Two cycles ago I finally made the switch from disposable menstrual products to a more eco-friendly alternative. It’s been something I’ve wanted to do for awhile but I just couldn’t grasp the concept of a menstrual cup and washable cloth pads. The ewww factor always came up for me even though menstruation doesn’t make me squeamish. Since I’ve made the switch I’ve learned that this new routine is SO MUCH easier and more enjoyable than I thought it would be. Yup, you heard me right. What I thought was going to be a huge hassle (but worth the extra work) actually ended up being easier and more enjoyable. I’ve decided to embrace my monthly flow and celebrate it’s return each month as a sign that I am fertile and able to procreate when I’m ready. Gratitude for the simple things in life can really go a long way in helping you achieve the life of your dreams.
Before I go any further I should warn you that things are about to get really personal. You can’t say I didn’t warn you! I promised to be open and honest about my approach to preparing my body for pregnancy so here goes nothing…
I finally decided to make the switch when I started to take a really close look at all the ways that I could reduce my exposure to environmental toxins before conception. Learning that cotton is considered the world’s ‘dirtiest’ crop due to its heavy use of insecticides (the most hazardous pesticide to human health) made me re-assess my decision to continue using tampons. In all honestly, the more I thought about it, the more it made me sick to my stomach that I was unknowingly inserting such a toxic product into my body each month. This really hit home for me as I thought about creating a safe home for a baby.
Initially, this decision made me switch to organic tampons… at least now my body wasn’t absorbing all those chemicals, right? But at what cost? I was still contributing to the 20 billion pads, tampons and applicators that are being sent to North American landfills each year AND this pricey alternative was really cutting into our budget. I started searching for a healthier, more eco-friendly option and realized that a local company, founded by Suzanne Siemens & Madeleine Shaw, was providing the very solution I was looking for over at lunapads.com! Here is a cute little promo video they recently created:
At first I was overwhelmed by the multitude of options available from Lunapads and I wasn’t sure where to start. There is no one-size-fits-all with periods, every woman is uniquely different and I wanted to make sure that the products I bought would be best suited for my flow and lifestyle. A simple click on their “Need Assistance?” box immediately connected me with Morgan, a very friendly and knowledgeable lunagal who was happy to answer all of my questions and make the whole process a lot easier. (I love good customer service!)
It was really important to me that I find a tampon alternative because using pads every day of my cycle just doesn’t fit well with my active lifestyle. At first I was a little bit intimidated by this seemingly not-so-little cup and being really unsure about when and where I was going to be able to empty and clean it with privacy. I was happily surprised to learn that you only need to change it a minimum of every 12 hours. What this meant for me is that I wouldn’t have to deal with it outside the house which was a huge bonus. I could insert the cup in the morning and then remove, rinse and replace it in the evening, all within the comfort of my own home. This is when it became apparent to me that the Diva Cup was going to be less of a hassle than tampons that need to be changed every few hours. So what exactly is the Diva Cup? It’s an internally worn reusable silicone menstrual cup that collects menstrual flow. It can be used for light, moderate or heavy flows and is perfect for overnight use! It is inserted in the vagina and sits at the lower base of the vaginal canal. It was even less noticeable than tampons. I didn’t feel it at all once it was inserted correctly and it didn’t leak! It took one cycle for me to really get the hang of the insertion process but now it’s quick and easy. Visual learner? Lunapads offers detailed insertion and removal instructions.
Seriously, these are the best invention ever! Lunapanties are a unique combination of underwear and lunapads all rolled into one. They are basically just underwear that come with some extra padding in the crotch area and they have cotton bands that allow you to double up on the protection by adding absorbent inserts. Both the lunapanties and inserts are made from super soft organic cotton (95%) and lycra (5%) for a snug fit. They are REALLY comfortable and can be worn as everyday underwear, for light to average flow or as backup protection with the Diva Cup. They have brief, bikini, hipster and thong styles that include a liner insert to adjust absorbency. I personally love the hipster style. They are super comfortable and I still feel sexy wearing them! Gone are the days of chaffing and itching. They don’t ride up or shift around and you can change the liner as needed. You can either wash them by hand or throw them in the washing machine. I bought 3 pairs and I’m so happy with them. I LOVE my lunapanties!
