Have your period arrived and you don't have a sanitary pad at hand? It can undoubtedly be a stressful, if not embarrassing, situation. Thankfully, with a little creativity, you can temporarily fix the problem until you find a tampon or tampon. There are several ways to make a makeshift sanitary napkin, for example using toilet paper, a small towel or even a sock!
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Use Toilet Paper or Paper Towels
Step 1. Fold several pieces of toilet paper or paper towel
If you have paper towels available, get enough to make a pile that is at least 1 to 1.5 cm thick and the same width as a regular sanitary napkin. If you can't find the paper towels, stack several scraps of toilet paper.
- Paper towels are more absorbent and stronger than toilet paper, so it's best to use those if possible. Otherwise, toilet paper is a good alternative - you'll just need to change it more often.
- You can also use paper tissues if you have any.
Step 2. Place the stack of paper on the crotch of the panties
Once you have stacked and folded the paper towels or tears of toilet paper, place them where you would normally put the tampon. Don't worry if they stick out a bit on the sides of your panties - just fold the edges down, like you would a regular sanitary pad with wings.
Advise:
if you have scotch tape at hand, fold a piece on itself, to make it double-sided, and use it to attach the paper to your underwear.
Step 3. Wrap a long strip of toilet paper around the briefs 4-5 times
Run the toilet paper over the makeshift tampon and then under the crotch of the panties, then back on top. It will help keep the tampon in place.
If you want to feel safer, wrap more toilet paper around your makeshift sanitary napkin. The more paper you use, the less you run the risk of bleeding out. Keep in mind, though, that if the tampon gets too bulky it can be uncomfortable
Step 4. Change the paper towel at least every 3-4 hours
The exact frequency with which you will need to do this will depend on the abundance of the flow and the strength of the paper used; in any case, when the tampon is impregnated or begins to disintegrate, or in any case after having kept it for several hours, it is time to replace it: tear the paper wrapped around the crotch of the panties, remove the makeshift tampon and create a other.
You should change it every 3-4 hours even if you have a light flow to prevent leaks and odors
Method 2 of 2: Improvising with other Materials
Step 1. Wrap a clean sock in toilet paper
If you have spare socks, perhaps for the gym, or are wearing a pair that is still clean, get one and wrap it several times in toilet paper. Lay it on the crotch of the underwear, then wrap more paper around the panty and sock to hold it in place.
Socks are made to absorb sweat from your feet, so they should work with your menstrual flow as well
Step 2. Try using a small towel or similar cloth if you have one
If you can find a clean towel or cloth, you can use that instead of the tampon: fold it so it's the right size, then hold it on the crotch of your panties until you have a tampon available.
It is best to check first if the fabric absorbs enough. Pass a corner of the cloth under running water: if the water soaks the fabric, you can use the cloth as an absorbent; if instead it accumulates and flows away, you need to find an alternative solution
Note:
once used for this purpose, the towel will likely be permanently stained.
Step 3. Look for cotton wool or gauze, for example in a first aid kit
These are other materials that you can use as a sanitary napkin in an emergency. If you have cotton wool or gauze, fold and squeeze it into a tampon shape; if you find cotton balls, wrap 6 or 7 in toilet paper to hold them together.
