Depending on the kind of relationship you have with your daughter, her first period can leave her feeling anything from awkward and embarrassed, to excited. It’s not easy to have conversations about taboo subjects – yes, despite all the progress we’ve made, menstruation still falls in that category! Your daughter probably has a lot of questions and it’s important for her to feel supported, so she’s comfortable asking them. A good way to broach the subject is from a practical standpoint – think explaining what cramps feel like to how to prevent blood from leaking onto clothes. Things can always progress from there into more of a biology lesson.
Props can go a long way in this conversation – we’re talking period products like leak-proof period underwear and herbal infused pads we could have only dreamed of when we were young! Read on to see the best period products for teens worth considering.
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The 6 Best Period Products for Teens and Tweens
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The Honey Pot Company Overnight Herbal Pads with Wings
Made from pesticide-free cotton, these winged pads are infused with essential oils for a cooling sensation many steps above your traditional Always.
$7.99 at The Honey Pot Company
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Nixit Menstrual Cup
It's important to be waste conscious, but like tampons, you'll probably want to wait a few periods before having your daughter use a menstrual cup. Once she feels comfortable, however, Nixit makes a great option. The brand's one-size-fits-all cup is circular, soft, flexible, suction-free and can be worn up to 12 hours.
$42 at Nixit
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Athena Club Premium Tampons
Unless your daughter is active in sports or it's summer and she's swimming, it's probably best to avoid tampons for the first couple of periods. Let your daughter get used using pads first. If she must use a tampon, make sure to opt for ones that glide in easily and remind her to never practice when she's not menstruating as the dryness can lead to discomfort. You'll also want to reiterate how important it is to change the tampon often. Even if she has a light period, toxic shock syndrome is a very real and serious disease.
$8 at Athena Club
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Goodwipes Down There Wipes
Vaginas are self-cleaning so you don't necessarily need specific washes or wipes; that said they can be incredibly helpful for cleaning up menstrual blood and just feeling "fresh." It's imperative, however, to use ones specifically formulated for below-the-belt care so your pH isn't thrown off.
$11.99 at Goodwipes
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Thinx Period Underwear
Whether your daughter has a light trickle or a heavy flow, Thinx makes underwear in various styles that give leak-proof comfort. They also have a Period Kit.
Prices vary at Thinx
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Ruby Love First Period Kit + Teen Period Underwear
This may look like a Valentine's Day bundle, but it's actually a specially designed gift set for your daughter's first period. It includes everything from period-proof underwear and warming gel pads for cramps, to a stress ball and hand sanitizer.
$49.99 at Ruby Love