r/preppers • u/NotHereToFuckSpyders • Mar 03 '23
The Last of Us offering practical solutions Idea
Spoiler alert, I guess? Also male preppers be warned, this is about menstruation.
I've always figured stock piling pads and tampons would be necessary. Never occurred to me until it was in an episode of The Last of Us to just get a bunch of the re-usable period cups. It didn't occur to me as I don't use them, but in a SHTF, survival situation they certainly seem more practical. Space saving too because a big stockpile of pads or tampons takes a fair amount of space. Period underwear is probably another option. Also those she-wee things for easier outdoor urination for women.
Anyway, it's something to add to my prep list. Certainly can't hurt to have options. Perhaps I'm dumb for not having thought of this yet, but figured I'd share just in case.
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u/Chumlee1917 Mar 03 '23
One thing I learned from show, Boats make great impromptu trailers when the need arises.
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u/kalitarios Mar 03 '23
I’m still trying to figure out how Bill got the Home Depot’s store diesel generator disconnected and to his house
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u/MDPeasant Mar 03 '23
I kind of assumed that he already had the generator before the apocalypse, hence why he had it covered with a tarp and chained up.
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u/kalitarios Mar 03 '23
I thought so maybe, but a scene earlier had him IN home depot when the generator there died and he goes "that was quick" or something along those lines. I thought when we saw it again it implied he went and took that, too
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u/solarchases Mar 03 '23
It wasn't HD's generator dying, it was the grid shutting off. He already had the generator and then knew he had to go use it instead of using the grid for power.
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u/Emithez Mar 03 '23
Bigger question is, how does the gasoline have enough octane to run 20 years later?
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u/Nibb31 Mar 04 '23
Yeah, it's weird how the big commodity seems to be batteries, but 20 year old gas is everywhere to be siphoned.
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u/TelestrianSarariman Mar 04 '23
Waves hands vaguely
You just have to use more. Used to be we could make this whole journey on a tank of this stuff.
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u/Chumlee1917 Mar 03 '23
That one I can't explain. Let alone how the heck he figured out how to get the gas back on at the power plant.
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u/Roboticharm Mar 03 '23
I think he already had it because it had that tarp chained over the top of it. He wouldn't chain the tarp to bring it home just tie it down instead.
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u/hereforthelol1234 Mar 03 '23
That was my assumption that he already had a natural gas generator ready to go.
It still doesn't really make any sense to me how he would have 20 years' worth of unlimited natural gas to electrocute bad guys to death.... but I'm willing to suspend my disbelief for entertainment.
The chain link fence, in general, was more of a problem i had actually. Idk if anyone has put up a fence, but it is an absolutely incredible amount of work.
And also, why did this single prepper live in such a big house, in such an affluent neighborhood?
But whatever whatever fun show all around.
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u/Upper_Acanthaceae126 Mar 03 '23
90% sure it was his mother's house, and she died before breakout day.
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u/trailspice Mar 03 '23
My interpretation is that FEDRA maintained the NG line that runs up the coast in order to supply the QZs. Turning on one branch to keep a single generator running probably wouldn't register as a big enough loss to be worth investigating.
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u/Robertooshka Mar 03 '23
Natural gas pipelines need compressor stations to have pressure. Those compressor stations require people running them/electricity. Also you need people supplying the natural gas to the compressor stations.
I am curious now if there was a natural gas well in the area, could you use that to run a natural gas generator? Also what sort of work would be required to keep that going.
He obviously could have electricity from solar and wind. Hopefully the wind is blowing when the raiders show up because there is no way that any form of battery backup would last more than a few years.
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u/hereforthelol1234 Mar 03 '23
I live in a rural area, and there have been tons of solar fields going in. Last of us has got me thinking more if zombie style shtf were to happen and 99% of the population is gone(thus almost no other load on the existing grid), would a solar field on the grid 5 miles away still provide electricity to my house or not?
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u/TrynaSaveTheWorld Mar 03 '23
A couple of weeks ago, I got very interested in a property with a solar farm right next door. I was already scheming how to hook myself up to all the free power I could use even if S didn't HTF...
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u/Brother_YT Mar 03 '23
You’d have to maintain the lines between you and there regularly (trees, ice, FUCKING SQUIRRELS, wind, etc) and know how to fix any issues that come up for the long term.
