Earlier this month, high-street retailer Primark launched a new menopause clothing range of nightwear, underwear and base layers designed to help with menopause symptoms.

The products are made from recycled nylon and polyester and incorporate ‘anti-flush’ technology, cooling yarn and temperature control.

But why is this such a revolutionary move from the high-street retailer?

Well, because despite menopause affecting all women between the ages of 45 and 55, it’s still a taboo topic.

Earlier this year, a survey revealed that one in 10 people going through menopause quit their job due to symptoms, such as hot flushes, as they had made it hard to carry on as usual.

The underwear you wear can help avoid the embarrassment caused by well-known symptoms like hot flushes and vaginal atrophy.

Here’s what to look out for when underwear shopping:

Breathable fabric

When shopping for underwear, many of us gravitate towards cut, colour and style.

However, when you’re going through menopause, your body temperature is likely to increase, leading to excess sweating, which could make you feel awkward and uncomfortable, especially if you’re trying to sleep.

Wearing silk or man-made fibres that are restrictive can cause moisture can become trapped, resulting in skin irritation, a foul vaginal odour or even a bacterial infection.

So, it’s best to opt for breathable material, such as cotton, that will stave off yeast infections and allow you to go about your day-to-day life without any embarrassment or potentially endangering your intimate health.

Fuller briefs

During menopause and perimenopause, women may experience vaginal atrophy caused by declining oestrogen levels.

Not only can this lead to dryness and itching, but the tissues of the vulva and lining of the vagina can also become thinner, drier and less supple.

Wearing smaller styles, such as a thong or G-string could become irritating and uncomfortable in these areas – so a fuller brief may be more comfortable.

But remember, going through menopause doesn’t mean you can’t still rock a pair of sexy undies for special occasions!

Absorbent

Menopause can cause your pelvic floor muscles to weaken, meaning less support for your pelvic organs like your bladder. This can leave you with a frequent, sudden urge to urinate, often followed by involuntary urine leakage.

When choosing your underwear, look out for pants that contain additional absorbent linings that replace the need for disposable incontinence pads.

Alternatively, take out the guesswork and consider investing in a pair of ‘period pants’ designed for periods and incontinence.

There are two options for incontinence knickers – disposable or washable with inbuilt protection. Opting for disposable will get you the modern, absorbent waterproof pant you need – but sadly there is still a way to go on style.

More attractive, discreet and ecological is the inbuilt underwear. Although one brand can manage this, most others can only hold up to 60ml. This is fine for short-term outings and around the house, but if you’re out for the day, it can be inconvenient. Once a leakage has happened, you still have to change the entire product, so having other options is wise.

Stretchy
Another common symptom for women going through menopause or perimenopause is bloating, which happens due to fluctuating hormones, such as loss of oestrogen and cortisol.
Instead of wearing restrictive underwear, which will leave you feeling uncomfortable, look for knickers with a stretchy waistband that will allow your stomach to expand throughout the day.