Because unexpected flare-ups shouldn't dictate your day
Crohn's Disease
Extra support for the days your gut has other plans
Celiac Disease
For the issues that linger even after you've cut the gluten
SIBO
Bacterial overgrowth, meet the ultimate backup protection
Diverticulitis
One less thing to worry about during frustrating flare-ups
Endometriosis
Because bloating and gas are part of the picture now
Post-Surgical Recovery
Healing is hard enough without worrying about gas odor
Cancer Treatment
Support for one more side effect no one warns you about
New Medications
Ozempic, metformin, antibiotics, SSRIs — gassy side effects covered
Postpartum Recovery
Your body's still figuring things out, but we've got this part handled
Perimenopause
As hormones change, so does digestion, but we help you keep up
Everyday Diet Sensitivities
Beans, dairy, fiber — enjoy your meal, not the aftermath
How Shreddies Works
THE TECHNOLOGY BEHIND THE COMFORT
A thin layer of activated carbon, built into the fabric itself, quietly filters odor as it happens. It's simple science — so you don't have to think about it at all.
I have been using Shreddies for a couple of years now, and they are a life saver! Now I can go out in public without being constantly afraid that I will offend. However, I haven't found a way to wash them that doesn't eliminate their effectiveness. Instead of washing them, I wear them over my underwear, so they don't get dirty. That way, I can wear them for months before they start to decline in effectiveness. Nonetheless, well worth the money.
I've been using mine basically every day (I use a regular underwear first and then this one on top), and it's been now around 2 months, and it's still efficient, never EVER disappointed me once, I'm super satisfied and I will for sure buy it again and again!
This underwear has changed my life. Until I bought these Shreddies I could not eat anything except bread and water if I was going to be around another human being. People always stood a good distance away from me because of my unbelievable toxic gas. I will forever be grateful for the creation of these panties. I normally wear a size 7 but I bought the size large because I wear them over my normal panty. I hand wash in cold water with only baking soda.and hang them to dry till they are only damp and then put them in a dryer on low. There is some shrinkage as I suspected there would be. I am cautious with them because I can't imagine life without them now.
They WORK as advertised! I wish I could get them in white and beige. I wear them over my usual underwear by choice not necessary for their effectiveness. I wash them in the machine with other dark clothes, but without any additives or colors or additions to the soap pod. I hang them to dry. They are bulky, but they dry quickly for my needs although I did buy more than one pair after trying them out. They are like being wrapped in a security blanket! Thank you!
I have like frequent atomic farts, my spouse calls them “acts of war”. I think these may have if not saved my marriage, greatly contributed to it’s happiness! Yes they’re crazy expensive, if you have atomic farts, they are LITERALLY life changing! I mean they’re still audible, and maybe a small whiff if you’re moving or not in a good position (they work best when you’re seated and leaned back or crossed legs, and stay still for a bit after, moving decreases effectiveness) but seriously, I used to have to sit alone to type and be alone so much so I wouldn’t fart around people, or if I’m in a room for an hour and can’t leave? Ah! So now I can! Get them!
Our XS in both men's and women's runs small — it may work well depending on age and body size. Shop the full collection.
Machine wash and dry as usual. Skip fabric softener and dryer sheets — they can clog the carbon fiber's filtering ability over time. A little baking soda helps keep it performing at its best. See the full Need to Know for more.
Explore how Shreddies supports specific conditions — from IBS to menopause to post-surgery recovery. View the Health Conditions that Shreddies can support.
If you’ve started shopping for odor-filtering underwear, you’ve probably noticed that every brand claims to “eliminate” gas odor, and every product page looks a little different. Some pairs have carbon built right in. Some use a pad you slip into a pocket. Some use no carbon at all.
Those differences matter more than the marketing suggests. They change how long the underwear keeps working, how you wash it, what it costs over a year, and how it feels to wear every day.
This guide breaks down the three main technologies, compares the leading brands side by side, and explains where stick-on pads fit in. Prices and product details below were pulled directly from each brand’s own website in November 2026.
Quick note before you compare: every product in this guide filters or neutralizes odor only. None of them stop gas from happening, muffle sound, or protect against leaks.
The Three Ways Odor-Filtering Underwear Works
1. Built-in activated carbonA layer of activated carbon cloth is sewn into the back panel of the underwear. Activated carbon is full of microscopic pores that trap odor molecules (including the sulfur compounds responsible for most of the smell) as gas passes through. Washing releases what the carbon has trapped so it can keep working. There’s nothing to insert, remove, or replace.
2. Removable carbon padsThe underwear has a pocket at the back that holds an activated carbon pad. The pad does the filtering and the underwear is the carrier. Because pads can’t go in the wash, they gradually fill up with trapped odor and need to be swapped out on a schedule.
3. Odor-neutralizing fabric treatmentsInstead of carbon, the fabric itself is treated with a chemical finish designed to attract odor molecules and neutralize them. These treatments are newer to the category, and they wear off after a set number of washes.
There’s also a fourth option that isn’t underwear at all: disposable or adhesive pads that stick to the inside of any pair you already own. We cover those separately below.
What to Look For When You Compare
Before you look at brands, it helps to know which questions to ask:
How does it filter? Built-in carbon, a removable pad, a fabric treatment, or a disposable pad.
How long does it keep working? Ask about the life of the garment, the pad, or the treatment, and what it costs to keep it working.
How do you wash it? Some technologies need special care, and getting it wrong can shorten their life.
