I Forgot to Prep... Tampons

by **searching4itnc** » Sat Apr 28, 2012 7:31 pm

Yeah, it's a tad off normal prepping details, but I found myself with my wife and daughter in Wal-Mart today buying tampons. Something I'm not trusted to do on my own. My 17 year old daughter; by the way, is big into prepping with her dad, while my wife (her step-mom) is just recently gotten on board.

My wife bought a box of "Always" brand while my daughter wanted "Playtex" brand. Quite a position for me, since I never buy them or have the right attitude about them. Yes, I even suggested they make their own. I was quite embarrassed at the response to that.

Anyhow; we used some coupons and my daughter wound up with a "buy one get one free" deal that lead her out of the store with four (4) boxes. My wife just got one. They were all boxes of thirty-six (36). So the conversation turned to stocking them. Okay guys, I had no idea that women use around five (5) a day during that time of the month! We realized that this was one area that we were far behind in. Especially when it was explained that this was an item I couldn't fudge on or make short-cuts with.

So now I'm gonna have to return and stock them! This is gonna be embarrassing!

by **duodecima** » Sat Apr 28, 2012 8:00 pm

How many of these things you need a day is completely YMMV, (also how many days you need them for) so good for you for asking the women in your life so you can do the math.

There are other options, from making one's own pads to using a diva cup, but stocking everybody's first choice makes a LOT of sense.

by **Tank Woman** » Sat Apr 28, 2012 8:16 pm

Ahhh the Cotton Pony

Take heart, even women can feel funny buying a boatload of tampons!
You might do as we do with all our preps, just buy an extra every time your family shops until you have the required amount. Easier on the wallet AND the manly image

by **duodecima** » Sat Apr 28, 2012 8:26 pm

Tank Woman wrote:Ahhh the Cotton Pony
Take heart, even women can feel funny buying a boatload of tampons!
You might do as we do with all our preps, just buy an extra every time your family shops until you have the required amount. Easier on the wallet AND the manly image

Oh. Yah, manly image. The women will all be impressed that you didn't whine , wimp out, and dump the chore on your wife. Any man old enough to have a clue will realize you are probably Getting Some. The young guys are clueless, no help for that.

by **Silent Kube** » Sat Apr 28, 2012 8:41 pm

Eh, if anyone ever gives you shit about it, just give 'em your most manly stare and tell 'em you use 'em for plugging bullet wounds. :lol:

(Just don't actually use them for that purpose.)

by **ZombieGranny** » Sat Apr 28, 2012 8:41 pm

Five a day is rather light use, one every 4 hours in the day & one overnight.
Different women will use different amounts, due to differing blood flows and length of menstruation.

Back when I used them, I used about 32 a month. Bad months were over a box.
Two of the girls were/are light and use/d less, another couple have an even heavier flow (requiring more tampons) than I did.

by **whisk.e.rebellion** » Sat Apr 28, 2012 8:50 pm

First thing, learn the difference between tampons and maxi-pads. Tampons are actually inserted where as maxi-pads just line the underwear. AFAIK, Always doesn't make tampons, so if you ever require assistance when you're on your own, that could create some confusion.

But, since things like these don't necessarily have expiration dates, why not stock store brands for SHTF? I mean, it wouldn't be ideal, but if it costs half as much for the store brand versus the name brand, it might be a better choice for preps.

by **searching4itnc** » Sat Apr 28, 2012 10:29 pm

whisk.e.rebellion wrote:But, since things like these don't necessarily have expiration dates, why not stock store brands for SHTF? I mean, it wouldn't be ideal, but if it costs half as much for the store brand versus the name brand, it might be a better choice for preps.

That sounds like a WONDERFUL IDEA!

Here's an even better one! I'll fly you to North Carolina and buy you a steak if you can argue to my wife and daughter why they can't have the brand product that they normally use. CAN YOU SENSE THE SARCASM? Cause here's your answer, "It's my body and it's my period. You're NOT going to tell me what to shove up there."

