Lunapads Blog

Ever since I started working at Lunapads, I had actually been looking forward to that time of the month. Too bad it was the cramps that first let me know I was on my period. Yes, unfortunately, I am one of those women who get cramps. So I can’t say that I heart my period. I heart my Advil. And my heating pad.

After reading some inspiring testimonials from other Lunagals that switching from disposable pads to Lunapads changed their attitudes, I was hopeful.  I was not disappointed.

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Some of you may have noticed all the hullabaloo about the shortage of o.b. tampons in drugstores across North America. It seems that in addition to discontinuing their highest absorbency tampon, the applicator-less brand is undergoing a mysterious “manufacturing update”, meaning that the entire line of o.b. tampons is out of stock until an undetermined date in 2011. I guess o.b. forgot that people who have periods tend to have them once a month!

Before I became a devout DivaCup and cloth pad user, o.b. was my tampon of choice and I know I would have been seriously bummed if I couldn’t get a hold of any.  Ladies are so desperate that o.b.s are being sold on Ebay for upwards of $100 a box! Sheesh, and people complain that reusables are too expensive?!?

There has been a distinct lack of explanation from Johnson & Johnson, the makers of o.b. tampons. As usual, whenever a company fails to tell their story themselves, folks are left to do their own research to figure out what’s going on. A number of wild theories are being thrown around about the reason for the tampon shortage, including possible manufacturing contamination or FDA complaints regarding the safety of the products.

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To everyone who missed out on our first round of giveaways, here’s another chance to win. Comment here to enter!

Here’s how to enter again:

Complete the 3 steps below & you’ll be entered to win 1 of 5 $25 gift certificates for Lunapads.com!

1. Watch the video on our YouTube Channel
2. Use the buttons below the video to Share via Facebook or Twitter, or <Embed> onto your blog or website. Tip: Use #clothpadsftw on Twitter and @Lunapads.com on Facebook.
3. Comment below telling us where you posted our video, including a link, if possible.

It’s been a while since our last video, but I think you’ll agree that this one is worth the wait.

Many of you have probably perused our Why Switch? section, which I admit verges on being overly extensive (there are a lot of reasons, after all!)  While the argument will be old news to our existing customers, our latest video is a one minute snappy version for women who have never heard of Lunapads (or even thought of cloth pads).  It’s also an entertaining little kick in the pants (pads?) to those fence-sitters out there, in the hopes that they will be inspired to relinquish their fears and reservations to take the leap to a brighter, more eco-positive menstrual future!

Do you have some friends who you’ve been meaning to tell about Lunapads, but didn’t know how?  Here’s the perfect thing to send their way!

Now, about that Giveaway:
Complete the 3 steps below & you’ll be entered to win 1 of 5 $25 gift certificates for Lunapads.com!

1. Watch the video on our YouTube Channel
2. Use the buttons below the video to Share via Facebook or Twitter, or <Embed> onto your blog or website. Tip: Use #clothpadsftw on Twitter and @Lunapads.com on Facebook.

3. Comment below telling us where you posted our video, including a link, if possible.

This is also a perfect opportunity to express some gratitude: Nancee, our summer marketing intern, fearlessly piloted this project from start to finish, bringing a happy mix of technical experience, creative insight and patient feedback-taking to the project. Some final visual and musical touches came via our uber-competent webmaster and all-round tech/creative Lunagal Lisa and her trusty accomplices Morgan and Sara. I know that I speak for everyone here when I say: It’s been great having you with us this summer, Nancee. We are totally thrilled with your work – thank you!

Thanks you guys for all your support, we ♥ you!!!  We’ll announce the 5 winners in September’s newsletter. (And if you have any other ideas or suggestions for future videos, please let us know below!)

