Lunapads Blog

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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Name: Val
Home: California, USA
Age: 20
Lifestyle: Full time college student, mommy, and blogger.

Flow
2-3 Days Heavy, 2 Days average, 1-2 Days light, 3-4 Nights Heavy, 1-2 Nights Light.

What products are you using?
Regular tampons for 3-4 days, changing VERY often. Overnight pads for 6 nights, Overnight pads during the day 2-3 days. I usually have to change everything every 3-4 hours.  I have to get up at night to change my overnight pad, too.

Why do you want to switch?
I want to do what is best for my body and my earth. I love being green and sharing tips about going green with others — this is the next step!

Lunapads Rx
Thanks for writing, Val. We think you’re a great candidate for The DivaCup. It holds one full ounce of menstrual fluid, which may not sound like much, but consider this: the Mayo Clinic says that an entire heavy menstrual cycle is typically about 80ml, or 2.5 ounces (compared to the “average” cycle, which is 1 to 2 ounces). Remember, we’re talking about the accumulated flow over an entire period here.

Added bonus: The DivaCup is great for those looking to get a  good night’s sleep during their period. It can be worn for 12 hours at a time, so there’s no need to get up mid-slumber to change your pad or check your sheets – and no racing to the bathroom first thing in the morning, either.

For pad users, our Deluxe Heavy Flow Kit has really got you covered. It includes 3 Maxi Pads, 3 Long Pads and 1 Heavy Pad. Each Pad comes with a Wing and Basic Liner to match, so you’ll receive 14 Liners in total.

As seasoned Lunagals know, our Liner Inserts are really the ticket to extending the wear-time of your Lunapads. Just switch the Liners out before soaking through, and you can continue to use the same Pad for the rest of the day.  Those with heavy flow can easily layer liners to maximize absorbency and minimize leaks — and the thin, breathable nylon lining built right into the base of the pad provides additional security when you need it. Unlike other washable pads, Lunapads are made with super-soft and absorbent 100% cotton fleece, not just multiple layers of flannel.

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!

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It should go without saying at this point that Lunapads is deeply committed to sustainability, but of course there is always more that we can do. One of our long-held goals in this respect has been to switch our fabrics to being 100% organic. We are thrilled to announce that we are officially on our way!

For a long time we were held back by the limited availability of organic fabrics that were as attractive or as competitively priced as conventionally-grown goods. We are thrilled about how this has changed in the past few years, to the point where our main supplier of conventionally-grown fleece is now switching to all organic.

For a long time we were also afraid of what the transition would look like from a production perspective (ie complicated and expensive!), but have figured out an efficient way to deal with that as well. Basically, we have chucked the notion of worrying about mixing organic and conventional fabrics for the time being, and we think that you will love the results.

Here’s what you can expect: a growing selection of the same beautiful prints and soft fleeces that Lunapads has always been known for, but instead of being forced to choose between organic or regular cotton, you’ll get a mix of both (and for the same price as just regular cotton!) First up is our Heavy Pad & Wing Liner sets in Regular Cotton with a matching Organic Fleece Center Panel & Wing Liner. Watch for more styles coming up in new “hybrid” dropdown menus from the main Pads + Liners and Pantyliners navigation. Enjoy, and stay tuned for even more organic fabric news to come!

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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!

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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!

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