Jamaican women who experience the monthly discomfort of wearing sanitary napkins can now breathe a sigh of relief with Luna Care period underwear by De-Andrea Bryan, a 30-year-old geographic information systems (GIS) engineer.

Acknowledging the gaps in the Jamaican market for organic sanitary products coupled with her passion for wellness and business is what propelled Bryan to launch her own line of period underwear, Luna Care.

“I was always displeased with the protection that [menstrual] pads had to offer and the more I was utilising it month after month, the more I became uncomfortable,” Bryan said. “One time, I went out to the supermarket to get some pads and I was discussing with my cousin that there must be another alternative to this. We can’t be constantly using these, they’re so uncomfortable.”

Bryan added that having a geography degree prompted her to create a menstrual product that is more sustainable considering that the traditional ones are made of plastic and take several years to decompose.

“I just wanted something different so during that time I was really contemplating what I could use for myself, and I was thinking that if I was having the issue, it means that other women must be having this issue as well. And so that led me into a whirlwind of research, reading countless articles and really just digging deep to see what it is that I could create,” she explained. “And from that I stumbled upon this concept.”

Luna Care panties are leak-proof, reusable and can be hand or machine-washed, are made from different fabric types to support the different styles available, such as bikini cut, high-waist, hipsters, brief cut, and maternity. However, all have an inside layer made from organic cotton.

They also have three absorbency types which are moderate, high and super, absorbing from one to two tampons worth of liquid to up to six tampons worth, and can be used not only for menstrual, but incontinence and postpartum purposes.

In addition to sanitary panties, Luna Care also provides hot water bottles to aid in soothing menstrual cramps.

Bryan said she has been receiving good feedback from customers.

“The initial interest was good; persons were curious as to how it works and if it would contain their flow, but they did buy into the concept. From conversations with customers, we have expanded the product range to include more styles such as maternity underwear for pregnant ladies and period underwear for kids,” she said.

Simeca Alexander Williamson, a customer who used Luna Care’s period panty to support with her post-partum bleeding, said sanitary napkins gave her a yeast infection because of the moisture associated with same. She, therefore, found the period panty to be a much better alternative.

“These panties wicked away the moisture real fast. One less thing to worry about with a newborn,” she said. “I was explaining to someone that it’s a learning curve for a heavy flow, but I definitely prefer it to pads and tampons.”

Bryan further explained that period panties have several benefits such as a four-layer fabric technology that ensures comfort, prevents leaks and eliminates odour.

There is no risk of Toxic Shock Syndrome associated with tampons, and it is environmentally friendly and sustainable-with a lifespan of up to two years with proper care.

Luna Care currently supplies select pharmacies in Kingston and St Andrew and Spanish Town, St Catherine, as well as through the company’s social media @lunacareja and their website at www.lunacareja.com.

“Our biggest success has been our growth, and we are looking at expanding into the Portmore area and the other parishes. We would love to have the products distributed island-wide and eventually in the Caribbean,” she said.