The Best Cooling Underwear For Perimenopause

For those of us living through it right now, perimenopause is no joke, and the sudden hot flashes and sweating it brings can feel relentless. There’s almost nothing worse than steaming through your underwear while you’re trying to play it cool during an afternoon meeting or waking up at four in the morning (again) because of night sweats.

Many of us layer our outfits (like pairing camis with cardigans) so we can temperature-adjust our clothing as needed throughout the day, and we keep portable fans near us at all times, but here’s something you might not have thought about before: your underwear. 

Yep, cooling underwear is actually a thing, designed to wick away moisture, promote better airflow, and help to regulate body temperature during hormonal ups and downs.

Best Cooling Undies At A Glance

Compare	Cut	Sizes	Price
Thirdlove TempSync	Hipster	XS to 3X	$20
Duluth Trading Armachillo	Brief, hi-cut, hipster, short	Medium to 3X	$22.50+
Thigh Society Cooling	Short (5” to 21”)	XS/S to 5/6XL	$44–$54
WUKA Period Undies	High waist, midi brief, thong, hipster, boxer short, bikini brief, swim	XXS to 6XL	$17–$40+
JulieMay Lingerie	Low-rise brief, high-waisted full brief, thong	8 to 18	$27–$39

Designed with breathable materials (and in some cases, even innovative temperature-regulating fabric technology), my top recommendations offer a little hot flash relief (or at least make them more bearable) when your body’s feeling anything but cool.

Tips For Choosing Underwear During Menopause

If perimenopause is looming or has already arrived, there are several things to keep in mind when you’re shopping for cooling underwear that’s comfortable and actually works.

• Moisture-wicking fabrics: Nylon/spandex blends with wicking treatments, technical/proprietary blends, bamboo, modal, and wool blends help to pull moisture away from the skin better than heavy cotton or full-synthetics (like polyester), which can trap heat. (Note: If you have even slight sensitivities to wool like I do, avoid wool blends, even if they’re “soft”! They can still be irritating and you don’t want that touching your bits, trust me.)
• Material breathability: Along with the above, you’ll want to go with lightweight and breathable fabrics, which often include mesh panels or ventilated zones.
• Period/leakproof underwear: If your periods have become unpredictable, period underwear that has an absorbent crotch can protect you from accidental bleed-throughs when you least expect it, especially if you’re tired of playing guessing games or wearing pantyliners every day.
• Odor and bacterial resistance: Some cooling underwear features material or blends that are antimicrobial and odor-controlling. (Silk, for instance, offers both.)
• Seamless, tag-free comfort: It might go without saying, but underwear that’s tagless is way more comfortable for all-day wear, and seamless designs are invisible beneath clothing.

If you’re not sure about a particular brand or model, it’s a good idea to start with just one pair of underwear first to see if you like it, before investing in a week’s worth or more at once, especially since these are more expensive compared to run-of-the-mill panties you’d find at Walmart.

The Best Cooling Panties To Consider Right Now

Below, we’ll take a closer look at the best cooling underwear options for perimenopausal women who want to feel fresh, dry, confident, and cool (in every sense of the word).

Thirdlove TempSync Hipster

As the first true thermoregulating underwear, these patent-pending panties (try saying that three times fast!) are designed to balance body temperature before you even start to get hot, and they also help you to stay cool down there during hot flashes.

(Even if you simply live in a hot climate and aren’t anywhere near perimenopause or menopause just yet, these are a great option to combat the dreaded summer “swamp ass.”)

The 37.5 Tech fabric in Thirdlove’s TempSync Hipster is actually infused with natural minerals that help to regulate temperature but also control odor. Although the fabric includes a little spandex and nylon (12% and 5%, respectively) for stretch and fit, the gusset is 100% cotton for moisture-wicking and comfort.

Being a hipster cut, this underwear has moderate rear coverage and a mid-rise fit. The biggest bummer is that, as of this writing, Thirdlove’s TempSync underwear is only available in a hipster style. That said, these are pretty new, and you can bet that with a little time, more underwear styles are likely going to be made available in this patent-pending fabric.

(So if you’re intrigued but not into hipsters, keep an eye on this brand!)

Speaking of other styles, the TempSync fabric is available in a classic T-shirt bra and wireless bra at Thirdlove so you can complete the look and stay as cool as possible.

TempSync Underwear Pros & Cons

Before you decide if TempSync panties are right for you, here’s a quick look at the pros and cons to consider, because even the most high-tech undies have their trade-offs.

Pros:

• Lightweight, breathable material throughout, and a cotton gusset
• Completely seamless under clothing
• Midrise won’t peek out over your waistline
• Wedge-free fit that stays in place
• Matching bras are available (T-shirt and wireless)
• Thirdlove has a 60-day return/exchange policy (just keep the tags on)

Cons:

• Limited color options, as of this writing
• The only underwear style (currently) is hipster, although that’s likely to change
• Definitely a little more expensive per pair compared to regular department store undies

Duluth Trading Armachillo 

The Armachillo women’s underwear from Duluth Trading are designed to “cool your keister” and fight odor with microscopic jade that’s embedded into the fabric. 

There are a couple things I really love about these, the first and foremost being that they’re available in some really fun prints. I don’t know about you, but sometimes I just like a playful, colorful design, and whether you’re into florals or cartoonish critters, you’ll find those in the Armachillo undies.

