It is possible that your period starts at a time that you are low on period supplies or, unfortunately, have none at all. It is easy to react apprehensively when you don’t have supplies at the onset of your period. It may be that you find yourself at a place where you don’t have supplies with you or it may be that the particular period product you use is not available in the market or it may be that you have run out of your supplies and they weren’t stocked up ahead of the start of your period. Whatever the situation, you are likely to be perturbed. However you should keep your nerves under control and get the required items.
Stay Calm
Therefore, the first thing to do is to keep calm. You look, find no supplies, but … don’t panic. Keep your nerves under check to strategize how you will secure the needed supplies.
Use some sort of protection
In the meanwhile, for temporary relief make sure you have some sort of protection to last you through the time that you are able to get your hands on the supplies. This can be through a piece of cotton wrapped in a cotton cloth or tissue to make a sort of pad for temporary protection. You can even use a panty liner if you have it. This will be a good and secure protection which will give you enough comfort to run an errand and secure your pads or tampons.
Try to get supplies yourself
If you are at home or work and have a ride or can get one, you should gather your preferred period supplies from your nearest store. If no ride is available, you can order online from a chemist, medical store, grocer or department store. You most probably would need an app to order if you cannot order by phone. For some, calling to place a delivery order may be more convenient. Choose whatever works best for you and the situation you are in.
Ask someone for help or to get supplies for you
If you are unable to get hold of any supplies yourself or are in a situation where you no access to the supplies or where you could get some, look for someone who can help you. You might need to ask your mother, sister, a friend, other relative or a helper to get you to a place where you can buy some supplies or to get them for you themselves.
If you are away from home, do not shy away from asking for help. Sometimes if nothing is accessible, you may ask a friend, colleague, acquaintance or school or workplace staff to help you if they have any of their own supplies available with them. You could ask them to lend you in an hour of need. This should provide you with temporary relief until you can get your own supplies or reach home.
Keep yourself composed
The final thing to do is to make sure you remain composed and cool. Keep drinking water to keep hydrated and to be able to think clearly and act appropriately. It will also help you to keep stress-free. Unnecessary stress might delay the acquisition of your much-needed supplies.
Keep your comfort in mind
When you don’t have supplies and your period starts, you need to keep in mind to stay comfortable, both physically and mentally. For physical comfort, as mentioned above you need to use a makeshift period product or use toilet paper, tissue, cotton etc to stop any leaks till the time you get hold of your supplies. For mental comfort, think that this is once in a blue moon situation where you have no supplies. Do not indulge in negative self-talk and blame yourself for not keeping yourself prepared. Find comfort in the thought that it can happen once in a while and it can happen to anyone. These positive thoughts will keep you good-spirited through your ordeal.
Written By: Amna Saadat Ali