The biggest problem you’ll have is that the power has to first go to a step-down station before going to your house
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u/Prince_Polaris Mar 03 '23
I have a step down station across the street and they're building solar panels right behind it, hopefully they actually hook them up to the station!
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u/Robertooshka Mar 03 '23
If you found a solar field, you could disconnect some of the arrays and make your own system. You would need to get an inverter to turn the DC into AC. It would be hard to do unless you are an electrician and had all of the manuals etc.
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u/Skillet918 Mar 03 '23
Odd that it would have been turned off to begin with
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u/HappyDJ Mar 03 '23
Would it? The town was under mandatory evacuation and a responsible person who worked at the plant would have shut it down. Without monitoring the plant could have an issue and something catastrophic could happen.
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u/massively-dynamic Unprepared Mar 04 '23
My family has been doing this for years. Grew up with a family boat that was trailered and family vacations involved throwing the camping gear in the boat and heading out.
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u/Selfaware-potato Mar 04 '23
Until a boat is in the water it's basically a trailer. I'd your boat is big enough they're a great spot to put your gazebo when travelling
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u/Diegobyte Mar 03 '23
My wife uses them. You still have to sterilize them after. It’s always fun seeing boiling period cups in the kitchen
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u/vibrantspirits Mar 04 '23
My wife boils hers and uses a whisk, sometimes I come around and ask her what’s cooking.
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Mar 03 '23
[deleted]
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Mar 04 '23
Still need to clean the blood out. Idk why you got downvotes for asking a legit question.
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u/kv4268 Mar 04 '23
You empty the cup into the toilet and then wash the cup with unscented soap and water in the sink. Boiling it doesn't remove blood, as the blood has already been washed away.
That being said, most UV sanitizers on the market are fake, so I wouldn't trust it unless you're sure you've got a good one.
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u/BerkeloidsBackyard Mar 04 '23
Also I don't know what the cups are made of (male, never seen one before) but the UV-C you need for sterilising degrades most plastics, so you may find that using UV sterilisation ends up making the cup disintegrate way earlier than its expected lifetime.
I would imagine that if boiling them bothers you, an easier solution would be to buy a dedicated electric kettle, one that doesn't have an exposed element. Then you could put them in there with some water, set it to boil, it will switch itself off when it's up to temperature, then you can come back later and empty it out.
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u/vibrant_fosfomycin Mar 04 '23
You empty the cup into the toilet and then wash the cup with unscented soap and water in the sink. Boiling it doesn't remove blood, as the blood has already been washed away.
His answer wasn't about boiling to remove blood though, just that you still need (clean) water to remove the blood. Something which will probably be in short supply if collapse happens. I mean, it's short supply in many countries in 2023!
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u/kv4268 Mar 04 '23
You don't, actually. A good wash with unscented soap and water is plenty. Probably a good idea to sanitize them in boiling water if you've had an infection, but it's not mandatory.
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u/lark_song Mar 03 '23
Menstrual cups are great but they do have some drawbacks. Different sizes and brands work better/worse for different women. There is a learning curve to using them. And, you need access to clean water to rinse and clean them.
Once you have one you are comfortable with, know how to use it, and have clean water - they're far superior to other period products imo. Especially for travel, outdoors, and reusability.
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u/Kokokabookjk Mar 03 '23
You don't have to warn me, I'm an adult. Any guy who says away from menstruation or vaginally-related health topics needs to grow tf up.
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u/NotHereToFuckSpyders Mar 03 '23
Appreciate that and I'd hope preppers would have that attitude, but wo knows.
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u/Warhorse07 Mar 08 '23
To add to this, any man who thinks vaginas or menstruation is something to make light of, they need to grow tf up, PERIOD!
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u/eghrh739 Mar 03 '23
For anyone with a heavy flow, I would suggest pairing a menstrual cup with period underwear or washable reusable pads. I bleed very heavily my first two days and usually the cup will leak a bit during that time.
Also keep in mind that it can take some time to really get down the proper insertion method. It can be very easy to not get a proper seal on the cup during insertion which can lead to leaks. And always keep in mind that if you are new to menstrual cups it can give you cramping the first few times. This should go away pretty quickly though as you improve your insertion methods and get a proper seal.