Still have some unanswered questions about how to use or wash the Diva Cup and/or Lunapanties? Check out the Tips & Advice page or leave me a comment below! They also have recommended products for your needs through pregnancy and postpartum.
Lunapads.com has some really great deals on right now. The Diva Cup is $34.99 and for the month of September their Sampler Pack (which is my next purchase!) is $24.99
Use the coupon code PERIODLOVE to receive an additional 10% off on orders over $35 (expires on March 31st, 2011)
Thank you for sharing your thoughts and experiences!
I am also a LunaPad and Diva cup user and have had a wonderful change to my time of them month, less dread and I feel really good when I rinse wash and prepare my pads for next time. It is NOT hard to do!
Which is more ucky a landfill full of disposables or a quick rinse and wash of your pads once a week?(it is easier than cloth diapers) Course we could also talk about the money saved but that is just a small part of why I switched.
BRAVO to all women who do what they can to be the change! Spread the word and then each woman can tell two friends and so on and so on…
Thanks for sharing your thoughts Karen. I’m so happy that I made the switch… I only wish I would have done it sooner! I’m happy to spread the word about these amazing products!
Funny you should write a post on this I just had this conversation with my girlfriend a few days ago and we couldn’t come to a place of being able to do this. It eeked us but you have made me ponder it. I am still not ready to make the plunge but you have planeted a seed.
In gratitude,
Kate
Try it, you might like it…..allot!
😉 I recently converted my eldest to them after she experienced chaffing and her sisters followed. My girls had expressed their opinions very strongly as a no way mom! to lunapads, but they tried them and liked them.
Just think for a moment about how many disposables you use, and start to multiply by your house, your street, your city…it starts to get pretty gross very fast and they will not be gone for many years AND what are they leaving behind?!
So give them a try.
Best gift to give yourself…LunaPanties!
My dream is that my little sister will go straight to lunapads and lunapanties, never having to experience disposables! She’s got a couple years to go before we have this chat 🙂
Hi Kate,
I absolutely recommend both the DivaCup and Lunapads, I too thought it was a bit weird but started to think about it and decided to try it out. First I made my own pantyliners using the pattern on this site: http://sites.google.com/site/shewhorunsintheforest/008
I doesn’t have to cost a lot if you just make one to try the feeling of using cloth instead of plastic. Maybe you have some materials at home to try it with. I used a t-shirt that was too small to make my first. Then I tried it to test if it would work, and when I had used it and washed it a couple of times I relaized it wasn’t all that bad. I bought a kit with a DivaCup and two pantyliners from Lunapads.com and I love it!
I’ve also made lots and lots of pantyliners myself, but this time I bought the fabric and buttons and didn’t use what I had at home, I relly like them as well, and it is easy and fun to make pantyliners. I don’t use the “t-shirt-pantyliner” anymore because the new ones are a lot better, but it was a good and cheap way to try it out. My boyfriends only comment has been “are you making even more? How many do you need?” To which I reply I make them because it is fun and yes I will need them, sooner or later.
Oooh thanks for the pattern Cornelia. I don’t know how to sew but I’ve got a friend who can teach me. I love the idea of making some of my own!
Thanks for being honest Kate. I completely understand. I’ve known about the diva cup and lunapads for some time now and just couldn’t get myself to a place of really embracing this time of the month. Now I wish I would have done it sooner! It’s surprisingly easier and less icky than I thought it would be! Heck I’m even going so far as posting my personal experience with it publicly. I’ve come a long way on this subject! In the future, if you’re wanting to make the switch but you have some unanswered questions because they seem too personal, feel free to ask me, I’d be happy to chat about it!
Seriously, give them a try. If you’re feeling squeamish, start simple with one of the pantyliners. I use these and just throw them in the wash along with everything else.
