Are tampons safe for teens?

Myths every parent should know

Quick summary

• If your teen wants to use tampons for sports or swimming, it’s safe, but they may need time to get used to them
• Myths about tampons – like affecting virginity or being unsafe for first periods – aren’t true, and they’re a normal period option
• Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is very rare—as long as tampons are changed regularly, they remain a safe choice for your teen

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Within the app, luna’s medical team gets lots of worried questions from teens asking about swimming or doing sports on their period, because of their use of bulky period products that inhibit movement, and risks of leaking.

We really want to encourage girls to continue being active, through puberty and beyond, whether that’s with tampons or alternatives like period swimwear for teens.

That being said, luna understands that there are also some scary things said about tampon use, which might make you – as a parent – worried about buying or encouraging their use for teens.

What age can you use tampons?

There is no specific age requirement for teens to use tampons.

The NHS states that tampons, along with other menstrual products like pads, menstrual cups, and period underwear, are safe and suitable for use from the very first period.

The decision to use tampons depends on individual comfort and readiness.

For those new to tampons, starting with smaller options can make the experience more comfortable.

Common myths about tampons for teenagers

There are plenty of myths about teens using tampons floating around online – and even in our own community.

We often see teens feeling confused or anxious about what’s true.

From worries about safety to misconceptions around virginity, these questions can be overwhelming.

So we’re sharing some common tampon myths we’ve heard, and explaining them with the help of Dr. Emma Dickie – a practising GP and one of luna’s amazing Clinical Content Advisors.

Tampon myth 1: tampons take away your virginity

Contrary to popular belief, tampons have nothing to do with your virginity. 

This is a concept purely associated with sex.

Some people mistakenly believe that using a tampon affects your hymen. 

The hymen is a stretchy bit of tissue that surrounds where the vagina opens. 

But the hymen doesn’t completely cover the vaginal opening, it has an opening in the middle (think of it like a curtain not a wall!). 

This opening is almost always large enough to fit a tampon. 

So the hymen might stretch or change with age or everyday activities, but tampons generally will be too small to affect it.

Tampon myth 2: you shouldn’t use a tampon on your first period

Tampons are for anyone and everyone who wants to use them. There’s no age limit on them. 

Inserting tampons in the right way might take some practice, so teens might find them tricky to use at first, but this doesn’t mean that they shouldn’t be used.

If your teen is struggling, and you don’t know how to advise them, luna has a library of content in the Learn section of the app which is full of info on how to use tampons – from video guides, to top tips and safety advice too.

And for practical tips, consider what to pack in a first period kit to help your teen feel prepared and confident.

Tampon myth 3: tampons cause toxic shock syndrome

Toxic shock syndrome (TSS, for short) is a life-threatening condition caused by a bacterial infection. 

There are actually lots of causes of TSS, and it can happen to men and women of all ages – it’s not exclusive to tampon use. 

Tampon use can be associated with TSS but this is very rare. 

How long can you leave a tampon in?

To prevent TSS from happening, teens should remember to change their tampons ideally every 4-6 hours, and definitely no later than 8 hours.

Regularly changing a tampon prevents bacterial overgrowth, which can lead to TSS. 

If they are worried about removing their tampon as they don't know how to dispose of it, luna's got a whole guide to this which also speaks to why you shouldn't flush tampons.

If your teen worries about forgetting, you can introduce them to luna.

It’s a period tracker tool that sends personalised notifications when it’s time to change tampons. Your teen can even ask questions, which our expert team will answer.

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Hope this has helped reassure you!

Ultimately it is totally up to you and them what products they use, but we’re keen to arm you with the knowledge you might need to make these decisions.

For more guidance on menstrual products, explore choosing period products for tweens and teens to ensure the best fit for your teen.