I agree with the cup idea. They're really cheap on amazon and reusable. Also really help with cramps and shorten my period.

In my company we have tampons and pads in every bathroom stall for free. I think it's a great idea and every company and also restaurants etc. should offer it. So apart from OPs current problem people who read this could maybe suggest it to their employers, too.

You can get cloth pads on etsy, some of them for only like $2-3 each. Doesn't really help you right now, but if you buy some with yout next pay you won't run into this issue again. Even if you choose to use disposable most of the time, they're good to have just in case. If you can sew, you can also make your own fairly inexpensively. Look at second hand stores or local classifieds for cloth diapers people don't need anymore, and cut/sew them into pads. And I second the menstrual cup suggestion, if you're comfortable with it and can afford it. It saves in the long run and is so much more comfortable, but if you're that broke you might not have the $50-60 to pay to get one, especially since you might need to try a few before finding one you like. I did not like the diva cup, which is the most widely available, but I love my sckoon cup.

You can get cloth pads on etsy, some of them for only like $2-3 each. Doesn't really help you right now, but if you buy some with yout next pay you won't run into this issue again. Even if you choose to use disposable most of the time, they're good to have just in case. If you can sew, you can also make your own fairly inexpensively. Look at second hand stores or local classifieds for cloth diapers people don't need anymore, and cut/sew them into pads. And I second the menstrual cup suggestion, if you're comfortable with it and can afford it. It saves in the long run and is so much more comfortable, but if you're that broke you might not have the $50-60 to pay to get one, especially since you might need to try a few before finding one you like. I did not like the diva cup, which is the most widely available, but I love my sckoon cup.

I need a menstrual cup too..wiping off the pad won't hold out for long op :(( sorry to hear you're going through such a smudgy bloody phase..trust in life, it's bound to get better

Ugh, I'm sorry, that's horrible. That's just horrible.

Speak your mind, but please try and be respectful.

I know you're in a tough spot,but you could get sick from that. Not sure where you live but 99 cent store, dollar stores sell pads. You can find free patterns to make cloth pads online and as someone else mentioned invest in a cup. Even wadded toilet paper is better than reusing a dirty pad. Good luck.

I'll echo what a lot of other people here are saying. Reusing the same pad through your whole period could make you very sick. See if you have access to a local women's clinic like Planned Parenthood. They'll often give out supplies for free if you need help financially. You can also use rolled up toilet paper or paper towels, or if you want to go really old school, cut up an old t-shirt and use pins to attach it to your underwear. It'll be a bit messy, but definitely better than an infection.

If you have a (clean) old rag or t-shirt you're okay cutting up, you could wrap a scrap of that around an old sock, then safety pin it in place in your underpants as a makeshift pad. It's not an ideal solution, but it's more absorbent than toilet paper and can be re-used if you're willing to wash it out. Or just find a store bathroom where they stock really decent toilet paper and steal a roll for sanitary purposes.