Strange Blood Stains

[frolicnaked.livejournal.com]

I noticed this while I was clearing out some of my clothes for Goodwill or other destinations yesterday.

Some of my dark pants -- the ones that end up being my "period pants" precisely because blood stains don't show on the outside -- have strange stains in the crotch and inner thigh regions. They're the same kind of "bleached out"-looking stains that are on my black underwear. The ones on my underwear I know come from the bacteria in healthy vaginal fluid creating hydrogen peroxide, which can end up bleaching the material.

But. Is it the same bacteria present in menstrual blood... and in large enough concentrations for them to be bleaching my pants? Or is something else the cause here? (I'll note here that when it comes to laundering my pants, the bloody ones get soaked in cold water for 20 minutes as soon as I can, then get washed on cold with dye/perfume free detergent. I don't think either of those steps is causing the bleaching.)

More importantly, is there a way I can keep this from continuing to happen to my pants? They are more expensive to replace than underwear. Also, while it does not seem to happen to my dark jeans, I cannot wear jeans every day of my life. (Also too, and maybe more interestingly, it does not happen to my dark colored cloth pads, which often sit for a day or so before I start soaking them.)

I realize that the optimal solution is never to bleed on my pants. However, until my uterus gets on board with that plan, it is not going to happen. Same thing with the next best option, soaking while the stain is fresh: I soak as soon as I can, but that's routinely several hours from when the stain occurs.

Solutions for preventing bleaching blood stains? Thanks!

Cross posted to vaginapagina and menstrualhut.

Comments

[owl-eyes-4ever.livejournal.com]

I don't imagine the normal flora of our vaginas vanish upon the appearance of menstrual blood. Even if there's not as much of it (which I'm not sure of, but perhaps there's less in the heaviest days since they are constantly being flushed out, but *shrug*) if you bleed through your underwear enough it should stain your pants as well.

When you're not on your period, does normal secretion ever soak through your underwear a little? It's happened to me and stained the inner crotch of my pants on the inside.

[frolicnaked.livejournal.com]

I imagine the regular vaginal flora is present still, yes, but given the amount I bleed, I have to think that the regular resident bacteria population is pretty significantly diluted in all that.

I've not had my regular vaginal fluid soak through my underwear, no. I generally wear a cup or a cloth liner then to keep it from happening.

[sunbeatsclouds.livejournal.com]

Do you use any special spot treatments on your pants when you get blood on them? Sorry if this is a stupidly obvious question, but it was the first thing that came to my mind.

Alternatively, is it possible that the bleached out look is from wear and tear? I find that dark pants tend to show stress faster than light-colored ones, and the thigh and crotch area tend to be high-wear regions. Also, for me at least, I tend to sweat a lot in those areas, which can lead to fading.

[frolicnaked.livejournal.com]

Do you use any special spot treatments on your pants when you get blood on them?

Nope. Like I said, only the cold water soak and my regular laundry detergent.


Alternatively, is it possible that the bleached out look is from wear and tear?

I don't think so, as the color changes aren't gradual, and the material doesn't look faded. There are well defined shapes that look more like I've spilled bleach or peroxide on them.

[helenkacan.livejournal.com]

I don't know if this is applicable but, when I was growing up, there were no synthetics except for nylon. So I remember sweat bleaching out colour (though that was generally under the arms). It could be the same principle with the pants, especially if they're of a good quality. Have you heard about trouser slips (that's the only name I can think of)? They're trousers made of nylon that you wear as a lining underneath your trousers. The first thing they do is protect your skin from the possible harshness of the fabric. The second thing they do is prolong the life of the clothing. Because, if you sweat or bleed through, you're going to be able to throw the liner into the washing machine.

The only other thing I can suggest (because I sometimes get white patches in the crotch area after wearing my fave cotton/lycra leggings) is to blot the area with COLD water.