FAQ : Your most frequently asked questions
Concept and technology
What is period pants ?
A panty from periods or period pants is an undergarment which, thanks to an absorbent zone, acts as both lingerie and
hygienic protection! With our innovative technology, you no longer need to use tampons, menstrual cups or
sanitary towels - our menstrual panties are self-sufficient. However, there's nothing to stop you using both
if you wish.
To find out more, take a look at our "The concept" page.
How many menstrual pants do I need?
How many menstrual pants do I need?
A period pants, is it thick?
Our panties are slightly thicker than conventional lingerie, so that we can insert the absorbent, waterproof zone between our two layers of cotton. They are, however, thinner than conventional sanitary towels, making them a very comfortable and pleasant undergarment to wear. What's more, our seam design makes them invisible under jeans, so you'll soon forget that you're
wearing a pair of periods panties. Please note, however, that the more absorbent the model, the thicker it is.
Take a closer look at our absorbent technology to understand how our different fabric thicknesses work.
What is the absorption capacity of a period pants ?
All our underwear can be worn for up to 12 hours, depending on your flow. They absorb up to the equivalent of 4 tampons for our most absorbent models (our shorties and our cyclist).
The Choupette tanga is designed for light flows, the Félicie and Philomène knickers for medium flows, the Armande shorty and Simone knickers for heavy flows and/or at night, while our Louison cyclist is specially designed for hemorrhagic flows such as post partum or flows associated with wearing a copper IUD, for example.
Is a period pants hygienic?
Our eucalyptus fiber absorbent zone has anti-bacterial and anti-moisture properties: you stay dry and bacteria don't have time to grow. And there's no risk of toxic shock syndrome with our lingerie. Our Elia lingerie is therefore not only hygienic, but also one of the best solutions for your body.
Is there a risk of unpleasant odors with period pants ?
With our eucalyptus fiber absorbent zone, there are no unpleasant odors: it has anti-bacterial properties and provides a fresh sensation to neutralize odors.
We recommend, however, that you rinse it in cold water after wearing it, and put it in the machine quickly: any garment that remains wet for too long can develop a damp smell.
If an odor persists, you can always use a few drops of essential oils when washing, but if you follow our care instructions, this shouldn't be necessary.
Is there a risk of leakage?
Our menstrual briefs are designed to be worn for up to 12 hours (different models depending on your flow). If you choose the right
model, there's no risk of leakage thanks to our absorbent zone lined with a waterproof surface.
However, if your flow is very heavy or you're worried about leaks, you can also use conventional sanitary pads as a complement, but this is by no means compulsory.
The best thing is to see for yourself and try out our menstrual lingerie at home on a heavy periods day.
What are your certifications, and what do they mean?
Our cotton is of course organic, as indicated on our website, but that's not all! Our menstrual lingerie also has the Origine France Garantie and Oeko-Tex labels, to combine all the advantages of each and remain in line with our values:
The Oeko-Tex label is not a guarantee of organic status, but of the product's harmlessness to the body, thanks to a guarantee that the solvents used to process our materials are not harmful to humans. This certification is not an indicator of the organic or natural nature of
fiber (our PUL is a synthetic material, but it does have the Oeko-Tex label).
The organic label, for its part, offers us a certain guarantee with regard to the environmental impact of growing our organic cotton, which limits the use of chemicals and whose absence already preserves the health of all the men and women who work in the harvests.
Finally, the OFG label, Origine France Garantie, is a guarantee of our commitment to working locally wherever possible, with the overwhelming majority of our manufacturing operations carried out in our French workshop (design & pattern-making, cotton weaving and dyeing, assembly, sewing, packaging...).
What is a central flow?
Some women have a very central flow, which accumulates in the center of the panty, the narrowest area, causing it to overflow rapidly, while
the rest of the absorbent zone is far from saturated. Women whose flow direction is towards the front or back generally benefit from a longer wearing time before the absorbent zone is saturated!
This is by no means inevitable, as it is possible to use interlabial petals to redirect the flow and thus achieve a better distribution of bleeding.