Does it come in your size and style? Odor filtering only works when the fit is snug, so the right size matters more than usual.
What does it really cost per year? A lower sticker price can cost more over time once you add replacements.
How does it feel? Pads and extra layers can add bulk.
What happens if it doesn’t work for you? Return windows and guarantees vary a lot.
Who is it made for? Some brands design for people managing digestive conditions. Others lean into gag-gift humor. Neither is wrong, but it tells you a lot about the product’s priorities.
The Brands, Side by Side
Shreddies USA
Technology: Built-in Zorflex® activated carbon panel at the back of every pair. No inserts or pads.
Styles and prices: Men’s Hipster ($50) and Men’s Support Boxer ($70). Women’s Bikini Brief ($44) and Women’s Hi-Waist Brief ($48). Free US shipping on orders of $65 or more.
Sizes: XS to XL in most styles (S to XL in the Support Boxer), with the Bikini Brief available up to XXL.
Material: 95% cotton, 5% elastane, with a 100% carbon lining.
Care: Machine wash and tumble dry on medium. Skip fabric softener and dryer sheets, which can clog the carbon. Baking soda helps keep the carbon performing its best.
Lifespan: The carbon is reactivated with each wash, and Shreddies says it stays effective for the life of the garment when care instructions are followed. There are no replacement parts to buy.
Comfort: The carbon panel adds a little structure compared with ordinary underwear. For it to work well, the fit should be snug, with no gaps at the waist or legs.
Returns: 30-day returns on unworn items in original packaging (try them on over your own underwear). A $5 return shipping fee applies, and sale items aren’t returnable.
Tone: Health-focused. Shreddies is designed with people managing IBS, Crohn’s, colitis, medication side effects, cancer treatment, and other digestive changes in mind.
Tootles
Technology: Removable activated carbon pad that slips into a pocket at the back of each pair. One pad comes with every pair.
Styles and prices: Men’s Boxer Brief ($49), Women’s Hip Hugger ($47), and Women’s Bikini Brief ($45). Three-packs and bundles with spare pads are discounted. Replacement pads come in 3-packs for $55 (about $18 per pad).
Sizes: The Hip Hugger runs Small through 3XL.
Material: 95% bamboo fiber, 5% spandex.
Care: Remove the pad before washing the underwear. The pad itself should never be submerged in water. Tootles suggests spot-cleaning the outside of the pad with a damp, soapy cloth if needed.
Lifespan: Pads gradually clog as they trap odor. Tootles says weekly wearers typically replace pads every 2 to 3 months.
Comfort: Tootles is upfront that the underwear is slightly bulky and recommends readjusting every few hours to prevent bunching. It also confirms the pad does not muffle sound.
Returns: 30-day returns on unworn items with tags in original packaging. Sale items aren’t returnable.
Tone: Playful and joke-forward, built around humor and everyday social situations.
Shinesty
Technology: No carbon. Shinesty uses an electrostatic fabric treatment co-developed with Livinguard Technologies. The brand says the charged fabric pulls in odor molecules and converts them into odorless salts, then a normal wash resets the fabric. Shinesty notes it works best when gas passes slowly through the fabric.
Styles and prices: Men’s boxer briefs, including a triple-layer “XTREME” style, plus women’s bikini and boyshort styles. Regular prices run $24.99 to $39.99 per pair, and sale pricing was running at the time of writing.
Sizes: Men’s S to 5X. Women’s XS to 2X.
Material: 95% TENCEL™ MicroModal, 5% spandex.
Care: Machine wash cold on gentle, tumble dry low, no fabric softener.
Lifespan: The odor treatment lasts about 40 washes. After that, you’re wearing regular underwear.
Comfort: Soft modal with no pads or extra panels on most styles.
Returns: Free returns within 30 days, plus a “Love Your First Pair or It’s Free” guarantee.
Tone: Novelty-forward, with bold prints and a heavy dose of humor.
Why it matters for this comparison: Shinesty positions its treatment as an alternative to carbon pads and inserts. That makes it the clearest example of how a fabric treatment differs from carbon. The trade-off is lifespan. A carbon panel is reactivated by washing, while a fabric treatment is gradually used up by it.
MyShreddies (UK)
If you’ve searched for Shreddies, you may have also come across myshreddies.com. Shreddies began in the UK, where the garments are made in Leicestershire, England, and MyShreddies is the UK storefront.
Shreddies USA is the official US home of Shreddies, so American shoppers get US-dollar pricing, US shipping, and a US returns address.
For US shoppers, the practical differences are:
Prices are in British pounds, and the UK site raised its underwear prices in January 2026.
International delivery to the US ships via DHL Express for £30 per order.
Returns go back to the UK at the customer’s expense.
Buying from Shreddies USA means US-dollar pricing, free US shipping on orders over $65, and returns handled within the US.
