In my continued pursuit of moving to non-toxic products, I had the opportunity to try Lunapads period underwear. Since I’m already a huge menstrual cup fan, I wasn’t sure how impressed I’d be with period underwear, though I have been curious about them. I loved that they were another sustainable option, but I had all the same fears that I’ve heard others mention – won’t they leak? Won’t I smell? What about if I’m in public and I have to change them?
So how do they work?
Each pair of Lunapads undies comes with an absorbent gusset that can hold as much fluid as a single tampon or pad. They also come with removable inserts so you can change them throughout the day as needed, depending on your flow. This means you don’t have to change your entire undies if you’re out in public, you simply replace the insert, just like a conventional pad. You can put your used insert into a wet bag and dump it straight into the laundry when you get home. Don’t worry – the wet bag will keep your purse or work bag from “smelling” like period and will keep everything dry. If you change your insert regularly (as often as you’d change a pad or tampon), you shouldn’t have any issues with leaking.
They are super comfortable
Lunapads underwear are SO comfortable and soft. Think about how nice it is to lounge around in sweatpants all day because that is what these underwear feel like to me. They are great for sleeping because they’re not going to shift (like pads might) and you don’t have to worry about changing them throughout the night like you should be with tampons. The crotch of these are made of 100% organic cotton so they won’t dry you out like pads or tampons can.
They come in a variety of different styles, from bikini cut to boxer shorts so these are a good option for non-binary people that are looking for gender-affirming period products. Also, since there is literally no trick to using them (just put them on like normal underwear) they’re a good sustainable and non-toxic option for people that are just entering puberty and beginning to have their first periods.
These can also be a helpful option for those with a weakened pelvic floor who are looking for extra protection during the day. So if you urinate slightly when you cough or laugh, these are plenty absorbent. The underwear can also be used as a back-up method to tampons/menstrual cup or for spotting, thus eliminating the need to hang on to any ugly, period-week panties.
Provide coverage during exercise
Since they fit closely and comfortably to your vulva, you don’t have to worry about changing products if you’re off to exercise. The underwear does come with an insert for heavier flows that slides into the underwear, sort of like a pad. This is awesome for those with a heavier flow and works well for low-impact or seated exercises such as walking, using an elliptical or riding a bike. However, if you’re engaging in more strenuous exercise or exercise that requires major movement of your body, such as jiu jitsu or ballet, the insert may shift. It shouldn’t leak, but it might roll or be a little uncomfortable or awkward. I personally skipped the insert all together for exercise and had no issues.
Also, if you enjoy sex on your period, Lunapads underwear are great because you don’t have to do the whole awkward – “One sec, gotta run to the bathroom to pull out my tampon” routine. Simply side them off and enjoy a lovemaking session.
Sustainable, non-toxic and easy to clean
These are a great sustainable and non-toxic option for people that are transitioning over from conventional products. They will be especially loved by people that prefer pads over tampons and they have the added benefit of saving you money long-term. Although the underwear are more expensive than traditional underwear, they will last you for years and save you the monthly cost of disposable products.
The underwear is made of an organic cotton/spandex blend with no added chemicals making them much safer for you than conventional period products. Finally, they can also be easily hand-washed or tossed in with your regular laundry so they’re effortless to keep clean. If you’re truly worried about the blood or had a particularly heavy flow, you can always rinse the underwear first before tossing in the wash.
Final thoughts
Overall, I love the Lunapads period underwear, but they do have some limitations. As someone that works long days and has a lengthy commute, these are not my preferred method for work days. I’ve become spoiled with my menstrual cup so I personally don’t like having to remember to change my period product every 4ish hours and I don’t like having to predict how many products I need to bring with me to make it through the day.
Of course, this isn’t a unique issue to Lunapads underwear, this is a normal issue that I also ran into when using pads and tampons. So if you’re someone that is a traditional pad or tampon user currently, Lunapads underwear are still a convenient option. Plus, the inserts lay flat so they won’t take up as much space as pads/tampons which is another perk if you’re using them for a long day or for travel.
I LOVE how soft and comfortable these are so they are my new go-to product on my weekend and when I sleep because they are so low effort and cozy. I also like that I can just toss them in my laundry and don’t have to go through the cleaning process associated with my menstrual cup. The cotton on the underwear is also super gentle on my vulva and doesn’t dry me out the way that conventional tampons/pads do.
Lunapads Underwear are a great option for:
- People that prefer pads or other non-insertable methods of period protection
- Non-binary people seeking menstrual products that better affirm their gender identity
- People looking for non-toxic, feminine care
Lunapads Underwear may not be the preferred option for:
- People that engage in high intensity workouts during their periods
- People that prefer internal methods, such as tampons or menstrual cups
Vanessa Torres, MA
Vanessa Torres M.A. is a sexual health expert whose passions include harm-reduction and individual agency. Her work has been featured in Critical Public Health and the Journal of Homosexuality.
