Vol. 9 | Femcare Items to Keep in Your Disaster Kit
Vol. 9 | Femcare products
to keep in your
emergency bag
Sanitary products, delicate zone care, and your regular medications. Instead of scrambling for them once disaster strikes, gradually add your daily self-care essentials to your emergency bag. We'll outline why they're needed and how to choose them.
Typhoons, earthquakes, heavy rains. Living in Japan, the feeling of "it could happen to me someday" is growing stronger every year. Many people have probably reviewed the contents of their emergency kit, but how many "menstrual and delicate zone" items are in yours?
While water, food, and flashlights might come to mind easily, sanitary products and delicate zone care often don't. However, during evacuation, relief supplies might not suit your skin or menstrual flow, or might be difficult to receive. Water outages can also make bathing and washing impossible.
That's why it's crucial to prepare "what works for you" in advance.
Today, we'll list femcare products you should keep in your emergency bag, along with the reasons why.
1 Common menstrual challenges during a disaster
Before considering what to prepare, understanding the common challenges can help you prioritize.
- Limited availability and variety of relief supplies, making it difficult to get suitable sanitary products.
- Feeling self-conscious and hesitant to go get sanitary products.
- Water outages prevent bathing and washing, making hand, body, and reusable product hygiene difficult.
- Toilets are crowded, making it hard to find a private moment or place to change.
- Difficulty with disposing of used products, carrying them, and managing odors.
- Changes in environment and stress can lead to unusual bleeding or urinary leakage.
The Cabinet Office's emergency checklist recommends preparing at least a 3-day supply of sanitary products, sanitary shorts, and opaque garbage bags per person. The key is to consider home stockpiles and immediate grab-and-go bags separately.
2 First, check this femcare disaster preparedness checklist.
There's a limit to how much you can carry. Prioritize essential disposables, underwear, bags, and medications first. For reusables, consider if water, cleaning, drying, and privacy can be ensured before adding them.
3 Femcare products to keep in your emergency bag
Menstrual cup (1 if you're used to it)
The advantages are that it's reusable, produces less waste, and keeps your luggage light. On the other hand, you need clean hands, water, cleaning as per product instructions, and a private place to insert and remove it. Don't use it for the first time in an evacuation shelter; prepare it as an option if you're already accustomed to using it in your daily life.
Period underwear (目安2〜3枚)
It can be worn as underwear and serves as a backup for menstrual cups or for light urinary leakage. However, reuse requires washing and thorough drying. Don't rely solely on period underwear during water outages; also prepare disposable products and spare underwear.
If combining menstrual cups and period underwear
You can use a cup to collect menstrual blood and period underwear as a backup in case of leaks. However, both require safe cleaning and drying. In situations with limited water or privacy, don't force reuse; also be prepared to switch to familiar disposable products like pads or tampons.
Menstrual cup cleanser
Check the cleaning method recommended in your cup's manual and prepare a portable size if necessary. Even with cleanser, safe reuse is difficult if clean water and hand-washing facilities cannot be secured. Do not use wiping with a wet wipe as a substitute for thorough cleaning.
Intimate wash/wipes
These can help you feel refreshed when you can't bathe, for your hands and intimate area. Choose unscented, low-irritation products that suit your skin, avoid using them inside the vagina, and refrain from excessive rubbing or washing. It's best to use products you're already familiar with.
Familiar sanitary pads/liners
Even if you use a menstrual cup, prepare these for times when you're not feeling well or can't secure clean water. Start with at least a 3-day supply and increase your home stockpile according to your menstrual flow and the expected duration of evacuation. Including various types that suit your skin and long-wear options will make choices easier.
Odor-proof, opaque, sealed bags
Use these for temporary storage of used sanitary products or soiled underwear. Prepare opaque bags in various sizes and dispose of them according to the sorting and disposal rules of the local government or evacuation center.
Regular pain relievers/medications and medication information
For menstrual pain, check the expiration date and storage method of any over-the-counter pain relievers or regular medications you use and prepare them. Always follow the dosage and contraindications as instructed by the leaflet, doctor, or pharmacist. Having your medication record, digital medication record, or photos with medication names and instructions will also be helpful.
Absorbent pads or spare underwear can be considered for long periods of travel or situations where you have to hold your urine. If urinary leakage persists or is accompanied by pain or blood in the urine, do not self-diagnose and consult a medical professional.
4 Preparation that isn't just for "emergencies"
When we hear "disaster preparedness," we might feel like we need to buy special, unfamiliar items. But that's not necessarily true. You can start by simply having a slightly larger supply of the sanitary products, period underwear, delicate zone wipes, and medications you use every day.
3 steps for rolling stock
- Note the date you packed your emergency bag and the month to review it.
- Use items with approaching expiration or best-before dates in your daily life.
- Replenish what you've used and review for changes in size or health approximately twice a year.
If you're unsure where to start, fermata's disaster preparedness box, which includes period underwear and delicate care items, is one option. In addition to the kit contents, make sure to add sanitary products that suit you, spare underwear, and medications.
5 Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Should I prepare for my family members as well?
A. Age, suitable products for skin type, menstrual flow, and usable items differ for each individual. In addition to a common family emergency stockpile, it's easier to grab supplies during evacuation if each person's familiar items are stored separately in their own emergency bag.
Q. Is there an expiration or use-by date?
A. Each product has different indications and recommended storage periods. Check the outer box or manual and store away from high temperatures, humidity, and direct sunlight. For menstrual cups and period underwear, in addition to the manufacturer's recommended replacement period, regularly check for changes in condition such as scratches, stickiness, cracks, deformation, or persistent odors.
Q. If I have a menstrual cup, do I not need pads?
A. There may be situations where clean water, hand-washing facilities, or privacy cannot be secured. Even if you are used to using a cup, it's recommended to be prepared with disposable options.
6 Summary | From daily self-care to your emergency bag
Menstruation doesn't stop just because a disaster happens. That's why, rather than viewing "emergency preparedness" as something special, it's a sustainable approach to gradually integrate it into your regular self-care routine.
Start with at least a 3-day supply of familiar sanitary products, spare underwear, opaque bags, and your usual medications. For menstrual cups and period underwear, also consider the conditions for hygienic use and alternative options.
From "what you need,"
prepare one thing today.
In addition to the disaster preparedness box, fermata offers menstrual cups, period underwear, and delicate zone care items. If you're unsure what to choose, feel free to use our free consultation service.
*This article is for informational purposes only. If you have concerns about your health or medication use, please consult a medical professional such as a doctor or pharmacist.
Leave a comment