Comparison at a Glance
Feature
Shreddies USA
Tootles
Shinesty
Odor technology
Built-in Zorflex® activated carbon panel
Removable activated carbon pad
Electrostatic fabric treatment (no carbon)
How long it works
Life of the garment with proper care
Pad lasts about 2–3 months for weekly wearers
About 40 washes
Ongoing costs
None
Replacement pads, $55 per 3-pack
Replace the underwear once the treatment wears off
Care
Machine wash, no fabric softener or dryer sheets
Remove pad before washing; never wet the pad
Cold, gentle wash; no fabric softener
Men's styles
Hipster, Support Boxer
Boxer Brief
Boxer briefs
Women's styles
Bikini Brief, Hi-Waist Brief
Hip Hugger, Bikini Brief
Bikini, Boyshort
Price per pair
$44–$70
$45–$49
$24.99–$39.99 (regular)
Return policy
30 days, unworn, $5 return fee
30 days, unworn
Free 30-day returns plus first-pair guarantee
Brand tone
Health-focused
Playful
Novelty
What It Really Costs Over a Year
Sticker prices only tell part of the story. Here’s a rough first-year estimate for a typical three-pair rotation, where each pair is worn and washed about twice a week. These figures use each brand’s own lifespan claims and regular list prices.
Shreddies USA
Men: $150 (three Hipsters) to $210 (three Support Boxers)
Women: $132 (three Bikini Briefs) to $144 (three Hi-Waist Briefs)
Ongoing costs: none
Tootles
Men: about $290 to $400 (a $125 three-pack, plus 9 to 15 replacement pads)
Women: about $280 to $395 (a $115 to $120 three-pack, plus pads)
Ongoing costs: replacement pads every 2 to 3 months, per pair
Shinesty
Men: about $270 at regular price, or around $155 at current sale prices
Women: about $195 at regular price, or around $115 at current sale prices
Ongoing costs: at about 40 washes per pair, a twice-weekly rotation uses up the treatment in roughly 20 weeks, so you’d replace each pair two to three times a year to keep the odor protection active
Your own numbers will depend on how often you wear and wash each pair, but the pattern holds: the lowest price per pair isn’t always the lowest cost per year.
Stick-On and Disposable Pads: A Different Approach
If you’re not ready to commit to specialty underwear, odor-filtering pads are the low-commitment option. They work with the underwear you already own.
Subtle ButtThin, adhesive activated carbon sheets that stick to the inside of any underwear. They’re sold in small packs and thrown away after use.
Flat-DDisposable activated charcoal cloth pads worn taped inside the underwear. Flat-D is listed by the Job Accommodation Network, a free ADA resource, as a workplace accommodation product for people managing digestive conditions. A 10-pack retails for around $37 to $40.
Generic charcoal padsAmazon carries a wide range of unbranded and lesser-known charcoal flatulence pads, such as MarketFree’s. Quality, size, and adhesive strength vary widely between brands.
Pads vs. built-in underwearPads are inexpensive to try and easy to carry for a single event, like a flight or a wedding. The trade-offs show up with regular use. Because pads only filter what passes directly through them, placement and coverage matter, and gas can escape around the edges. They can shift as you move, and the per-pad cost adds up quickly if you’re wearing one every day. If gas odor is a daily concern rather than an occasional one, underwear with built-in filtering is usually the more practical choice.
Which Type Is Right for You?
Choose built-in carbon if you want something that works every day, washes with your regular laundry, and doesn’t involve inserts, schedules, or replacement purchases. It’s especially well suited to ongoing digestive conditions, medication side effects, or long recovery periods.
Choose removable pads if you like the idea of refreshing the filter on your own schedule and don’t mind some extra bulk or a recurring purchase.
Choose a fabric treatment if the lowest upfront price and softest fabric matter most, and you’re comfortable replacing pairs as the treatment wears off.
Choose disposable pads if you need occasional backup for a specific event and aren’t ready to buy specialty underwear.
No matter which you choose, fit matters. Any odor-filtering product works best when it sits snugly against the body, so gas passes through the filter instead of around it.
Why We Build Carbon In
At Shreddies, we chose built-in Zorflex® activated carbon because we think odor filtering should be the one part of your day you don’t have to manage. There’s no pad to remember, no countdown of washes, and no extra step before laundry day. Each wash reactivates the carbon, so the same pair keeps working.
Shreddies is made for people navigating real digestive changes, whether that’s IBS, Crohn’s, a new medication, cancer treatment, or recovery after surgery. To be clear about what Shreddies does: it filters gas odor only. It isn’t designed for bladder leaks or incontinence, and it doesn’t muffle sound.
Find Your Fit
Shreddies for Men
Built-in filtering, nothing to replace
Hipster and Support Boxer styles with Zorflex® activated carbon sewn right in. No pads, no wash countdown, just everyday underwear that quietly does its job.
Shop Men's
Shreddies for Women
Odor filtering that lasts with every wash
Bikini and Hi-Waist styles with carbon built into the fabric, so there's nothing to insert, swap, or keep track of.
Shop Women's
Shreddies for MenBuilt-in filtering, nothing to replaceHipster and Support Boxer styles with Zorflex® activated carbon sewn right in. No pads, no wash countdown, just everyday underwear that quietly does its job.Shop Men’s
Shreddies for WomenOdor filtering that lasts with every washBikini and Hi-Waist styles with carbon built into the fabric, so there’s nothing to insert, swap, or keep track of.Shop Women’s
Frequently Asked Questions: Comparing Fart-Filtering Underwear
Does fart-filtering underwear actually work?Activated carbon has been used for decades to filter odors in air and water filtration. In underwear, it traps odor molecules as gas passes through the fabric. Results depend on fit: the underwear needs to sit snugly so gas moves through the filter rather than escaping around the waist or leg openings.
What’s the difference between activated carbon and charcoal?In this context, the terms are used interchangeably. Both refer to carbon that has been processed to create a very porous surface that traps odor molecules.