Our products
How do I choose my size?
We offer two product ranges: adult and teen. We have provided a size guide on each product page. We invite you to go to each product page, and click on "Choose my size", just below the phrase "Add to cart".
Please note that each product is sized differently, so we advise you to check each item carefully before validating your basket.
What's more, with the various washes, it's possible for our lingerie to relax slightly, so if your panties, on receipt, are slightly tight, don't panic, with the washes, this will s'sort itself out.
How can I take my measurements correctly so that I don't get the wrong size?
To avoid any mistakes, it's important to take your measurements in the right place.
The exact place to take your measurements is at pelvic level, at the widest point of the pelvis, but without the "saddlebags" which are normally found a little lower down.
The product m'interested in is out of stock
It can happen, we're sorry. Rest assured, it never lasts too long.
If the out-of-stock condition concerns one of our permanent models (Choupette, Philomène, Félicie, Armande, Simone or Louison), we invite you to sign up for alerts directly on our eshop. Usually, a few days later, you'll receive notification that the product is back in stock.
If the breakage concerns a limited edition, unfortunately, it will no longer be available. Indeed, in order to limit waste, we do
what we call upcycling: we use pretty cotton scraps to create small limited editions, which usually go to
very quickly, so don't delay if you've fallen for the color.
Where can I find Elia menstrual pants?
Our menstrual pants are sold exclusively on our website. Please do not hesitate to contact our customer service department for advice on the choice of model or size.
Our prices
Why are there no sales?
At Elia, we've opted for 100% French manufacturing, valuing every link in the
production chain: from the cotton manufacturer, to the seamstress who will make your panties, to the order picker.
Sales and fast-fashion are often the result of overproduction of textile products, at the cost of a disastrous ecological footprint and a waste of polluting raw materials during manufacture. So at Elia, we prefer to produce exactly what we need, with natural, high-quality raw materials. Our pricing policy is to offer you the best quality at the fairest price. We have chosen to produce everything in France to ensure traceability and maximum comfort of our panties, without compromise.
As part of our referral and loyalty program, however, you can quickly benefit from advantages that enable you to acquire our beautiful lingerie at a more attractive price.
Is a pair of underpants from periods a saving?
Absolutely! If you use disposable sanitary protection, that's just as much money and waste going into the garbage can every cycle. In the long term, periods panties are more economical. But beyond the cost savings you make with
menstrual underwear, using periods underwear is above all a commitment to the planet (zero waste, fewer pollutants...) and to your body
(100% organic cotton, no risk of toxic shock syndrome...).
Take the test and find out how much you could save with our savings calculator.
Duration and maintenance
How long can I wear a period pants ?
All our models can be worn for up to 12 hours, depending on your flow (we advise against wearing your lingerie for more than 12 hours for reasons of hygiene, as with classic lingerie).
The Choupette tanga is for light flows, the Félicie and Philomène knickers for medium flows, the Armande shorty and Simone knickers are
more suitable for heavy flows and/or at night, while our Louison cyclist is specially designed for hemorrhagic flows such as post-partum or flows linked to the wearing of a copper IUD, for example.
You can also wear our lingerie in addition to conventional sanitary pads if you're worried about leaks.
When should you wear panties from periods ?
Initially designed to be worn during your periods, Elia lingerie is also perfectly suited to the following moments:
- During your periods, day or night
- With or without additional sanitary protection
- Before your periods, if you're not sure when it's going to happen and want to be prepared in case of an unpleasant surprise
- When playing sports
- For light bladder weakness
- For white discharge
- After your delivery when you get home, for post-partum bleeding, and to avoid the risk of irritation caused by conventional protection
- During pregnancy, for the minor inconveniences it can cause, particularly in the last trimester.
And of course, like classic lingerie at any time of the month.
How long does a period pants last?
If you take good care of it, our Elia menstrual lingerie has the same lifespan as conventional lingerie: 5 to 7 years!
To find out more about maintenance, click here.