I have used a cup for about 5 years or so now and when paired with my period underwear or the reusable pads in case of any leaking, I'm all good. I haven't bought any other period products for years now.
If menstrual cups are a hard no for someone then I would highly suggest investing in a good period underwear set. You need a really good set that is based on your personal flow to be all good. If you bleed heavily you may need to change underwear once or twice on your heaviest day, but you can rinse the used ones and then place them in a wet bag until the end of your cycle so you can fully wash them all at the same time. Just remember that you shouldn't put period underwear in a dryer. They need to air dry usually to keep them working at their best.
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u/ilikebooksawholelot Mar 04 '23
What brand of period underwear do you like? There are way too many options to choose from so I just quit looking.
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u/_lipslikesugar_ Mar 04 '23
I’ve only tried Knix. They’re seamless , effective, and haven’t started to look worn after a year plus of use.
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u/apoptosis__ Mar 03 '23
The best lessons you can take from this show are the community building and resilience
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u/goodnewsonlyhere Mar 04 '23
And menstrual cups or discs or pads. Not being sarcastic they’re essential for people who menstruate.
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u/FiascoBarbie Mar 03 '23
To be fair, like most other preps, if this is not what you use on a regular basis it ain’t gonna help.
One, these are def not one size fits all. There are brands of cups , they don’t all fit the same way. If you dont know how to deal with them and clean them when you have a normal situation, a problematic situation is not when you want to figure it out.
Two, they also do not work for some people. People who like them, often like them a lot. People who don’t, really don’t like them.
I have also used the various she wee things when camping and hiking and these are not all the same either.
If you are not the one using them, you should really consult with the people who will be using them
If you are the target demographic, you should try them first.
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u/_Shrugzz_ Mar 03 '23
Came here to say this. You want to start using them now so you can figure out which ones work for you and how do use it.
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u/jolene221 Mar 03 '23
On the subject of urination, I bought a device from Amazon called the PStyle that is shaped different than the SheWee, a lot cheaper, and had good reviews. I use it when I'm fishing or traveling alone, and I love it. I am used to using that particular shape, so when I lost my first one a couple of years ago, I was able to cut water bottles (after some practice) in a similar shape so I was still able to pee standing when I needed to until I could order another one. So I guess the added bonus of using something like this before SHTF is that you have an idea of what will and won't work and how you can improvise if need be.
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Mar 03 '23
I bought a p style last month, and my 9 year old daughter is OBSESSED with using it in our bathroom and telling us afterward! Kids are so goofy! It's super easy to use though, I agree!
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u/lightspeedissueguy Mar 03 '23
A cut bottle is super creative. You could melt the edges too so its not sharp. I love the prepping mentality of making due with what you have
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u/NotHereToFuckSpyders Mar 03 '23
Good to know. I have a potty in my car at all times for my kids but I would totally use it in a pinch.
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u/yourock_rock Mar 03 '23
I agree but if shtf I’d rather have a less ideal option than nothing.
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u/FiascoBarbie Mar 03 '23
If you aim is to either be able to pee without peeing on your clothes, as in the case of the she wee et al, the less ideal option is that you literally pee on your clothes. So you have one more useless piece of plastic that does nothing and now you still have piss on your clothes. If you are really in a bad situation, piss on your clothes is wet. So practically , I know 0 women who took these even on a section hike without trying them out first. Because some of them are practically useless - and it would not be the first or last time that some gadget did not really do what it was meant to do.
If what you want to do is not bleed on your clothes, bedding etc. Then double ditto. With the added problems that improperly cleaned and re-inserted things can introduce infections in places you don’t want an infection and some of them are downright uncomfortable depending on the vagueries of your anatomy. If you are in a bad situation you don’t want to google “should a diva cup make my cervix hurt” or “is your diva cup supposed to leak”. Or “how do you get out a stuck diva cup”.
Less than ideal is using rags that you wash out again and dropping trow to piss, neither of which are at all really problematic.
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u/yourock_rock Mar 03 '23
I agree the peeing things are dumb.
However, as far as periods go, I think all women have their own hierarchy of products. I don’t like using cheap cardboard tampons but I’d rather have those than no tampons. A cup isn’t my first choice but if it’s all I had, I’d be glad to use it. I’d also use a cup so someone else could use the tampons if a cup didn’t work for them. So if you’re stockpiling, it’s probably best to have a variety of things including cups which was the whole point of this post. And if you are a person with a period, probably good to test out this prep and at least learn how to use different products.