What’s also great is the fact that there are multiple cuts to choose from. As of this writing, the Armachillo material is offered in hi-cut, hipster, brief, boxer brief, and long boxer brief styles so you can select the fit that meets your needs the most.

These are not the cheapest cooling underwear out there, as the least expensive (hipsters) start at $22.50 a pair when they’re not on sale, but when you’re looking for perimenopausal panties with personality, they’re a top pick. 

Armachillo Pros & Cons

Although I love the jazzy print options, Duluth Trading Armachillo underwear isn’t necessarily right for everyone, so I’ll break down the pros and cons for you.

Pros:

• Available in a variety of cuts, including briefs, hi-cut, boxer briefs, and hipsters
• Lots of cute prints available if you love “fun” undies
• Double-layer crotch is moisture-wicking and comfortable
• High rise in the front, full coverage in the back

Cons:

• Tend to run a little large
• Not much in the way of “plain” underwear options

Thigh Society Cooling Shorts

When you prefer underwear that are also shorts to prevent thigh chafing beneath dresses, The Cooling Shorts from Thigh Society are definitely worth checking out.

These feature a yarn weave that’s designed to lower your body temperature by providing a wide surface area that releases body heat from your skin. These are sheer and extremely breathable shorts that have a cotton gusset sewn in, so you don’t need to wear a separate pair of underwear.

When you’re someone who experiences thigh chafing and normally has to pair underwear with shorts (which adds an extra layer that can leave you feeling even warmer down there), The Cooling from Thigh Society solves both problems at once.

What I love about these is that you not only select your size, but the length of the shorts, too. Available in sizes XS/S to 5/6XL, the short lengths are offered from 5” (upper thigh) to 21” (mid-calf) for a fully customizable fit.

These are the most expensive cooling underwear on this list. While they might be a little out of reach for everyday panties, having a pair or two on hand to wear with dresses or skirts will help you to stay cool while also keeping your thighs comfy and happy.

Thigh Society Pros & Cons

Before you add The Cooling Shorts to your wardrobe, I’ll share the pros and cons to think about first.

Pros:

• Sheer, silky material that’s lightweight and cool
• Slip shorts are seamless beneath clothing
• Comfortable cotton gusset absorbs moisture
• Lots of color options to choose from
• Prevents thigh chafing beneath dresses
• Can select from multiple shorts lengths to meet your needs

Cons:

• Only available in shorts
• Highest price point of every option on this list

WUKA Period Underwear

When you’re dealing with perimenopause, your periods can be sporadic and unpredictable, so on top of hot flashes, you’ve gotta be ready for other surprises…

WUKA is a period underwear brand that has a complete line of menopause underwear that keeps your body cool while also protecting your clothing from unexpected bleeding.

Perimenopause is un-fun enough already, but when you add unpredictable periods into the mix, a phenomenon that may last for literal years, period underwear can provide you with some extra confidence when you’re out in the world.

Sure, you could wear pantyliners all the time in case Aunt Flo decides to show up (even though she was just here last week…), but do you really want to keep your guard up constantly like that?

WUKA underwear are available in a range of flow-heaviness options from light to heavy, and they’re designed to be seamless under clothing. And if you’re a swimmer, they also carry period bottoms for that, too!

WUKA Pros & Cons

WUKA’s period underwear offers built-in protection with comfort in mind, but they’re not necessarily right for everyone (especially if you like having a lot of color options).

Pros:

• Cooling, breathable underwear designed for periods, leak-proof up to 12 hours
• Eliminates the need for pads, tampons, or menstrual cups
• Several cuts and styles to choose from, light to heavy flow days
• Available in different flow heaviness and cuts to suit your needs

Cons:

• Only available in period underwear
• Limited color options (largely just black)
• Some cuts have a higher price point compared to other options in this list

JulieMay Lingerie

When you want truly pretty underthings that feel good against your skin, make you feel sexy, but also keep you cooler through perimenopausal hot flashes, JulieMay Lingerie carries a full line of beautiful underwear crafted from a blend of organic silk and pima cotton.

There isn’t a ton of variety in terms of print and colors, but the crotch is crafted from 100% pure silk that’s hygroscopic (moisture absorbing), naturally antibacterial, temperature-regulating, and sensitive-skin-friendly.

JulieMay’s line is exceptionally feminine and delicate, especially compared to the other options in this list. Some of the designs lean toward a decidedly retro style; several of them make me think of old Hollywood, in fact… like something Marilyn Monroe, Ann Margaret, or Rita Hayworth might have worn.

So if you want underthings that are super feminine and cooling, take a closer look at JulieMay.

JulieMay Pros & Cons

Designed with femininity and sensitive skin in mind, JulieMay Lingerie is a gorgeous pick, but consider the pros and cons before you buy to make sure these undies are a good match for your needs.

Pros:

• Crafted from organic pima cotton and silk for breathability and comfort
• Very feminine detailing with a somewhat retro style
• Designed to be kind to very sensitive skin
• Has a 180-day return policy

Cons:

• Limited styles and colors available
• Higher price point compared to some others in this list

Closing Thoughts

Perimenopause comes with enough freaking problems… your underwear shouldn’t be one of them. Finding the right pair of panties won’t fix everything, and it won’t necessarily reduce your hot flashes or mood swings, but it can help you feel more comfortable, more confident, and a lot less sweaty.