Today, I was reminded what poverty is like when I had to choose between buying food and buying pads. Now, I have to take constant bathroom breaks and wipe off my pad. I don't get paid until after my period ends. FML
Collection
Fall
Dead leaves, the first cold of the season and an umbrella flipped inside out: fall, the season of grace.
Today, while sitting on the toilet, I noticed there was no toilet paper left, so I dug through my purse to use my one and only pad as a substitute. It clogged the toilet, and I started my period ten minutes later. FML
Today, I've been debating all day on whether I'm going to have to sell some of my video games to afford pads. FML
Today, I realized that every time I hear running water, I have less than a minute to find a toilet or I'll pee my pants. FML
Today, I woke up to realize I got my period a week early. The day of the after-wedding brunch. In a sort of remote area. Without pads or tampons. I need to be at the breakfast in a half-hour. FML
Today, I had to decide between buying medicine and buying food. FML
Today, I invested in some menstrual underwear to save money on sanitary products and for environmental reasons. I got to wear them only once before they were accidentally washed too hot and completely ruined. FML
Today, I got my period early. While traveling. For a funeral. I had to walk through two entire airport terminals to find a shop that had any period products, and the only option was an $18 box of tampons. Six tampons, to be precise. FML
Today, I ran to a public bathroom because of explosive diarrhea. In the middle of it, I noticed there was no more toilet paper nor paper towels remaining. The smallest bill in my wallet was a 5. I had to pay 10 dollars to wipe my own butt. FML
Today, I got a diaper rash from a pad. FML
Today, I came home to my boyfriend wearing one of my pads on his hand, because he didn't want to pay to go to the hospital for stitches. FML
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Top comments
Welshite 40
Invest in a menstrual cup. The cups are reusable and pay for themselves over just a few months.
laurellkawes 31
You could always use toilet tissue as a pad or a cloth. Not the best option, but better than not eating
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Comments (227)
jaqlove 22
Pads are only $8 at walgreens. :)
deathstroke990 22
when you hardly have enough money o eat there's no such thing as only 8$
PeaceTurtle 17
$8 for pads/tampons are a tad bit on the expensive side
Thegoofygoober 15
Damn apparently what you consider a good deal triggers people, sorry for the down votes
graceinsheepwear 34
The dollar store usually has some kind of pads, if you have or can borrow a buck.
vandj8 9
I bet if you went into a Planned Parenthood clinic they'd give you some free pads.
PeaceTurtle 17
Unfortunately they don't have planned parenthood everywhere :/ I live in Louisiana and the attack on women Healthcare is real here
thatweirdasian 22
Why #34 got down voted, is beyond me. Good suggestion though! Unfortunately, yep, Planned Parenthood isn't everywhere :(
cchamberlin1 13
43, I'm from Louisiana too and I feel your strug... Nothing like living in the Bible Belt.
noellebelle626 19
Girl I'm sorry.. If I could I'd send you 5 huge packs of them /:
sarianna 10
You can easily sew reusable pads, just wash with laundry detergent like regular clothes
catherinecas 30
This isn't really a practical solution since not everyone can sew by hand or has a machine to use.
markpatrick 10
****** gross
RageWolf16 31
****** **** off.
Leviathene 34
Please don't belittle OP. Some people aren't aware of different methods of feminine hygiene. When you are desperate and financially in dire straits, you can't always see your options.
RageWolf16 31
I think my comment got deleted so here it is again. **** off.
Nazaress 13
Your attitude is gross.
nanner6206 24
I have seen plenty of posts involving "potty talk" or "sexual messes" and not a single "gross" is mentioned. Don't act like a 9 year old.
MandieL 27
I'm sure you have a female you know that you could borrow from. Most women would be happy to help you out.
Cap42 2
Websites for pad and tampon companies will send out free trial packs of their products if you fill in your information- it might not help OP this month, but it could be useful next time around. I know Kotex does this, and you can always check the other pad and tampon companies too.
Alcenta 8
I would've gotten the pads! You can go a week without food, periods last a week and are a lot worse than being a little hungry
RageWolf16 31
I don't think you quite understand how humans work. You can theoretically last 3 weeks without food before you DIE. A week without eating would leave you one third dead. At best barely functional.
smokecloud_ 37
You don't eat for a week and tell us how you feel.
Aethereal 14
You can substitute pads with an arm's length of rolled up toilet paper from a public toilet. Not eating for a week, though... You will be weakened (especially if you were not eating well beforehand), irritable, and in considerable hunger-pain. Won't really help with not being fired and, in general, functioning. Won't recommend. In conclusion: food first.
siggy_mcsigx 22
It's a bad idea to stop eating on your period. Or risk severe anemia/iron deficiency.
GhostFox 34
The getting sleepy after the first few days is your body essentially going around and shutting off everything that doesn't absolutely HAVE to be on. Also, to reiterate what someone else said: food comes first- part of the reason that periods are such a wreck for people is because the body is doing a lot of stuff to get 'clean' for the next cycle. If someone who is menstruating doesn't have access to clean food and clean water, they can get sick with all kinds of things. Seriously, despite the oversimplified explanation given about periods in health ed classes, periods aren't just bleeding like a cut. The body is literally rejecting and expelling blood and rotting flesh that was the uterine lining. It ***** up their bodies pretty badly while there on it, and some have issues just before and after the bleeding to top it off. To phrase it more simply, not buying food if you were menstruating would be like trying to drive across the country without refueling your car. It's a bad idea just from the mechanical issues it can cause, and depending on where you are when it breaks down, it could be deadly. Food, clean water, and shelter are the most important aspects to take care of.
themermaid_a 14
I feel it. I have to pay for gas to drive 45 minutes to my job, but they haven't paid me for 3 weeks. How am I supposed to get to work with no gas???