Written by Abigail Preiszig
Joyja is a period panty company that aims to replace pads and tampons, and I had to put them to the test.
Periods are ugly, and so are the underwear I wear during them. That is why Joyja, the “Happy Period Panties,” caught my eye when they appeared on my Instagram feed. Joyja sells absorbent panties in so many fun colors, styles and patterns intended to take the place of pads and tampons. They also have a great mission: “To make periods better for everyone.”
According to Joyja’s website, about 350 million people do not have access to sanitary products during their periods. Period-product accessibility is an important cause to Joyja, which is why for every pair of underwear purchased, they donate a pair to a person in need. Reusable period products are also better for the environment by keeping single-use period products out of landfills and conserving resources. Finally, they save you money because you are not spending money on pads and tampons every month.
According to Joyja’s website, about 350 million people do not have access to sanitary products during their periods. Period-product accessibility is an important cause to Joyja, which is why for every pair of underwear purchased, they donate a pair to a person in need.
The Joyja panties come in four different absorbency levels for every stage of your period. Each pair has four layers that work to absorb moisture, neutralize odors, prevent leaks, and keep you comfortable all day long. They are also relatively affordable, retailing between $20 and $35 a pair. After doing my research, I had to try them out to be sure they are as effective as they sound.
I bought five pairs of Joyja underwear in various styles and absorbance powers. They did not add a fourth absorbency level until after I placed my order, so I was only able to try out levels one through three. My total came to $100, including shipping. Their website was functional, and I received my underwear in two weeks. The packaging was discrete: a salmon-colored bag made from recycled plastic that fit right in my mailbox.
I love that they have fun styles for people new to the period party! This would have made me feel a lot more comfortable talking about and experiencing my first period.
Cindy in Jet Black, a cheeky cut that costs $20 with an absorbance power of one. The feel of this style is a bit like a swimsuit bottom.
Leah in Classic Blue, a thong that costs $20 with an absorbance power of one. The feel of this style is super soft.
Alice in Festive Fuschia, a bikini cut that costs $25 with an absorbance power of two. The feel of this style is just like normal cotton underwear.
Amelia in Camouflower, a high-rise cheeky cut that costs $25 with an absorbance power of three. The feel of this style is super silky and probably my favorite.
The last style I purchased is Blake in Zest of Life. This style is a “teen midi brief” and has an absorbance power of three. This pair is the thickest of the five, feeling much more pad-like in the crotch. The sizing is also a bit different because it is intended for younger people. This style did not fit me so I ended up gifting them to my younger sister. I love that they have fun styles for people new to the period party! This would have made me feel a lot more comfortable talking about and experiencing my first period.
First impression & experience:
I received my underwear on the second day of my period, which is the heaviest day. I was eager to try them out. Upon opening the package, I was very surprised by how normal they felt. Each pair is a bit thicker in the crotch, but it is not too noticeable. I was disappointed that the absorbance power is not indicated on the tag or the underwear. I also could not tell by feeling them so I made a blind guess as to which pair to wear that day. This was a mistake. I chose Alice with an absorbance power of two. Within two hours of wearing them, I went to the bathroom and they had begun leaking out at the edge of the underwear. By the time I got home, I had bled through the underwear completely. This did not give me the best first impression.
The next day I consulted the website and wore Amelia with an absorbance power of three. Typically, I put a tampon in before work, wear a pad, and then take out the tampon halfway through the day and bleed onto the pad. I tried this strategy, but instead of a pad I just had my underwear. It went super well! I had no leaks the whole day. I also love the high-rise fit of this pair. I feel like my cramps were not as painful because the undies hugged my ovaries in all the right places!
I continued this tampon strategy into the third and fourth day. I even gave Alice a second chance and I did not experience any leakage. By the fifth day, my period was light enough to give Leah and Cindy a try, both of which have an absorbance power of one. Both pairs worked well — I did not experience any leakage!
Every single pair of the Joyja period panties are very comfortable and do not feel any different from regular underwear. However, wearing them took some getting used to because I would feel myself bleeding, have a brief moment of panic and remind myself that this is what Joyja underwear is meant for!
These underwear are also a lot more breathable than a pad. When I wear a pad, it tends to trap a lot of moisture, making me feel sticky, stinky and uncomfortable. I did not have this problem with the Joyja underwear. I noticed less of an odor and felt a lot more comfortable and confident while on my period. I also did not have to worry about a visible pad line when picking out my outfits.
Washing the underwear:
Joyja suggests rinsing out the underwear in soapy water, machine washing them, and letting them air dry. When rinsing the underwear out in the sink it was quite jarring to see all of the blood coming out of them. I liked wearing them into the shower and rinsing them off there a lot better. When machine washing them I was worried that leftover blood would stain my other clothes, but that did not happen! The underwear I bled through did not stain whatsoever, and each pair looked and smelled brand new after being washed.
Final thoughts:
I love what Joyja stands for as a company and found their underwear to be efficient, cute and comfortable. Although I genuinely enjoyed these panties, I do not think they will completely take the place of pads and tampons. I found it more convenient to change a disposable period product every few hours than to change and rinse out a pair of underwear, especially during the first few days of my period when my flow is heavy. Despite not completely giving up disposable period products, these will be something I do use monthly and recommend to anyone who feels comfortable trying them out.