Period Underwear for Teens: A Guide to First Periods (Canada)

First periods often show up when you least expect them: in class, during gym or in the middle of a sleepover. For many teens, period underwear is the easiest way to start: nothing to insert, nothing to learn, you just put it on like regular underwear. Here's our guide for teens and their parents in Quebec and across Canada.

At what age do periods start?

According to the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (SOGC), most girls get their first period between ages 10 and 14, with an average of just over 12. A few signs show it's getting close:

• it usually comes about two years after breasts start developing;
• about one year after pubic hair appears;
• white or yellowish discharge may appear in the months before.

When these signs show up, it's a good time to keep a pair of period underwear in the drawer, or even in the school bag.

Irregular periods at first are normal

A first period lasts 2 to 7 days. It can be very light, sometimes just a few brownish spots. In the first few years, cycles are often irregular: a normal cycle is 21 to 35 days, but in teens a period can skip a month or come earlier than expected. That's exactly why protection you can wear "just in case" is so handy.

What if periods are heavy?

It's not talked about enough: heavy periods are common in adolescence. The SOGC explains that in the two to three years after a first period, ovulation doesn't always happen. Without ovulation, the uterine lining gets thicker and periods can be heavier. It's one of the most common causes of heavy periods in teens.

That can mean changing pads very often, worrying about leaking at school or getting up at night. Those are the days our underwear was made for: it's designed for heavy flow.

Why period underwear for teens?

• Easy from day one: no technique to learn, no awkwardness.
• Reassuring at school: put it on in the morning, it absorbs through the day and stays in place, even in gym class.
• Discreet: it looks like regular underwear, nobody can tell.
• Great for nights: no waking up to change a pad or worrying about the sheets, at home or at a sleepover.
• Reusable and economical: instead of buying pads every month, a few pairs last for years.

Which style to choose?

Both styles have the same high-capacity absorbent zone; only the cut changes:

• Invisible period underwear: no visible seams, it disappears under leggings and jeans. Ideal for school. Sizes XS/S to XL/2XL.
• Period boxer: more coverage, ideal for nights, sports and the heaviest first days. Sizes M to 3XL.

Sizing is simple: just choose your usual underwear size.

How many do you need?

For a full cycle, two to four pairs let you wear one while the others dry. On the first days, when flow is heaviest, we suggest changing morning and evening. Our underwear offers up to 12 hours of protection depending on flow. A small waterproof pouch in the school bag makes it easy to change if needed and bring it home.

How to care for it

It's a good bit of independence to learn: rinse in cold water after wearing, wash in cold water, then air dry, with no fabric softener and no dryer. All the details are in our guide How to wash period underwear.

Parents: a few tips for the conversation

• Talk about periods before they arrive, simply, as a normal stage of life.
• Let your teen choose the style: she'll be more comfortable wearing it.
• Suggest trying it at home first, on a day off, to build confidence.
• Remind her she can come to you if her periods are very heavy or painful.

Partly reimbursed by many Quebec cities

Many Quebec municipalities reimburse part of the cost of reusable period underwear, and some programs specifically target young people. Before you buy, check if your city offers a subsidy.

When to see a health professional

According to the SOGC, it's a good idea to see a professional:

• if periods haven't started by age 15, or more than two to three years after breast development began;
• if they start very early, around age 9 or 10;
• if they're so heavy they interfere with daily activities, or if your teen often feels tired or dizzy.

To understand what normal or heavy flow means, also read Menstrual flow: how much blood do you lose?

In short

Period underwear is a great first protection for teens: simple, discreet, comfortable and built to last. To start, invisible underwear for school and a boxer for nights is the winning combo. Questions? Write to us.

Note: period underwear is intimate apparel. For hygiene reasons, it can't be returned or exchanged. If your item is defective, write to us and we'll find a solution.

Sources: Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada, Your first period and Hormonal causes of heavy menstrual bleeding. This article is for information only and does not replace advice from a health professional.