9 Best Tampons for Teens, According to Ob-Gyns

Periods are nothing to be ashamed of, but if you’re not comfortable letting people know you’re headed to the bathroom to change your tampon, there are discreet options, too. Even with a plastic applicator, U by Kotex Click is small enough (about half the size of a traditional tampon package) to keep it your secret. That’s thanks to its clever design: You pull the lower half of the applicator down to open it up, and it clicks into place once it’s full-size and ready to be used as a plunger.

“I like that it’s travel-sized and easy to pack—you can put it in a small purse without it taking up much room,” says Teen Vogue reviewer Vanessa F. “And you can put it in your pocket to carry to the bathroom discreetly without it sticking out.” Just beware that if you yank open the applicator too quickly, it can come apart, so be gentle.

• Pros: Small size; smooth application
• Cons: Applicator sometimes comes apart when you open it up

When you first start using tampons, it’s tough to know whether you actually need the “super” or “ultra” absorbent options, or if you can get away with regular or light, which are likely to be more comfortable since they’re smaller. Figuring out what absorbency you need is important because, according to the FDA, you should always use the lowest absorbency possible. This encourages changing your tampon frequently enough to avoid certain health risks. “A variety pack might be smart for someone initially using tampons,” suggests Dr. Buckheit. That way, you’ve got an array of tampon sizes at your fingertips and can switch things up if you need longer-lasting coverage, or want to scale back as your flow lightens up. “A multi-pack [of] unscented plastic applicator [tampons] would be a great place to start,” she says.

The Tampax Radiant multipack fits the bill with regular, super, and super-plus options. “I used to use Tampax—that's what my mother did,” Dr. Lincoln says. “I love whatever brand is cheap and affordable.”

• Pros: Budget-friendly; comfortable
• Cons: You could end up with extras of sizes you don’t need

We get it: You want to make your cycle easier on the earth, but aren’t quite ready to test out a reusable menstrual cup or disc. Don’t worry, there is an in-between option. “If you are interested in, ‘Well, how can I use a plastic [applicator] and not pollute the earth?’ August Tampons actually degrade a lot quicker,” says Dr. Lincoln, who is on the brand’s advisory board. “It’s pretty cool from an environmental standpoint.” The tampons are also made with soft, organic cotton, which some users say is especially comfortable.

• Pros: Environmentally-friendly; made with organic cotton
• Cons: Higher price point; some reviewers say applicator is a little flimsy

Another way to be both discreet and more environmentally-friendly is to use a non-applicator tampon like o.b. You just peel off the thin plastic wrap, then use your finger to stick the small tampon inside. While this might be trickier than using a plastic applicator when you’re a total tampon newbie, once you get the technique down, there are def perks.

“It takes a little trial and error to figure out how to smoothly insert these without an applicator, but once I did, I never wanted to use any other tampons,” says Teen Vogue contributor Jennifer Heimlich. “I love the simplicity: These are super tiny to stash in a bag or my pockets, and I don’t have a bunch of trash to throw away when I’m done. I also appreciate how short and compact the tampon itself is—I feel like I’m getting away with the bare minimum.”

• Pros: Small; minimal packaging; excellent absorbency
• Cons: Can be tricky to insert

On the heaviest days of your menstrual flow, you might need to sacrifice a little comfort for the bigger size of a high absorbency tampon. But that doesn’t mean it needs to be absolutely massive. Lots of heavy bleeders swear by o.b.’s tampons because they open up horizontally (rather than length-wise) so they lock in place inside your vaginal canal and help keep you shockingly leak-free, given how compact these tampons are. No menstrual fluid stains in sight—score!

“With the ultra o.b.s, I definitely feel like there’s more going inside me, but it keeps me totally dry and protected on the heaviest day of my flow,” Heimlich says.

One word of warning: If you’re bleeding through any tampon in less than an hour or two, that’s a red flag that you should book a visit to your doctor. “Check in with us because that could be a sign that you've got a bleeding disorder or other reasons for bleeding like fibroids or adenomyosis,” Dr. Lincoln says. ”And those often go undiagnosed for a really long time.”

• Pros: Highly absorbent; secure fit; compact design; minimal packaging waste
• Cons: Can be tricky to insert

When you’re playing sports, tampons are ideal because they stay inside you and don’t get in the way like a pad might. You just want to reach for something that’s not going to distract you when you’re moving, which typically means choosing an option with the lowest absorbency that works for your flow like Playtex Sport, which is made for getting active and has a design that expands in 360 degrees so it stays comfortably in place even if you’re doing splits. “Just find the smallest, most appropriate tampon,” Dr. Buckheit suggests to teen athletes. That might mean you need to change it right before and after practice to avoid leaks, but being able to move comfortably makes it worth it.

Just know that while Playtex Sport is thin, some find it runs on the longer side. “Playtex Sport was just a bit too long for me, but I have a shorter canal,” says Teen Vogue reviewer Jennifer R. Your gynecologist will be able to tell you if you need to stick with shorter tampons based on the size of your canal.

• Pros: Secure fit; comfortable
• Cons: On the long side

Dr. Lincoln says conventional tampons are perfectly safe to use. But some people feel more comfortable with organic options. “It is a personal choice,” she says. “If you feel better using something like an organic tampon, that’s fine.”

Some people who use Cora’s organic tampons, in particular, say they’re less likely to cause irritation and itchiness. Plus, the brand helps you feel good in other ways, too: For every purchase, Cora donates period products to those who might not be able to afford them.

• Pros: Certified organic cotton; simple ingredient list; period products donated with every purchase made
• Cons: Higher price point; some reviewers say the applicators are wide and clunky