Sneak a Pad or Tampon to the Bathroom at School

Menstruation is nothing to be ashamed of.[1] If you’ve just started your period, however, you may not want everybody to know that you're using tampons or a pad at school. You might not want your friends or teachers to know, or maybe you’re just a private person. If you want to keep your business in the bathroom, there are several methods to keep your hygiene products under wraps.

Steps

Being Prepared

  1. Keep your items in something easy to carry. Make sure that you always have a few pads or tampons in your bag or in your locker.
    • For some girls, a makeup case is something that they already carry around. For other girls, you may want to use a pencil case.
  2. Make a “period kit” and put it in your locker.[2] Put emergency supplies in it, just in case your period starts unexpectedly.
    • Your period kit should have a few pads, about 4 tampons and backup clothes in it. You don’t need to have pants in your locker (although you might want to keep some in your gym locker).
    • Use a ziplock bag or other plastic bag. It will keep your items safe and together.
  3. Know your backup sources. If you are caught unawares, know that some schools have tampon vending machines in their bathrooms. You might also have a very-well-prepared friend that can lend you one.
    • Nurses' offices often have supplies. Even some female teachers may have a supply.

Concealing Your Items

  1. Use the sound of your bag moving to disguise the sound of plastic. Pads and tampons can come in noisy wrapping. When you’re searching for them in your bag, move the rest of your bag around to create noises that will disguise the sound of you hiding your pad or tampon.
    • The clatter of pens and keys are a good distraction from the sound of plastic.
  2. Ball up your pad or tampon in your hand, or slip it up your sleeve. [3] You will find that there are many places on your body that you can hide something small.
    • Tampons, especially applicator-free ones, are discreet when your fist is closed. They might be more difficult to keep in your sleeve, but you can usually hold them in place with a finger or two.
  3. Slide your pad or tampon into a boot or sock. Since your feet are under your desk, this is more discreet than putting it in your pocket.
    • Slide your bag or whatever your items are in between your legs. Reach inside and slide your pad or tampon into your shoe or sock.
    • It might be a good idea to bend down to put something away when doing this, or else come back up with an item, so that you have an excuse for reaching into your bag.
  4. Get excused from class, then stop by your locker. If you keep your items in your locker, you won’t have to worry about taking them out of class.
    • Try to keep your emergency supplies for emergencies, and bring new supplies to school when you know that you’ve started your period.
  5. Bring a small bag or makeup case with you. Bringing a bag might be more visible, but you may just not want to deal with digging around for your hygiene products in the middle of class.
    • A pencil case can work as well.
  6. Take something else with you. If you need to come back for your items, take something else with you, like a water bottle or a wallet. That way, you can pretend that you are refilling your water bottle, or getting something from the vending machine.
    • Some people actually keep pads or tampons hidden in water bottles. Panty liners and applicator-free tampons will also fit easily inside of a wallet.
  7. Sandwich your pad inside your phone case. If you have a phone case with a flap that closes, you can squeeze your pad into that spot.
    • Reach into your bag with your phone in your hand, slide the pad in, and put your phone in your pocket.

Avoiding the Situation

  1. Go to the bathroom between classes. This way, you will be able to bring items in a backpack or bag without it being noticed.
    • Even if you think you don’t have to change, stop by the bathroom anyway. There’s nothing worse than sitting in class and feeling you’re having an emergency.
  2. Use a menstrual cup.[4] Menstrual cups can be worn for up to 12 hours, and you don’t have to change them. All you have to do is empty them.
    • Menstrual cups are great for the environment as well as your hygiene.
  3. Keep hygiene items in your pocket. Most pockets are big enough to fit a pad or tampon.
    • If you come to school with items already hidden on your person, you don’t have to worry about sneaking them out of class.
  4. Layer your pads. Put on two in the morning and when one is saturated, go the bathroom and peel off the first one and throw it away and presto - fresh pad underneath.
    • Be careful not to let the adhesive stick too much to the pad underneath, as it might rip off some of the absorbent material. It’s best to stagger them a bit, with one in front and one in back.

Tips

  • Don’t be too embarrassed to ask your friends. You would help them out in that situation, so there is no reason to be afraid.
  • If your teacher doesn’t let you go to the bathroom, don’t suffer through class. Just let them know that you’re having lady problems.
  • Keep a small zip up wallet in your back pocket. Fill it with your pads and/or tampons and it will just look like you're carrying your wallet.
  • Also, you can hide a pad or tampon in your glasses case and you can bring it to the restroom.
  • Always keep extra clothes or a sweatshirt handy just in case of an accident. Also keep extra supplies. If you don't have any don't be afraid to ask, it is perfectly normal for every girl and the nurse, teacher, or even a friend is guaranteed to have something. People start from ages 8-16 and end ages 45-55.
  • Place pads or tampons in a fluffy sock and put it in your locker or carry it with you.
  • If you are scared someone will hear the crinkle of opening a pad at school, flush the toilet and then open it. If someone asks why you flushed before and after going to the bathroom, tell then the person before you didn't flush.
  • If you don't know where to hide a pad, tuck one in the front of your underwear for later.

Warnings

  • Tampons and pads should be changed every 5-6 hours, depending on your flow.
  • Don't ever leave a tampon in for more than 8 hours. This can lead to TSS, also known as Toxic Shock Syndrome.

Related Articles

Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ http://www.refinery29.com/2014/08/72854/tampon-pride
  2. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGo7AYUMdxU&feature=youtu.be&t=5m36s
  3. ↑ http://www.theperiodblog.com/?s=sneak+pad+into+bathroom
  4. ↑ http://www.theperiodblog.com/?s=menstrual+cups
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