Six New Zealand teenagers talk about vintage goods in the modern age

“Everyone just hates tampons. They hurt and they’re not cool”: Lali, 19, from Hamilton

Only one in six teens said she used tampons regularly, and she did so on heavy days with 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 referred to research this year found toxic metals such as lead and arsenic in some major brands of tampons. Now she only uses tampons from organic brands 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?’ At first I was very confused. 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 really like swimming. I haven’t tried anything 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 period underwear was easier to use and more stable.

“It’s definitely period underwear 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 times when you’re struggling financially, you buy free stuff at school…I just stopped wearing pads because they’re the most affordable”: Lali, 19, from Hamilton

About 12% of students in grades 9-13 in New Zealand have difficulty accessing 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 often suffer the most during periods 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’ve only tried pads and vintage underwear. I prefer pads simply because they are very light”: Tulsi, 13, from Auckland

Endo Warriors 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 lingerie because they look like they fit you.’ It seems like a more sustainable option,” said Jane, from Wellington.

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