It’s so rare that something is not only better for the environment, but also cheaper, easier, more convenient, and more comfortable. Both the reusable pads and the menstrual cups are all of those. I’m not a fan of the diva cup myself (I find it too big and hate the stem) but found an alternative I really like (the Meluna, which is smaller and has a selection of stem, ball, ring, or smooth varieties).
And no, I don’t work for lunapads. 😉
I bought one cloth pad to try and found it to work quite well, better than I expected on a heavy day. I’ll be getting more. One caveat on Diva Cups that I learned too late (after buying and using one a few times) – you can’t use it if you have an IUD. It’s in very small print that I missed on the box. Oops.
Thanks for the tip Kelly! I have a few friends that have IUD’s and I had no idea that the Diva Cup wasn’t an option for them. I’m glad you brought this to my attention!
Oh no!! I had no idea either, I just made my appointment to get Mirena and I have been using the Diva Cup for about a year already… there is no way i’m giving up my Diva Cup if it can’t be used with an IUD… guess i’ll just have to figure out a different form of birth control…
Here’s some info from the Diva Cup website:
Q. Can The DivaCup be worn with an IUD?
A. The DivaCup is not suggested for use with an Intrauterine Device (IUD). It is possible for the IUD to become dislodged, displaced or removed wh…en the menstrual cup is removed by inadvertently pulling on the IUD string. As with all gynecological concerns, please consult with your physician.
Since we’re on the theme of natural alternatives that are better for your body and the environment I can’t help but share an AMAZING form of birth control that I’ve been using for the past few years. It’s called the Lady Comp and it’s scientifically proved to be 99.3% effective when used correctly.
I also highly recommend the book “Taking Charge of Your Fertility” so that you truly understand when you are fertile and when you are not through the Fertility Awareness Method. I will be writing a detailed blog post about all of this soon but wanted to give you some resources to research if you’re looking into birth control options right now.
Just Googled LadyComp…interesting! I actually used the methods in “Taking Charge of Your Fertility” (a fantastic book) to help conceive. My midwife did recommend using natural family planning for a while after giving birth since my sleep schedule would be erratic (oh, she had no idea how erratic!) and it could have been quite hard to keep track of my fertility signs accurately. I have Paraguard, which is the IUD with copper instead of hormones, and I’ve been quite happy with it. Definitely closer to natural than going back on the Pill, albeit not as natural as NFP/FAM.
I’ll also look into the other cups…didn’t know I had options in that arena.
Strange the Divacup should say that as most other cup companies consider them okay, but the Divacup is the largest(longest) of the reusable cups so maybe that’s why.
Well you convinced me, I am going to give it a try! I like the idea of comfort and love the idea of helping the environment. Now that I see photos of the products I am enthusiastic about giving them a try.
I am also a postpartum doula, if I have a good experience I will share it with my clients.
Thanks for taking the time to share!
Blessings 🙂
Yay! So happy that you’re going to give them a try. Let me know how it goes. I trust it’ll be great!
I have been using the Lunette Selene for a year now and have found its WAY less messy than traditional disposables. I almost cant believe I let myself be so messy and gorey for so many year! Recently I decided to try cloth pads as back up for when Im not on the pill and won some Lunapanties from Lunapads. I’m pretty excited to try them out!
Wow, I had no idea there were so many different kinds of menstrual cups, I had only really heard about the diva cup and thankfully it’s working great for me so I don’t need to find and try another!
I love that there are so many options for us to choose from these days! I’m so glad that it’s working out for you! You’re going to love your lunapanties 🙂
I met Madeleine back in the 90’s when we were both doing “fashion” and she was working on her packaging for LunaPads. She gave me a pad. I thanked her and put it in my bathroom cupboard. “This is too “granola” for me!”, I thought at the time, but I couldn’t throw it out. It was there for 12 years actually, through four moves even! Then I had two children and started my business. I was now struggling with my packaging when a woman at a networking event that I was at suggested I talk to Madeleine as my product (a hands-free pumping bra) leaned to the “non-mainstream” in a similar way that LunaPads did. So I reconnected with Madeleine and she helped me (and she continues to help me as my business grows).
