How to Handle Period Leaks at School

Period stains can be a real worry during your period, especially when you are at school. Leaks are more normal than people think and happen to most people on their period at some point or another. This can lead to a feeling of discomfort and unease as you try to navigate the best way of preventing them and dealing with them if they do happen. The good news is that there are ways to be prepared for leaks and to make being on your period a more comfortable experience while you are at school.

Part 1
Part 1 of 3:

Dealing With Leaks

  1. Stay calm . While it may seem like the last thing you can do when you suspect you may have leaked, panicking will only draw attention to yourself. Generally, period stains aren't as noticeable as you think they are. Don't believe it? When was the last time you saw someone else with a period stain? You will not be the first person to leak when you are on your period, but generally people aren't paying enough attention to others to notice when others leak. Leaks also don't tend to be that large as the start of your period isn't as heavy, and if you are wearing menstrual products, the product will catch most of the blood.
    • Keep in mind that hormones during the time of your period can make you feel more anxious and on edge. It can help to know that that may be the reason you feel more panicky.
    • School uniform bottoms tend to be darker anyway, so the blood will be less visible and most leaks don't go through all layers of clothes.
  2. If you are in class, then it is likely that you will want to leave to deal with the leak straight away. It should be enough to say you need the toilet, but if your teacher says no, or presses you even more, you may need to do more convincing. You can tell your teacher exactly why you need to go, if that's something you feel comfortable with, otherwise you can say it's an emergency, you're desperate, or you feel sick.
    • Some people find that leaving in the middle of class draws more attention to yourself, but prioritise your own comfort over what other people think.
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  3. Going to the toilet can help you assess the situation better. You may find that the stain is smaller than you thought, or there is no stain at all (sometimes the blood can stain your underwear, but doesn't soak through).
    • It may help to use a single stall toilet as these have a sink inside of them, but do not use the disabled toilets unless you are disabled.
  4. This should be one of the first things you do. Period products should be changed regularly, but even if they are, leaks can still sometimes occur. If you use disposable products, like pads or tampons, replace it with an unused one. If you use a reusable pad, take it off and put it in an empty bag that can close (it is recommended that you get a washbag with a zip exclusively for this purpose), then replace it with another product. If you use a menstrual cup, empty it out in the toilet, then re-insert it.

    Tip: If you don't have access to period products at the moment, you can ask a friend or the school nurse. If you are allowed out of school for breaktime or lunchtime, you can use this time to buy what you need.

  5. This is going to be harder to do, and might not always be the best option. It is unlikely you will get the entire stain out right there and then (although it will likely come out in the wash later), but you may be able to minimise its appearance. If you are in a single stall bathroom, you should have access to a sink. Otherwise, you can temporarily change your clothes (if you have a spare set like a PE kit), then go out to the sinks to wash them. You won't get much privacy that way and people might ask you what you are doing (in which case, it's up to you how you answer). Washing a stain out might not be the best option, as you'll have to go around in wet clothes for the rest of the day, which will likely draw you more attention than if you just let the stain be.
    • Always remember that cold water washes out blood stains, while warm water locks them in.
    • Some people use stain remover pens to deal with period stains, however don't expect them to work miracles, as they usually don't. [1]
    • Don't worry if your stain doesn't get washed out in the sink, you can wash it properly later to get it out.
  6. A lot of period leaks happen while sitting down, so make sure you remember to clean the blood off the seat, if not for you, then for the person who uses the seat after you. You can do this with a wipe or paper towel (preferably wet). It may be hard to do this discreetly, so if you don't want people to know what you are cleaning off, you can make something up. If you can't clean the seat yourself, you can pretend that you found it like that, and let the teacher know that there appears to be something on your seat and you don't know what.
    • You can also put the seat aside, so no one will sit on it, and so that it can be brought to the cleaners' attention that it needs a wipe-down.
    • Blood is less likely to show up on darker seats.
  7. Use a makeshift pad , if you can't get access to a proper one. While not ideal, and not a long-term solution, if you cannot get hold of anything else, make a substitute. The easiest way of doing this is to wrap layers of loo roll around your underpants. This is by no means an ideal solution as toilet paper wasn't made to absorb blood, it's better than nothing in an emergency.
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Part 2
Part 2 of 3:

