Your menstrual period may not always arrive on schedule, and often doesn’t give fair warning for a surprise visit. Being prepared for your period when you’re away from home (and having backup for friends) will be a big relief when the situation strikes!
It never hurts to have a “just in case” period emergency kit in your purse or backpack, to keep in your car or your locker, or in your desk at work. You never know when you, a friend, a co-worker, or a stranger may need a little period care rescue.
Ideas For What To Include In Your Emergency Period Pack
- Period care essentials: Cup, disc, organic tampons, pads, or liners
- PMS friendly OTC medications: Individual packs of pain relievers like ibuprofen, acetaminophen, or Midol are great for period pains
- Comfy period underwear: Major bonus points if you also have period underwear!
- Wipes and sanitizer: Items meant for a first aid kit can help make it mini
- Mini deodorant: Hormonal sweat hits different
- Travel sized toilet spray: Period poops. Need we say more?
- Mini heat packs for cramps: Hand warmers, heating patches, or a mini reusable, microwaveable heat pack
Bonus: Add any of these goodies to also make it a Period Self Care Kit
- Snacks: Chocolates and mints are easy to find individually wrapped, and mints can be great for an unsettled tummy
- Hair accessories: Keep annoyances to a minimum with hair ties, a scrunchie, or clips
- Lip balm!
- Relaxing items: Like a mini fidget toy or a calming essential oil
You can find recommendations for the items above and other period essentials on my Amazon Idea List here.
Why You Should Have A Period Emergency Kit
Even if you’re someone who chooses reusable products, like a menstrual cup or period underwear, there are a few good reasons to carry backups in an emergency kit.
Surprises Pop Up
Like we said, sometimes periods are unpredictable. If you’re not expecting your period, you may not think to carry your menstrual cup or put on your period underwear. Spotting or the early arrival of your cycle are two top reasons to keep an emergency period kit handy.
Accidents Happen
Even if you are prepared with your menstrual cup, it can be a bigger challenge to deal with a mishap away from home. Backup is nice to have if your cup or disc gets damaged, or you drop it and feel you should sanitize it before popping it back in.
A Friend In Need’s A Friend Indeed
What’s a friend if you can’t ask for a menstrual product in a pinch? Another great reason to have a period emergency kit is to have backup for your friends who menstruate. With nearly half of all humans in the world having a uterus, even a stranger is bound to appreciate you having their back when their period surprises them.
Storms & Power Outages
Weather can be unpredictable, and not having to leave the safety of your home to brave dangerous conditions is something you’ll be extra thankful for.
What To Put In Your Period Emergency Kit
Pick yourself a pouch or box and choose your preferred period products. Below are the items we think you’ll want to be sure to include:
1. Backup Reusables, Tampons, or Pads
If you have an unused backup, a menstrual cup is a nice option to have for you or a friend whose flow shows up unexpectedly and in full swing. A friend who bleeds is a friend in need, and a friend with backups is a treasure.
Also, keep a few tampons, pads, and panty liners in different sizes in your kit. You can add a few different options depending on your flow and preferences.
2. Medications and Pain Relief
You know your period experience best. Some people get period cramps, others get headaches. Keeping a small supply of Midol and other pain relief or anti-inflammatories, like Ibuprofen, will have you ready to manage whatever symptoms come with your menstrual cycle.
3. Backup Underwear
If you have an irregular period that could potentially become heavy, keep a backup pair of underwear for unexpected leaks. If you’re packing only for you, sizing is easy. If you want to be prepared either way, there are apparently “one size” options out there that fit a range.
Free bleeding — or the practice of menstruating without using products to collect or absorb blood — is becoming more popular among menstruating people.
4. Wipes and Sanitizer to Disinfect
Baby wipes are a great option for cleaning up when menstruation strikes for your hands, your body, or a friend. There are also sanitizing sprays and disinfecting wipes made specifically for cleaning menstrual products, and they are safe to use on products that go in your vagina.
You can use alcohol-based hand sanitizer on your hands, but make sure anything you use for cleaning a menstrual cup is alcohol-free to prevent irritation to you, and possible damage to the cup.
5. Snacks Like Chocolate and Mints
Okay, maybe this one isn’t a 100% must, but it’s a nice, affordable extra. Lots of us crave confections—especially chocolate—during and around our menstrual cycle. Not only is it sweet and satisfying, but dark chocolate is said to help reduce cramping due to its high magnesium content.
When it comes to mint, the menthol in peppermint oil helps ease muscle spasms and reduce stomach cramps. It also has emmenagogic properties that stimulate blood supply and circulation in the uterus.