How do I wash a pair of panties from periods ?
To preserve your lingerie for as long as possible, we recommend that you follow our care instructions:
- Rinse your panties in cold water, until the water runs clear, as soon as you've finished wearing them
- Squeeze them gently, without wringing, before putting them in the machine as soon as possible
- Machine wash at low temperature (40°C maximum), with a glycerine-free detergent (avoid fabric softeners and other fabric conditioners, which are often very "greasy", and opt instead for white vinegar to soften your clothes)
- Air dry.
For more information and advice on caring for your Elia menstrual lingerie, visit this page.
Is it safe to hand-wash briefs from periods ?
Hand-washing is of course possible, but we prefer to recommend it as an exception. In fact, hand-washing is
ultimately more aggressive on fabrics than machine-washing (more rubbing, wringing out and twisting the panties in all directions, etc.)
which ultimately damages and relaxes your lingerie, Elia or otherwise.
We recommend hand-washing during the cycle if you wish, and machine-washing at the end of each
cycle.
You'll find our maintenance tips right here.
I have a discoloration stain on my panties that doesn't go away despite washing.
It can happen: s's a phenomenon of discoloration that can occur when some of us have vaginal secretions
a little more acidic. This only discolors the cotton, but in no way affects the panty's functionality.
To minimize them, rinse them in cold, soap-free water as soon as possible after wearing them! And then put them in the washing machine, but otherwise it's all about appearance!
It's a problem that's specific to all dark-bottomed panties (menstrual or not), as it depends on our personal acidity (white discharge like blood), which can vary and be more or less important during the same cycle.
A lighter-colored absorbent backing, on the other hand, would leave traces of blood after washing, which is why we chose the black color.
This does not spare organic cottons and Oeko-tex certified fabrics, and is in no way a sign of poor quality materials. Once again, there's nothing to worry about, and it in no way impedes the effectiveness of our products!
In these cases, we generally recommend changing more regularly and rinsing your underwear quickly after wearing it, if you don't want to alter the aesthetics of the inside of your panties too much.
Which detergent should I use? And why avoid glycerine?
We strongly advise you to use a hypoallergenic, glycerine-free detergent for Elia lingerie, and in general for all garments worn close to the body. We also offer a menstrual detergent for
panties from periods.
To soften your clothes, don't use fabric softener: if your water is hard and chalky, opt for white vinegar, which has anti-chalk properties and helps combat the dry appearance of clothes after washing. It also neutralizes unpleasant odours. You'll avoid having to use commercial chemical and perfumed products, which aren't recommended for underwear worn close to the body anyway!
Glycerine clogs absorbent fibers and makes them waterproof in the long run: liquids are likely to bead up on the surface, and that's less effective!
Be careful, for example, with the composition of Savon de Marseille: only a tiny amount of glycerine from the natural saponification process should remain in the original recipe.
For the same reasons, we advise against the use of fabric softeners, as these are greasy compositions formulated to limit static electricity and soften linen, but which reduce absorption efficiency and clog up machines in the long run! In fact, you shouldn't use them on all absorbent household linen: towels, tea towels... as well as sportswear and menstrual pants!
To find out more about our maintenance tips, please visit this page.
I washed my panties at over 40°, do they still work?
If your lingerie has been washed at over 40° or accidentally tumble-dried, don't worry!
However, we recommend washing at low temperatures for the following reasons:
The absorbent zone made of eucalyptus fibers tends to shrink slightly under the effect of heat. It's still just as absorbent, but you may notice that the cotton on top, which hasn't moved, wrinkles under the effect of the slightly shrunken absorbent layer. It's just less attractive!
Blood "cooks" at high temperatures, so stains are harder to remove once they've been heated: that's why it's best to rinse by hand in cold water first. However, the inside of our knickers is all black, to avoid unsightly stain residues.
However, the lifespan of your panties (and that of classic lingerie) is reduced by high-temperature washing, so it's best to avoid doing it!
Environment and eco-responsibility
Is Elia lingerie eco-responsible?
