Lunapads Organic Cotton Menstrual Pads Info

• Who uses Lunapads?
• What's so great about washing your own pads?
• What's it like to switch from disposable pads and tampons?
• Tell me about Lunapads design, fabrics, thickness, absorption and breathability.
• Are Lunapads sanitary?
• How often do I need to change them?/How many do I need?
• What about when I'm away from home?
• How do I wash Lunapads?
• Can I wear them while I sleep?
• Can I wear them with my regular underwear?
• What styles and patterns are they available in?
• How are Lunapads made?
• What's the difference with organic cotton?
• How long will my Lunapads last?
• How much money can I save using Lunapads?
• Can I use Lunapads for incontinence?

Who uses Lunapads?
Well, for starters, all of us gals here at Lunapads! We wouldn't be here unless we felt that we had created a product that genuinely works and can even improve women's experience of their menstrual cycles. We have thousands of satisfied customers from all over the world, and we stand behind Lunapads with a money-back guarantee in case they don't make you happy too.

What's so great about washing your own pads?
We feel that using Lunapads is more about attitude than about the actual task involved in washing your pads. Thousands of women in North America, not to mention millions of women around the world, regularly wash their own pads. In fact, many women around the world do not know of any other option, or cannot afford the luxury of purchasing and disposing of used products each month. Most of our customers do not buy into the stigma of menstruation being a dirty chore. They don't believe that convenience should outweigh the benefits of taking better care of their health and the environment.

What's it like to switch from disposable pads and tampons?
While we understand that washing your own pads may be a hard idea to get used to at first, we have some opening suggestions for starting out. First off, check in with your expectations and lifestyle. We're often asked things like "What if I go swimming?" or "What if I want to wear a white mini skirt?" and the like. Lunapads are not a miracle product, and while we try our best to make pads that will work for as many women as possible for the different times of their cycle, the reality is that sometimes it's just not going to work. What we can promise you is that Lunapads are far more comfortable than any disposable pad you've ever used, and that while they may not be perfect for you in every situation, they will be just right at other times. By introducing Lunapads into even part of your cycle, you will definitely save money and create far less waste.

You don't need to use Lunapads for your entire cycle. Lots of women just use Lunapads at night, when they're at home, or on light days. Lots of women use Lunapads as backup for sea sponges, the Keeper or organic cotton tampons. As far as we're concerned, it's about healthy choices and finding out what works best for you personally.

• Switching from disposable pads:

I actually started wearing Lunapads before I got involved with the company and loved them from day one. As an urban, young woman, who -- like most of us these days -- has a hectic schedule, I always thought that washable menstrual pads would never fit into my lifestyle. I came across Lunapads through a strong recommendation from a friend, and began using them on a trial basis around the house. I instantly fell in love.

I had previously been a disposable pad user, as my body was too sensitive for tampons. Switching from a wadded up paper product, sometimes lined with plastic, with a strip of glue down the back, to a comfy cotton fleece pad was like heaven for me. In my first few months of wearing Lunapads I often described the feeling as being akin to wearing your pjs under your jeans, a level of comfort that few of us can argue with.
-Emira M,

• Switching from tampons:

From my very first period, I was always a tampon user. Every month I went through all the different sizes throughout my menstrual week, and although I found them convenient, I suffered the irritation of pulling out a mostly dry tampon toward the end of my cycle and it really bugged me. However, it wasn't enough to make me switch to pads -- not even panty liners --which I had tried once and hated thanks to the diaper-y feeling I got when I wore them. So when a friend brought me a Lunapad as a gift, I decided what the hell -- I'd try it. I absolutely loved it.

Bear in mind that you are reading this testimonial from a full-blown anti-pad wearer. There is no connection between Lunapads and the disposables you get in the store. First of all, Lunapads are fleecy, and feel altogether different in your panties -- there's no diaper-y feeling. Secondly, they're cozy and comfortable, which is especially nice for those feeling yucky/crampy days. Third, they're miraculously easy to clean, and I never expected they would be. My big misgiving with reusable pads, aside from my misconception about their comfort level, was that they'd be forever riddled with past reminders of last month's period. A little cold water and mild soap, then a toss in the washing machine, and voila! Somehow, they don't stain! And as an added bonus, they become softer with use.

Now, I even wear my Lunapads with tight pants, as they're also thankfully unbulky. I would recommend them to anyone!
- Carly M., Writer

Tell me about Lunapads design, fabrics, thickness, absorption and breathability.
Making washable menstrual pads is a trickier business that you might imagine. You want pads that are comfortable, absorbent, easy to use, easy to wash, breathable, long lasting, not bulky, attractive and that won't leak or soak through. A tall order, if you think about it. Basically, there are two options. Pads can be made from only fabric, usually multiple layers of cotton flannel, or they can be made to include some sort of fluid-resistant layer to offer better protection and cut down on bulk. Each method has benefits and shortcomings. Read on, and we'll give you all the details on why Lunapads are made the way they are.