When I first heard of reuseable menstrual products, I’ll admit that I was a little skeptical. Not skeptical that they would work necessarily, more skeptical that I would feel comfortable using them. I think I’ve mentioned before that I’ve always had trouble using tampons, and I’m sure a lot of us will agree that disposable pads are not the most comfortable things in the world (especially for those of us with a heavier flow), so you’d think that the idea of lovely soft fabric pads would have been appealing to me. Why would I not want something cute, obviously more comfortable, environmentally friendly and that will save me a ton of money in the long run? I guess the answer is twofold. Firstly, by and large most of us are taught from a young age that menstrual blood is something that is gross and dirty, and should quickly be disposed of. It is most definitely not something to be celebrated with cute, vibrant colours! Secondly, disposable products are really convenient. You use them once and then can either flush them or throw them in the garbage. Easy! Of course now I realize the environmental implications of this, and I also am just much happier using products that are easy on my body, comfortable, work really well and are cost effective. Initially I was a little shy about telling people that I used reuseable products, there is a certain crunchy stereotype and potential gross out factor, but the more I became aware of the benefits the more I wanted to let the women I know and love in on the secret. However, it is easy to forget my initial thoughts on cloth pads when I’m excitedly trying to bring my friends over to my way of seeing things. ‘You mean, you wash your used pads??’ Ok, so maybe that does sound a little sketchy or archaic if you’ve never considered using reuseable products before. Still, it really is important to me that my friends are using or are at least aware of  products that are good for them, and I’m pretty sure they’ll love them if they would give them a go. So I brave the weird looks and forge ahead with my sales pitch. Most people aren’t likely to get over the ‘Ew! Blood!’ factor straight away, so instead I frame my argument around how they will directly benefit from making the switch and dazzle them that way. There is a great section on the Lunapads website that has more detailed information if you’re interested in taking a peek, but basically I point out that they will save a bunch of money. I point out how much more comfy organic cotton and fleece is than sticky plastic. I point out that while yes a tampon seems convenient, you only have to empty your Diva Cup every 12 hours and you’re not constantly having to run to the store when you’re out of supplies. I’ll mention the nasty chemicals that are used in making the materials for disposable products that are both harsh on our bodies and the earth. A woman’s period can often be a painful and uncomfortable time of the month, so anything that is going to alleviate some of that even if it is just in peace of mind, is a plus. Hopefully once people do make the switch, they will also come to see the added benefits of becoming more in tune with their body and maybe one day even celebrating their period as the sign of a healthy body that it is. I would love to know your thoughts on this! Anyone else feeling a little shy about proclaiming their love of cloth pads to the world? Perhaps some of you have a great story or tips on how to chat to friends about making the switch? Let us know in the comments!

Yesterday’s Slate.com “Green Lantern” article questioning the environmental impact of reusable menstrual products begged for more than a brief comment in response. Is making the switch a mere drop in the bucket as far as waste goes, or part of a larger ripple effect?

Fence sitters and skeptics often ask us how green our products really are, along the lines of the so-called diaper “debate”. How green is washing your menstrual pads after all, once you factor in the raw materials, soap, water and energy (not to mention the hassle?) Some prominent green bloggers (including Grist.org’s Umbra Fisk) don’t see the impact of disposable menstrual products as being overly worth fretting about, a position quasi-supported by the Green Lantern herself, Nina Shen Rastogi.

Rastogi starts her post by referencing (from the book Flow) some compelling information about the amount of solid waste generated by disposable pads and tampons (62,415 lbs, or 0.5% of a woman’s gross lifetime landfill contribution) but quickly concludes that there are bigger fish to fry, suggesting that highlighting women’s monthly eco impact may constitute yet another source of shame for women, on top of that typically used to sell the products in the first place – why give women yet another guilt trip?

Rastogi is also quick to dismiss the environmental and health concerns that green feminine hygiene producers often raise about conventional products; namely what the long-term consequences of exposure to dioxin and the host of other chemicals, surfactants, plastics and perfumes that may or may not be present in pads and tampons might be, chlorine bleached or not.

While the US FDA and Health Canada claim that exposure to “trace” amounts of dioxin is safe, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) looks at the matter differently, asserting that there is no safe or acceptable amount, period.  The bottom line is that nobody actually knows – yet. Having just read this article about the effects of “trace” amounts of hormone disruptors such as phthalites and Bisphenol A, I can’t help wondering how long it might be before we see similar research exposing what many of us have long suspected about dioxin and other chemicals used in the manufacture of disposable pads and tampons.

Rastogi suggests if you are worried about your garbage output, you are better off buying bulk food and planning your grocery shopping to reduce food waste.

Hey, how about this crazy idea: why not do as much as you reasonably can? Why the cop-out on greening your period?

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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

Wow – it’s been a busy few days out there in media cyberspace for us menstrually-inclined types.  For those of you who might have missed it, on October 2nd the UK’s Guardian published a really interesting piece by Kira Cochrane about the current state of menstrual activism.  The article (which included a provocative photo of a woman wearing her menses as lipstick) elicited 160 comments, many of which were negative.  The article was complemented by another post on the same site from Rowenna Davis, who wrote a wonderful account of her own coming to consciousness around her period and how using a menstrual cup helped shift things for the good.  Her post generated over 100 comments, including many (mostly men) who found the topic disgusting.

Salon.com’s Amanda Fortini responded to the Guardian articles on October 6th with a scathing post questioning the necessity of menstrual activism.  Her premise is essentially that societal discomfort with menstrual matters is largely a thing of the past (maybe she didn’t read the comments to the Guardian pieces?) and that feminists have rustier axes to grind, such as pay equity and violence.