We try to choose our fabrics with respect for the environment. To find out more about the different materials that make up our lingerie and the absorbent zone, discover our technology in more detail. To find out more about our eco-responsible actions, click here.
Is Elia lingerie vegan?
At Elia, we don't use any materials derived from animal fibers: our absorbent zone is made from wood fiber textile, and the fabric of our panties is cotton. Our menstrual stain remover is also vegan, and made entirely without beef gall.
Is Elia lingerie organic?
Absolutely, all our knickers are Oeko-tex certified and our cotton is certified organic, to guarantee your well-being.
To find out more about our certifications, take a look here.
Where is Elia menstrual lingerie made?
Our Elia lingerie is made in our workshops in France, from design to cotton weaving and delivery. Whenever possible, we favor short supply chains for our products and our partners.
What exactly are Elia panties made of?
All our lingerie models are made from our organic cotton (to which we add between 3% and 5% elastane for added comfort and flexibility), an absorbent fabric made from eucalyptus fibers (eucalyptus tencel) and a waterproof fabric made from breathable PUL.
France is just starting to produce organic cotton, and we're trying to source from our local market in the future, but volumes are currently insufficient, and world production of organic cotton is mainly ensured by the USA, India and Egypt, although this list is not exhaustive (Turkey and China can also be added to the list). Our partners' supply of raw cotton yarn therefore varies from year to year, depending on the harvest.
Our organic cotton is then woven entirely in our own workshop in France, our waterproof fabric comes from European suppliers, while our absorbent fabric is produced in Austria.
My order
I placed an order, but I got the wrong size or model. What should I do?
If your order is very recent (same day), we invite you to write to our super customer service at [email protected]
If your order has not yet gone to preparation, we will be happy to modify your order and confirm that
your request has been taken into account.
If your order is already in preparation, ready, or part, unfortunately, it is no longer modifiable, you must then proceed to
a return, upon receipt, by filling out this form.
I can't enter my promo code ("please enter a valid promo code")
Promo codes are not cumulative on our site, so you'll have to choose the most advantageous for you, or the one with the shortest validity period.
Sponsorship and loyalty
How do I get my points discount voucher?
To convert your points into a discount voucher, simply log in to your account, then click on
"use my points" on this page.
Feedback and discussion
How do I make a return?
You've just received your order (less than 14 days old) and it doesn't suit you?
Don't panic, you can request a return by filling in this form.
Please note that our products are hygiene products, so the conditions for accepting returns are very strict: the product must be unworn, unwashed and with all its labels attached. All stained or suspect products will be instantly refused and not refunded.
Do I have to pay for the return?
Return shipping costs are at our expense. We will send you a pre-printed label to stick directly onto your parcel. We advise you to use the shipping carton to reduce waste.
What's the status of my refund?
You've returned an item to us, La Poste has confirmed delivery and your refund hasn't yet been processed? Don't panic, it may take a few days for our teams to receive, check and refund the item.
If you have any concerns, please do not hesitate to contact our customer service department at [email protected]. We'll let you know where we stand with the refund.
Can I make an exchange?
We do not have an exchange system as such. If a product doesn't suit you, all you have to do is request a return, and you'll be reimbursed. You will then have to place a new order on our site.
Delivery
How long does delivery take?
We cannot guarantee a "delivery" time, as this depends on the destination country. Some parcels may take longer to clear customs, for example, and unfortunately we cannot anticipate this.
However, we generally guarantee shipment within 24 hours.
What types of delivery do you offer?
We currently offer 3 types of delivery, and we strongly advise you to choose the method that best suits the quality of delivery service in your area:
- Colissimo (with or without signature)
- In a Mondial Relay relay point
- Chronopost
Some delivery methods may be unavailable depending on the destination country.
My order was received incomplete? I have received the wrong order? I have received a defective product?
No need to panic! Just send a complaint from this page, and don't forget to attach photos.
Our team will get back to you within 48 hours!
Contact us
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Contact us via our online form.