And then I revisited her site for the first time in years. I pulled-out that LunaPad from my bathroom cupboard, ordered some more and ordered a DivaCup too. Then I gave away my huge Costco-sized box of tampons. I didn’t even want to use up the ones that I had.
I’ve never looked back. Ever.
That’s so awesome Wendy. Thanks for sharing your story! I can’t wait to try YOUR product when I’m breastfeeding 🙂 I’ve heard really great things about it.
Crystal,
What a great post! I was actually directed here from Lunapads’ FB page! I just have to share a brief snippet of my story.
I was raised with a mum who was very arms length when it came to a lot of personal issues. My dad told her it was time to take me shopping for a bra, if that’s any indication. We happened to be on holiday when I got my first menses, and unfortunately my mum didn’t understand the gravity of what I was trying to tell her and I had to blurt “I think I just got my period” out in front of my older brother and Father. EMBARRASSING! for sure! Mum then took me to the store put me in “the aisle” said “This is what I use but pick whatever you want” and walked away. Now I love my mum dearly, but this is just how she was raised and she really didn’t know better. Needless to say when I started having allergic reactions to the pads and tampons, which were by far worse and unusable except when I was competitively swimming, I felt I just couldn’t talk to my mum. I also started getting yeast infections regularly. About six months after moving out, age 20, a friend gushed her excitement about the divacup and lunapads. I didn’t hesitate! I went home, jumped online, decided what I wanted and clicked “order.” It’s been over four years now and I’ll never ever go back! No more allergic reactions, no yeast infections, and no unwanted bikini waxes! I hope to be able to have this talk with my 5 year old adopted sister when she’s of age, just so she has options!
Hi Amy, thanks for your comments. Unfortunately your story is not rare, I’ve spoken to so many women who have had similar experiences. I wish women were taught about all the options available to them so they didn’t have to go through this! I’m so happy to hear that the diva cup and lunapads are working well for you. I have a little 10 year old sister and I’d like to teach her the things I wish I would have known when I first got my period! Imagine going straight to something like lunapads, never having to experience disposables! That would be awesome 🙂
I actually heard of DivaCup when I was on the ubykotex website looking at their new stuff… ironic, I know! That’s what they get for allowing people to post messages on their site, lol. I had recently stocked up on pads and pantiliners, but after some online research I knew DivaCup was the right choice for me. I wear pantiliners every day, so I bought Lunapads pantiliners for every day, and a backup to the DivaCup. Five months after trying reusables, I finally gave all my disposables to my sister (because she thinks a menstrual cup is gross, and she’s not open-minded about it at all).
Although if I had the chance for a do-over, I would have donated the disposables to a women’s shelter.
Oh my gosh, that’s too funny Michelle. You were in the right place at the right time! I’m loving my diva cup and lunapanties. I want to try the pantyliners next! Donating the rest of my disposables to a women’s shelter sounds like a great idea, thanks for the tip!
I use the pantyliners, but hadn’t been brave enough to try the cup. Maybe now I will be!
I really want to get some pantyliners. LOVE the lunapanties so I’ll probably like the liners too. It took me 2 years to work up the courage to try the cup (and now I don’t know why because I love it!) It’s so much easier to use than I thought it would be (after the slight learning curve at the beginning.) There are other brands of cups too, especially on your side of the world so you could research your options!
Lunapads are superb. They work well, which is refreshing as the assumption might be that a natural product is not as effective. I like knowing that my body is able to do what it does naturally- detox effectively each month! I think we have overcomplicated life, returning to simple ways has to be the way forward.
It took me so long to make the switch because I really thought that lunapads would be really messy and would leak etc. but to my surprise they don’t! My monthly routine is much more enjoyable and easier this way. I also agree that it’s amazing to be more in tune with what your body does naturally and fully support the process. Thanks for your thoughts Joanna!
I came here from the Lunapds blog. Great post. Lunapads are great. Eveything about their company is top notch.
Here’s a web site you might find interesting. http://www.labyrinth.net.au/~obsidian/clothpads/links_make.html
For those of you who like making pads, you might enjoying making them and donating them for charity. Lunapads has info on their website for making and donating.
