If your underwear has suddenly started to feel irritating, tight, synthetic or just… wrong, you're not imagining it.

One of the most common things we hear from women navigating perimenopause and menopause is this:

“I’ve worn the same underwear for years. Why can’t I tolerate it anymore?”

The answer isn’t that you’ve become “more sensitive”.

Your body has changed.

Hormones change your skin

As oestrogen levels decline, skin becomes:

- thinner
- drier
- less elastic
- more reactive to friction and heat

Research consistently shows that oestrogen plays a key role in maintaining skin thickness, hydration and barrier function. When levels shift, the skin, including vulval tissue, can feel more fragile and easily irritated.

That means fabrics that once felt fine can suddenly feel:

- itchy
- sweaty
- abrasive
- suffocating

Especially synthetic materials that trap heat and moisture.

Temperature regulation becomes unpredictable

Hot flushes and night sweats don’t just disrupt sleep, they change how fabric feels against your body.

When core temperature fluctuates:

- Breathability becomes essential
- Moisture-wicking matters more
- Tight elastic can feel restrictive
- Non-breathable fibres amplify discomfort

What once felt invisible can suddenly feel overwhelming.

The synthetic fabric problem

Much of the underwear industry still relies heavily on polyester and nylon blends.

These materials tend to:

- retain heat
- reduce airflow
- hold moisture close to the skin
- increase friction

During menopause, this combination can contribute to:

- irritation
- sensitivity
- discomfort
- disturbed sleep

Fabric choice becomes less about preference and more about physiology. This is exactly why we focused so heavily on developing our fabric and fit.

Where Alexander Clementine began

This realisation didn’t start with menopause.

It started with my mum.

During her breast cancer treatment and recovery, there was only one thing she could wear that didn’t irritate her surgical site or put pressure on healing tissue. It was breathable. Soft. Gentle. It allowed the skin to recover.

Everything else felt abrasive, synthetic or constricting.

That moment stayed with me.

I began questioning why so much of women’s underwear is designed around appearance rather than recovery, sensitivity and comfort.

With a background in science and styling, I became increasingly interested in how fibres interact with:

- skin integrity
- wound environments
- moisture balance
- temperature regulation

The more I researched and listened to women navigating menopause, the clearer it became:

Comfort isn’t indulgent.
It’s foundational to wellbeing.

Alexander Clementine was created to design underwear that works with the body especially when the body is changing.

Key Takeaways

- Menopause changes skin sensitivity and hydration
- Temperature regulation becomes less predictable
- Synthetic fabrics can worsen discomfort
- Breathable, gentle materials support comfort and skin health
- Underwear should support healing and hormonal change

FAQs

Is it normal for underwear to suddenly feel uncomfortable during menopause?

Yes. Hormonal shifts affect skin thickness, hydration and sensitivity, which can change how fabrics feel.

What fabrics are better during menopause?

Breathable, moisture-regulating and low-friction materials tend to feel significantly more comfortable.

Can fabric choice really affect irritation?

Yes. Heat retention and friction both play a role in skin sensitivity, particularly when oestrogen levels decline.

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We write regularly about menopause, recovery and comfort.
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If your body is changing, your underwear should change with it.
Explore comfort designed specifically for this stage of life:
https://alexanderclementine.com/collections/all