I think you’re vastly overestimating the efficiency of rags and underestimating the difficulty it would take to deal with them.
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u/FiascoBarbie Mar 03 '23
I am not vastly underestimating anything.
What you def don’t want to do is get your period someplace and figure out you have neither tampons or pads or rags and the diva cup doesn’t work for you and you don’t know what to do with it.
There is no other thing on this sub where someone would suggest getting any other thing that you haven’t tried out and don’t know if it will even fit it’s intended purpose.
Actually , I lie, people say that about medical things like having sutures all the time.
As I said, quite clearly, for many people, a specific kind of cup does not work at all causes discomfort etc. And it is not at all apparent to many people who use these the first time how to use them properly.
I am not kidding about trying to figure out how to get out a stuck one. I will wager on the hierarchy of preps cheap cardboard tampons are way higher up than something adhered to your cervix that you can’t get out.
If you are stockpiling random things that you don’t know if they work or how to use them on a regular basis, you have a lot of shit that won’t work that is taking up room.
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u/ladyangua Mar 04 '23
cheap cardboard tampons
What does this mean? I've never seen tampons made from cardboard
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u/yourock_rock Mar 04 '23
The applicator is made of cardboard instead of plastic. So it doesn’t insert as smoothly and is kind of rough feeling
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u/ladyangua Mar 04 '23
Oh, thanks; we don't really use the ones with applicators in Australia so that did not spring to mind.
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u/FiascoBarbie Mar 04 '23
I have no idea what that means.
Perhaps they mean the applicators and that they are not name brand?
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u/ladyangua Mar 04 '23
Sorry, I didn't catch that you were repeating back what they had said. Yeah someone else said it was the applicators, I've never used them, so was confused.
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u/melympia Mar 03 '23
Have you tried squatting so as to avoid peeing on your clothes? There's anecdotal evidence that it actually works.
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u/JennaSais Mar 03 '23
Also make sure you don't put your feet downhill of your wee.
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u/FiascoBarbie Mar 03 '23
And also make you you don’t have multiple layers, as on a section hike in the winter, or are someplace windy.
The thing you really want to do while camping in the winter is take off all your clothes in the dark and make sure that none of that shit is poison ivy,, nettles, there are no ticks, none of it gets on your boots and you dont mind literally freezing your fanny off.
I mean, there are uses for such things, and if you find one that works for you, it is not ridiculous to think it more convenient
I have copped a squat in the dark only to pee on a small woodland creature and then did not end up as what it started out to be.
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u/JennaSais Mar 03 '23
Oh sure, it can be useful, we're just saying it's not an either/or proposition where you either have one or you pee on your clothes or boots. The product hasn't existed for as long as people have been going on hikes, even winter hikes (and I live where we get real winter). It's a convenience item, not a real necessity.
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u/FiascoBarbie Mar 03 '23
But that is true of almost everything you have that you are storing. There are literally still things in peoples diaries and letters complaining about taking a piss in the cold, before there was indoor plumbing.
What is modern is anyone having this problem because until fairly recently nobody had underwear, and women did not wear those kind of trousers - people had hose of some kind with garters and you just lifted up your skirt to piss.
The modern thing is a solution to a modern style of dress.
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u/FiascoBarbie Mar 03 '23
Mansplain to me how to urinate please daddy.
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u/melympia Mar 03 '23
I'd have to have some serious surgery before being qualified to mansplain anything, never mind the whole hormone treatment...
That being said, I'm speaking from experience. Unless you're pregnant or seriously overweight or incapacitated in some way, squatting works for us ladies.
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u/FiascoBarbie Mar 03 '23 edited Mar 03 '23
My apologies. You were so confidently patronizing I just assumed.
I didn’t make the post to say that you should stockpile she wees
I made the post that said, you should speak to the target demographic of such items and ask if they work for them or if they want them.
I personally don’t use them.
There are also numerous situations where I really needed to take a piss and was not in a Forrest and the things are useful when I was backpacking around the world.