And whatever you do, don't reply with, "Never trust anything that bleeds for five days and doesn't die." Humor will not save you.

Joking aside, there are certain things you can never pinch on. Tampons are one of those things...

by **whisk.e.rebellion** » Sat Apr 28, 2012 10:46 pm

Hahahaha, well, my wife had ONE box of store brand stuff just for emergencies. I thought it was worth a shot

by **KnightoftheRoc** » Sat Apr 28, 2012 10:47 pm

I've already had to cross this bridge, so I hear ya. What I'd LIKE to hear would be that Walmart aisle verbal beat down you took! :lol:

I've made this the responsibility of the ladies of the household. I'm willing to cover the expenses, they need to handle the supply levels. I'm even willing to go pick them up (vet tip here- bring the old package, and get THAT one, nothing else as "it's close", or you WILL be going back to do it right.) I've suggested that when getting them, using the two is one thought process would be easiest, and would allow the stockpile to grow while also covering those unexpected moments when extra is needed. By making them responsible, they are assured of getting exactly what they want, in the quantity they want, and IF they listen to Dad's prepping advice, can have a supply on hand for bugging in with. I've also pointed out that should they fail to stock up, and run out during a bug in, I'll be bugging out- alone.

Survival- sometimes, it just aint pretty. :lol:

by **duodecima** » Sat Apr 28, 2012 11:11 pm

searching4itnc wrote:And whatever you do, don't reply with, "Never trust anything that bleeds for five days and doesn't die." Humor will not save you.

Hadn't heard that one!

searching4itnc wrote:Joking aside, there are certain things you can never pinch on. Tampons are one of those things...

Actually, I think this falls under "Stupid shit we can't live without." I can't stand tampons, but I have used them when that was all someone had to loan (well, give :lol:

) me and wadded up TP wasn't cutting it. And being a tightwad, the minute I figured out that the store brand was cheaper for something that successfully performed the same function - guess what I've been buying for years. Now, breakfast cereal pretty much has to be brand name in my world, but not pads. Tampons, being inserted, I can see where the details could matter more, if you didn't categorically hate the whole concept.

Being a girl, they can't kill me for saying these things - but they'll still disagree.

And yeah, if you think they are failing to stock up, a bag of the store brand pads will actually be a hell of a lot better than any other alternative you've got at home, not that you won't still hear a lot of unhappiness. (And pads, unlike tampons, actually don't make bad absorbtive dressings for some things. Think of them like small ABD dressings.)

by **tookieblueeyes** » Sat Apr 28, 2012 11:16 pm

It is a very important staple for females and most females have a preference about which brand and size they use.
If it makes you feel any better about buying them they do have multiple uses.
Fire starting material, wounds, bloody nose... and of course... stopping up Aunt Rose :lol:

by **AZMedic** » Sat Apr 28, 2012 11:56 pm

That time of the month stocking is totally up to the woman.....I learned the hard way....hey sams club is cheap...swipe...got home....ummm honey wtf are these....A lot of tampon dont have to buy for two woman for a couple months....I WAS SO GOD AWFULLY STUPID BY DOING THAT. I was explained that quality matters with tampons....like some HURT going in and others are nicer....so I just gave up

by **ZombieGranny** » Sun Apr 29, 2012 12:11 am

I keep trying to post in this thread, but keep editing the posts during the preview.
Too many opportunities to land in QOTD.

by **mough** » Sun Apr 29, 2012 12:18 am

tookieblueeyes wrote:It is a very important staple for females and most females have a preference about which brand and size they use.
If it makes you feel any better about buying them they do have multiple uses.
Fire starting material, wounds, bloody nose... and of course... stopping up Aunt Rose

One of my first aid instructors told me a story of a mom who gave a child a tampon to use on a bloody nose. The tampon swelled and it had to be surgicly removed.

by **bacpacjac** » Sun Apr 29, 2012 9:28 am

tookieblueeyes wrote:It is a very important staple for females and most females have a preference about which brand and size they use.

