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144 pairs donated to Pad the Mitten, The Detroit Period Project, and I Support the Girls Detroit as of 10/2024
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What websites should I visit to learn more?Visit these websites:
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At what age does menstruation normally begin?The average age that people begin menstruating at is 12, but the process can begin as early as 8 years old or as late as 16 years old.
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What are other sustainable alternatives to pads and tampons?Period underwear There are many other period underwear companies that have the same mission as EcoFlo: to reduce the amount of waste generated from menstruation. Menstrual cups These are hygiene devices that are made out of silicon and latex. Menstrual cups are worn similarly to a tampon. According to your flow, menstrual cups can be left in for up to 12 hours. They collect menstrual blood and are a great alternative! Cloth menstrual pads Cloth menstrual pads work in the same way as regular pads, except that they can be reused. Period discs Menstrual discs are extremely similar to menstrual cups, but they have a different shape and sit at the base of your cervix. All of these alternatives have certain washing and care requirements. EcoFlo is not an expert on menstrual cups, cloth menstrual pads, or period discs, and is unable to provide the necessary specific information according to these products. Be sure to research these prior to making any purchases in order to ensure stay healthy and safe! To discover a few more details about these products, visit:
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What are the stages of a menstrual cycle?The increase and decreasing of your hormones trigger the steps in your menstrual cycle. The events that occur during your menstrual cycle are: The menses phase: This phase is commonly known as your period. It typically lasts from day one to day five. The follicular phase: This phase typically takes place from days six to 14. During this period, the level of the hormone estrogen rises, leading to the thickening of the lining of your uterus. Another hormone called follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) causes follicles in your ovaries to grow. Between days 10-14, one of these follicles will create a fully mature egg. Ovulation: This phase occurs around day 14 in a 28-day menstrual cycle. An increase in luteinizing hormone (LH) causes your ovary to release its egg. The luteal phase: This phase lasts from about day 15 to day 28, when the egg leaves your ovary and begins to travel through your fallopian tubes to your uterus. The hormone progesterone rises in order to make your uterine lining ready for pregnancy. In the case that the egg becomes fertilized by sperm and attaches itself to your uterine wall, you will become pregnant. Otherwise, estrogen and progesterone levels will drop and the thick lining of your uterus sheds.
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At what age does menopause begin?Menopause is when you stop producing eggs, or stop ovulating. For most people, menopause occurs at about the age of 51.
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What is PMS?PMS, or premenstrual syndrome, is the physical and emotional symptoms you may feel before you get your period. The fluctuation of hormones is responsible for symptoms like cramps, bloating, fatigue, moodiness, breakouts, and more. PMS often shows up a few days before your flow begins.
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What is a period?A period is the monthly shedding of the lining of the uterus, an organ that is critical during menstruation, fertility, and pregnancy. Menstrual blood is both blood and tissue from the inside of your uterus. It flows from your uterus through your cervix, a small canal that connects your uterus and vagina, and exits your body through your vagina. Menstruation is driven by hormones released from your pituitary gland, a pea-sized endocrine gland located at the base of your brain that releases several significant hormones, and from your ovaries, which also produce eggs for menstruation and pregnancy. These hormones thicken of the lining of your uterus. This is because if a pregnancy were to occur, an egg could implant into your uterine lining. Additionally, hormones result in your ovaries releasing an egg, a process called ovulation. During ovulation, the egg waits for a sperm in your fallopian tubes. If a sperm does not fertilize the egg, then pregnancy does not happen. The lining of your uterus sheds, resulting in your period!
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How much blood do I lose on every period on average?On average, you should expect to lose between two and three tablespoons of blood during your period.
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How long does a period last?Most people have a period for between three and seven days.
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What about TSS?Toxic Shock Syndrome (or TSS) can occur due to the use of tampons for a longer amount of time than the one suggested on the product description. It does not occur with period underwear.
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Will an odor become apparent?An odor will not become apparent if the underwear has been washed before use and has been worn for the recommended amount of time (no more than 8 hours). We highly suggest adjusting wear time according to your unique flow.
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How much fluid can they hold?After being tested both by us and our manufacturers, EcoFlo period underwear have been proven to be able to absorb up to 45mL of blood. This nearly 4 super tampons worth of fluid!
