AWWA period-proof underwear look and feel just like your normal underwear, but can hold and absorb up to five regular pads or tampons worth of blood.

Our rigorously tested NZ designed period underwear features 4 layers to absorb and hold your period blood, discharge or bladder leakage: 

• a super-absorbent layer to hold and absorb your flow

• anti-microbial and moisture wicking technology to keep you dry and feeling fresh

• a soft organic cotton layer closest to your skin, designed to draw moisture away fast

• a leak-resistant barrier to prevent any leakage

This depends on you and your flow — you know your body best. AWWA underwear can be used instead of other menstrual products, or for those with a heavy flow you may choose to wear them as a backup to your tampon or cup. We suggest you test your own limits.

We have used the latest innovations in fabrics to prevent odour and dampness. The anti-microbial layer fights bacteria and odours, and the moisture wicking cotton quickly draws moisture away from your skin, keeping you dry.

AWWA underwear has been rigorously tested. Depending on the style you purchase they can hold between 1 -5 regular pads/tampons worth of blood.

They look and feel just like your normal underwear. We’re not kidding! In fact some would say they’re even more comfortable than your normal underwear.

The layer closest to your skin is 95% organic cotton, 5% spandex. Other fabrics used on our Eva Brief, Frankie Brief and Skye High are recycled nylon and spandex. They shouldn’t irritate even sensitive skin. Our Boxer Brief is made from Tencel which is a brand of lyocell and modal fibres that is made from sustainably sourced wood!

We are committed to revolutionising periods for menstruators while doing everything we can to care for you and Papatūānuku, our planet. We would never intentionally add anything harmful to our period underwear, including PFAS. 

Fabrics used in the production of our underwear have been tested by Bureauveritas in China. They test for Fluorine, as this is the key detection which would indicate the presence of PFAS (as there are thousands of different variants of PFAS).  

The test results came back as ND (None detected). NOTE: A test result under 10 ppm (parts per million) is considered “ND”. If PFAS are intentionally added, the quantities will be much higher!

You can view our certification here:

August 2022
March 2023, March 2023
April 2023
May 2023

You can view our PFAS Policy here.

Of course! AWWA underwear is also suitable for spotting and minor bladder weakness (pregnant and older women rejoice!) You might even love them so much that you decide to wear them every day. You do you.

Yes! For pregnancy, AWWA are great for light bladder leakage and discharge. For postpartum, generally we advise to wait the first few days after giving birth as your discharge will include blood, clots and lochia.  Clots and lochia contain solid and mucousy discharge and will (similar to the way a pad works) not allow the gusset to absorb effectively. 

Firstly, make sure you measure yourself using our size guide. Your hip measurement is the most important one when trying to find the right size underwear. For some of our styles it's also helpful to know your waist measurement.

Absolutely! Our underwear can be worn by all people who get their periods. Discover our curated teen period underwear range. 

AWWA last up to two years following our care instructions, as long as you haven't used a dryer or fabric softener during that time. These ruin the membrane that keeps them leak proof. You know when it's time to replace your period undies when you notice leaking through to the outer side of our undies when usually this wouldn't happen, meaning the membrane has now worn.

Yes! We recommend giving your AWWA a quick rinse and a machine wash before wearing on your ikura. This step is very important for activating the absorbency technologies within the briefs.

We recommend rinsing thoroughly by hand first, then pop in a cold wash with your other clothes and line dry. DO NOT use fabric softener as it can block and prevent the moisture wicking and anti-microbial technologies from working. 

This can be due to your AWWA not being rinsed properly after use.  Try washing them again with a hygiene rinse to see if that helps. If you don't have access to a hygiene rinse or prefer something more natural you can try soaking them in the sink or a clean tub with one cup of white vinegar and some cold water. Leave them to soak for about 15 to 30 minutes, then clean in the washing machine. You can add a little white vinegar to the wash too, if you think they need it. This will remove build-up and get rid of the odour. 

Make sure to fully rinse out your undies immediately following wear (especially if you might not be putting them in the washing machine for a day or two).

To ensure that they are completely dry all the way through before wearing again you are able to hang them in the hot water cupboard, however natural sunlight is best for your AWWA.

We do not recommend putting your AWWA into the dryer, as you are unable to control the temperature of a dryer once the machine is running, even on a low heat setting it is still unknown what that temperature could be. Excessive heat can compromise the leak proof layer resulting in leakage.

AWWA have measured and offset 120% (at least) of our carbon footprint for our business operations with certified carbon credits through Ekos.

