Lunapads Blog

Name: Elsbeth
Home: Nebraska, USA
Age: 22
Lifestyle: I am a Chemistry major who loves camping.
Flow: Heavy flow for 5 days/nights, Average flow for the next 3 days/nights, and 3 days/nights of light discharge.

Before
Pre-Lunapads, I used tampons with disposable overnight pads as back-up protection for 5 days/nights, tampons with maxi pads for 3 days/nights, maxi pads for 3 days/nights, and pantyliners for three days on either side of my period.

Why did you want to switch?
I have very sensitive skin, and got one too many chemical burns from scented pads in “unscented” packages. Also, I have made a lot of changes in my life to become more “green”, and this felt like an important step. Now I use Lunapads Long Pad & Liner on my heavy flow days, Maxi Pads for average days, and Mini Pads for spotting.

After
I’m so glad I switched to Lunapads. I used to hate my period—I couldn’t even get through class some days because my flow was so heavy. Now, I actually look forward to my period. It is a natural and reassuring event, not a nightmare. I love Lunapads for the convenience, comfort, reliability and the knowledge that I am doing something good for the environment and for myself.

Are you ready for a Period Makeover? To apply, simply fill out an application, telling us about your monthly needs. Selected applicants will receive a $15 Lunapads.com gift certificate!

It’s not very often that a book dedicated to the subject of menstruation gets published. So when I heard about the impending release of FLOW; the cultural story of menstruation back in November, I was pretty excited to get my hands on a copy.

At first glance, FLOW is quite the aesthetically pleasing little book, filled with images of vintage pad and tampon adverts and other “feminine health products” dating as far back as the late 1800s. Due to its visually compelling nature, FLOW would make the ideal coffee table book. And hey, aside from rinsing your menstrual cup in a public washroom, what better way to get the conversation about menstruation flowing (couldn’t resist!) than to nonchalantly leave a book about its history lying about the house?

Few healthy bodily processes have had such an effed-up history as menstruation and this book covers a broad range of topics from the archaic “disease” Hysteria and the origins of the vibrator, to the medicalization of periods and the recent introduction of Menstrual Suppression drugs. I often hear women linking the origins of our collective shame surrounding menstruation to fem-care advertisers and the negative language used to hock their products. FLOW digs deeper into the sources of the menstrual taboo weaving a history that is biblical, medical, pre-historical, cultural, spiritual and political in scope. It’s pretty engaging if you aren’t already aware of the history of menstruation and even if you are, there are sure to be some surprising tidbits that leave you quietly scooping your jaw up off the floor.

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Name: Fatin
Home: Hackensack, NJ
Age: 31
Lifestyle: I’m an ESL teacher who loves to travel.

Flow
My flow lasts 5-6 days and is very heavy in the beginning (~2 days), 2 days heavy-average and 2-3 days of light flow. Light discharge throughout the month, especially when ovulating.

What products do you use?
I currently use Always Overnight with Wings, and Playtex Super tampons when I am working out or swimming. The Always are bulky and uncomfortable and they never seem to stay in place, especially at night, resulting in regular leaks. With tampons, I can’t seem to find the right absorbency; they’re either too absorbent or not absorbent enough. I’ve also considered using something for daily discharge, but I usually go without since the Always aren’t quite right for this and I don’t want to spend the money.

Why do you want to switch?
I want to create less waste with my menstrual products. I’d also like to support a woman-owned and operated company like Lunapads. I’d like to get more in touch with my body and make my period a joyful time that I don’t just take for granted. And Lunapads are way cuter than Always!

Lunapads Rx

The DivaCup
For active gals like Fatin, we tend to recommend that trusty tampon alternative, The DivaCup. It’s ideal for heavy flow (will hold up to 1 full ounce before needing to be emptied) and great for active sports. Plus, with The DivaCup, there’s no need to worry about finding the perfect absorbency. Unlike tampons, a menstrual cup doesn’t absorb (or dry you out, for that matter), but instead collects your menstrual flow. Check out our DivaCup 101 video for more info.

Long Pad & Liner
Now, onto your pad upgrade! In Luna-land, a Long Pad is most comparable to a disposable Overnight Pad with Wings. Our Long Pads are 12” (30.5cm) in length, providing ample coverage & security for most women with average-heavy flow. Additionally, our Wing Liners (see right) provide lateral protection and help to prevent side leakage and stained sheets. Tip: you’ll save 10% off the regular price of our Pads when you buy a 3-Pack.

Lunapanties
If you’re looking for a $ saving, super-functional product for everyday discharge (and those 2-3 light flow days, using liners), this is it. You’re already wearing underwear every day - why not trade up for something that actually performs? Lunapanties are 95% organic cotton, 5% lycra and 100% awesome. Watch our video to learn more about their super-magical hidden powers.

