You might be embarrassed or stressed out if you don't have a sanitary pad on hand.A little creativity will get you through the day until you can find a sanitary napkin.You can use toilet paper, a washcloth, or even a sock to make your own makeshift pad.
Step 1: A thick stack of paper towels or toilet paper can be folded together.
If you can find paper towels, grab enough of them to make a stack that's at least 2 in (1.3 cm) thick, and about as wide and long as a normal pad.If you can't find paper towels, use toilet paper to make a thick stack.If you can find paper towels, they're better to use than toilet paper.If you can't use toilet paper, you might have to change the pad more often.If you have thick stacks of tissues, you can use them.
Step 2: The stack should be placed on the crotch of your underwear.
Once you've folded the stack of paper towels or toilet paper, press it into your underwear in the same place your pad would normally go.Just fold the edges down, like wings, if it overlaps the sides of your underwear a little.
Step 3: You can put a strip of toilet paper around your underwear.
Wrap the toilet paper so it goes over the pad, all the way around the crotch of your underwear, and back again.This will help keep your makeshift pad secure.If you want, you can wrap more toilet paper around the pad.The more paper you use, the more secure you will be against leaks.
Step 4: The paper pad needs to be changed every 3-4 hours.
The amount of time you need to change the pad depends on how heavy your flow is and the paper you use.It's time to replace the pad when it gets soaked or starts to break down, or when you've had it in place for several hours.Remove the paper from the crotch of your underwear, discard the pad, and make a new one.You should change your pad every 3-4 hours if you have a light flow.It will help prevent leaks.
Step 5: A quick fix is to wrap a clean sock in toilet paper.
If you have a spare pair of clean gym socks or you're wearing a pair that's still clean, take one of the socks and wrap toilet paper around it several times.Wrap more toilet paper around your underwear and the sock to hold it in place.Socks are made to absorb sweat from your feet, so they should be absorbent for your period as well.
Step 6: If you have a small cloth, try it.
You can use a clean cloth in place of a pad if you can find one.Place it in your underwear until you can find a pad, if you fold it so it's about the size of a sanitary napkin.If the fabric is absorbent, it's a good idea to test it.The material should be run under the water.If it soaks up the water, you can use it as a pad, but if it rolls off the fabric you should look for another option.
Step 7: First aid kits and craft supplies can be found here.
You can use cotton balls, cotton wool, and gauze as a pinch pad.If you find cotton wool, stack it together until it's the shape of a pad.If you have cotton balls, you should wrap them in toilet paper.Put toilet paper around the pad and underwear to keep it from shifting.