Hiding Stains

  1. If you have a change of clothes with you, this shouldn't be too much of a fuss. Normally the change of clothes people have with them is their PE kit. This may put you in a spot of bother, especially if you wear school uniform, but it should only be necessary to change your bottom half. If anyone asks, a fellow pupil, or a member of staff, you can say you spilled something on your other set of clothes.
    • Don't worry too much if you haven't got a spare set of clothes, there are still other ways to hide a stain.
    • If your PE kit looks more similar to uniform, for example, a pair of black leggings, people are less likely to notice.
    • You could also contact someone from home and ask them if they are able to bring in a change of clothes.
  2. This is one of the easiest ways you can hide stains. If anyone asks you why you have a jumper or jacket around your waist, you can just say that you are feeling too hot. This excuse might work better if you have less space in your bag. You won't need to have it tied around your waist when you sit down, so simply prop it on the back of your chair.
  3. If you can't hide the stain, make an excuse to cover it. Some excuses may be more convincing than others, so think of one that is actually believable. Period stains tend to appear brown or red, so a good excuse might be saying you must have accidentally sat on something of that colour.
    • Don't draw more attention to it by making an elaborate story. Instead come up with something simple and believable.
    • Be prepared for the fact that people might not believe you, no matter what. Generally people who have periods might be less likely to believe you, but this is likely because they are familiar with the situation, so you can find ease in the fact that other people have been through the same thing as you.
  4. Having a period is something that half of the world's population has to go through and is nothing to be ashamed of. You might find it easier to just say you've had a period leak, than trying hard to hide it. If you act casual about it, it can be a lot less awkward than making up excuses. Being honest about it can also help erase stigma around periods and help normalise them. This might lead to others in the future being more open about their periods, because they knew you were able to. You won't be the only person in your class to have had a period leak before, in fact, out of the people who menstruate, the vast majority will have at least once. By being open about it, this gives the signal that it is not anything to be embarrassed about. This can also mean people can help you deal with the stain better.
    • Of course, it's your choice if you want to be honest. You can also (politely!) tell people it's none of their business if they do ask.
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Part 3
Part 3 of 3:

Preventing Future Stains

  1. Use period underwear . Period underwear is a type of absorbent underwear that you can wear month-round. Period underwear can be worn with another period product, or on its own, depending on how heavy your period is. You can also wear it before your period to avoid being caught out and staining your usual underwear. Period underwear comes in different absorbencies and styles, so you can choose ones that work well for you.
  2. Bring spare period products . If you have a locker, keep a stash of spare period products in there and replace them when they run out. You should also keep some period products in your bag in case you don't have a locker, or are unable to get there. This means that if you start your period by surprise, regardless of whether or not it is your first period, you will be adequately prepared.
    • Keeping spare period products also has the bonus of being useful if someone else needs some but doesn't have any of their own.
  3. It can be useful to ask why you had a leak. No products are 100% leak-proof, but you may be able to reduce the chances of a leak by using the correct product. When it comes to pads, tampons and period underwear, they come in different absorbencies, so you may want to opt for a higher absorbency. Winged pads can also be a better option for leaks as they provide protection for around the edges and move around less. The disadvantage of them is that they don't work for boxers, if that's what you wear.
    • For tampons, beware that using a higher absorbency than you need can increase your risk of toxic shock syndrome, a rare, but serious disease.
    • Some people find reusable pads to leak less than disposable pads, as well as being more comfortable. On top of this, cotton pads are less likely to slip and tend to have a tighter fit. [2]

    Tip: If you are wearing a tampon, make sure it is in correctly. Every part, except the string should be inside your vagina. If it is not fully in, you will feel physically uncomfortable, but it is also more likely to leak.