Is a fabric treatment as effective as carbon?The two work differently. Carbon physically traps odor molecules and is reactivated by washing. Electrostatic fabric treatments chemically neutralize odor but wear off after a set number of washes. Some people prefer the softer feel of treated fabric, while others prefer carbon’s longer lifespan.
Do any of these products muffle the sound of gas?No. Odor-filtering underwear and pads address smell only.
Can I use fabric softener on odor-filtering underwear?Shreddies and Shinesty both recommend skipping fabric softener, which can coat fibers and reduce filtering performance. Always follow the care instructions for your specific brand.
You expected the change in appetite. Maybe even the nausea. What nobody warned you about was the smell.
If your gas or burps have smelled like rotten eggs since you started Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, or Zepbound, you’re not imagining it, and you’re far from alone. Many GLP-1 users talk about it with each other, but few bring it up at the doctor’s office.
The good news is that there’s a clear reason it happens. It often eases as your body adjusts, and there’s a lot you can do in the meantime.
The Short Answer
GLP-1 medications slow down how quickly food moves through your digestive tract. That extra time gives gut bacteria longer to break down sulfur-containing foods, and one byproduct is hydrogen sulfide, the gas that smells like rotten eggs. When it comes up, you get sulfur burps. When it moves down, you get gas that smells noticeably stronger than before.
Many people on GLP-1s also eat more protein and less fiber than they used to, which adds more fuel to the same process. If your main concern is how much more gas you’re passing, not just how it smells, see our guide Does Ozempic Make You Fart?
How Common Is This?
In the clinical trials behind Wegovy (semaglutide 2.4 mg, the same active ingredient as Ozempic), 7% of people on the medication reported belching, compared with under 1% on placebo. Flatulence was reported by 6% versus 4%, and bloating by 7% versus 5%. Constipation also affects gas odor, and it was reported by 24% versus 11%.¹
Trials don’t measure smell, so “sulfur burps” and “smelly gas” don’t show up as their own line items. Real-world reports suggest they’re more common than the numbers imply, and digestive side effects in general were reported most often while people were stepping up their dose.¹
Why GLP-1s Make Gas Smell Worse
1. Food stays in your stomach longer
Slowing digestion is part of how these medications work. It’s what keeps you feeling full, and Ozempic’s prescribing information notes a delay in stomach emptying in the period right after meals.² Food that stays in the stomach longer has more time to ferment, which is the most likely source of sulfur burps. No trial has measured sulfur burps directly, so this is the best-supported explanation rather than a proven one.
2. Slower transit and constipation
The slowdown doesn’t stop at the stomach. When stool moves more slowly through the colon, bacteria have more time to ferment what’s there, and odor compounds build up. If you’re going less often than you used to, that’s very likely contributing.
3. The high-protein shift
People on GLP-1s are often encouraged to prioritize protein to protect muscle while losing weight. That’s sound advice, but meat, eggs, and dairy are rich in sulfur-containing amino acids called cysteine and methionine. Research shows that high-protein, lower-carbohydrate diets increase hydrogen sulfide in the colon as bacteria ferment the protein that reaches it.³ We cover this in more depth in Protein Farts: Why Your High-Protein Diet Is Wrecking the Air Around You.
4. Protein shakes and “diet” snacks
Many protein powders are whey-based and can contain lactose. Protein bars and low-sugar snacks often use sugar alcohols like sorbitol, maltitol, or xylitol, which are well known for causing gas and bloating. If you added these around the time you started your medication, they may be a bigger part of the picture than the medication itself.
5. Less fiber overall
Eating much less often means eating less fiber, too. Fiber keeps things moving, and certain fibers and resistant starches can reduce protein fermentation in the colon.³ Less of it can tip the balance toward stronger odor.
6. Dose increases
Digestive side effects tend to peak when you start the medication and after each dose increase, then ease as your body adapts.¹ If the smell got worse right after a dose change, you’re seeing a very common pattern.
What Helps: Practical Fixes
Eat smaller, slower meals
A large meal on a slowed-down stomach creates a backlog. Smaller portions, eaten slowly, with a stop at the first sign of fullness, give your gut less to ferment at once. Rich, high-fat meals slow emptying even further, so lighter meals usually go better.
Spread your protein through the day
You don’t need to cut protein. Try spreading it across meals and snacks instead of eating most of it at dinner. Smaller amounts give your small intestine a better chance to absorb it before it reaches the colon.
Ease up on high-sulfur foods for now
Eggs, red meat, garlic, onions, broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, and dairy are the usual suspects. Try trimming one or two for a week or two and notice whether the odor changes. Think of it as a short experiment, not a permanent diet.
Read your protein labels
If you rely on shakes or bars, look for whey isolate or a lactose-free option, and scan the ingredients for sugar alcohols (anything ending in “-itol”). Swapping products is one of the easiest changes you can make, and it often pays off fast.
Stay ahead of constipation
Drink water steadily through the day and keep up gentle movement. A 10 to 15 minute walk after meals can help keep things moving. Add fiber gradually, since big jumps cause more gas, not less. Our guide Why Do Beans Make You Fart? explains how to increase fiber without the side effects.
Cut back on bubbles and swallowed air
Carbonated drinks, chewing gum, drinking through straws, and eating quickly all add air that has to come back out, often carrying sulfur with it.