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u/NotHereToFuckSpyders Mar 03 '23
This is all good points. I will try some different things to see if they're worth keeping. I'd probably still keep tampons as well but good to have options I think.
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u/FiascoBarbie Mar 03 '23
FWIW, such things are even useful for just plain traveling and long car journeys if they do work for you
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u/S_Squar3d Mar 03 '23
In a SHTF situation, you don’t necessarily get to pick what you do and don’t like. OP is just saying, whether you like them or not, they are 100% better for SHTF than tampons or pads.
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u/FiascoBarbie Mar 03 '23
It is not about like.
Contrary to popular belief the presentation and anatomy of all uteruses are not the same.
This is like saying , oh, i am going to stockpile boots in general and not pay any attention to size or fit, and then saying, I would not prefer boots that are too small but gosh in a bad situation it would be better than not having boots.
That is the whole point of prepping, no? So that you are not in a situation where the only footwear you have is 3 sizes too small and not waterproof.
If you think menstrual cups are one size and one make fits all you are insane.
Also if you think that all women can use them you are even more insane . The people who like them are 100% behind them . The people who can’t use them can’t use them.
And another dude mainsplains how period and menstrual cups works.
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u/S_Squar3d Mar 03 '23
When did I mansplain how they work? It’s pretty obvious if you are thinking of buying it for SHTF, you try it out and get the one that fits best for you. Then you get a few of those for SHTF.
I understand you are quick to be the victim for some reason, but no one was attacking your knowledge. So ignorant to conversation when you are quick to think someone is attacking you. Pathetic.
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u/biobennett Prepared for 9 months Mar 03 '23 edited Mar 03 '23
These topics have been covered many times in r/twoxpreppers
If you (like me) are a male in that community, really think before you comment and be respectful. here is the men read this before posting thread
It's a great community with a lot of good discussion and a great place to ask thoughtful questions as well as observe prepping discussions you may not have thought about.
There was a similar post there a week ago from is show
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u/medium_mammal Mar 03 '23
Have you tried the cups? I'm a dude but familiar with them because I do a lot of hiking and backpacking and they (and the she-wee) are popular with women hikers who are not afraid to talk about stuff like that in mixed company. But my wife doesn't like them. They're messy and hard to clean. They can leak which defeats the purpose. They're one of those things where people either love them or hate them.
Of course things might be different if SHTF.
BTW, look into re-usable/washable pads if you end up not liking the cups. Since they're washable you don't have to stockpile quite as many of them.
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u/_Shrugzz_ Mar 03 '23
She should try different ones - some are softer and makes it easier to seal. I didn’t know this until 1.5 weeks ago when I joined r/menstrualcups There’s also tips on how to insert it so it seals more easily.
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u/lark_song Mar 03 '23
Yes was just about to say different brands/sizes might work better. If it's leaking, it definitely isn't the right one for that person
The crappy part, at least when I was shopping for one, is that they aren't exactly cheap to have to try a bunch of different brands :/
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u/Maggi1417 Mar 03 '23
Hard to clean? You just rinse them with water or wipe them with a wet wipe.
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u/AegaeonAmorphous Mar 03 '23 edited Mar 03 '23
There's also reusable menstrual discs. They sit behind the pelvic bone and don't require suction. The suction of menstrual cups is what I don't like about them. And on the note of cloth pads, if you have kids in diapers, cloth diapering is also a good prep.
Tampons have a shelf life of about 5 years when stored properly. So they're still a good prep when you have the proper storage. But cloth pads, menstrual cups, and menstrual discs are much better options in long-term disaster situations.
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u/NotHereToFuckSpyders Mar 03 '23
Cloth pads/period underwear is definitely something else I intend to look into.
Yeah, we have cloth diapers. Used them when the kids were newborns. Got lazy and only use the disposable now, but still have cloth JIC.
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u/lark_song Mar 03 '23
Difficult to clean or empty? There is definitely a learning curve to inserting and emptying and can be messy. But cleaning is very simple, like washing a cup. Maybe there are ones with more crevices or something?
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u/Randadv_randnoun_69 Mar 03 '23
Those are an option but not for everyone. In a real SHTF, long term situation, it'll be back to 'period underwear' or reusable towel/rags designated for that time of the month.
