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WUKA Period Underwear Review: The Science of Soaking Up Life’s Inconveniences

Period underwear used to be the kind of thing you’d quietly Google, just before clicking frantically away when someone walked past. Now, thanks to companies like WUKA, it’s moved from niche to mainstream - or at least to sustainable Instagram-friendly packaging. In this case, WUKA rolls out its mission with commendable clarity: periods shouldn’t cost the Earth, and ideally, they also shouldn’t ruin a Tuesday afternoon. It’s a practical solution to a problem half the population has faced since the dawn of time, upgraded for a planet dealing with other forms of leakage (read: climate crisis).

Founded in 2017 by Ruby Raut, who grew up in Nepal sewing sari rags into her underwear, WUKA (short for "Wake Up Kick Ass") pushes the idea that menstrual care can be both sustainable and, if not glamorous, at least comfortable enough not to matter. The brand has since won multiple nods - including a slightly breathless "Best Period Care Brand" title from Marie Claire - and sells a wide variety of reusable period trousers, swimwear and vaguely wellness-adjacent gummies. Yes, gummies.

Performance Where It Matters

Let’s get to the point: WUKA’s trousers work. The absorption is genuinely impressive - particularly on the high-end styles marked "Heavy" or "Super Heavy" - and they don't feel like you’re wearing a tactical sponge. Layered for breathability, odour control and dryness, the gusset does its job without turning the underwear into a crinkly science experiment.

The WUKA Ultimate™ Boxer Shorts - Heavy (£27.99) and WUKA Ultimate™ Midi Brief - Heavy (£24.99) are thoughtful in their construction. The gusset extends fairly high up in the front and back, which makes leaks rare and surprises even rarer. It’s refreshing to wear something designed by people who have clearly tested this in real conditions, not just in a lab with red-dyed saline solution and hope.

That said, calling them "sexy" as one customer review does may be more wishful than factual. They’re fine. They’re black. They’re very clearly functional underwear. But that’s exactly what you need them to be. You don’t wear period trousers to audition for RuPaul’s Drag Race; you wear them to get on with your day.

Fit and Sizing for the Real World

The sizing, particularly the Teen Stretch™ line (3 for £36 at time of writing), is smart and forgiving. Tweens and teens can wear them from their first period through several growth spurts without needing immediate replacements. That’s not only cost-effective - it’s also one less thing for overwhelmed parents to Google at 10 p.m. the night before PE class.

"Multi-size" feels like one of those phrases that would make a fitting room attendant wince, but here it works - a result of stretchy, well-made fabric that conforms better than many store-brand leggings. That said, you’ll want to check sizing guides closely. Some customers report certain cuts running small, particularly in the slimmer high-waist fits, which seem to assume that everyone has the same torso-length ratio as a yoga instructor.

The Cost of Going Green

Starting at £11 per pair but climbing closer to £28 for higher-end styles, these aren’t disposable pricing. But they’re also not throwaway items - if cared for properly, you can reuse a pair for several years. WUKA offers a 40-day trial on all styles, which is more generous than most dating apps, and gives you a solid runway to test what works before committing your whole drawer. Returns are accepted within that trial period, though it’s understandably limited to one used item per customer. (Because hygiene.)

Shipping is free in the UK, with various options for faster delivery if you’re mid-cycle and desperate. International shipping is available too, though costs apply, and you may want to check customs fees depending on your location.

Coupons Without the Hyperbole

Not everything needs to go full Black Friday. WUKA runs seasonal sales and bundles that actually provide decent value. Right now there's a flash sale of 15% off period swimwear, ending Tuesday 6th May - not quite a fire sale, but useful if swimming and menstruating intersect in your calendar. Also notable: the current 3-for-£36 deal on Teen Stretch™ styles brings the per-pair price down significantly. If you're buying for a younger user or just want backups, it's probably their smartest offer.

They also offer discounts for NHS workers, students, and community groups (via Purpl), which seems admirably egalitarian in a marketplace that more often relies on FOMO than equity.

Minor Quibbles, Major Gains

There are, of course, limits. WUKA’s period swimwear - while a clever concept - works best as an extra layer of protection rather than sole swimwear on heavy-flow days. The brand doesn’t overstate this, but PR language does sometimes wander close to suggesting you can backstroke through your period like a menstruating mermaid. Manage expectations accordingly.

The new Menopause and Pain Relief categories - featuring gummies and heat patches - are well-packaged but a little under-tested. The heat patch provides standard relief with adhesive backing. Effective enough, though probably not game-changing. And the gummies? Pleasantly chewy. Low on medicinal drama. Possibly helpful, probably harmless.

Final Thoughts

You don’t need a lifestyle blog or a TED talk to tell you that disposable pads and tampons cause waste. What WUKA offers - consistently, practically - is a credible alternative. One that absorbs well, washes easily, doesn’t smell like a chemical spill, and comes with a rare combination of performance and self-awareness. Their product isn’t perfect, and thank goodness - perfect gets suspicious fast. But it is, in the understated way that matters, quietly excellent.

Sometimes, the best kind of revolution is one that just lets you get on with your day.

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