Ask your pharmacist about over-the-counter options
Simethicone (Gas-X) can ease gas pressure and bloating. Learn more about how it works in Does Gas-X Make You Fart? The Truth About Simethicone. Bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol) can help with sulfur odor, but it isn’t right for everyone. That includes people who take blood thinners, are sensitive to aspirin, or are pregnant. It can also temporarily darken your stool and tongue. Check with your pharmacist before adding anything new.
Talk to your prescriber about dosing
If symptoms flared after a dose increase, ask whether staying at your current dose a little longer before stepping up is an option. The Wegovy prescribing information allows prescribers to delay a dose increase by four weeks when a dose isn’t well tolerated.¹ Don’t adjust your dose on your own.
When to Call Your Doctor
Smelly gas and sulfur burps on their own are usually more embarrassing than harmful. Contact your doctor promptly if they come with any of the following:²
Severe or persistent abdominal pain, especially pain that spreads to your back
Ongoing vomiting or trouble keeping fluids down
Signs of dehydration, like dizziness or very dark urine
Pain in the upper right abdomen, fever, or yellowing of your skin or eyes
Blood in your stool, or black stool that isn’t explained by bismuth
Diarrhea that won’t let up
It’s also worth bringing up symptoms that last for months after your dose has stabilized. Your doctor may want to check for other causes, such as small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO).
Getting Through the Adjustment Period
For many people, the hardest part isn’t the physical discomfort. It’s the worry. You might feel it in a meeting, in the car, or on the couch next to a partner. Diet changes take a week or two to show results, and dose adjustments take longer. In that window, it helps to have something that works from day one.
That’s where Shreddies comes in. Our underwear is made with Zorflex® activated carbon, a filter panel that traps gas odor, including sulfur compounds, before it can escape. It gives you quiet, everyday backup while you and your provider figure out what helps your body adjust.
To be clear about what Shreddies do: they filter gas odor only. They aren’t designed for bladder leaks or incontinence, and they can’t help with burps. For flatulence, though, they can take a lot of the stress out of the adjustment period.
Find Your Fit
Shreddies for Men
Confidence while your body adjusts
Hipsters and support boxers made with Zorflex® activated carbon that filters gas odor. Everyday backup through dose changes, long meetings, and everything in between.
Shop Men's
Shreddies for Women
Quiet backup, all day long
Hi-waist and bikini brief styles with Zorflex® activated carbon built right in. No inserts, no fuss, so your attention stays on your day, not your digestion.
Shop Women's
Frequently Asked Questions: Gas and GLP-1s
How long does smelly gas last on Ozempic?
For most people, it’s worst in the first several weeks and after each dose increase, then improves as the body adapts. If you stop the medication, keep in mind that semaglutide stays in your system for about five weeks after your last dose, so digestive effects fade gradually rather than overnight.²
Do Mounjaro and Zepbound cause sulfur burps too?
They can. Tirzepatide (Mounjaro, Zepbound) slows digestion in a similar way, so the same causes and fixes apply. Some people find one medication easier on their stomach than another, which is worth discussing with your prescriber if symptoms don’t improve.
Is smelly gas on a GLP-1 a sign something is wrong?
Usually not. On its own, it’s a common and expected side effect of slower digestion. Call your doctor if it comes with severe pain, ongoing vomiting, fever, or changes in your stool like blood.
Should I stop eating protein to fix it?
No. Protein matters while you’re losing weight. Spreading it across the day, choosing lactose-free or isolate protein powders, and skipping products with sugar alcohols usually helps more than cutting back.
Do probiotics help with GLP-1 gas?
The evidence is mixed. Some people notice improvement with yogurt, kefir, or a probiotic supplement, and others don’t. Ask your provider before starting a supplement, especially if you have other digestive conditions.
Can Shreddies help with sulfur burps?
No. Shreddies filter odor from flatulence only, using Zorflex® activated carbon. For burps, the meal, food, and dosing changes above are your best bet.
Sources
Novo Nordisk. Wegovy (semaglutide) Prescribing Information. U.S. Food and Drug Administration, revised June 2026.
Novo Nordisk. Ozempic (semaglutide) Prescribing Information. U.S. Food and Drug Administration, revised May 2026.
Yao CK, Muir JG, Gibson PR. Review article: insights into colonic protein fermentation, its modulation and potential health implications. Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics, 2016;43(2):181–196.
If you’ve been asking yourself why you’re so gassy lately, you’re far from alone. Gas is a normal part of digestion. Most people pass gas somewhere between 13 and 21 times a day, usually without thinking twice about it.
What sends people searching is a change. Maybe you’re gassier than you used to be, the smell is stronger, or it’s started to affect how comfortable you feel at work, at home, or out with friends.
Gas comes from two main sources. The first is air you swallow when you eat, drink, talk, or chew gum. The second is bacteria in your large intestine breaking down food your body didn’t fully digest. That fermentation produces gases like hydrogen, carbon dioxide, and methane. A small amount of sulfur compounds causes most of the smell.
Almost anything that changes what reaches your gut, how fast it moves, or which bacteria live there can change your gas. This guide walks through the most common causes, grouped by category. Each section gives you a short answer and links to a full article if you want to go deeper.
The Usual Suspects: Foods and Drinks That Cause Gas
Food is the most common cause of extra gas. It’s also the easiest to test. Many of the biggest triggers are foods people eat because they’re healthy, which is why gas often increases when someone starts eating “better.”
