When it comes to navigating periods, finding the right products can make all the difference — especially for tweens and teens.
At this age, there is already discomfort from uncontrollable changes in bodies and overwhelming emotions. And it’s not anyone’s fault, just natural processes! But all of these challenges can be exacerbated by the hormonal impacts of menstruation (which you can read about here), further impacting comfort and confidence.
So the last thing we want as a parent, or the menstruating person, is to heighten this already overwhelming time period with concerns of period leaks or health complications. Hence why choosing the right period product is crucial.
Period products don’t have a ‘blanket solution’. Everyone has different needs and preferences, many of which won’t be known until you try different products. But, if there was only one period product to try for teens and tweens, it’d be period underwear.
What is Period Underwear?
Practical, sustainable, and empowering, period underwear can be worn for up to 10 hours a day with no leaks, stains or odours!
All that needs to be done at the end of the day is a rinse and wash, and the underwear is good to be worn again. To learn more, read this blog about caring for your period underwear, or this blog on everything you need to know about period undies. Or, check out our products here.
Benefits of Period Undies for Tweens and Teens
- Easier switch
The main benefit of period underwear when discussing tweens and teens is probably that first period shock, where periods are still a bit taboo. Period underwear is practically the same as regular underwear, reducing the mental overwhelm of a first period. Also, now that periods are starting to happen in younger children (as early as 8!), the familiarity of underwear normalises a somewhat abnormal experience in those very young menstruators.
- Comfortable and easier to use
Other period products, like pads or tampons, need to be changed every 3 - 4 hours, which means for most tweens and teens, they need to change their products at school at least once. Period underwear, however, lasts almost a whole day, meaning your child doesn’t have to worry about when they can change their period product or if they’ve started to leak. This means they can focus on what’s important: learning and spending time with their friends!
- Discreet and Stylish
Period underwear comes in many different styles to cater to different users and uses. This means that tweens and teens can still keep up their hobbies like sport without having to carry around special period products that are less reliable.
- Eco-Friendly and Cost-Effective
At this point, it’s pretty clear that the upcoming generations are the most eco-conscious of us all, so why not align period products to their values? Period underwear can be reused for over 2 years, saving hundreds of period products from entering landfill every year from just one person.
In fact, we could all learn something from our youngest menstruators, as period waste statistics are pretty horrifying. According to Clean Up Australia:
“Over the course of a lifetime, a single menstruator will use somewhere between 5 and 15 thousand pads and tampons – which nearly all ends up in landfill.”
There’s 6 MILLION menstruators in Australia alone, resulting in 20 billion sanitary products ending up in landfill (and our oceans) each year. If those statistics are going to be impactful to anyone, it’s our Gen Z children.
The reduced products also mean you save money in the long run. Plus, there’s a chance your government will rebate 50% of your purchase price from Knicked, so the cost keeps getting better! Check out the rebate offers on reusable period products by clicking here.
- Safe
We’ve all heard the risk of toxic shock syndrome with normal pads and tampons, but now even organic products aren’t considered safe. According to a New Zealand study, reported on by the ABC:
“Just because organic tampons may be made from 100 per cent cotton doesn't mean they are "pure".
Studies have shown cotton plants can accumulate various metals, including lead, copper and zinc in different parts of the plant.”
However, this doesn’t mean that all period underwear is inherently safe. If period underwear isn’t made with breathable material, rashes, irritation, or dangerous infections can be contracted.
This is why Knicked period underwear is made with micromesh - a lightweight, breathable material. Plus, it prevents sweating, so the wearer can feel dry all day!
You can read more about the chemicals in pads and tampons here, orread more about how our period underwear is safe here.
