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
Halloween
A failed costume, stolen candy and a very real scare: Halloween, the one night when fear is allowed.
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)
momac86 17
If you're really desperate you can buy depends and just throw me away at the end of the day... I'd go with tissue or paper towel though first and give it a try
Knoro 6
I recently got some washable pads and they're amazing. So much nicer than the disposables and you just rinse and chuck jn the washing machine. I reckon they will last my whole life and no more chucking disposables in landfill. Win win. Totally worth investing in :) (I hate moon cups personally though I know people who love theirs)
wow2mylife 25
I'm I the only one that stock up reading the comments I feel like I am
Heteroscodra 8
If you ever have too much money, consider an IUD, no periods for meeee
Rammer3500 23
Sounds more like your job and budgeting suck
graceh1211 20
ask a woman colleague if she has any spares. just say that it's started and u don't have any with you
HSPARKS 14
Honey I am so sorry. Wish I could help.
graphicstyle7 17
Ok, everyone will be flabbergasted by this, but I rarely bought pads or tampons back when I had a period. That's marketing, kiddos, when they convince you that you HAVE TO have their product. Take some toilet paper, fold it until you have a small pad in your hand. Put up in to desired area. YES, this costs NOTHING and ABSOLUTELY WORKS JUST AS WELL. What on earth did you think ladies used before some company somewhere brainwashed you into thinking you could not get along without their product? Pretty much anything absorbent that holds together and is non-toxic will help you keep your dignity at this stressful time of the month.
dannidoll93 24
But it's not adhesive? So it might slip out of your gusset and down your trouser leg. Plus bits of tissue will detach and get stuck to you, or the entire was will get stuck to your vulva. Okay in an emergency but probably not suitable for most as a long term solution. Plus TP is gonna end up being just as expensive if you have to use extra to make pads.
catherinecas 30
Yeah, having used the TP trick plus having a heavy period is not an option. I bled through in about 10 minutes. As to your question about what women used: they used rags and things that they stuffed in themselves which led to many infections. After the invention of the menstrual belt they wore a sort of belt that would then have a giant pad type thing in between their legs. In today's modern times in 3rd world countries girls use old fabric, corn husks, and anything else they can use to sop up the blood. Because periods are considered taboo in some of these places it is hard to wash their rags and drying them during the day is impossible. Because the rags are not dried they can mold and cause all sorts of infections for the girls and women who use them.
dannidoll93 24
OP is there anyone who can loan you some pads until you can afford to return them? That's an awful situation but other women will understand your need- try asking your friends if they can give you a couple of pads and hopefully you'll have enough to see you through. Failing that, pm me your email address and I will send you some money via PayPal or something. Nobody should have to go through this.
ACCOUNTKILLER 18
The last time I was desperately poor, I didn't have internet or credit on my phone or time at work to complain about my lack of money on the internet... Just saying... Anyway, there are always alternative options; makeshift pads, old rags or shirts, reusable pads, charity organizations, free clinics, asking friends or family, putting money aside for a moon cup- anything is better than reusing the same pad for the whole period.
faifai_fml 21
Sometimes people have family members that pay for their phone if they're going through hard times. Sometimes people already paid their phone bills for the month and then have an emergency that completely wipes out their funds. Sometimes people have access to the internet at work. Don't be judgey and/or smug. It does no positive good for anyone.
ACCOUNTKILLER 18
Not being smug- more like pointing out the irony of complaining about poverty via the internet. I've had a different experience as far as being poor goes and I didn't have any help from anyone either. I absolutely understand how quickly and unexpectedly poverty can happen- but OP said 'reminded" implying she has had trouble with money before or that it's an ongoing problem. My opinion is that internet access is a luxury and the need for it when going through hard times should be reassessed -also if she has help with it, surely the same people could help with personal care emergencies.