You can also check out Days for Girls at
http://projectthrive.org/Days%20for%20Girls%20-%20Washable%20Sanitation%20Pads%20Help%20Girls%20Stay%20in%20School.htm
They are currently working on kits to send to Kenya. They are doing regular kits and post natal kits.
You are so right. The ick factor is nothing and I got over pretty quickly. Cloth is so much nicer.
LaPriel
Hi LaPriel,
Thank you for the information! This is definitely on my to-do list. I just need to learn how to sew! I love the thought of making some and donating them to charity! 🙂
Thanks for this post, it has inspired me to pull out my diva cup and try it again. I bought it and tried it twice but didn’t get the insertion part down so gave up. Silly I know but I thought maybe I got the wrong size if that is even possible? Anyways, thanks. I’m gonna buy some lunapads too. They sound awesome.
Cheers,
Sarah
Hi Sarah, I’m glad you’re going to give it another try! I had to experiment with it for the first and second cycle to get it just right. Now it’s really easy to insert and remove. I love my lunapanties, now I need to buy some lunapads!
I’m so disappointed to hear I can’t use the Diva Cup with the IUD! I’m glad I read through the comments to find out. I have a copper IUD, which was painful to get “installed” (as my husband calls it – always makes me giggle) but I felt worth the pain to eliminate the hormonal fog I’ve been putting my body through since I was 17. (10 years – wow!) I will be looking at all the great options discussed here and in the comments. It never occurred to me that I had an alternative to disposables. After reading Don Delillo’s “Underworld” I’ve never been able to look at garbage the same. We push it away into dumps and far into the sea, but the garbage we create is real and defines us more than we like to admit. Anyway – rambling done – great post and thanks for your awesome blog!
I’d love to know what you decide to try and how it works out for you, keep me posted!
I switched from tampons when I was 19 or 20 (so 6-7 years ago), back before the Diva cup was even available, there was the Keeper (still available in the US, made of rubber). Switched to a Diva cup 4ish years ago and love it. I’ve gotten a couple of my friends to switch too!
I’ve never tried luna pads, because I had “period underpants”, but it might be nice for nighttime!! 😀
I don’t know why it took me so long to switch from tampons to the diva cup, I guess I just thought it was going to be a huge hassle, but it turned out to be easier! I haven’t tried the lunapads yet but love the lunapanties!
Thanks so much for posting about this. I tried Sea sponges before but you have to take them out every 4 hours, very annoying I found. After hearing how passionate my roommate was about the Divacup I went out and got one. I tried it last month, but didn’t get the hang of it. I will try it again in a few weeks time and see how it goes.
I noticed you mentioned the Lady Comp in a reply to a comment. I just googled this product and it sounds amazing! I”d like to get it down the road now, when I can afford it! I wrote on my blog a while back what all women should know about the BCP and this would be a great follow up posting once I try it out.
I just wanted to say that I found your website and review a bit ago through a link from the Enjoy Birth blog that I follow. Your review (and others I googled for) inspired me to order some lunapads–I just ordered them today. Thank you for posting the discount code. I already use the diva cup (got it at my local Whole Foods) and am excited to try these pads for added protection.
Hi Crystal,
I just bought a luna cup and liners based on the recommendations and discussions of this group.
Thanks a lot for posting your experience with the products.
Ana
Thanks, I’ve recently been looking for details about this topic for ages and yours is the best I’ve discovered so far.
I discovered the Diva Cup a few weeks ago, and being 13, had the guts to ask my mom to go out and get one. She said it’d be fine if I tried it (she’s a bit old-fashioned as far as periods go), and so far I LOVE it. I used it overnight for the first time, expecting it to leak, but nope! I’m so happy to make the switch so young, within the first year of my period, and hope to get some Lunapads too! I too had the ‘ick’ factor, at age 9, way before even starting my period! But I decided to educate myself about 2 months ago and Google them… I found that they weren’t gross at all! I have a few pads I acquired from a friend on YouTube (she had some unused samples, being a nursing student), and so far I love them. I hope to get more soon. Thanks for your review-I might want to try out LunaPanties-for more convenience at school!