Teen period swimsuit, menstrual cups or tampons? We’ll help you choose!

First periods, first cycles, first period products—it’s not always easy to find your way as a teenager. And when summer comes and you just want to jump in the water, which period product should you choose so you can enjoy yourself without worrying?

Today, thanks to the many alternatives to tampons, our teens can swim and have their period without compromise. While period underwear supports teens day and night without any problem, what about at the pool?

Reusable, long-lasting and washable products are a realistic, affordable option to support teens during their periods at the pool or the beach. Which one should you choose? The teen period swimsuit or the teen menstrual cup?

Just as simple and practical, these products have many advantages that really make a difference: transparent, clean composition, materials that are safe for intimate areas, product durability, low carbon footprint, etc.

In short, period care has never been so good for both your health and the environment. How do you make the right choices? Let’s look at the main arguments for swimsuits, cups and tampons!

Choosing the right period protection for a teen isn’t always easy. First periods are often irregular and unpredictable. They don’t follow a clear rhythm. They can be unsettling and even quite painful at times. It can take months, even up to three years, for them to settle into a regular pattern.

And then there’s this body in full puberty, changing so fast it can be hard to recognise or understand. You don’t know your period yet, you don’t really know yourself. You can end up really suffering through this part of the menstrual cycle. You might feel there’s a bit of a taboo or even embarrassment around those few days of discharge and bleeding. You don’t always understand what’s going on. And that can feel pretty hopeless.

Yet here, on the Louloucup blog, we’ll never tell you otherwise: periods are the most natural hormonal phenomenon in the world. Every woman from puberty to menopause experiences it. So look around you. You’re far from being the only one going through this!

To take back control and stop feeling like you’re suffering through it: get informed, do your research! What works for your sister or your friend might not work for you. That’s okay—and totally normal! Because spoiler alert: every body is different, cycles are different, habits and lifestyles are different…

• Ask questions around you: your mum, your sister, your cousin, your aunt, your friends, so you can get feedback from their experiences.
  
  
• Read blogs, forums and newsletters that can guide, alert and inform you.
  
  
• Cross-check your sources; multiply them so you don’t end up with just one single point of view.

What are your options if your period starts just when you’re planning a dip in the pool? The good news? You’ve got several choices. Here’s the lowdown!

This aquatic version of the period panty is fantastic for enjoying yourself, swimming and doing lap after lap. At Louloucup we offer a teen period swimsuit for just €22.90. The Manon period swimsuit bottom goes with any bikini top. It absorbs a light to medium flow. Manon is eligible for the custom bundle with sliding-scale prices. 

A cup is a soft silicone reservoir that you fold and insert easily; it then opens up and seals against the vaginal walls to become leakproof. The cup is an internal period product (nothing sticks out). You can wear it during the day or at the pool. Very important: it needs to be emptied regularly, ideally every four hours.

Yes, you can wear it even if you’re a virgin. No, it doesn’t hurt and yes, it’s super economical and practical. However, a cup does require a certain level of ease with your body, your intimate area and the sight of menstrual blood. Louloucup offers the Turquoise Loulou cup made in France. This cup is perfect for teens.

DID YOU KNOW?

As well as being a guarantee of quality and comfort, menstrual cups are a great way to save money during your period. Depending on how you use it, a cup can last between 5 and 10 years, compared with disposable tampons which need to be repurchased much more frequently.

Have light periods or a light flow? A simple period swimsuit bottom will be enough for you! The Manon teen period swimsuit bottom or the adult versions available in size S, Laura and Juliette, are especially cute and really reliable!

Do you have a light to normal flow? A teen period swimsuit bottom is still enough! Once you’ve been swimming, don’t hesitate to take it off and rinse it to make sure your period protection lasts as long as possible. 

You can also wear a tampon.

As we’re talking about all the period protections that let you swim worry-free, it seems obvious we should mention TSS, or Toxic Shock Syndrome, and the risks to your health.

For several years now, numerous scientific articles and studies have shed light on the use of internal menstrual products (tampons and cups) and the health risks they may pose.

The toxic shock syndrome is undoubtedly the most serious danger. Blood that remains stagnant for many hours can create a favorable environment for the growth of a bacterium (Staphylococcus aureus).
This bacterium releases a toxin that can severely damage the body's organs. If a woman is not treated promptly, this syndrome can be fatal. 20 to 30% of women carry this bacterium (source: Zava). 

It is therefore essential to wear your tampon for less than six hours, change it regularly, and wash your hands thoroughly before and after removal. Most importantly, you must know the symptoms of toxic shock: sudden fever, vomiting, malaise, diarrhea, rash. At the slightest doubt, contact emergency services.

Because the menstrual cup is an internal protection, the same hygiene rules apply: wash your hands and wear the cup for a maximum of six hours. We also advise against wearing the cup at night. It’s recommended to properly sterilise the cup before use. Even better, have two menstrual cups and alternate them so you can clean/sterilise them thoroughly.

The teen period swimsuit is our clear winner! With it there’s no stress, no risk of TSS, no irritation! 

• Just as simple as period panties, we love its look, its simplicity and how practical it is.
  
  
• And we love that it’s eco-friendly and doesn’t create any waste. Tampons, pads and panty liners all end up in the bin after use, creating a huge amount of waste and obviously contributing to plastic pollution—plastic that then ends up everywhere (in our water, our air and our food).
  
  
• On the contrary, a reusable, long-lasting product can be used for years without any problem. A teen period swimsuit can be used for years if it’s properly washed and cared for. It helps reduce plastic and waste production.

For a teen, prioritise quality and reliability. A cup can absolutely be part of a teen’s menstrual routine. A menstrual cup can be used and worn by young virgins. A period swimsuit is, meanwhile, easy to use and reassuring.
By choosing the right size, a teen will be comfortable during her period.

With Louloucup, delivery is always free. Try the cup + teen period underwear pack to be fully equipped and, with Louloucup, the more items you add to your cart, the more the unit price of each item drops. It’s automatic and a great way to build a really good-value pack!

The sliding-scale bundle lets you put together your ideal period kit for school or the pool. A few pairs of period underwear, a cup, a swimsuit and you’re all set! And don’t forget the promo code, so you can save even more!