  4. Pantyliners are like pads but thinner. They are normally used when you expect your period is due, when your period is lighter, or in combination with a tampon or menstrual cup for greater security. You can get disposable and reusable pantyliners and, they too, come in different sizes to meet your needs. Pantyliners are more there for protecting your underwear from stains, as they aren't very absorbent, but they can help you in the run-up to your period.
  5. Some leaks can happen from not changing your product enough. At minimum, pads should be changed every 6-8 hours, and tampons every 4-6 hours, but it is likely you will need to change them more often, especially when your period is heavier. Use break and lunchtimes to change your products, and don't be afraid to ask to be excused from class if you need to. Pads and tampons don't work as well when they are already saturated with blood. Disposable pads can also bunch up when they are full, which not only can feel uncomfortable, but can also cause leaking around the edges.
    • Menstrual cups generally only need to be emptied every 10-12 hours, [3] but should be changed more often if you feel it needs to be.
  6. When it is near your period, you may wish to opt for darker colours, such as black, dark blue and dark red. This can conceal period stains, or if they do show up, it will not show the colour. Uniform skirts, trousers and shorts do tend to be darker colours, such as black or navy. If you don't wear uniform, you can still opt for dark colours around the time of your period.
    • If you have a PE kit, you might want to choose dark coloured bottoms for those too when on or due your period.
    • Of course, dark clothing is just an option. It is better to wear clothes that you feel comfortable in and are your style, even if this is lighter clothing. Being on your period shouldn't dictate what clothes you wear if you don't want it to.
  7. If you are on your period and you are afraid of leaking, you can put a change of clothes in your bag just in case. It will only be a change of bottom half that is needed. You can also keep a change of clothes in your locker, regardless of whether you are on your period or not just to be prepared.
    • If you are doing this, remember a change of underpants too. While nobody will be seeing them, it will be a lot more comfortable.
  8. Knowing when your period is due to start can help you be better prepared. Periods happen approximately every month, but for the first few years, they can be more irregular, meaning they may be more or less frequent than that. If it is not your first period, you can track your period to know when to expect it. You can do this either through a diary or using an app. Taking note of PMS (premenstrual syndrome) symptoms can also alert you to when your period is due. Everyone is different but common symptoms of PMS include: [4]
    • Mood swings
    • Bloating
    • Breast tenderness
    • Appetite changes
    • Changes in skin, such as more spots
    • Tiredness
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Expert Q&A

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      Tips

      • Don't let the incident define you. Having a period leak is not a unique experience and even if people do notice, chances are they don't care and will forget about it quickly enough. [5] Many people will know what it's like because it has happened to them too.
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      • It can help to have a trusted friend know so they can help and get you anything you need. [6]
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      • Wearing two pairs of underwear can help stop your pad from moving around as much, preventing leaks. [7]
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      Warnings

      • Never wear more than one tampon at once, this increases your risk of toxic shock syndrome.
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      Things You'll Need

      • Spare period products
      • Period underwear and/or pantyliners
      • Something to tie around your waist
      • Change of clothes (optional)

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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.knixteen.com/blogs/the-rag/how-to-deal-with-period-leaks-at-school
      2. ↑ https://www.cheekypants.com/blog/how-to-prevent-leaks-when-on-your-period.html
      3. ↑ https://www.theperiodlady.co.uk/blog/how-often-to-empty-your-menstrual-cup.html
      4. ↑ https://www.nhsinform.scot/healthy-living/womens-health/girls-and-young-women-puberty-to-around-25/periods-and-menstrual-health/premenstrual-syndrome-pms/
      5. ↑ https://www.healthshots.com/intimate-health/menstruation/period-leaks-in-publics/
      6. ↑ https://www.pulse.ng/lifestyle/beauty-health/how-to-handle-period-stains-in-public/wp82twp
      7. ↑ https://www.healthshots.com/intimate-health/menstruation/these-7-period-hacks-will-ensure-you-never-stain-your-clothes-ever-again/

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