Not sure what to wear under your leotard during your period? Period-Proof Activewear has arrived (and it’s totally rooting for you).
Knowing what to wear under your leotard during gymnastics or dance class can be tricky. Should you wear a thong or high-cut briefs? Should you even wear underwear at all? But what about when you’re on your period? And what do you even wear on your top half? So.Many.Questions. The good news? We have So. Many. Answers.
Many professional gymnasts and dancers tend to not wear any panties under their leotards. This is typically for two reasons: your panties can move around or show during your routine (which may cause point deductions from the judges) or they can bunch up and give you an uncomfortable wedgie while you’re performing. (When you’re going for gold, wedgie woes should be the last thing on your mind.)
Some leotards have built-in liners which can be removed and washed, and dancers who wear tights, such as ballet dancers, often wear their tights as underwear.
Image via Instagram (@yoni.care)
Okay but…what do I wear under my leotard when I’m on my period?
When it comes to balancing your musical flow with your personal flow, you’ve got options:
- Kt’s Leakproof Leotard is a great option for period protection and comfort for dancers and gymnasts. It looks and moves like regular dance gear, but with period-fighting power that holds up to 3 tampons or pads worth of blood. You can wear the Leakproof Leotard all on its own on light days or in anticipation of your period’s arrival (no underwear mishaps or deductions) or pair it with a second option for extra peace of mind for heavier days.
- Kt’s Leakproof Tights are another solid choice both on their own or as part of a dynamic duo. Similar to the Leakproof Leotard, our stretchy and comfortable Leakproof Tights look and move like regular tights, but with the same (yup, you guessed it) ability to hold up to 3 tampons or pads worth of blood. You can wear them under a regular leotard, or pair them with Kt’s Leakproof Leotard for double the protection. Both the Leakproof Tights and Leakproof Leotard are built with moisture-wicking, antimicrobial technology that keep you feeling dry and fresh. (In other words, no odors and no wet feeling).
- Menstrual cups work well for dancers and gymnasts who are on their period because of their invisible nature. Menstrual cups tend to hold a lot more blood than tampons and can be worn for longer periods (no pun intended) before needing to be changed. If you’re worried about the string of your tampon poking out during the middle of your routine, a menstrual cup is a great alternative. However, they can take some getting used to and may feel very there when wearing one for the first time. For a step-by-step guide, our big sister, Knix, has the lowdown on how to use a menstrual cup. For an extra layer of protection for peace of mind, we recommend pairing a menstrual cup with either Kt’s Leakproof Leotard, Leakproof Tights, or both.
- Tampons are a common choice for many dancers and gymnasts for a lot of the same reasons as the menstrual cup – they’re invisible under your leotard. If you’re comfortable with using tampons, this can be a good option. If you’ve been wanting to use tampons but are a bit nervous about where to start, check out our guide on how to put in a tampon. Some downfalls to tampons are they require more frequent changes, are harder on the environment, and have a greater potential for leaks. Just like a menstrual cup, tampons can also be paired with Kt’s Leakproof Leotard or Leakproof Tights to prevent leaks.
All of these options let you go undie-less under your leotard to prevent visible underwear lines or discomfort. If you choose to go commando while using a tampon or menstrual cup, we recommend using a layer of backup protection just in case. (Leaks wait for no one, not even your gold-medal routine. Rude, we know.)
Avoid wearing pads under your leotard
Pads are not something we’d recommend wearing under your gear. Even the smallest of pads can peek out of a leotard, and there’s a risk that the bright stage lights could make them visible. While Reusable Pads are one of our fave choices for some activities, all pads are absolutely benched when it comes to all things twists, turns, and backflip-related while wearing a leotard.
Going commando? On my period? Not my thing. What else ya got for period protection under my leotard?
Going commando is great for some and a huge NO WAY for others, both of which are 100% fair. If the idea of going pantie-less gives you the heebie-jeebies, you’ve still got options:
- Kt’s Period Underwear are super thin and have a seamless design, so there are no panty lines to worry about when you’re out there doin’ your thang. They’re breathable and have awesome anti-wicking technology to banish sweat, to help you feel calm and collected under pressure. Oh, and did we mention, they can hold between 3-12 tampons or pads worth of blood, depending on the absorbency level. (Medium Absorbency holds about 3 pads/tampons worth of blood, Super Absorbency holds about 9-12, and High Absorbency is in between, holding around 4-8.) Kt’s Leakproof Bikini and Super Leakproof Bikini are some great go-tos.
- Thongs are usually cut high enough so they won’t bunch up under your leotard or peak out at the sides. However, if you decide to wear a thong make sure it’s seamless so the lines won’t show. Oh, and be wary of bedazzles and bows. They are cute as heck, we agree, but they are very likely to show when pressed up against your leotard material so it’s best to opt for something more on the plain side.
I just feel like everyone will know, yenno?
It’s normal when you’re on your period to feel like everyone around you knows. But believe it or not, your coach is not equipped with a built-in period radar. And even if someone does know (because let’s say, you told them), periods are nothing to be ashamed of! Letting your coach know it’s your time of the month may even help them help you be fully prepared.
Regardless of your sharing comfortability, with the right protection the only one who will know you’re pirouetting on your period is YOU! If you still don’t feel super comfortable wearing your leotard on your period, experiment with gymnastics outfits by popping on a pair of shorts or a skirt. The most important thing about your period is making sure you feel comfortable and confident. You can even wear a pair of Kt’s Super Leakproof Sleepover Short for that extra feeling of security! Just make sure you check with your coach first to make sure there are no issues adding an extra layer, especially before a competition or show.
Let’s talk about the upper bod – should I wear a bra under my leotard?
What to wear under the top half of your leotard can feel as tricky as navigating what to wear under the bottom half. Some dancers and gymnasts feel comfortable wearing no bra or nipple coverings under their leotard and rock their performances bra-less. A completely normal and solid option. However, not everyone feels comfortable taking that route and that is a-okay! (The fear of nip slips can be very real, we get it).
If you opt to wear a bra under your leotard, make sure you’re choosing the right one. Underwiring can dig into your body during your routine or show through your leotard. You can even lose points in competitions for having a bra strap slip out of place — eek! If you’re somewhere between being cool not wearing a bra, but not totally cool only wearing your leotard, try wearing band-aids or nipple covers. This will help you feel covered up without having to go on a suitable bra hunt.
If you have larger breasts that need the support of a bra (or just prefer wearing one), there are still plenty of options. Stick to nude bras, and match your bra style with that of your leotard. For example, if you’ve got a racerback leotard, go for a racerback bra to help keep the straps hidden.
Is it even okay to exercise while I’m on my period?
This might sound totally made up, (it’s not, we promise), but exercising while on your period is not only okay, it’s actually beneficial! Exercising helps improve your mood and reduce stress because it basically increases the production of happy chemicals in your brain. It also helps you to fight menstrual headaches, bloating, and cramps. Not bad, hey?
Sometimes it’s okay to say, “not today.”
Just because you can twist, turn, jump, and flip on your period doesn’t necessarily mean you want to. Period cramps, mood swings, and heavy flows are tough, and sometimes you just need some time to focus on yourself. If that means missing practice to curl up and watch Netflix, honor that! Your best looks different every day – some days it’s landing the perfect one-and-one-half twist, some days it’s binge-watching Stranger Things (again). Both are valid, and both make you a champ.
Finding what to wear under your leotard during your period can feel tough, but you have options! Choose whatever makes you feel comfortable and confident, and if you have any questions about Kt products, always feel free to ask! (We love to chat, you’re so great to talk to!)
