Periods during SHTF

Periods during SHTF is a subject most survivalist women will come across during their prepping. Hygiene is one of the aspects of life to cover while prepping.

This includes, among other things, waste management, keeping water and food sanitary, toilet management, and personal hygiene.

For this last element, there is often an aspect that is forgotten, largely absent from discussions and preparation guides.

This aspect specifically concerns women (half of the population) and is of major importance. It’s of course the management of menstruation.

This topic is very broad and also includes a health aspect.

Most women are probably already planning their protection when they leave home on the days approaching the beginning of their cycle.

We suggest that you always carry some in your EDC. We are never safe from a disruption of our cycle and in the case of single-use protection, it can do a great service to another woman around you.

It’s also important to know that a period of fasting, even a short period of 1 or 2 days, can trigger menstruation or bleeding.

This is also the case with stress, which may be present in the event of a major emergency situation.

However, if you have to bug out, how will you ensure your menstrual protection over the long term? Yes, periods during SHTF can be tricky.

It’s unrealistic to carry a large number of disposable hygiene products with you when you have to consider weight and volume in your choices.

Yet it’s a basic item. The good news is that reusable feminine hygiene products do exist! This is what we are going to talk about in this first article on menstruation and survivalism.

If you don’t already know them or if you are not a fan, perhaps their advantages in a survival situation will convince you. They are ecological, economical, and useful in case of a breach of normality!

Many survivalists have been choosing these solutions for many years now. There are different options, according to each person’s preferences.

Each solution adapts to different situations: washable cloth, sanitary napkin, menstrual cup, and menstrual panties.

Solutions to treat periods during SHTF

Washable cloths

It washes very well in cold water and by hand. Usually, the model includes wings that can be attached under your panties with a snap button.

When you have finished using your towels, it’s best to soak them immediately.

If you don’t have access to water or are on the go, you can simply fold the towel in 3 on itself and attach the button in the other direction to hide its contents while waiting to wash it.

Of course, it’s very important to have a waterproof bag to put your towels in until you can wash them.

Some of the manufacturers of these products sell this type of bag. It’s also effective to use a ziplock bag.

Menstrual panties

This can make things a lot easier if her period starts in a public place. It’s much less intimidating to put on menstrual panties than a tampon or pad when you’ve never done it before and you’re not at home!

Menstrual panties are as comfortable as regular underwear. There are also menstrual panty models with removable protection that you can put on or take off depending on your needs. Some work with inserts and others with snaps.

You are really spoilt for choice when it comes to finding a washable product that suits your needs and it’s also an opportunity to encourage local businesses.

These two products don’t require you to bury them if you are in the wild.

They don’t produce waste like disposable pads, making them easy to manage in a sanitary environment if the usual waste management options are unavailable.

They can be washed quickly or later if they are kept in a leak-proof bag until you have water, and you don’t need a heat source to clean them.

In fact, it would be counterproductive to wash them in hot water as the heat can burn the blood making cleaning much more complicated.

Menstrual cup

Be careful, you insert it into your body in a fragile place so look out for the quality of the water you use to rinse it. We recommend using water of the same quality as the water you drink.

If you are in a wilderness survival situation, you must plan a safe place to empty your menstrual cup so as not to attract predatory animals near your camp.

The menstrual cup is a very economical option because it can be used for several years and it also has the advantage of taking up little space in your Bug Out Bag. Many choose it as their best solution to manage their periods during SHTF.

The knowledge of plants useful for the menstrual cycle and the management of menstrual pain and discomfort is also a valuable asset to treat your periods during SHTF.

We invite you to research all these solutions and methods of menstrual management. They each have their advantages and shortcomings depending on the situation in which you find yourself, in the city, in nature, at home, while traveling, etc..