Think of buying pads and tampons like buying a truck, guys. Make and model are important. There are many different sizes, shapes and features. Everyone has their preferences, usually solidified through trial and error. Many of us would probably go for cheaper alternatives if all the specs were the same. Most of us stick with what we know we like rather than risk an experiment.

by **KnightoftheRoc** » Sun Apr 29, 2012 4:48 pm

bacpacjac wrote:
tookieblueeyes wrote:It is a very important staple for females and most females have a preference about which brand and size they use.

Think of buying pads and tampons like buying a truck, guys. Make and model are important. There are many different sizes, shapes and features. Everyone has their preferences, usually solidified through trial and error. Many of us would probably go for cheaper alternatives if all the specs were the same. Most of us stick with what we know we like rather than risk an experiment.

^^^THIS^^^ is why I let the ladies handle this. I'm going to, simply by virtue of being a male, screw this up. And I have no desire to have to deal with the fallout. They know what, which version, and how much they want/need. They also know from my repeatedly saying so, that stocking up on them is less expensive and more convenient. So, this becomes one less thing I need to be concerned with. And, more importantly, "da wimminz" is happy. Which makes me happy. 'Cause if Momma aint happy, aint NOBODY happy.

by **goofygurl** » Sun Apr 29, 2012 5:58 pm

whisk.e.rebellion wrote:First thing, learn the difference between tampons and maxi-pads. Tampons are actually inserted where as maxi-pads just line the underwear. AFAIK, Always doesn't make tampons, so if you ever require assistance when you're on your own, that could create some confusion.

But, since things like these don't necessarily have expiration dates, why not stock store brands for SHTF? I mean, it wouldn't be ideal, but if it costs half as much for the store brand versus the name brand, it might be a better choice for preps.

You are correct about Always..

and my 2 cents is this...tampons can actually be somewhat useful for other areas of prep.

by **silversnake** » Sun Apr 29, 2012 6:44 pm

We've gotten this far in the thread already and no one has brought up the big pitfall of building a stockpile of tampons and pads. Maybe it's just my wife's family, but apparently any time a woman in her family runs into a sale and buys 3+ big boxes of pads or tampons is approximately 2 weeks before she misses her next period and finds out she's pregnant. :shock:

Yeah, I know it's just confirmation bias, but it's one of those little pieces of wisdom that's stuck with me since I first heard it.

My advice to any guys reading this who are embarking on the wonderful world of "could you pick up some tampons for me while you're at the store" for the first time is:
1. Don't feel self-conscious, no one cares what you're buying and no one's looking.
2. Even if you're one of those "every kind of beer is the same as the next, so get me whatever" guys, that doesn't hold for this. Make sure you know the name brand, variety, and quantity desired; double check that you know; and then bring notes. Lots of packaging is color-coded or features distinctive designs to tell "overnight maxipads" from "light days" pads and such. Make use of this. Take a picture on your cell phone if you need to. Seriously, don't screw this up because you will feel really strange trying to return something you bought by mistake.

by **goofygurl** » Sun Apr 29, 2012 7:31 pm

silversnake wrote:We've gotten this far in the thread already and no one has brought up the big pitfall of building a stockpile of tampons and pads. Maybe it's just my wife's family, but apparently any time a woman in her family runs into a sale and buys 3+ big boxes of pads or tampons is approximately 2 weeks before she misses her next period and finds out she's pregnant.

Yeah, I know it's just confirmation bias, but it's one of those little pieces of wisdom that's stuck with me since I first heard it.

My advice to any guys reading this who are embarking on the wonderful world of "could you pick up some tampons for me while you're at the store" for the first time is:
1. Don't feel self-conscious, no one cares what you're buying and no one's looking.
2. Even if you're one of those "every kind of beer is the same as the next, so get me whatever" guys, that doesn't hold for this. Make sure you know the name brand, variety, and quantity desired; double check that you know; and then bring notes. Lots of packaging is color-coded or features distinctive designs to tell "overnight maxipads" from "light days" pads and such. Make use of this. Take a picture on your cell phone if you need to. Seriously, don't screw this up because you will feel really strange trying to return something you bought by mistake.