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How do EcoFlo underwear work?At EcoFlo, we know how frustrating it is to find a sustainable alternative to pads and tampons. The majority of our survey respondents have claimed that the other products that they have tried are too bulky or not absorbent enough. At EcoFlo, we hope to solve this issue. The inside of EcoFlo underwear is 80% polyester and 20% nylon, while the outside is 78% nylon and 22% spandex. This combination means that they are anti-static, breathable, and dry quickly. Even more, they're high waisted, which gives additional comfort. They can absorb up to 45mL of blood (the same as about 4 super tampons!). The secret to this ability is the underwear's 4 layers. One of these is a PTU film treatment- the key to the leak proof quality that we all love. Further, the underwear includes antibacterial lining to prevent the inhibition of bacteria such as Staph and E.Coli. The front and back of the underwear have an extended liner to prevent leakage.
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Are EcoFlo period underwear hygienic?Yes, as long as they are washed according to our instructions! Our washing instructions are included on each product page, in addition to the "How to Use" section of the FAQs. Each order also comes with a care information card. However, please be sure to review these instructions prior to making a purchase! For more information, visit:
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Are EcoFlo underwear fragrance free?Yes, EcoFlo underwear are 100% fragrance free in order to protect your skin from irritability.
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What are EcoFlo underwear made out of?The inside of EcoFlo underwear is 80% polyester and 20% nylon, while the outside is 78% nylon and 22% spandex. This combination ensures breathable and stretchy fabric for you to move around freely in!
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What are PFAs? Do EcoFlo underwear contain PFAs?PFAs are also known as per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances. They are widely used, long lasting chemicals that are found in many different consumer, commercial, and industrial products. Exposure to PFAs has been associated with a variety of health effects, including altered thyroid function, liver disease, insulin dysregulation, kidney disease, developmental outcomes, and cancer. EcoFlo underwear are OEKO-Tex 100 certified. This means that they have been tested for harmful substances, such as PFAs, to protect your health. EcoFlo underwear do not contain PFAs.
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How do I know when my period underwear is full?If the seams of your period underwear are wet, it's a sign that they are full and that it is about time for you to change into a fresh pair of period underwear. We suggest keeping a wet bag or resealable bag nearby in case you have to change while on the go and need a place to store your used underwear!
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How do I wash my period underwear?Hand wash with detergent in cold water before first wear and after each use. It is optional, but recommended, to follow this with a machine wash on cold cycle (you can wash your period underwear with your clothes/towels after you've hand washed them). Wash without bleach or softener (preferably use a wash bag to avoid to damage the fabric). Hang dry.
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What is the fit like?EcoFlo underwear are high-waisted, non-bulky, breathable, and stretchy. For help with choosing a size, please refer to our size chart, which can be found both in the product description and in the space below:
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How many pairs of period underwear do I need?We suggest getting 3-5 pairs of EcoFlo underwear to ensure that you are covered for each day of your period, and so that you wont have to keep washing the same pair each day.
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How long can I wear EcoFlo underwear for in a given day?We recommend wearing EcoFlo period underwear for no more than 8 hours, and we suggest that you adjust wear time according to your flow. EcoFlo underwear can absorb up to 45mL of blood (the same as about 4 super tampons!)
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How much waste do pads and tampons generate?On average, people with menstrual cycles have a period for about 38 years. It's estimated that 86% of people with a period use tampons, up to 72% use pads, and 75% use panty liners. Overall, according to Stanford University, in the United States alone approximately 12 billion pads and 7 billion tampons are discarded each year. This has several environmental implications. To begin with, many of these products end up in a landfill. Others clog sewers or contribute to the amount of plastics in our oceans (it is estimated that there are 5.25 trillion pieces of plastic debris in the ocean!). Even worse, tampon applicators can take up to 20 years to break down, and can be ingested by animals. The ways in which pads and tampons are produced are just as bad as the consequences that come with their dispoal. The plastics that are used in pads and tampon applicators are low-density polyethylene, a type of plastic that requires energy-intensive processing. An immense amount of fossil fuel emissions are involved in the process of making these products.
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What is your shipping policy?Delivery times and costs depend on the destination location. EcoFlo ships by USPS. Shipping costs will be shown in the cart at the time of checkout. Once the product has shipped, you will be emailed a tracking number to track your package.
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What is your return policy?If you are unsatisfied with your purchase from EcoFlo within 30 days of the purchase, we have a 100% money-back guarantee. Simply send us an email at info.ecoflo@gmail.com for more information on the return process.
Still have questions?
For more information, please email info.ecoflo@gmail.com or fill out the form to the right!
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