Pantyliners
Another option for everyday: Our 7 Day Pantyliner Kits are value-priced at $70. That’s $10 per Pantyliner, rather than $10.99 individually priced, which means you’ll save $7 when you buy a set of 7. This may *seem* pricey at first glance, but as with all Lunapads products, your initial investment will save you a ton of money in the long run. With gentle care, a Lunapads Pantyliner should last an average of 5 years - some customers have been using the same Lunapads for upwards of a decade, even. It’s easy to calculate your personal savings; just divide the price of a box of disposables by the number of pantyliners inside - this determines your cost per pantyliner. Now, multiply that cost by the number of pantyliners you might use each day, and then again by 5 years. It really adds up! See our Why Switch? page for more info about how making the switch to reusables can really save you money.

Are you ready for a Period Makeover? To apply, simply fill out an application, telling us about your monthly needs. Selected applicants will receive a $15 Lunapads.com gift certificate!

Name: Millie
Home: Ontario, Canada
Age: 25
Lifestyle: I’m always on the go and I love the outdoors. I am obsessed with canoeing and go every chance I get! I love to travel and have been all over the world.

Flow
My period is usually 4 days of heavy flow and 1-3 days light flow.

Before
I used disposable pads for my period. Blech! It was always a messy horror-show. I had to make sure I was sitting “just-so” and when sleeping, I couldn’t move for fear of leakage. I wore 2 pads end-to-end at night and always needed it. I tried tampons, but, they made me feel worse.

What products do you use now?
Disposable pantyliners throughout the entire month, and as back up with The DivaCup. I also use The DivaWash, the Peri Bottle & the Cycle Chart.

Why did you switch?
My sister told me about the DivaCup. She knew I hated my period. Having to plan activities around my period, sudden “surges”, always worrying about leakage, buying yet another $5 pack of pads (having an emergency pad on hand at-all-times!), it was awful! Now it’s great! I have a clean feeling, freedom of movement; I save money & the environment!

Also, I go on canoe trips into the backcountry & having my period while using pads was a nightmare! “Pack in, pack out” is the motto in the backcountry, need I say more? Last summer, I worked as a canoe guide and became the biggest advocate for the DivaCup! I think I convinced a lot of women to check-out the DivaCup on those trips!

In my travel bag, instead of counting out how many bulky pads I’ll need (sometimes it was up to 20!) all I have to pack now is my DivaCup, my Peri Bottle, & a travel size bottle of DivaWash.. hey, you should market that! Now, my main goal during my period (or someone else’s) is to spread the word about the DivaCup!

The Lunapads.com Rx
Millie’s clearly on the right track with The DivaCup, but what about those disposable pantyliners? Why waste valuable space in your pack on throwaways? With Lunapanties, you’ve always got a built-in no-fuss alternative to disposables.

Our all-in-one padded period panties make fantastic everyday underwear (for daily discharge, unpredictable cycles, or just plain comfort), and really shine as back-up/overflow protection with The DivaCup.  Soft, breathable, great for those who are active - and if you have any concerns about your pad feeling bulky, bunching or shifting, you can lay those fears to rest.

How they work: An absorbent fleece panel is built right into the gusset of these underwear, and a 5% lycra content means they’ll fit snugly and really stay put. For heavier-duty jobs, Lunapanties also feature soft cotton bands to hold liners, allowing you to customize absorbency by layering up (or down). This also means you can remove/replace liners as needed, keeping  you comfortably dry throughout the day.

Are you ready for a Period Makeover? To apply, simply fill out an application, telling us about your monthly needs. Selected applicants will receive a $15 Lunapads.com gift certificate!

I feel a bit conflicted about this post, as I am typically a huge fan of women-owned businesses. So what happens when the businesses in question are marketing products that I don’t feel are necessarily in women’s best interests? Let’s talk!

The products in question are basically cosmetics for your vulva - one to make your girlparts “clean, pure, soft and fresh” with the help of a 4-step collection of soap, lotion, spray and wipes, and the other to lighten the color of the outer labia. Leaving questions around the safety and rationale for these products aside for the moment, what’s particularly troubling about these new takes on what the marketers of Lysol and Massengil have schilled in the past is that they have adopted (some might say co-opted) the language of empowerment and enlightenment in order to do so, presenting the case for vulval “freshening up” as a bold act of savvy self-love.

While the cheeky brand name “I Love My Muff” on its own is eerily reminiscent of a Lunapads standby: “I (heart) my period”, who can argue with its wisdom? Ideally women “love” (or are at least at peace with) our muffs, but do we need these products in order to get there? Of course not, and yet ILMM’s copy tells us that “informed” (if only I knew the “truth” about feminine hygiene!) “modern” women are literally clamoring to make this “savvy and empowered” choice.  And how’s this for courageously breaking the taboos that have kept the topic of “feminine care” locked away in the closet? “It’s no longer taboo and with it’s (sic) clean packaging and bold message these products are a statement of confidence and a must have for every woman.”

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Here’s a fun new video about Lunapanties. There are 2 parts: first, the basics of what’s special about them and what styles they’re available in, and second, about how to use  Liners with them (same as Lunapads as it happens, so it’s worthwhile to watch as a refresher there as well) - enjoy!

I suppose I should take the time to introduce myself before another year flies by! I’m the youngest of three and grew up in a small suburb outside of Vancouver. My mum, an avid crafter and quilter, introduced me to the world of creative and I knew at a very early age what my passions were.