While this type of argument can make pretty much any pursuit seem petty (“well, it’s not going to stop a nuclear war, is it?”- my example), it is my perception that menstrual activism occurs on a crucial spectrum that ranges from body self-acceptance, sexuality, fertility, birth, breastfeeding and menopause – basically everything to do with women’s health and self-esteem.  Given this, I think it does matter – a lot. (more…)

We were really excited when we were contacted by Redbook magazine a few weeks ago.  Were mainstream women’s magazines finally ready for natural menstrual products?  Well, um, sort of.  Turns out that Lunapads weren’t the only period reference in the magazine (not counting the numerous ads for disposable pads and tampons) – check out what they had to say and see what you think…

“Your standard maxi pad might last five hours – but now you can get a pad that’ll last you five years!  The folks at Lunapads want you to add period products to the list of recyclables in your eco-friendly life.  These customizable cloth pads accommodate a wide variety of sizes and flows, and they’re machine-washable.  We’re all for going green, but this idea strikes us a little, um, yucky.”

Speaking of things that are yucky, this seems like a good opportunity to review the environmental impact of disposable pads and tampons.  A recent article by Eunice Wong at Truthdig.com spells it out in graphic detail, but for those who don’t have time to get all the way through it, here are some highlights:

There are 85 million women of menstruating age in North America. Conservative estimates are that the average woman disposes of between 10,000 and 15,000 tampons, pads and applicators in her lifetime. That’s about 250 to 300 pounds of waste per woman.  In the United States and Canada alone, more than 12 billion pads, tampons and applicators are tossed annually. (We typically quote the number as 14 billion, including applicators).

Which brings me to the article on the very next page, a laundry list of Redbook readers’ to-dos for President Obama.  Number 4 on the list is titled “Prioritize our planet’s protection“, saying “It’s time to go very green.  We must care for our world.”  Um, great idea – as long as we don’t have to wash our own menstrual pads, right?

Last but not least, 42 pages later a reader asks for advice on how to get her period-shy boyfriend into bed while she’s bleeding.  Among other options, Redbook’s Love Network expert Lou Paget suggests “point(ing) out that getting it on during your period could make for a new, different kind of fun.  The extra fluid causes more slipperiness that many couples really enjoy.”

Talk about mixed messages.  First we have Lunapads sounding great (until you get to the last line), then a stirring call to eco-arms, topped off with a strongly pro-period message (at least when you’re in the mood).  Hard to know what to make of it all, but at least we’re on the radar!

Dear Lunagals,

You could say I’m a really big Lunafan, and because I switched to cloth as a (belated) New Year’s Resolution, I thought I’d spend the last of my vacation after New Year’s writing about how cloth has changed my life.  Because, really, it has.

Last fall, I developed a multitude of unexplained allergies, including to disposable pads.  When researching the dermatological name for my type of reaction, I came across the Lunapads website.  Despite some individual reports that their irritation was cured by cloth pads, my first reaction was complete and utter disgust.  How could anyone re-use their pads?  But, I didn’t have a whole lot of alternatives.  In my 7 years of menstruation, I’d successfully used a tampon twice, and the other attempts were far from pleasant.  It was at least worth investigating this new option.

The best arguments that helped me get over my initial reaction weren’t about the environment, or saving money, or becoming more comfortable with my period.  They were very pragmatic:

First, I wasn’t very attached to disposables because they didn’t work very well; I had at least one leak each period, so I had to clean out my underwear in the sink anyway.  How would cleaning cloth pads be any different from what I already did?  I decided it couldn’t be all that bad.

Second, I read a number of testimonials that cloth pads don’t smell as bad as disposables.  Wait, you mean it’s not my period that smells, but it’s the pads?  Honestly, I was sold at this point.  The mere chance that I wouldn’t have to endure that odor (or worry that anyone else could detect it) was worth the initial cost.

Third, no matter how hard I tried, I could not find anyone (on the whole Internet!) who went from disposables to cloth and then went back.  No one said, “well that was a waste of money”, returned to their disposables, and wrote about it to warn others to not make the same mistake.  Sure, there were some naysayers, but none of them admitted to having ever tried a cloth pad.

I bought my Intro Kit on this very day one year ago as part of a promise to take better care of myself, along with giving up processed foods and taking up yoga.  When the pads arrived, I was surprised to find that, despite being about twice as thick as the disposable ultra-thins I was used to, they were far more comfortable because my very normal amounts of sweat could evaporate and they didn’t make that awful crinkling noise when I moved.  I eagerly anticipated my period, and when I first tried out my pads, I was hooked.  I did laundry 4 times during that first period on cloth to make sure that I always had a Lunapad to use.  Although there were a few mishaps, the experience was overwhelmingly positive, and I did not even consider going back. (more…)