Vol. 9 | Femcare Items to Keep in Your Disaster Kit
Menstrual products, intimate care, and everyday medications. Instead of waiting until you’re struggling during an evacuation, start incorporating your daily self-care into your emergency kit bit by bit. Here is a summary of why they are necessary and how to choose them.
Typhoons, earthquakes, heavy rain. As we live in Japan, the number of moments where we feel "this could happen to me someday" increases every year. Many people have reviewed the contents of their emergency go-bag, but how many items related to "menstrual and intimate care" are inside?
Even if water, food, and flashlights come to mind, it is difficult to think about menstrual products or intimate care. However, in evacuation life, emergency supplies might not match your skin or flow, they might be difficult to obtain, or water outages may prevent you from bathing or doing laundry.
That is exactly why it is important to prepare "what usually works for you" by yourself.
Today, I have compiled a list of femtech products to put in your emergency bag, along with the reasons why.
1 Common issues regarding menstruation during disasters
Before thinking about preparations, knowing what kind of trouble is likely to occur will help you see what needs to be prioritized.
- There is a limited quantity and variety of relief supplies, making it hard to get products that suit you
- You may feel self-conscious and find it difficult to go pick up menstrual supplies
- Water outages prevent bathing or laundry, making hand, body, and reusable item hygiene difficult
- Toilets can be crowded, making it hard to find the time or place to change calmly
- Difficulty in disposing of used products, carrying them, and managing odors
- Environmental changes and stress may lead to unusual bleeding or bladder leaks
The Cabinet Office's disaster preparedness checklist recommends that each person prepare at least a 3-day supply of menstrual products, sanitary underwear, and opaque trash bags. The key is to distinguish between your home stockpile and the emergency bag you take with you.
2 Femtech Disaster Preparedness Checklist
There is a limit to how much weight you can carry. Start by prioritizing essential disposable items, underwear, bags, and medication, then consider adding reusable items only if you can ensure access to water, cleaning, drying, and privacy.
3 Femtech products to keep in your emergency bag
Menstrual Cup (one, if you are used to it)
The advantage is that it is reusable, produces little waste, and takes up very little space. On the other hand, it requires clean hands, water, adherence to product cleaning instructions, and a place where you can change it calmly. Do not use it for the first time in an evacuation center; keep it as an option only if you are already used to it in your daily life.
Period Underwear (aim for 2–3 pairs)
Can be worn as underwear and serve as backup for a menstrual cup or for light bladder leaks. However, reuse requires washing and thorough drying. Do not rely solely on period underwear during water outages; ensure you also pack disposable products and spare underwear.
If combining a menstrual cup with period underwear
You can use the cup to catch blood and the period underwear as a backup in case of leaks. However, this assumes you can safely clean and dry both. In situations where water and privacy are scarce, do not force yourself to reuse them—ensure you are also prepared to switch to familiar disposable items like pads or tampons.
Cleaning solution for menstrual cups
Check the cleaning method recommended in the instruction manual for your cup and keep a travel-sized bottle if necessary. Even with cleaning solution, safe reuse is difficult if you cannot secure clean water or a hand-washing environment. Do not use wiping with wet tissues as a substitute for thorough cleaning.
Intimate care wash/wipes
These help freshen your hands and external intimate areas when you cannot bathe. Choose an unscented, low-irritation product that suits your skin; do not use it internally, and avoid excessive scrubbing or washing. It is most reassuring to use a product you are already accustomed to.
Familiar pads/pantyliners
Even if you use a menstrual cup, keep these on hand for times when you aren't feeling well or when clean water is unavailable. Start with at least a 3-day supply, and build your home stockpile based on your flow and the expected duration of evacuation. Including different types—such as those for nighttime or long wear—will make things easier to manage.
Odor-proof, opaque sealed bags
Used to temporarily store used menstrual products or soiled underwear. Prepare opaque bags in different sizes and dispose of them according to the sorting and disposal rules of the municipality or evacuation center.
Your usual pain relievers, medications, and medical information
Check the expiration dates and storage methods for your over-the-counter or prescription medications. Always follow the instructions provided on the packaging or by your doctor or pharmacist regarding dosage and contraindications. Keeping your medical record book, a digital version, or a photo of your medication information can also be very useful.
In preparation for long-distance travel or situations where you have to hold your bladder, absorbent pads and spare underwear are also good candidates. If bladder leaks persist or are accompanied by pain or blood in the urine, do not make assumptions—please consult a medical professional.
4 How to prepare without making it "only for emergencies"
When we hear "emergency preparedness," we tend to feel that we need to buy special, unfamiliar items, but that isn't true. You can start by simply buying a little extra of the menstrual products, period underwear, intimate wipes, and medications you already use in your daily life.
3 Steps for Rolling Stock
- Write down the date you put items in your bag and the month you plan to review them
- Use the items with the earliest expiration dates in your daily life first
- Replace what you’ve used and check for changes in sizing or health status twice a year
If you’re unsure where to start, one method is to begin with the fermata Emergency Box, which includes period underwear and intimate care items. In addition to the set contents, supplement it with the menstrual products, spare underwear, and medications that work best for you.
5 Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Should I prepare one for my whole family?
A. Age, skin-compatible products, flow levels, and usable items vary from person to person. Apart from the home stockpile shared by the family, keeping personal bags for each individual containing their preferred products makes it much easier to evacuate.
Q. Is there a shelf life or expiration date?
A. Labeling and recommended storage periods vary by product. Check the outer box or instructions and store in a place away from high temperatures, humidity, and direct sunlight. For menstrual cups and period underwear, in addition to manufacturer guidelines, periodically check for changes in condition such as scratches, stickiness, cracks, deformation, or persistent odors.
Q. If I have a menstrual cup, is it okay not to have pads?
A. There may be times when you cannot secure clean water, hand-washing environments, or privacy. Even if you are used to using a cup, it is recommended to be prepared with options for disposable products.
6 Summary: Incorporate your daily self-care into your emergency kit
Your period doesn't stop just because a disaster occurs. That is precisely why "preparing for the unexpected" is not something special—the most reasonable approach is to build it up little by little as an extension of your daily self-care.
Start with at least a 3-day supply of menstrual products you are used to, spare underwear, opaque bags, and your daily medications. When it comes to menstrual cups or period underwear, prepare them while also considering the conditions for hygienic use and having alternative methods on hand.
Start today with one thing
you need yourself.
In addition to our Emergency Box, fermata offers menstrual cups, period underwear, and intimate care items. If you're unsure what to choose, please take advantage of our free consultation.
*This article is for informational purposes. If you have concerns about your health or the use of medications, please consult a medical professional such as a doctor or pharmacist.
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