Choosing period products for tweens and teens

What options are available?

As your tween or teen begins menstruating (signs of when they might start can be found here) choosing the right period products may feel a bit overwhelming for both of you – luna's had thousands of questions in the app from tweens and teens asking about what would be best for them.

The good news is, there are plenty of options available, so you can help them find what works best for them. 

Whether they’re just starting out or looking to switch products as they grow more comfortable with their period, understanding the various options can help you guide them in making the best decision.

Here’s a breakdown of the different types of period products, along with their pros and cons, to help you and your tween or teen choose the right ones.

Tampons

A tampon is a small cotton plug which sits in the vagina to absorb period blood. It’s a single use, disposable option. Some come with a plastic applicator to help you insert it. To remove a tampon, you pull on the string attached. 

Pros of tampons include being discreet and comfortable, since you shouldn’t be able to feel them once inserted. They are great for movement – in particular, swimming 🏊‍♀️, are safe to use even if you have an IUD, and can be slept in (but must be changed after 8 hours). 

On the flip side, tampons are can be a little tricky to use at the start, they need to be changed regularly making them less environmentally friendly, and there is a small risk of toxic shock syndrome if they’re not used properly and changed regularly enough (so being responsible with timings is key).

You can find a full breakdown on the risks of tampons for teens here.

Disposable pads

Pads are made of absorbent, disposable material such as plastic, cellulose or cotton. They stick to the inside of your underwear to absorb period blood. 

Like tampons, they are single use and disposable. Generally you can change a pad every 4-6 hours, but this depends on your flow – ultimately, it's best to change it when it's full or no longer feels or smells "fresh".

Pros of pads are that they are available in various sizes and absorbency levels, they’re very easy to use and there is a low risk of infection.

However, they are not as environmentally friendly as other options, they need to be changed regularly, you have to keep buying them and they can’t be worn when swimming or bathing.

Disposable pads are a favourite in luna’s teen community – 66% of luna members prefer these over any other period product.

Menstrual cups

A menstrual cup is a small and flexible cup made of silicone or latex that is inserted into the vagina to collect period blood. It can be worn for up to 12 hours before needing to be removed, emptied, cleaned and reinserted.

They are good for the environment as they are reusable, which also makes them cost effective.

Menstrual cups are also comfortable and can be worn when swimming. 

However, they have a higher upfront cost, and can be difficult to insert and remove at first so may not be best for beginners, but may be a great option as your tween or teen gets more comfortable with periods.

Menstrual discs

This is a disc made of silicone or plastic and is inserted into the vagina to rest on the base of the cervix to collect period blood. Similar to a menstrual cup, it can be kept in for 12 hours before it needs to be emptied.

Pros of discs include being discreet and comfortable and they’re also often reusable so once you’ve bought one – that’s it! 

On the downside they can be quite difficult to insert and a little messy to remove.

Period pants

Period pants are underwear made with materials to absorb period blood. They can be washed by hand or in the washing machine.

Pros of period pants are that they are easy to use and reusable after washing. They can be used with other period products to reduce any leaks and are great for sleeping in. Members of luna’s community love these, and find them very comfortable!

On the other hand, they can be expensive at first (however you will save money in the long run as it’s a one off purchase), and they aren’t yet widely available compared to other period products. They may also need to be changed a few times a day, particularly if you experience a heavy flow.

A variation of this is period swimwear which can be worn when swimming – a great alternative to other period products which are suitable for swimming but must be worn internally, which lots of tweens and teens aren't as comfortable with.

Reusable cloth pads

These are similar to disposable pads, however they are made of reusable materials such as fleece, microfibre and bamboo fabrics. This makes them more environmentally friendly.

Reusable pads can be more comfortable than disposable pads, are very easy to use and have a low infection risk when changed and washed regularly.

However, some cons are that they need to be washed either by hand or machine after each use, can be expensive to buy initially, and can’t be used when swimming. Also, like period pants, they’re not as widely available as disposable period products.

Disposable underwear

Disposable period underwear are made of absorbent, disposable material such as plastic, cellulose or cotton – very similar to pads. They come in different sizes and they need to be changed approximately every 12 hours, making them great to wear overnight. They are also comfortable and very easy to use. 

On the other hand, they are not as environmentally friendly as reusable period underwear and you’ll have to keep buying them.

Menstrual sponge

This is a sponge which can either be part of a real, living sea sponge or a synthetic one, that is inserted into the vagina to absorb blood. They are similar to tampons but do not have a string attached for removal. 

The pros are that they can be rinsed between uses and re-inserted, and they are discreet and comfortable. 

Cons include needing to change them more often than a menstrual cup and the fact they can be messier to change.

They may also be associated with a higher risk of infection such as toxic shock syndrome. For this reason, although menstrual sponges may be more sustainable than other period products, they're not usually a recommended way to manage your period.

Period blankets or sheets

These are blankets made of special, waterproof materials to absorb period blood. Some people choose to “free-bleed”, which means not wearing any period products; for these people, menstrual blankets can be used to prevent any leaks onto bed sheets.

Even if you do wear other period products you may still choose to use a period blanket to reduce the chances of staining your sheets at night.

Ultimately, it’s all about your tween or teen’s comfort

luna hopes you understand the period product options a bit better now, so you can choose what works for your tween or teen – remember there isn’t a “correct” answer when picking from these products. It’s all about deciding what works best for your tween or teen’s lifestyle, and stocking up a period kit for them to make sure they are well equipped to manage their periods along with their day to day life.

Finally, why not support your teen with luna premium?

Our app, luna, has dedicated advice on this topic which can help them feel more empowered through adolescence.

You can think of luna as a modern, digital approach to wellbeing – it’s cost-effective, verified by doctors and safeguarding experts, and has a direct line into the biggest concerns facing teens today – so it’s actually addressing what they need advice on, when they need it.

If you’ve been looking for an antidote to the misinformation and negativity shared on social media or forums, you can get luna for your teen via our luna premium page for the price of a coffee each month or manage their subscription by downloading luna yourself and signing up as a parent (it's "we are luna" in app stores).