Planning for an unexpected period

Practical tips to help

Quick summary

• Teens can get their period at unpredictable times, and planning for the unexpected reduces stress for both of you
• Irregular cycles are normal in the first years after a teen’s period begins, and understanding why can help you to reassure them
• Period kits, extra supplies, and period tracking on luna can help your teen feel prepared and confident and spot patterns over time

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For teens, getting a period unexpectedly, at school, on a trip, or while out with friends, can feel stressful or embarrassing.

We get thousands of questions about this in the luna app!

Not knowing what to do or not having supplies can turn an ordinary day into a stressful one.

Thankfully, a little planning can make a huge difference. 

Being prepared doesn’t just prevent awkward moments. It also gives your teen confidence and a sense of control in an otherwise very unpredictable time.

Here’s how to plan for an unexpected period

Period kits: your teen’s best friend

Having a period kit is like having a secret weapon for unexpected periods. 

It’s a small collection of essentials your teen can carry in their bag.

A well-stocked kit makes it easy to handle a surprise period calmly.

A period kit might include:

• Pads or tampons (a mix can help them figure out what works best)
• A spare pair of underwear
• Wipes or tissues
• A small plastic bag for laundry emergencies

Check out luna’s full guide to packing your teen a period kit too!

Encourage your teen to check and refresh their kit regularly as this small habit helps them feel prepared, independent, and in control.

Cycle tracking: noticing patterns and staying in control

Even though teens often have irregular periods, tracking on luna can help your teen understand their body a little better. 

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They don’t need perfect predictions. Rather, it’s more about noticing patterns and feeling confident that they’re prepared for what’s coming.

Tracking periods can:

• Reduce the surprise factor of unexpected periods
• Help your teen notice patterns in flow, symptoms like headaches or period pain, or mood swings during their period (luna’s gives them personalised insights based on their previous logs to help them know what to expect!)
• Help your teen watch out for signs their period may be due, such as cramps, headaches, mood swings, breast tenderness, or discharge
• Make it easier to share information with a doctor if anything seems unusual

An app like luna can be a great tool!

Why are teen periods so irregular?

It’s totally normal for teen periods to be unpredictable during the first few years. The body takes time to get into a routine and adjust to new patterns.

In a 2025 luna poll, only 13% of teen girls said their periods were regular straight away!

As well as hormones, your teen’s period may be irregular because of:

• Stress: school, friendships, and life events can shift timing
• Diet and exercise: eating habits or high activity levels can affect cycles
• Health conditions: conditions like hyperthyroidism or PCOS can impact cycles

Periods that are extremely irregular beyond 2 years of having periods, very heavy, or accompanied by severe pain should be discussed with a doctor.

luna has a full deep dive on irregular periods and supporting your teen through them if you’re interested!

How long can a teen go without a period?

After a teen’s first period, it’s common for cycles to be a bit unpredictable. 

Sometimes, teens might go a few months without a period, especially in the first 1 or 2 years after starting.

However, anything consistently longer should be discussed with a healthcare professional to make sure that everything is okay. 

So, can you plan for an unexpected period?

Yes! By prepping a period kit, and having luna’s period tracker in hand, they can learn to always feel prepared and confident, so no matter where they are or what they’re doing, they can carry on with their everyday life.

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