The main culprits are fermentable carbohydrates, often called FODMAPs. These are sugars and fibers your small intestine doesn’t fully absorb. When they reach your colon, gut bacteria feast on them and release gas. Carbonated drinks and habits like chewing gum add swallowed air on top.
Foods
Beans and lentils contain oligosaccharides, a type of sugar the body can’t break down on its own. Hummus brings the same compounds in a form that’s easy to eat in large amounts. Cruciferous vegetables like kale, broccoli, and cabbage contain both fermentable fiber and sulfur compounds, which can make gas smell stronger. High-protein diets can also change gas odor and lead to protein farts, especially when they rely on protein powders or bars with added sugar alcohols.
Drinks
Beer combines carbonation with fermentable carbs from grains, a reliable recipe for bloating. Coffee speeds up digestion and can stir up gas for some people. Oat milk contains fiber and added sugars that some guts don’t tolerate well. Sparkling water adds carbon dioxide directly. Kombucha is more complicated: it’s fermented and fizzy, and its effect on gas varies from person to person.
Chewing gum deserves a mention too. You swallow extra air with every chew, and many sugar-free gums use sugar alcohols that ferment in the gut.
Eating patterns
Big changes in how you eat can shift gas for weeks while your gut adjusts. Switching to keto changes which bacteria thrive in your gut. A plant-based diet usually means a big jump in fiber. Fasting can leave you gassy when you break the fast, especially if your first meal is large or rich.
Healthy Habits with Gassy Side Effects: Supplements That Cause Gas
Supplements are an often-overlooked cause of gas. Some pull water into the intestines, some feed gut bacteria, and many contain fillers or sweeteners that ferment. The good news is that the form and dose often matter more than the supplement itself. Many people can switch versions instead of giving it up.
Creatine can cause bloating and gas, especially during a “loading” phase or when taken in large single doses. Magnesium, particularly the citrate and oxide forms, draws water into the gut and can speed things along. Certain vitamins and minerals, along with gummy vitamins sweetened with sugar alcohols, can also leave you gassy.
Check the Label: Medications That Cause Gas
Many common medications list gas, bloating, or digestive changes as side effects. Some change how fast food moves through your system. Others affect how well you digest certain foods or which bacteria live in your gut.
Metformin, one of the most prescribed diabetes medications, is well known for causing gas and digestive upset, especially in the first weeks. GLP-1 medications like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro slow how quickly your stomach empties. That can lead to gas, bloating, and sulfur-smelling burps.
Gas-X and other simethicone products are a little different. They don’t stop your body from making gas. They break up gas bubbles so the gas is easier to pass.
If you think a medication is behind your gas, talk with your doctor or pharmacist before stopping or changing it. There are often simple adjustments, like taking it with food or changing the dose or form. In the meantime, underwear made for medication side effects can help you feel more at ease.
When It’s More Than Diet: Health Conditions That Cause Gas
Sometimes ongoing gas, bloating, or stronger odor comes with a diagnosed health condition. These situations deserve real attention, both from your care team and from the people around you. Here’s how some of the most common conditions affect gas.
Bubble gut describes the gurgling, bubbling feeling of gas moving through your intestines. It’s often linked to food intolerances, IBS, or a stomach bug.
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) affects how sensitive the gut is and how quickly it moves. People with IBS often feel gas more intensely and may produce more of it. Air travel and social situations can be especially stressful, and some people find that alcohol affects IBS symptoms too.
Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis cause inflammation in the digestive tract. That can affect how food is absorbed and lead to more gas, bloating, and odor, especially during flares.
Endometriosis can cause endo belly, painful bloating and gas linked to inflammation and hormonal changes.
Alcohol gastritis is irritation of the stomach lining from drinking. It often shows up as bloating, burping, and upper-belly discomfort.
Lactose intolerance and celiac disease both cause gas when certain foods aren’t digested properly: lactose for one, gluten for the other.
Shreddies offers underwear designed with specific conditions in mind, including IBS, Crohn’s, colitis, celiac disease, lactose intolerance, gastritis, and diverticulitis.
Gas During Recovery: Surgery and Medical Treatment
Gas after surgery or during treatment is common. It’s also uncomfortable at a time when you’re already dealing with a lot. Most surgery-related gas is temporary, but knowing what to expect helps.
During laparoscopic surgery, surgeons inflate the abdomen with carbon dioxide so they can see clearly. Some of that gas stays behind and can cause bloating and even shoulder pain for a few days. Anesthesia and pain medications also slow the gut, which lets gas build up. Here’s what helps with gas after surgery.
After gallbladder removal, bile flows differently, so fatty meals can cause gas and loose stools while your body adjusts. Men recovering from prostate surgery often have their own set of comfort needs.
Chemotherapy affects the fast-growing cells that line the gut and can disrupt gut bacteria. This sometimes leads to chemo belly, a mix of bloating, gas, and digestive changes. Learn more about what helps with gas during cancer treatment.
For recovery and treatment, see our post-surgery underwear and chemo underwear pages.
If you’re caring for someone
If you’re supporting a partner, parent, or friend through surgery or treatment, gas may be something they feel too embarrassed to bring up. A calm, matter-of-fact approach helps. So does checking in with their care team about diet and medication timing, and having comfortable clothing on hand that helps them feel at ease around visitors. Small comforts can make a real difference in how present and relaxed someone feels during recovery.
Blame It on Your Hormones: Gas Through Every Life Stage
Hormones play a bigger role in digestion than most people realize. Progesterone, for example, relaxes smooth muscle, including the muscles that move food through your gut. When digestion slows, gas has more time to build.