I attended the Emily Carr University, formerly the Emily Carr Institute of Art and Design, immediately after high school and began to experiment with textile-based work and feminist thought. After graduating and taking some time off from art making I am now stitching and drawing up a storm!

Read the rest of this entry »

Thank you for sharing your testimonial, Meghan!

Let me begin by saying that I am perhaps your least likely customer. I knew about reusable menstrual products, but never felt that they were anything I would ever use. I was convinced that cleaning them would be a major inconvenience, and worried they might leak.

Then a friend told me about Lunapads.  She had just ordered a set, and was excited to show me how they worked. I already knew there were several benefits to using reusable pads: economic, environmental, and possibly even healthwise; but I just did not think they were something I would ever want to use.

I was, however, still curious. I did quite a bit of research on your website and found that the more I read, the more intrigued I was. Though I still felt skeptical, I decided to order a Sampler Pack, based on your Customer Satisfaction Policy.

I have never had a good experience with disposable menstrual products. Pads were rough and irritating against my skin, and tampons felt intrusive. Lunapads, on the other hand, are so very comfortable. I can hardly believe how much better my experience with my period has been since making the switch!

Furthermore, cleaning Lunapads is really not at all the ordeal I thought it would be, nor have I experienced any problem with leaks. I’ve since added more pads to my Lunapads collection, so that I never have to resort to disposables again.

I have to say, you have 100% won me over. Lunapads have been an amazing solution to my period woes. I no longer feel that I have to approach my period with that awful sense of dread, and am so thankful that my friend introduced me to them.

-Meghan

It feels good to start a new year with new things, and we have some fun ones lined up for you!

First off, we have just introduced new snaps for Lunapads. Closure is always a big issue with cloth pads, and we’ve chosen sew-on plastic snaps until now due to their durability.  We’ve finally invested in our very own snap machine, and feel that our new metal (plastic and nickel-free) snaps do just as good a job at keeping everything together with even less bulk. We anticipate that the complete switchover to all Pad and Pantyliner styles will take several weeks.

Our first product that will feature the new snaps is our brand-new Thong Pantyliner. Thong Pantyliners are 6” (15cm) long, and 2.5” (5cm) wide, tapering to 1” (2.5cm) wide at the end. Featuring the same construction as our popular Mini and Teeny Pantyliners (2 layers of 100% flannel topped with 2 layers of 100% cotton fleece), Thong Pantyliners are tapered to work exclusively with thong-style underwear. Watch for them in new 7 Day Thong Pantyliner Kit, DivaCup Kit with Thong Pantyliners  and Deluxe DivaCup Kit with Thong Pantyliners, too!

Last but not least, they’re on special for 10% off for the month of January.

Here’s a whole new take on the classic women’s magazine standby, makeovers. Ever wondered what products other women used before switching to reusables, and how and why they chose their Lunapads, Lunapanties or DivaCup? Or maybe you’re still thinking it over and could use some suggestions from the Lunagals about which products to try? Period Makeovers to the rescue!

Are you ready for a Period Makeover? To apply, simply fill out an application, telling us about your monthly needs. Selected applicants will receive a $15 Lunapads.com gift certificate! Now it’s time to meet our first candidate…

Name: Lana D.
Home: West Vancouver, Canada
Age: 37
Lifestyle: Business owner, Mom of 2 school-aged kids

Before: “As I started to get older, post children, my period lasts longer.  A full 7 days. Gone are the days where it was all wrapped up in a quick 4 days. Day 1 - light, Day 2 - getting heavy, Days 3 to 5 - heavy, Day 6 & 7 - lingering.”

Which products did you use?
“I used Always Long pads, also either Tampax or Playtex for tampons. I have tried several times to use the compact OB tampons, but could never insert them properly. As time passed, my body started to reject tampons - they literally started falling out.”

Why did you switch?
“Since I started my period, I would read the inserts from the tampon box, talking about toxic shock syndrome.  This was a real fear for me, but as a teenager and young woman, it is mortifying to think that “someone” might know you are menstruating.  After the frustration with the “slipping tampons”, I decided I would switch entirely to pads. A friend told me about Lunapads and the concept of natural, reusable pads. I admit at first I felt like it would be too much work, and I did not trust that fabric pads could hold my flow.  I visited the Lunapads website, and the phrase of “being self sufficient” struck me deeply. I wanted to try the product.”

The Lunapads.com Rx…
the DivaCup
“I decided to try a Diva cup, wow, it’s so comfortable and beats a tampon any day.  I use it when I am out and about and want to forget I have my period. Dancing with my DivaCup is one of my favorite uses.”

Lunapads Heavy Pad & Wing Liner, Long Pad & Liner Insert
“I use the Heavy or Long Pad on my 3rd day and at night.  They are amazingly comfortable and don’t bunch up in the middle like disposable pads do.”

Hipster Lunapanties
“This is a brilliant design. I love them so much, I wear them even when I don’t have my period.”

Lunapads Mini Pad & Liner Insert
“The mini pad works brilliantly on days 6 and 7 when my period lingers on.”

After!
“My concerns of high maintenance and reliability are gone, it’s simple yet satisfying. I feel more connected with myself and proud of the shift I’ve made.”