More ecological and comfortable, menstrual panties are a full cardboard

Réjeanne, Fempo, Purple, So’Cup ... In three years, the menstrual panty market has exploded in France.About twenty brands market these absorbent underwear today, thought to replace disposable hygienic protections such as stamps or towels.The success of these products is such that there are now swimsuits and menstrual leggings.

Ecological, ethical, comfortable and inclusive alternative (some brands cut from 34 to 52), menstrual panties are sold at all prices, 20 euros for a basic model at 60 euros for panties made in France.French know-how is highlighted by brands, especially for lace.

The menstrual pants were already popular in the United States before landing in France, under the leadership of Fempo in early 2018.A few months later, Réjeanne arrives on the market and everything accelerates.Today, the offer is such that it is difficult to know precisely how many companies exist.

"In a year, fifteen brands have been created, I haven't even had time to test them all," said Justine Leroy, creator of the blog "What What", specializing in zero waste and who publishesmenstrual panties tests.

Faced with the growing demand of consumers, classic lingerie brands have converted there, like DIM and Sloggi.Others, like Darjeeling or Etam, prefer to bet on partnerships with specialized brands.

The menstrual pants even settles in the supermarket shelves.Monoprix markets for example those of Réjeanne, Smoon and Blooming.A way to make products accessible to the greatest number.

"Accessibility also goes through the price.When we created the brand, we wanted a piece of lingerie made in France Technique [Réjeanne filed a patent on the absorbing part of the panties, editor's note] and affordable ”, she continues.At Réjeanne, a basic model is sold 34 euros when more sophisticated panties, for example decorated with French lace, costs 60 euros.

The menstrual panties, cheaper than disposable protections?

One of the arguments put forward by marks is precisely the lower cost of these panties in use, compared to that of disposable protections.In France, there is no reliable figure on the subject.But according to an estimate carried out by the world two years ago, a menstruated person would spend 7.50 euros per cycle on average, or 90 euros per year, including the purchase of hygienic protections and painkillers.

At the end of the day, menstrual panties are more profitable than disposable protections (the Made in France Elia brand offers on its site an savings calculator).But abandoning your stamps and towels for the benefit of washable panties requires a starting investment around 150 euros.Not all budgets cannot afford.

In France, nearly 1.7 million women would not have the means to buy periodic protections, according to an Ifop survey of 2017.Students are particularly affected by menstrual precariousness, alert several associations.Their survey published in early February reveals that 13% have already had to choose between buying hygienic protections and another basic product.

Most brands of menstrual panties collaborate with associations such as elementary rules.This is the case of the Réjeanne brand.“We donate menstrual panties but not so much for precariousness because they are not necessarily suitable products.Associations are asked what they need and it is more often financial donations, ”explains Wye-Peygn Morter.

"When you are on the street, it's too complicated to wash your panties, to dry it to be able to put it back.For these people in great precariousness, it is better to donate disposable protections ", ABSUS Justine LEROY.

More environmentally friendly protections

Another major argument in favor of menstrual panties: ecology and waste reduction.It is estimated that a woman will throw 10.000 to 15.000 menstrual protections during his life.In addition to this consideration, their composition has been denounced for several years, due to the use of chemicals with carcinogenic or endocrine disruptive effects, which harm the planet and health.

Réjeanne, fempo, small cheeky, purple, Elia and many others produce from Oeko-Tex certified fabrics, a label that aims to guarantee fabrics that do not contain any toxic or environmental product.Some even use recycled wire and the absorbent part of the panties is often designed from vegetable fibers like tencel, produced from wood pulp, mainly eucalyptus.

But as the tote bag - the fabric alternative to plastic bags, menstrual panties are only ecological..

Furthermore, not all brands are equal.60 million consumers recently alerted to scams that emerge on the Internet, offering dubious quality pants, often from China.Consumers generally discover them via advertisements on Facebook or Instagram.To ensure the quality of menstrual pants, it is better to put the price and bet on a stamped product made in France.