Period Product Guide: Finding Your Perfect Match at Every Age

Period Product Guide: Finding Your Perfect Match at Every Age

Choosing the right period product can feel overwhelming when you're starting your period journey. With so many options available—pads, tampons, cups, period underwear—how do you know what's right for your body, your age, and your lifestyle? The truth is, there's no single "perfect" product for everyone, and what works for you might change as you grow and your needs evolve.

At Scarlet by RedDrop, we believe that understanding your options empowers you to make confident choices about your period care. We've designed our entire product line specifically for tween and teen bodies, so you can find products that actually fit your life, not just your mom's focused-on-her recommendations.

Understanding Your Options: The Complete Guide

Pads: Your Reliable Foundation

What They Are: Pads are absorbent materials that stick to your underwear to catch menstrual blood. They're external products, which means they sit outside your body and collect flow as it exits.

How They Work: Modern pads have multiple layers—a soft top layer that wicks moisture away from your skin, an absorbent core that holds the fluid, and a waterproof backing that prevents leaks onto your clothes.

Scarlet by RedDrop Pad Options:

Best For:

  • Tweens (ages 9-12): Often the best starting point for first periods
  • Teens who prefer external protection
  • Heavy flow days when you want maximum security
  • Overnight protection
  • Anyone who's not ready for or interested in internal products

Pros:

  • Easy to use—no insertion required
  • You can see your flow (helpful for tracking)
  • No risk of toxic shock syndrome
  • Comfortable for sleeping
  • Great for irregular flows

Cons:

  • Can feel bulky, especially with tight clothes
  • May shift during physical activity
  • Visible lines under certain clothing
  • Need to change every 3-4 hours on heavy days

Period Underwear: The Game-Changer

What They Are: Period underwear looks like regular underwear but has built-in absorbent layers that can hold menstrual blood without leaking.

How They Work: Multiple layers of fabric work together—moisture-wicking layers, absorbent core layers, and leak-proof outer layers—all sewn directly into the underwear.

Our Period Underwear: Our period underwear is sized specifically for tween and teen bodies, with appropriate coverage and absorption levels for developing bodies. Available in different absorbency levels for light to heavy flow days.

Best For:

  • Tweens who want freedom of movement
  • Teens active in sports
  • Light to medium flow days
  • Backup protection with tampons or cups
  • Anyone who wants to feel like they're wearing regular underwear

Pros:

  • Feels like regular underwear
  • Great for sports and swimming (our new swimwear line!)
  • No changing products throughout the day
  • Environmentally friendly
  • Perfect backup protection

Cons:

  • Higher upfront cost
  • Need to rinse and wash after use
  • May not provide enough protection for very heavy flow days
  • Takes time to dry after washing

Tampons: Freedom and Flexibility

What They Are: Tampons are cylindrical absorbent products that are inserted into the vagina to absorb menstrual blood before it exits the body.

How They Work: Made of absorbent cotton or cotton blends, tampons expand to fit your vaginal canal and absorb flow internally.

Scarlet by RedDrop Tampons (Only at Ulta!): Our tampons will be designed with teen bodies in mind, featuring appropriate sizing and comfortable applicators that make insertion easier for first-time users.

Best For:

  • Older tweens and teens comfortable with insertion (typically 13+)
  • Swimming and water activities
  • Sports and physical activities
  • When you want to wear tight-fitting clothes
  • Medium to heavy flow days

Pros:

  • Complete freedom of movement
  • Invisible under all clothing
  • Great for swimming
  • Compact and discreet to carry
  • Can be worn for up to 8 hours

Cons:

  • Requires insertion, which can be intimidating at first
  • Risk of toxic shock syndrome if left in too long
  • Can't see your flow for tracking purposes
  • May be uncomfortable if not inserted properly
  • Requires changing even on light flow days

Menstrual Cups: The Long-Term Solution

What They Are: Menstrual cups are small, flexible cups made of medical-grade silicone that are inserted into the vagina to collect (rather than absorb) menstrual blood.

How They Work: The cup sits in your vaginal canal and forms a seal to collect menstrual fluid. You empty, rinse, and reinsert it rather than throwing it away.

Scarlet by RedDrop Menstrual Cup (Only at Ulta!): Our menstrual cup will be specifically sized for teen bodies, with a smaller, more comfortable design that's perfect for first-time cup users.