It's just your family. I ahve enough in there to last me personally for at least 5 years. Haven't popped prego yet...oh dear god please don't let it happen either...not ready for another.

by **wee drop o' bush** » Mon Apr 30, 2012 4:29 am

If there's an offer on any of the sanitary protection brands I use then I'll nearly always buy a few extra packs.
I have cleared storage space for storing these & other toiletries/medical sundries.

My husband thankfully isn't particularly bothered if he has to buy them for me, I think this is a result of growing up with his mum & sisters/female cousins

by **Vicarious_Lee** » Mon Apr 30, 2012 9:16 am

silversnake wrote:We've gotten this far in the thread already and no one has brought up the big pitfall of building a stockpile of tampons and pads. Maybe it's just my wife's family, but apparently any time a woman in her family runs into a sale and buys 3+ big boxes of pads or tampons is approximately 2 weeks before she misses her next period and finds out she's pregnant.

I figured they'd last for a good long time. Well over 9 months of pregnancy. Anyway, I don't do tampons anymore. I once bought my wife like 4 months worth of them, and was all excited because I remembered the brand on her counter, and I was helping her prep. Turns out she'd switched brands recently and no longer used those. She was actualyl going to throw the box away that I ended up duplicating.

She's not much of a prepper, and I have no idea her plans in that realm, but really I'm not going to do all the work in the field of Emergency Menstruation Management. I don't have the equipment or experience.

by **duodecima** » Mon Apr 30, 2012 11:19 am

silversnake wrote:We've gotten this far in the thread already and no one has brought up the big pitfall of building a stockpile of tampons and pads. Maybe it's just my wife's family, but apparently any time a woman in her family runs into a sale and buys 3+ big boxes of pads or tampons is approximately 2 weeks before she misses her next period and finds out she's pregnant.

As long as you've got space, you KNOW you'll need them again in 9.5 months or so. (You do need pads right after delivery, guaranteed.)

by **goofygurl** » Mon Apr 30, 2012 4:06 pm

duodecima wrote:
searching4itnc wrote:And whatever you do, don't reply with, "Never trust anything that bleeds for five days and doesn't die." Humor will not save you.

Hadn't heard that one!

searching4itnc wrote:Joking aside, there are certain things you can never pinch on. Tampons are one of those things...

Actually, I think this falls under "Stupid shit we can't live without." I can't stand tampons, but I have used them when that was all someone had to loan (well, give ) me and wadded up TP wasn't cutting it. And being a tightwad, the minute I figured out that the store brand was cheaper for something that successfully performed the same function - guess what I've been buying for years. Now, breakfast cereal pretty much has to be brand name in my world, but not pads. Tampons, being inserted, I can see where the details could matter more, if you didn't categorically hate the whole concept.

Being a girl, they can't kill me for saying these things - but they'll still disagree.

And yeah, if you think they are failing to stock up, a bag of the store brand pads will actually be a hell of a lot better than any other alternative you've got at home, not that you won't still hear a lot of unhappiness. (And pads, unlike tampons, actually don't make bad absorbtive dressings for some things. Think of them like small ABD dressings.)

I'm the opposite..breakfast cereal can be any brand..pads must be Always Infinity..lol. With that being said? I do have a stock of Always Infinity but I also have Stayfree, store brand and whatever else I got cheap. If SHTF? I'll wear whatever I have as opposed to nothing at all since a Diva Cup doesn't work for me.

There is a HUGE difference in the way that the different brands are made..plus I can make foot coverings out of the damn things if I need to in about 60 seconds. Reliable foot coverings? Nope. Enough to protect the bottom of my feet from glass, etc? Sure..for a bit.