Thinx is changing the narrative around periods. Half the population menstruates every month, so why are we not talking about it?
The reality is that 71% of today’s teens ages 13-17 thought that periods were scary before experiencing it — and 77% of students believe that there needs to be more in-depth education about menstrual health (State of The Period survey). So it’s time we start the conversation, because we can help the next generation choose to be more comfortable with their periods.
Kristen Howerton, an author and psychotherapist, offers seven ways to get the conversation started.
Kristen has never shied away from any conversation, so she’s sharing some ways parents can help their teens feel comfortable about their periods.
She joined up with other mothers across the country to open up about what we can do to be more open on this topic. Here are seven tips Kristen has for parents to help their tweens and teens feel comfortable about periods:
1. Encourage Open Communication.
Encourage open and non-judgmental communication about ALL topics, which will model that you are a safe person for hard topics. Create a space where your teen feels comfortable discussing their feelings, concerns, and questions about their body and all its functions.
2. Educate.
Provide accurate and age-appropriate information about periods starting at an early age, including what to expect and how to manage them. Educate your teen about the menstrual cycle, including the physical and emotional changes that may occur.
3. Introduce Period Underwear.
Period underwear are an easy transition for teens starting their menstrual cycle because they look and feel familiar. Thinx Teens underwear provides leak protection that can absorb up to 5 regular tampons’ worth of flow, giving your teen peace of mind during their period.
Thinx Teens is also working to make these conversations easier. Recently, they launched a series of digital ads, “The New Language of Periods,” highlighting the importance of empowering teens and their parents to talk about periods in a more direct and unapologetic way.
The series of video ads showcases a range of real, honest period conversations: from a teen talking with mom about her own period experience, to one laughing when a best friend introduced her to Thinx Teens undies to help avoid period leaks (and at least some of the awkwardness of middle school).
4. Normalize.
Normalize the experience by highlighting that menstruation is a natural part of growing up and that it happens to most of the women they know. Talk openly about your own experience to model that it’s a natural part of life.
5. Make a Prep Kit.
Help your teen prepare a period kit with all the essentials they might need. Stash a kit in their school backpack and have supplies available at home to give them confidence that they are prepared for their period, no matter where they are.
6. Identify Safe People.
Talk through their schedule and activities and identify people they can talk to if they have an issue with their period while away from home. Remind your teen that experiencing periods is a normal and healthy process and that it’s okay to discuss it with friends, family, or teachers.
7. Emotional Support.
Be empathetic and supportive during this time. Understand that your teen might experience big emotions during their periods and prepare them for this with education and understanding. Offer reassurance that you are there to support them, no matter what.
The team at Thinx is focused on how we can help this next generation of teens be so much more confident about their periods than we were.
So let's get comfortable talking about periods and remove the shame and stigma. Let’s help this next generation take that power back.
Want More Ideas about How to Talk to Your Teen?
Keeley McNamara, a certified nurse midwife with a background in health education, offers these ideas.
Want to Check out Thinx Teens?
Click here to shop Thinx Teens, the non-invasive period solution that holds up to 5 regular tampons worth of flow. Thinx Teens are specifically designed for the bodies of teens and tweens. You can also shop the Thinx adult line of revolutionary period undies, or Thinx for All Leaks undies which are designed to protect against light and moderate bladder leaks.
