When I started my period, one of my best friends gave me a gift — a small cloth wallet called Uncle Vinnie’s Tampon Case. She had two older sisters, who knew the trials and tribulations of going to the bathroom at school to change a pad or tampon without trying to draw too much attention to yourself. We all had periods — well, most of us — but we were supposed to pretend like we didn’t, for the sake of … who? Teachers? Boys? Literally everyone?
I still have that tampon case. I love how it was brash and loud and announced exactly what it was, instead of trying to be discreet, and once I had a daughter of my own, I had half a thought to hand it down to her.
But I didn’t need to. In 21st-century internet-age America, she’s got way better options.
Periods have changed. There’s less shame, better products, even menstrual pride!
Case in point …
Period panties
Instead of taking my daughter to CVS to choose maxi pads, I bought her five pairs of Thinx (BTWN). And that’s just one of the many brands of period panties now on the market. Each one typically holds anywhere from two to four tampons’ worth of blood — which means you don’t have to make any awkward runs to the bathroom in the middle of science class, or stash any products in your backpack.
There's an app for that
If your tween or teen has a smartphone, she probably also has a built-in period tracker that will send notifications every month a couple of days before her period should start. No more surprises!
Special delivery
One of the most mortifying moments of my teen years was having to shop in the feminine hygiene aisle with my dad. Nobody was making eye contact in that checkout line. Now you can have your tampons, pads, pantyliners — even perks like painkillers for cramps — shipped directly to your door.
Menstrual cups that are … cool?
In college, I knew hippies who were really into menstrual sponges and cups — and I was skeptical but intrigued. Imagine my surprise when those products moved from the (relative) fringe to, well, goop.com. And chic brands like The Saalt Cup are even coming out with new products just for teens.
An Oscar-winning documentary
Period. End of Sentence is a documentary about ending menstrual stigma in rural India — but the message resonates around the globe. When the film's director, Rayka Zehtabchi, accepted her award, she said, "I'm not crying because I’m on my period or anything … I can't believe a film about menstruation just won an Oscar."
Period-minded nonprofits
The more that young people learn about menstrual inequity, the more they want to do something about it. This month, in Boca Raton, Florida, teen girls that are part of the Period after-school Zoom club put together packages of pads, tampons, and soap for women in need in Southern Florida.
A bold new color just for them
At the end of September, Pantone, the color registry, released the aptly named Period — a warm red color meant to inspire menstrual pride.
