Athletes around the world smash records and inspire millions with their strength, resilience, and talent. And, once a month, they bleed, cramp, cry, binge, and deal with the emotional and physical discomfort often involved with having a period.
According to recent studies, 1 in 2 teens skip sports due to their period. Whether it’s due to fears of leaks, lack of education, or unsupportive team environments, teens are missing out on the sports they love due to period stigma.
With that, we say it’s time to change the rules of the game—starting with period products that actually meets the needs of athletic teens.
While they may not alleviate cramps or mood swings, period pants for teens—from period-proof activewear to absorbent underwear—are helping make leaks a thing of the past.
Curious about how period pants can be a game-changer for sporty teens? Let’s dive in.
Get Moving With Period-Proof Leggings & Shorts
Period pants for teens; something I never expected to hear growing up wearing tampon-pad combos in softball, ball hockey, and volleyball.
Just like their better known counterpart, period underwear, period leggings and shorts are designed with a built-in absorbent liner that helps protect against leaks of all kinds (we’re talking blood, sweat, and pee).
They’re also designed to alleviate the stress and anxiety of ‘bleeding through,’ so your teen can focus on being amazing at the sport they love—sans leaks. Period leggings and shorts both absorb about 2 super tampons worth of menstrual flow.
Because, let's be honest, no one wants to be distracted by a bulky pad or the chafing of a tampon while they play.
In these period pants, you’ll feel like you’re just wearing regular workout clothing. And that’s exactly how you should feel: fabulous.
Hit the Dance Floor in Leakproof Tights & Leotards
Alright, let’s say your teen’s sport of choice requires something a little more snug or seamless. We’ve got you covered, queens.
Period-proof tights are perfect for dance or skating competitions, and absorb about 3 regular tampons or pads worth of period blood. Plus, they’re stretchy, comfortable, and sleek for those wretched bloating days.
Similarly, period leotards are for all those burgeoning ballerinas and dancers. Thanks to its built-in Leakproof liner, period-proof leotards can be worn solo during dance class or as a bodysuit under gymnastic and dance outfits.
Made using smooth, buttery soft fabric, you can count on it to move seamlessly with your body as you high kick, handstand, and pirouette your way to the podium.
Move However You Want in Classic Period Underwear
If your teen is a period-proof activewear novice, why not try a pair of period underwear first?
Period panties come in all kinds of styles (bikini, boyshort, high rise, and dream short cuts), sizes (XXS-XXL), and absorbency levels (light, medium, and heavy). So, you can pick period undies that really works for your unique needs.
Whether you need back-up protection or something that will hold up to 5 super tampons worth of menstrual flow so your teen can get 8-hours of rest the night before the big game, period underwear is a great intro to the world of leakproof garments.
Period undies can be worn for extra security and paired with menstrual cups or tampons during heavy flow days or solo while you sport, it all depends on your unique period flow and preferences.
Absorbent underwear also don't look or feel all that different from regular underwear, which means they can be worn any time of the month. You can even machine wash cold, hang dry, and re-wear them with ease.
Be the Champion That You Are
Now that I’m well into my 30s, I’m seeing menstruation and sports through an entirely new lens; as an aunt to an active and sporty 8-year-old niece.
As she swings across monkey bars and sprints through football fields without breaking a sweat (#rockstar), the idea that teen girls would ever be afraid to compete because of a normal bodily function breaks my heart.
Whether society continues being “hush hush” about periods, or we talk openly about our struggles and demand change, I want her to grow up knowing that she can play (and win) whatever game(s) she chooses.
Society’s rules are severely outdated; let’s level the playing field and stop acting like menstruating bodies aren’t the most resilient and hard-core players competing.
