All about your menstrual flow

Our period pants are made to last up to 12 hours and up to 4 tampons in terms of absorption for our most absorbent model, but this is a maximum estimate that depends on several factors.

Among them, there is the viscosity of the flow: some have very liquid bleeding, while others have more viscous periods, with clots. And nothing is wrong with that!

A very liquid flow may flow faster than the absorption speed of the panties, while a more viscous flow will give it more time to do its job!

A flow is considered average if the bleeding totals about 40 to 50ml over a cycle... that's barely a quarter of a glass of water! Below 30ml per cycle, we talk about light flows. Beyond 60ml, it is a heavy flow or even hemorrhagic. As a comparison, the capacity of a menstrual cup is around 25ml. To know the abundance of your flow, make our test of Higham!

Whatever happens, the best is to first make some tests with one or two menstrual panties before equipping you more, because the feelings and the effectiveness of the menstrual lingerie can be very variable.

We do not all bleed in the same way!

The shape of your labia and your daily positions also affect the direction of your flow.

Some women have a very central flow, which collects in the center of the panty, the narrowest area, causing it to overflow quickly, while the rest of the absorbent area is far from saturated. Those whose flow direction is forward or backward generally benefit from a longer wearing time before the saturation of the absorbent zone!

This is by no means inevitable, as it is possible to use interlabial petals to redirect the flow and thus have a better distribution of bleeding.

This explains why some women with a heavy flow last a whole day without any problem, while others with a weaker flow sometimes only last a few hours... It's very personal!

Some women sometimes notice light stains on the absorbent area that do not wash away. This is a discoloration phenomenon that can occur when vaginal secretions are a little more acidic. It just discolors the cotton but does not affect the proper functioning of the panties.

This is a problem that is specific to all dark-colored panties (menstrual or not) because it depends on our personal acidity (white discharge like blood), which can vary and be more or less important during the same cycle. An absorbent bottom of clearer color would leave irremediably traces of blood after washing, this is why the overwhelming majority of the menstrual lingerie is black inside!

That does not spare the organic cottons and the fabrics certified Oeko-tex and is not in no case a sign of bad quality of materials. It depends on the materials, the dyes used and the acidity of the flow: this is why some panties react, and others do not! However, this is only an aesthetic aspect that does not hinder the effectiveness of menstrual panties. However, some very acidic discharges can even cause small holes in the thin cotton layer.

We advise you to change more regularly and to rinse your lingerie quickly after having worn it if you do not wish to alter too much the interior aesthetics of your panties. To minimize them, rinse them in cold water and without soap as soon as possible after wearing them, then put them in the washing machine.

Depending on your position during the day, the direction of your flow and its viscosity, the absorbent zone can become saturated at its narrowest point, while the rest is not yet full.

The menstrual lingerie is tight at the level of the absorbent zone, but if the maximum absorption capacity of the panties has been reached, the leakage generally takes place on the sides and by the seams, it is unfortunately the critical point noted of all the menstrual panties!

Don't forget to wash your underwear once or twice before wearing it to maximize its absorption capacity.
In the meantime, we recommend you to change more often or to use the menstrual panties in complement of a protection if this one is not sufficient alone.

Do not hesitate to test them in several conditions (with or without complementary protection, at the end or the beginning of menstruation etc...) to know what is appropriate best to your flow!