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If you're on your period and you don't have a sanitary pad on hand, you might be feeling stressed out or even embarrassed. Luckily, though, a little creativity will get you through the day until you can find a pad or a tampon. There are several options you can use to make your own makeshift pad, like using toilet paper, a washcloth, or even a sock!
Steps
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Fold together a thick stack of paper towels or toilet paper. If you can find paper towels, grab enough of them so they make a stack that's at least 1 ⁄ 2 in (1.3 cm) thick, and about as wide and long as a normal pad (enough to cover the crotch of your underwear). If you can't find paper towels, fold toilet paper together to create a thick stack, instead. [1] X Research source
- Paper towels are more absorbent and durable than toilet paper, so they're better to use if you can find them. If not, though, toilet paper works—you just might have to change the makeshift pad more often.
- Check to make sure the paper you have is unscented, as scented products can irritate your skin. [2] X Trustworthy Source Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services Go to source
- A thick stack of tissues can also be used.
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Place the stack on the crotch of your underwear. Once you've folded the stack of paper towels or toilet paper, press it into your underwear in the same place your pad would normally go. It's okay if it overlaps the sides of your underwear a little—just fold the edges down, similar to wings. [3] X Research source
Tip: If you have tape on hand, fold a strip into a circle to make it double-sided, then use it to attach the toilet paper to your underwear.
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Wrap a long strip of toilet paper around your underwear 4-5 times. Wrap the toilet paper so it goes over the pad, all the way around the crotch of your underwear, and back again. This helps secure the makeshift pad so it doesn't shift around. [4] X Research source
- Feel free to wrap more toilet paper around the pad if you want. The more paper you use, the more secure you'll be against leaks, although it may be uncomfortable if your pad gets too bulky.
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Change the paper pad at least every 3-4 hours. Exactly how often you'll need to change the pad depends on the heaviness of your flow and the durability of the paper you used. When the pad gets soaked or starts to disintegrate, or once you've had it in place for several hours, it's time to replace it. To do that, just tear away the paper wrapped around the crotch of your underwear, discard the pad, and make a new one. [5] X Research source
- Even if you're having a light flow, still change your pad every 3-4 hours. This helps prevent leaks and odors. [6] X Research source
- If you have a heavy flow, you may need to change the pad more often.
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Wrap a clean sock in toilet paper for a quick fix. If you have a spare pair of clean socks on hand, take one of the socks and wrap toilet paper around it several times. Place the sock in the crotch of your underwear, then wrap more toilet paper around your underwear and the sock to hold it in place. [7] X Research source
- Socks are made to absorb sweat from your feet, so they should be absorbent enough to work for your period, too.
- Only use a clean sock for this DIY method, as the bacteria from a dirty or used sock could cause an infection.
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Try a washcloth or another small cloth if you have one. If you can find a clean cloth, use it in place of a pad. Fold it so it's about the size of a sanitary napkin and place it in your underwear until you can find a pad. [8] X Research source
- It's a good idea to test whether the fabric is absorbent first. Run a small corner of the material under water. If it soaks up the water, you can use it as a pad, but if the water beads up and rolls off the fabric, try another method.
Note: A cloth used for this purpose may be permanently stained.
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Check first aid kits or craft supplies for cotton or gauze. Cotton balls, cotton wool, and gauze are all absorbent materials that you can use as a pad in a pinch. If you find cotton wool or gauze, fold and stack it together until it's the shape of a pad. If you have cotton balls, wrap at least 6-7 of them in toilet paper to keep them together. [9] X Research source
- Wrap toilet paper around the pad and your underwear so it doesn't shift around.
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Tips
Tips from our Readers
The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
- Never forget a pad by keeping one on you at all times. Put them in your purse, backpack, or wallet (for a small liner).
- If you can, go to the nurse or ask a friend for one.
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Warnings
- Makeshift pads should only be used until you can find a real pad or a tampon. Do not rely on these options as the primary solution for your period.Thanks
- Like any menstrual product, there is a risk of toxic shock syndrome (TSS) when using a makeshift pad. The risk is low, but replacing your pad every 4 hours can help prevent symptoms. [10] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to sourceThanks
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References
- ↑ https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/tmi.13817
- ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/hygiene/about/menstrual-hygiene.html
- ↑ https://youtu.be/yWDaN1BUSXs?t=135
- ↑ https://youtu.be/yWDaN1BUSXs?t=135
- ↑ https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/changing-pads.html
- ↑ https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/supplies.html
- ↑ https://www.blissnatural.in/blogs/news/sanitary-pad-in-emergencies
- ↑ https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8465734/
- ↑ https://youtu.be/yWDaN1BUSXs?t=202
About This Article
Article Summary
X
To make a substitute sanitary pad, first get a large amount of toilet paper and fold it over itself until you get the thickness you want. Then, place the toilet paper on the usual spot on your underwear where a pad would go. If you’d rather use rags as a replacement pad, find a small, clean rag and fold it to the approximate size and shape of a pad. Once it’s folded, place it on the inside of your underwear. Just make sure to wash the rag before reusing it. To learn how to make a substitute sanitary pad out of cotton, read on!
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Reader Success Stories
- "I was reading this during day 5 of my second period, and I've kept it a secret because I'm not ready to tell anyone, not even my mom. I was already using toilet paper because I didn't have access to proper period supplies, so this helped a lot. Until I get pads or tampons, I'm going to remember the advice that wikiHow gave me on using toilet paper instead. Thank you wikiHow!" ..." more
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"I was reading this during day 5 of my second period, and I've kept it a secret because I'm not ready to tell anyone, not even my mom. I was already using toilet paper because I didn't have access to proper period supplies, so this helped a lot. Until I get pads or tampons, I'm going to remember the advice that wikiHow gave me on using toilet paper instead. Thank you wikiHow!"
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"I have the 1st day of school tomorrow, I don't have any pads, And I don't want to tell my parent I'm on my period. I'm not ready. I use to buy mine myself. But they changed the age limit you have to be in to go to the store. So this is a great way to do."
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"It helped to read other people's questions and answers; in that way I could gain information about the topic and what I should do if I so happen to be in one of these situations. Now I'll know what to do."
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"Thank you so much! I had my first period yesterday on an extremely rainy day! I whipped out my phone and found this! It was a life saver! I got pads now, so I'm fine, but again, thank you!"
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"Thank you! My friend had gotten her first period and she had no pads! She was so stressed but I found this and got through the situation. Such a live saver!"
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