Why is my period pants stained?

Written by Marion Goilav

Reviewed by Charline midwife

Why is my period pants stained or discolored?

It can happen that your period pants gets stained after use, despite a strict wash. Unlike a bad wash, these stains are not a residue of blood, but a discoloration of the dye in your organic cotton panties. This does not alter the quality and absorbency of the underwear, but it may not be very attractive.

This does not spare organic cottons and Oeko-tex-certified fabrics, and is by no means a sign of poor material quality. It depends on the materials, the dyes used and the acidity of the flow: that's why some knickers react, and others don't! However, this is only an aesthetic aspect, and in no way detracts from the effectiveness of menstrual pants. However, some very acidic discharges can even cause small holes in the thin cotton fabric.

How can you prevent your panties from discoloring?

We recommend changing your underwear more regularly and rinsing it quickly after wearing if you don't want to alter the aesthetics of the inside of your panties too much. To minimize fading, rinse them in cold, soap-free water as soon as possible after wearing them, then put them in the washing machine.

What is acid loss?

Acid discharge is a perfectly normal phenomenon, and a rather good sign. The inside of our vagina contains a whole bacterial flora that helps protect it. This flora is made up of micro-organisms: lactobacilli, streptococci, and other micro-organisms that secrete lactic acid, but also hydrogen peroxide, which is simply hydrogen peroxide. Inside vaginal discharge, there are small quantities of hydrogen peroxide, enough to discolor the fabric of your menstrual panties and panties in general. 

It's perfectly normal for the pH of the vagina to be acidic. And there's no need to try and get rid of this vaginal discharge by douching, for example. In fact, the svagina cleans itself thanks to this vaginal discharge, which is essential to its proper functioning. Disrupting this mechanism by unbalancing the flora would open the door to inflammation and infection.

Conversely, there's no need to be alarmed if your discharge isn't acidic. These parameters vary according to the hormonal period.

Does acidic discharge damage Elia menstrual pants?

Don't worry: acidic discharge in no way weakens the absorption capacity of your menstrual panties, since it's only the black cotton fabric layer that will be discolored. The absorbent part, made from Elia's eucalyptus fiber, will not be affected by the acidity.

When should you s'worry about vaginal discharge?

Although vaginal discharge is normal, it can change in appearance, color (becoming grayish or greenish), or even odor, becoming quite foul-smelling. They may also be accompanied by itching or burning. In such cases, don't hesitate to seek medical advice.

In the same vein: Mycoses: should you wear knickers? periods

There are tests to determine whether you have a mycosis (microbiota imbalance not requiring antibiotic treatment) or a vaginosis (microbiota imbalance requiring antibiotic treatment). Your doctor of pharmacy will be able to help you choose an appropriate treatment in the first instance. However, if the problem persists, you'll need to consult your doctor to be prescribed a more appropriate treatment.

If you'd like to find out more, watch our dedicated video!