With the cloth only technique, to achieve appropriate absorption, multiple layers of fabric must be sewn together, making the pad quite thick and risking soaking through within a relatively short time. Another shortcoming of this method is that it can be harder to clean them, as the flow is caught in many layers of fabric. The potential benefit to this technique is superior breathability, depending on fabric choice, how many layers are used, and how much stitching is used to hold them together.

The second way is what has taken us over 8 years to develop here at Lunapads which we feel best addresses women's needs with minimal compromise. Starting with just 2 layers of 100% cotton flannel, we insert a very thin layer of water-resistant (not waterproof, big difference) nylon between them. This is the part that wraps around your underwear. On top of that we sew 2 layers of 100% cotton fleece, fabric that we have found to be softer, more absorbent, and more breathable that flannel on its own. From there, you can add extra fleece liners on top if you need them. Having the fleece liners on top, instead of underneath, allows for maximum comfort against your body. The result is a pad that protects without being bulky, is adjustable for different types of flow, breathable and easy to clean.

When it comes to leaks, as with any other menstrual products, you need to change them within a reasonable amount of time to prevent accidents from happening. So, let's say that you're having a heavy flow day, but don't change your Lunapad for several hours - in all honesty, it will probably soak through. You'd probably get the same result from a single-use pad. Figuring out exactly when to change them is part experience, part common sense and part intuition. It won't take long for you to figure out what will work for you in this respect.

Are Lunapads sanitary?
Absolutely. Just like underwear, Lunapads are made from cotton and worn outside of the body. Menstrual flow is a natural, harmless substance that is in no way unclean. Messy maybe, but unsanitary no. What actually seems strange to us is that disposable products call themselves "sanitary" in the first place. Think about it - most mainstream disposable pads and tampons are made from synthetic fibers that are treated with toxic chemicals, bleaches, surfactants, perfumes, waxes and plastic. Women use them for a few hours and then it's into the landfills - sounds pretty yucky for something that calls itself "sanitary"! Change your Lunapads frequently, rinse and wash as directed and you won't have any problems.

How often should I change them/ how many do I need?
How many Lunapads you go through in a day and a cycle will depend entirely on you and your body. Since there isn't really one universal answer to this question, we're including different women's responses when we posed this question to them.

• Maddy Kipling (heavy flow/problem periods):
  I am a very heavy flow girl. In fact I've been hospitalized many times for the excessive nature and pain of my periods. I first tried Lunapads three and a half years ago, and I swear by them now.

  I used to only use tampons (extra-heavy flow), because pads do a person like me no mercy, plus they pull the old pubes, and cups (like the Keeper) did not work for me. My cramps lightened once I stopped jamming objects inside myself. The cotton is softer than my underwear.

  I have 8 pads, and numerous liners. I change my liners once every 3-4 hours. At home I soak them in cold water, at work I rinse and wrap in tissue until I get home. During the heavy days, I use 2 pads and 3-4 liners. I soak, hand wash, do laundry mid-week, and have plenty pads available.

  I save an average of $30/month = $360/year = ~$1500/lifetime. I am helping the environment & protecting my body. I don't smell, I don't have any leaks at night in bed, and my boyfriend thinks the patterns are so cute.
  - Maddy Kipling, Actor
  

• Lauren B. (heavy/average flow)
  I'm the proud owner of a big stack of Lunapads, because I'm lazy and don't do laundry as often as I should. My collection includes five regular pads, one night pad, and three mini-pads, as well as nine liners. My periods are pretty heavy, so I generally start out by adding two liners to a regular pad, and changing the liners a couple of times a day -- that way, the pad beneath stays pretty much clean and dry, and I only have to change my pad once a day. I use the night pad on the first night of my period, because my flow is extra-heavy that night, but the rest of the time I stick with my regular pads right through the night. After the first couple of days, I can use a regular pad with only one liner, or none at all. The mini-pads come into play for the last couple of days of my period.
  - Lauren B.

• Liisa Ingimundson (average flow):
  The biggest thing for me is having enough Lunapads to not have to reuse one during my cycle. When I first started, I only bought three and I would really have to stay on top of washing out and drying them in time to use one again, but now I own enough to use one and move onto the next and then wash them all when my cycle is done. Way less work.
  -Liisa Ingimundson, Actor
  

What do I do when I'm away from home?
As lovely as it would be if we all got to spend a few days sitting at home watching videos or reading during our periods, few of us have the luxury. Inevitably, if you make the switch to washable pads, you are going to find yourself at work, out for the day or even travelling, where you are away from home and needing to change your pad or liner.