That’s why gas often increases during pregnancy, after giving birth, and during perimenopause, when hormone levels rise and fall unpredictably. Men see changes with age too. Digestion tends to slow, and some people produce less lactase over time, which makes dairy harder to digest.
For every life stage, explore our maternity, perimenopause, and menopause underwear, our guide to the best underwear for mature women, and underwear for older men.
Worst Possible Timing: Gas From Stress, Sleep, Travel and More
Your gut doesn’t operate on its own. It responds to stress, your schedule, how much you move, and even the air pressure around you. These situations explain why gas seems to show up at the worst possible moments.
Stress and the gut-brain connection
Your brain and gut are in constant communication. Stress and anxiety can speed up digestion, change gut bacteria, and make you swallow more air without noticing. That’s the science behind stress farts, and why nervous situations, like a big presentation or a first date, can come with an unwelcome side of gas.
Time of day
Gas often follows a daily rhythm. Some people wake up gassy because gas built up overnight and starts moving once they’re upright. Others notice it most at night, after a full day of eating. And yes, you can pass gas in your sleep.
Travel and altitude
Air pressure drops as you go higher, so the gas in your gut expands at altitude. That’s why flights and mountain trips often leave people bloated and gassy. Travel also disrupts routines, sleep, and diet, all of which affect digestion. Here’s how fart-filtering underwear can save your next trip, plus our picks for travel underwear.
Exercise
Movement helps gas pass, which is usually a good thing, though not always at a convenient time. During long runs, blood flow shifts away from the gut, which can cause cramping and gas, often called runner’s gut. Yoga poses that compress or twist the belly can also release trapped gas.
Work and public spaces
For many people, the hardest part of gas isn’t the physical discomfort. It’s worrying about it around coworkers, in meetings, or in close quarters. Working from home brings its own challenges, like constant snacking and less movement during the day. Here are some tips for managing gas odor in public.
When Gas Feels Like Something Else
Trapped gas can cause surprisingly severe pain, sometimes in places you wouldn’t expect. Gas in the upper intestine can press against the diaphragm and cause chest discomfort. Gas in other areas can radiate to your back or shoulders.
Most gas is harmless, but some symptoms deserve a call to your doctor. Reach out if gas comes with any of these:
Unexplained weight loss
Blood in your stool, or black, tarry stools
Fever, vomiting, or ongoing diarrhea
Severe, persistent, or worsening abdominal pain
A noticeable change in bowel habits, especially after age 50
Difficulty swallowing
If you have chest pain and aren’t sure it’s gas, especially with shortness of breath, sweating, or pain spreading to your arm or jaw, seek emergency care right away.
How to Reduce Gas: What Actually Helps
Because gas has so many possible causes, the best approach is a little detective work. These steps help most people find their triggers and feel better.
Keep a food and symptom log. Track what you eat, when you take supplements or medications, and when gas shows up. Patterns often appear within a week or two.
Slow down at meals. Eating quickly means swallowing more air.
Add fiber gradually. Going from low fiber to high fiber overnight is a common cause of gas. Increase slowly and drink plenty of water.
Take a short walk after meals. Gentle movement helps gas move through.
Ask about a low-FODMAP trial. A dietitian can guide you through it to pinpoint which carbs bother you most.
Review your supplements and medications. Your doctor or pharmacist may be able to suggest a different form, dose, or timing.
Address stress where you can. Breathing exercises, regular movement, and enough sleep all support the gut-brain connection.
Odor Control & Living Comfortably While You Figure It Out
Finding the cause of your gas can take time. Some causes, like a health condition, a needed medication, or recovery from surgery, aren’t things you can simply change. You can’t always control when gas happens, but you can control whether anyone else notices the odor.
Shreddies underwear is made with Zorflex® activated carbon cloth, built into a panel at the back of every pair. Activated carbon has an enormous surface area that captures odor compounds as gas passes through the fabric, so the smell is filtered before it reaches anyone else. Here’s a closer look at how flatulence filtering underwear works.
It’s important to know what Shreddies does and doesn’t do. Shreddies filters gas odor. It doesn’t stop gas from happening, muffle sound, or protect against leaks. There are no inserts or pads to replace. Shreddies looks and wears like everyday underwear, and you wash it just like the rest of your laundry. Our odor control underwear guide explains what to look for, and these dos and don’ts help you get the most from every pair.
For many people, that peace of mind makes it easier to focus on everything else: their health, their work, and the people around them.
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Shreddies for Women
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Hi-waist and bikini brief styles with odor filtering built right in. No inserts, no fuss, just confidence for every life stage.
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FAQs: All Things Gas
How much gas is normal in a day?
Most people pass gas between 13 and 21 times a day. More than that isn’t necessarily a problem. It’s usually a sign that something in your diet, routine, or health has changed.
Why does my gas suddenly smell worse?
Stronger-smelling gas usually comes from more sulfur compounds. Foods like eggs, meat, broccoli, cabbage, and garlic are common sources, as are protein supplements and some medications. A stomach bug or digestive condition can also change gas odor. If the change lasts more than a couple of weeks or comes with other symptoms, check in with your doctor.
Can gas be a sign of something serious?
Gas on its own is rarely serious. It’s worth seeing a doctor if gas comes with weight loss, blood in your stool, fever, persistent pain, or a lasting change in bowel habits.
