing the feelings contained within the unique publish.

"I LOVE interval pants! They're genius, comfy, they work and I've a lot much less blood stream, they're eco pleasant and take 4 seconds to rinse then chuck in with the traditional laundry," one person stated. "They need to be the norm now, so handy and enhance EVERYTHING about having my interval!"

Different customers additionally commented within the replies about how totally different interval merchandise appeared to impact the cramping ache they skilled throughout their durations. However can interval underwear alleviate the cramp ache related to durations?

Sadly, the image is at present unclear, in line with Dr. Jennifer Gunter, a gynecologist and New York Occasions columnist whose upcoming e book is all about menstruation.

"There aren't any research evaluating menstrual merchandise and menstrual ache," Gunter advised Newsweek. "If somebody has loads of vaginal spasms or pelvic flooring muscle spasm then a tampon or a cup would possibly make that worse. That does not imply that tampons and cups trigger interval ache or that interval underwear treats menstrual ache."

"You will not say that sporting trainers treats a bunion, proper? However menstrual merchandise are about consolation and meaning various things to totally different folks," she stated.

In keeping with Gunter, the amount of blood stream throughout somebody's interval will be linked to the ache they expertise.

"Usually, heavier durations will be related to extra ache, nevertheless it is dependent upon the rationale for the heavy durations and in order that is known as a broad generalization," she stated. "There are additionally a number of situations that may trigger ache with durations and are related to extra blood loss."

However what concerning the declare within the unique publish that interval underwear can cut back the quantity of blood stream?

"The declare is fake. It isn't bodily doable for a menstrual product to vary the quantity of blood throughout menstruation. As pads and tampons are white the blood is extra seen due to the distinction, and interval underwear is often darkish and the blood soaks into the garment so it is not typically seen," she stated. "To some this will likely appear like it's much less, however it's not."

"There may be an previous delusion that tampons improve menstrual blood and this has been round since I used to be a lady within the Seventies. It is actually a conspiracy principle based mostly on the false declare that evil tampon firms have been placing asbestos (or one other chemical) into tampons to extend bleeding and therefore promote extra tampons. It's biologically unattainable for a tampon or menstrual cup to extend the quantity of your menstrual stream."

Gunter stated inside menstrual merchandise are positioned within the vagina, whereas the chemical signaling for menstruation occurs within the uterus.

"This delusion is probably going based mostly on purity tradition—i.e. retaining your vagina pure by not inserting tampons," she stated. "I think that is only a present evolution of that delusion and the rationale it could really feel true as nearly everybody has been uncovered to the parable."

Dr. Jackie Maybin, a senior researcher and marketing consultant gynecologist on the MRC Centre for Reproductive Well being, at Scotland's College of Edinburgh, additionally advised Newsweek that the selection of menstrual product is not going to have an effect on the quantity of blood misplaced.

"These experiencing problematic durations might require extra measures to seek out the underlying trigger and assist with their signs," she stated.

Being comfy throughout a interval may help with some menstrual signs, she stated.

"It can be crucial that individuals discover the correct product to assist them handle their menstrual blood loss. This can be pads, tampons, menstrual cups or interval pants. The bottom line is having a spread of choices that individuals can select from in order that they really feel assured and comfy throughout menstruation," she stated.

A woman with menstrual cramps
A lady experiencing menstrual cramps. A tweet has sparked debate on-line concerning the potential advantages of interval underwear versus different merchandise. iStock