We used to suggest carrying a plastic bag or make-up case during the day with spare Lunapads or liners in it, swapping fresh with used as necessary. We have recently gone one step beyond that, packaging Lunapads in their own reusable vinyl purses for this very purpose. The purses are just the right size for bringing an extra pad or two along with you for the day, plus they're included in the price of the pads!

How do I wash Lunapads?
Lunapads are completely machine wash and dry safe. Like anything with blood on it, it is a good idea to soak Lunapads in cold water and rinse them out before you put them in the laundry. You can just throw them in with your towels or your sheets if you don't want to run a separate load. They will shrink somewhat, if you put them in the dryer, as they are made from cotton.

Regardless of whether you choose to wash your Lunapads by hand or machine, we strongly discourage you from using chlorine bleach as it is bad for the product, and more importantly harmful to you and the environment.

Can I wear them while I sleep?
Lunapads are great for wearing during the night. They are so comfortable you probably won't even notice that you have them on. For women whose flow is heavier during the night we have developed nighttime pads which are longer than the regular average to heavy flow Lunapad. They also come with removable liners so that you can make them thicker if necessary. Many women start out by just wearing their Lunapads at night. Some continue to only use them at night. Try them out and decide for yourself.

Can I wear them with regular underwear?
Yes, you just snap the three small lingerie snaps on Lunapads around your regular underwear. If you typically wear thong underwear, you might find it a little bit tricky to get your Lunapad in the right place. You might be more comfortable using a fuller cut panty during your period days. Unfortunately, if you prefer to wear boxers instead of girlie underwear, you might also have to make a switch for the days that you are wearing your Lunapads.

What styles and patterns are they available in?
Lunapads come in three styles: regular maxis for average-to-heavy flow; mini pads, for lighter flow and longer nighttime pads. All styles are available in 100% cotton prints and colours or 100% organic cotton. Each pad consists of a flannelette base that wraps around your underwear and fastens with small plastic lingerie snaps. The base contains a thin layer of breathable nylon (you can't see, hear, or feel it) that helps prevent soaking through.

The absorbent part is made from fleece (like the inside of a sweatshirt) that is sewn onto the base. This is the part that you sit directly on. The difference between the three styles is that the average-to-heavy style is wider (has wings that rest against the inside of your thighs for better coverage) and also has an extra liner pad that you can use to make it thicker. Mini pads are about 2" shorter and do not have the extra wings or liner pad. Nighttime pads are longer than the average-to-heavy flow pads, but still have the extra liner pad that you can use to make them thicker if necessary.

How are Lunapads made?
Lunapads are cut and sewn by two groups of people right here in Vancouver, BC. The first group are sewers who choose to work on Lunapads in their own homes. This process is overseen by our production manager, Judy Ho, who facilitates multi-lingual communication between us all. The second group is a small family-owned factory less than one block away from the Lunapads offices who have also become regular dim sum companions. These relationships are of paramount importance to us and we are committed to ensuring that our production partners are happy and proud to be part of the Lunapads team.

What's the difference with organic cotton?
Conventionally grown cotton is one of the most pesticide-intensive crops in the world. Organic farming is healing the planet and promoting sustainable agriculture and communities, now and for the future.

What's the difference for you? Lunapads made with organic cotton cost more, and are currently available in just one beautiful color. Other than that, they work the same as any other Lunapads. Some customers report that they find the organic pads to be softer. You might want to consider purchasing organic cotton Lunapads if you want to support sustainable agricultural practices, or if you are chemically sensitive to disposable menstrual products. Last but not least, we have had the immense good fortune to meet our organic cotton suppliers personally, and were deeply impressed with their depth of commitment to their chosen work.

What are Lunapads' life expectancy?
Lunapads can last for many years, depending on how they're washed and whether they're washed and re used during one cycle or not. A safe bet is at least three years, but many of us have been using the same Lunapads for far longer than that. Please remember not to wash your Lunapads with bleach, as it will not only cause environmental damage, but also decrease the life expectancy of the pads.

How much money can I save by using Lunapads?
This depends on several factors, including how heavy your periods are and whether or not you use Lunapads for your whole cycle. A good way of figuring it out is to take a look at how many disposable pads or tampons you normally go through in a month. How much did they cost? Multiply that by 12 and you'll get an annual figure. The other way to look at this issue is, how much is a cleaner planet worth to you? Lunapads are a way of taking responsibility for the damage we as human beings have done to the environment. In other words, "cost" becomes a relative concept when we enlarge it to encompass the bigger-picture environmental costs of our "convenient" consumer choices.

Can I use Lunapads for incontinence?
While Lunapads are not specifically designed for this purpose, many customers report that they work wonderfully for light incontinence. Lunapads have a thin breathable nylon lining built into them that helps, but is not to be relied on for longer periods of time or more chronic conditions. The major benefits of using Lunapads for light incontinence is that they are far less irritating, expensive and wasteful than disposable products.