We only use natural, organic and recycled fabrics, and toxic-free processes. Including: ​​Certified recycled nylon, fabric dyed in Oeko-Tex certified mill and 100% certified organic cotton yarn.

We use a mix of ethical suppliers and have full transparency across our supply chain from cotton growers to nylon recycle processing, spinning, dyeing, fabric & trims supply to cut & sew production. Our traceable supply chain is transparent on each styles main product pages.

By replacing single use pads and tampons, AWWA underwear helps prevent millions of pads and tampons ending up in our waterways and landfill every year. 

As a business we lead by example when it comes to environmental sustainability. AWWA is a carbon positive business. This means that we have offset all our business operation emissions to 120%. Check out our sustainability page for more info.

AWWA underwear is manufactured by a company who provides ethical work conditions and takes environmental sustainability seriously. We spent a lot of time researching how and where our underwear is made. AWWA underwear is made in two factories in Sri Lanka and China. Both our partner factories pay a fair wage and have processes and practices in place to reduce their waste output, and source sustainable fabrics.

We believe our underwear is going to revolutionise the way you manage your period and you will not look back, however we want you to feel confident in your purchase.

First time customers can try one AWWA garment risk free for 60 days. Not sure you and your AWWA are meant to be? Let us know within 60 days of your purchase and we will give you your money back (minus the cost of shipping).

The 60-day risk-free trial applies to one worn AWWA garment only. 

Garments to be returned before refund is processed. 

We will exchange unworn/unwashed garments for a different size in the same style/colour only (subject to availability)   All size exchanges are subject to availability of the requested size. 

Unworn/unwashed underwear must be returned within 60 days of purchase - underwear not returned within 60 days of purchase will be sent back to the customer. Please ensure you try the underwear on over your own underwear. In the interests of hygiene we may refuse returns of items where it is obvious this has not been done.

• 60 day risk free trial is only available to first time customers

• 60 day risk free trial applies to one worn garment only

• We are unable to accept returns or exchanges on clearance, discounted or sale items

Download the exchange/return form HERE 

If eligible for return, customers will need to pay for the return of underwear to AWWA. We suggest using a tracked service as we cannot be held responsible for any parcel that goes missing.

Once the garments are received back at our warehouse we will process the refund/exchange within 10 working days.

Refunds will be paid back to the payment gateway used by the customer at the time of purchase.

First time customers are able to return one pair of worn underwear from a multi-pack under our risk free trial policy

You may exchange UNWORN items in a bundle pack within 60 days of purchase for a different size in the same style/colour only

Use this text to answer questions in as much detail as possible for your customers.

AWWA work extremely hard to ensure that all goods are of the highest quality. If for any reason you find a fault with one of your garments we are here to help.

We offer full replacements on faulty garments up to 60 days post purchase date. This excludes final sale items, or those marked as not perfect at point of sale.

The cost to return underwear for the purpose of exchange/refund or 60 day risk free trial is at the expense of the customer. AWWA will send any replacements or return exchanges at their expense.

If we accidentally send you the wrong item or order please contact hello@awwaperiodcare.com so we can get it sorted. You have up to 30 days post order date to notify us that you have received an incorrect item or order.

All garments must be returned unused.

We work hard to get your order to you fast, therefore are shipping orders daily. If you discover that you have made a mistake with your order please contact us immediately at hello@awwaperiodcare.com so that we can try and fix the error before courier collection. Unfortunately we cannot guarantee we will be able to amend your order, but we will do our best.

DOMESTIC ORDERS

We send your parcel via nationwide overnight courier service within New Zealand. Orders received before midday (NZST) on weekdays, excluding public holidays will be sent on that day. Rural deliveries can take up to 2 working days longer. Please note, all delivery times are approximate, and during sale or high volume order periods dispatch may be slightly delayed 

We send our online orders via a courier which requires signature upon receipt. AWWA is not responsible for the loss of parcels if the customer has created an Authority to Leave at the address which an order is delivered to. Please ensure your address details are correct as AWWA takes no responsibility for deliveries which are made to addresses entered in error.

Please note: We do not ship to PO Boxes as we require the signature of the recipient.

We ship all over the world by DHL express and NZ Post. Tracking is available via DHL for orders over $80 value. All orders under $80 will be sent non-tracked by NZ Post. Please be aware we cannot be responsible for individual countries customs fees and import taxes.

The cost to return underwear for the purpose of exchange/return or 60 day risk free trial is at the expense of the customer. AWWA will send any replacements or return exchanges at their own expense. 

We’re working on it. But here’s a start:

• buy your underwear from a female-run business

• manage your period in comfort

• get out there and change the world.