Best For:

  • Older teens comfortable with insertion (typically 15+)
  • Heavy flow days
  • Long school days or activities
  • Environmentally conscious teens
  • Those looking for long-term cost savings

Pros:

  • Can be worn for up to 12 hours
  • Environmentally friendly (lasts for years)
  • Cost-effective long-term
  • Great for heavy flows
  • No risk of toxic shock syndrome

Cons:

  • Learning curve for insertion and removal
  • Requires comfort with your body
  • Need access to clean water for emptying
  • Higher upfront cost
  • Can be messy to change

Age and Development Considerations

For Tweens (Ages 9-12)

Recommended Starting Products:

  • Pads: Start with our EveryDay Pads (Size 1) designed specifically for smaller bodies
  • Period underwear: Great option for active tweens who want freedom of movement

Why These Work Best:

  • No insertion required, which reduces anxiety
  • Easy to use independently
  • Appropriate sizing for smaller bodies and underwear
  • Builds confidence before potentially trying internal products

Consider These Factors:

  • Comfort level with their changing body
  • Ability to change products independently at school
  • Activity level and sports participation
  • Personal preferences for discretion vs. ease of use

For Teens (Ages 13-18)

Expanded Options:

  • All pad types: Can graduate to larger sizes as body develops
  • Period underwear: Especially great for sports and active lifestyles
  • Tampons: Good option once comfortable with insertion
  • Menstrual cups: For older teens ready for long-term solutions

Why More Options Work:

  • Greater body awareness and comfort
  • More independence in managing period care
  • Diverse lifestyle needs (sports, jobs, dating, travel)
  • Ability to handle more complex products

Consider These Factors:

  • Comfort level with insertion
  • Flow patterns and heaviness
  • Lifestyle and activity needs
  • Budget considerations
  • Environmental concerns

Matching Products to Your Lifestyle

For the Athlete

Best Combinations:

  • Period swimwear for water sports
  • Tampons or cups for high-impact activities
  • Period underwear for backup protection
  • Pads for rest days and recovery

For the Student

Best Combinations:

  • Reliable pad protection for long school days
  • Period underwear for PE class
  • Tampons for special events or presentations
  • Always have backup supplies in your locker

For the Busy Teen

Best Combinations:

  • Menstrual cups for 12-hour protection
  • Period underwear for overnight security
  • Tampons for social events and dates
  • Pads for relaxed home days

For the New Beginner

Best Starting Combination:

  • Start with appropriately-sized pads
  • Add period underwear for extra security
  • Gradually try tampons when ready
  • Take your time—there's no rush!

How to Transition Between Products

Start Simple: Begin with pads and period underwear to build confidence and understand your flow patterns.

Gradual Progression: When ready, try tampons during lighter flow days when insertion might be easier.

Mix and Match: Use different products for different situations—pads at night, tampons for swimming, period underwear for sports.

Listen to Your Body: What works for your friends might not work for you, and that's completely normal.

Practical Tips for Trying New Products

For First-Time Tampon Users:

  • Try during medium flow days when your vaginal canal is naturally more lubricated
  • Use the smallest size first
  • Relax your muscles—tension makes insertion harder
  • It's normal to need several tries to get comfortable

For First-Time Cup Users:

  • Read instructions thoroughly before your period starts
  • Practice insertion and removal when you're not on your period
  • Start with shorter wear times to build confidence
  • It often takes 2-3 cycles to feel completely comfortable

For Period Underwear:

  • Start with lighter flow days to test absorption
  • Always have backup protection until you trust the absorption level
  • Rinse in cold water immediately after use for best results

Building Your Personal Period Kit

Every Teen Needs:

  • Primary protection method that works for their lifestyle
  • Backup option for unexpected situations
  • Emergency supplies for school/work
  • Comfort items (heating pad, pain relief)

Scarlet by RedDrop Kit Options:

  • Period Kit: Complete starter kit with multiple pad sizes, educational materials, and tracking tools
  • Period Kit +: Enhanced kit with tampons, menstrual cup, and comprehensive education
  • Code Red Kit: Perfect emergency kit for school lockers and backpacks

Remember: Your Needs Will Change

What works for you at 12 might not work at 16, and that's completely normal! Your body changes, your lifestyle evolves, and your comfort level grows. The key is staying open to trying new things when you're ready and not forcing yourself into products that don't feel right.

Some people love the security of pads their entire life. Others can't wait to try tampons. Some teens embrace menstrual cups immediately, while others need years to feel ready. There's no right or wrong timeline—only what feels right for you.

Making the Decision

Ask Yourself:

  • How comfortable am I with my body right now?
  • What activities are most important to me?
  • How heavy is my typical flow?
  • What's my comfort level with insertion?
  • What fits my budget and lifestyle?

Talk to Trusted Adults:

  • Parents or guardians who can help with product costs and logistics
  • Healthcare providers for medical questions or concerns
  • Older sisters, cousins, or family friends for real-world advice

Trust Your Instincts: Your comfort and confidence matter most. Don't let anyone pressure you into using products you're not ready for, and don't feel embarrassed about your choices.

Final Thoughts

At Scarlet by RedDrop, we've designed every product with tween and teen bodies in mind because we believe you deserve period care that actually fits your life. Whether you're just starting your period journey with our specially-sized pads or ready to explore our upcoming tampons and menstrual cups, we're here to support you with products that grow with you.

Your period product journey is personal, and there's no rush to try everything at once. Start with what feels comfortable, be patient with yourself as you learn, and remember that finding your perfect period product match is a process, not a destination.

You've got this, and we've got you—through every product, every period, and every phase of your journey.

Photo by Vitaly Gariev on Unsplash

Back to blog