“Everyone just hates tampons” – six products for teenagers

Tampons are dead – long live underwear.

That was the consensus of a focus group of six New Zealand teenagers recently conducted by RNZ. Teens aged 13 to 19 talked about not wanting to try menstrual cups and wanting to be open about their periods, despite the fact that society continues to shame the period.

The past decade has seen a revolution in vintage goods, with period washable underwear and menstrual cups hitting the market. The teenagers who have joined our group have many more options, especially reusable options, than their parents’ generation.

Tampons have been a period staple since the 1960s and a cultural icon (think King Charles, Queen Camilla and Tampongate). But according to teenage figures and sales figures from New Zealand’s major retailers, those days may be coming to an end.

“Everyone just hates tampons. They hurt and are not cool.” – Lali, 19, from Hamilton

Only one in six teens said she uses tampons regularly, and does so on heavy days with period underwear. But even then, she uses tampons carefully.

“I personally don’t care about the feel (of tampons), but it’s the thought of the chemicals that are in the tampon and what’s being washed into your body.” – Maya, 19, from Hamilton

Maya meant research earlier this year, toxic metals such as lead and arsenic were found in some major brands of tampons. Now she only uses organic tampons like Toms.

But the teenagers in the focus group didn’t quite embrace the new alternative: menstrual cups. These are reusable silicone cups that are inserted into the vagina and collect blood. Menstrual cups can be used during sports and swimming. One menstrual cup holds as much blood as two or three tampons. Only one teenager in the group said he used it regularly.

“I don’t think anyone has ever offered menstrual cups. I think my mom used to do it, but I was a little intimidated by it. I was 15 or 16 and I was like, “What?” I was really confused at first, but she told me a little bit about how it worked, but I wasn’t interested.’ – Maya, 19, from Hamilton

Eleanor, 13, from Auckland, was the only one in the group to receive periodic education at school before she got her first period. Tampons and pads were put forward as the only options, even though underwear and menstrual cups were sold in mainstream supermarkets at the time.

“Usually I use pads or period underwear because I don’t really like tampons. They make me feel uncomfortable. If I have swimming and I’m on my period, I usually just skip it, which is a shame because I love swimming. I haven’t tried much else.” – Eleanor, 13, from Auckland

Five out of six teenagers in the focus group said they regularly use vintage underwear that has an absorbent pad and a waterproof lining.

Vintage linen has been on the market for over ten years. Manufacturers claim that one pair can hold the absorbency of three to five pads before being rinsed and tossed in the washing machine to fight another day.

When Jane, 13, from Wellington, was asked which period she preferred, she said old underwear was easier to use and more durable.

“It’s definitely underwear period because I just don’t have to worry about it as much. It’s not as stressful and you can wash them, which is really great because I care about the environment.” – Jane, 13, from Wellington

Despite the popularity of vintage underwear in the focus group, sales of vintage underwear have increased according to Woolworths. The representative cited the higher upfront cost of buying large quantities of vintage linens, which cost about $30 a piece, as an obstacle. It may take several pairs for a complete cycle.

“A lot of the time when you’re struggling financially, you buy free stuff at school…I just gave up wearing pads because they’re the most affordable.” – Lali, 19, from Hamilton

About 12 percent of students in grades 9-13 in New Zealand have difficulties with access to old products because of cost, according to the Youth19 survey. Almost 100,000 girls say they skip school because they can’t always afford old things. Māori and Pacific students are often like this suffered the most when it comes to the period of poverty.

The pads remain the best-selling product at the time at Foodstuffs, the parent company of Pak’nSave and New World. Woolworths has seen the biggest growth in sales of pads. According to a Woolworths representative, one of the reasons is affordability, as well as new technology to make pads thinner and more absorbent.

“I only tried pads and vintage underwear. I prefer pads only because they are very light.’ – Tulsi, 13, from Oakland

Endo Warriors of Aotearoa is an organization based in Wellington that provides period education and provides free period products. Often, teenagers don’t understand how women’s underwear works, but once they do, it’s something they want to use – if they can afford it or get it for free.

“When we give things away, teenagers always choose old underwear,” Endo Warriors spokeswoman Yesinia Sandoval said.

And some parents learned to use these ancient products of the new generation even in their teens.

“My mom said, ‘I’m going to get some period underwear because they look like they fit you. It seems like a more reliable option,” said Jane from Wellington.

“It’s cool, but it’s also embarrassing when we soak them in the bucket and ours (period underwear) gets mixed up, which is pretty inconvenient.”