Why am I gassier as I get older?
Digestion naturally slows with age, and many people produce less lactase, the enzyme that digests dairy. Hormonal changes, new medications, and lower activity levels can add to it.
Does fart-filtering underwear really work?
Underwear made with activated carbon, like Shreddies’ Zorflex® panel, filters odor as gas passes through the fabric. It doesn’t stop gas or sound, but it can keep odor from being noticeable to people around you.
Everyone deals with gas. But dealing with it in a meeting, on a date, in a crowded elevator, or squeezed into a middle seat on a flight is a different kind of stressful. The urge to hold it in, the mental math of "can I get to a bathroom in time," the quiet panic when you can't. If you've ever spent an entire social event distracted by managing gas instead of actually enjoying yourself, you're far from alone.
The good news is that gas odor in public is manageable with the right combination of quick, in-the-moment tactics and a few changes that reduce the problem before you even leave the house.
Why Public Situations Make Gas So Much More Stressful
It's not just in your head. A few things make public gas feel higher stakes than gas at home:
Enclosed, shared spaces amplify odor.
Small rooms, cars, elevators, and airplane cabins concentrate smell in a way open spaces don't, so the same amount of gas feels like a much bigger problem.
Social pressure encourages holding it in.
Many people instinctively clench and hold gas rather than release it in public, which can actually make things worse. Trapped gas tends to build pressure and can lead to more discomfort, bloating, and a stronger release later.
Anxiety itself can increase gas.
Stress affects digestion, and the more anxious you feel about the possibility of passing gas in public, the more likely your body is to produce it. It can become a bit of a loop.
Timing isn't always under your control.
Meetings, dates, and flights don't pause for your digestive system, which means you don't always get to choose when the urge hits.
Quick Tactics for the Moment
Find the right timing.
If you feel gas building and have any control over it, releasing small amounts gradually tends to be less noticeable than holding everything in and having one larger release later.
Use ambient noise or movement as cover.
Coughing, shifting in your seat, or timing release for a moment when there's background noise (a loud HVAC system, a burst of laughter, an announcement) can help mask sound.
Step toward ventilation.
If you're in an enclosed space and can move, positioning yourself near an air vent, open window, or doorway helps odor dissipate faster instead of lingering.
Keep mints or gum on hand.
They won't neutralize gas odor, but they can help with the overall sense of freshness in a pinch and give you something to do with your hands and mouth if you're anxious.
Excuse yourself when you can.
A quick trip to the restroom isn't always possible, but when it is, it's still one of the most reliable ways to get relief without an audience.
Reducing Gas Odor Before You Leave the House
The tactics above help in the moment, but the bigger win is reducing how much odor-causing gas you're dealing with in the first place:
Watch your pre-event meals.
Beans, cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cabbage, Brussels sprouts), onions, garlic, and carbonated drinks are common odor culprits. You don't need to overhaul your diet, but eating lighter and more familiar foods before a big event can meaningfully cut down on gas.
Slow down while eating.
Eating quickly means swallowing more air, which adds to gas buildup regardless of what you're eating.
Give yourself a buffer.
Eating your last meal at least an hour or two before a high-stakes situation (a date, a flight, a big meeting) gives your digestive system time to start processing before you're somewhere you can't easily excuse yourself.
Consider a probiotic or gas-relief product.
Simethicone-based products can help break up gas before it becomes a problem, and some people find a daily probiotic helps reduce overall gas production over time.
Know your own patterns.
Everyone's trigger foods are a little different. If you notice certain foods reliably cause more odor for you, planning around them before public situations is one of the simplest long-term fixes.
Managing Gas Odor in Public: The Part Nobody Talks About
Gas in public isn't just uncomfortable. It can be embarrassing, particularly in meetings, on dates, during a flight, or in any moment when you can't easily step away.
This is where Shreddies comes in.
Shreddies are odor-absorbing underwear lined with Zorflex® activated carbon fabric, the same technology used in chemical warfare suits, here put to work neutralizing flatulence odor completely and instantly. They don't reduce gas or treat any underlying condition, but they do give you something genuinely valuable in high-stakes moments: confidence.
When you're already navigating a packed schedule, social situations, or travel, not having to worry about odor is one less thing. Shreddies are available in a range of styles for both men and women, designed to look and feel like normal underwear. They're washable, durable, and effective from the first wear.
For many people, especially those managing a chronic digestive condition or simply frequent public situations where discretion matters, Shreddies become a long-term part of managing daily comfort and confidence rather than just an occasional backup.
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FAQs: Managing Gas Odor in Public Places
Can you really control gas odor in public?
To an extent. You can't eliminate gas entirely, but timing, diet adjustments, and odor-filtering products can significantly reduce how noticeable it is.
Why does gas smell worse in some situations than others?
Enclosed spaces trap and concentrate odor, so the same amount of gas feels far more noticeable in an elevator or car than it would outdoors or in a large room.
Does holding in gas make it worse?
It can. Holding gas in builds pressure and often leads to more bloating and discomfort, sometimes resulting in a larger, harder-to-control release later.
Do odor-filtering products like Shreddies actually work?
Yes. Shreddies uses activated carbon technology that's been used for decades to neutralize odor, including in industrial and military applications. It filters gas odor at the source rather than masking it.
Is stress-related gas a real thing?
Yes. Anxiety affects digestion, and for many people, the stress of worrying about gas in public actually increases how much gas they produce, making the situation feel harder to control.