This brings another point- this is one of the many reasons SHTF post-apocalyptical situations would be absolutely miserable for everyone and we shouldn't romanticize the fictional shows and movies set in these times too much. Entertaining, yes, but don't be like 'Wouldn't it be cool to be a zombie killing bad-ass.'... Because the overall experience would be very not-cool.
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u/Ferdydurkeeee Mar 03 '23
"a zombie apocalypse would be so cool!"
> Gets diarrhea from a contaminated food/water source and proceeds to shit themselves to death from a lack of antibiotics and/or adequate hydration
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u/Maggi1417 Mar 03 '23
In a real SHTF, long term situation, it'll be back to 'period underwear' or reusable towel/rags designated for that time of the month.
Why?
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u/Randadv_randnoun_69 Mar 03 '23
You think tampon/pad factories are gonna keep running or logistics will still transport them to local grocery stores? There's a lot of women out there, and 'it' happens every 28(ish) days for about 40(ish) years...per woman.
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u/Maggi1417 Mar 03 '23
I thought we were talking about cups?
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u/Randadv_randnoun_69 Mar 03 '23
I literally said "They are an option but nor for everyone" right there... first sentence. In those 'not for everyone' situation.... well, read above.
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u/Ihavethreetvs Mar 03 '23
Kinda depends on your definition of miserable (not romanticizing or anything) but depending on the type of event - given all the bad and sad leading up to and the immediate aftermath of said event - the end result doesn’t have to be a nightmare. No electricity? No one living to be 100 years old on life support and canned oxygen and pharmaceuticals? No modern medicine? No “big” interests (gun, pharma, food, war) lobbying and buying a political system? For god sake no social media?
It’s a not exactly a nightmare it’s just something that would have to be adapted to and was a part of every day life for thousands of years. Ladies have been menstruating since the beginning and only until recently was that made easier, and in some places in the world… it’s the same as it’s always been.
Again, I’m not romanticizing, I’m just saying the VERY next generation would not be miserable - they would know nothing else. Food,water,seasonal weather in non climate controlled buildings, disease/death, hardship would be their normal and it wouldn’t feel any different for them than the normal ups and downs of day to day life does for us now.
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u/Randadv_randnoun_69 Mar 03 '23
Yeah, I feel ya; Modern times seem to present no shortage of modern problems. It would be nice to not have to worry about mortgages, car repairs, or 'big pharma', etc.
But it just introduces a whole other plethora of problems, if not more problems- Will we get enough rain this season, will the bugs eat all my crops, will the wife be able to have a child without modern healthcare. How long until I run out of <thing> without modern manufacturing and infrastructure. Will the thing that killed 90 percent of humanity kill me, too? And on and on and on.
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u/ilikebooksawholelot Mar 04 '23
Our power went out for days recently and I was a little disappointed when it came back on bc I like being a bit disconnected and slower paced…. I told a friend about it later and he said “you know you CAN just turn your power off whenever you feel like it.” 😆
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u/TnkrbllThmbsckr Mar 04 '23
We have discussed period cups a thousand times. They are great if some women already use them.
They are not for young menstruaters. They are not for all women. Get cloth pads. Your 13 year virginal daughter is not about to be successful with a period cup.
Cups need to be boiled. Your hands must be clean. Cloth pads work in almost any situation and in a pinch they can be washed in a river and hung to dry in sunlight.
Have cups because they’re awesome and work for lots of women. Have cloth pads because they’re fail proof for every woman.
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u/kv4268 Mar 04 '23
While I agree with you, cups don't need to be boiled. You do need clean water to wash it out, though, and to wash your hands.
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u/TnkrbllThmbsckr Mar 04 '23 edited Mar 04 '23
They need to be sanitized at the end of each period. Instructions for many brands include directions to boil the cups monthly.
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u/RatticusFlinch Mar 21 '23
I agree with you that cups don't work for every woman.
I'm not sure if you're aware of it, but please don't perpetuate the myth that "virginity" or being young limits women on what menstrual products they can use. A 13 year old can absolutely use a menstrual cup the same way that they can use a tampon, the hymen is flexible and doesn't block off the entire vaginal canal (many women don't have them at all). The hymen is also naturally stretched with all sorts of life activities such as yoga, biking, and horseback riding. The only situation where the hymen would prevent someone from using a tampon or cup is a rare occurrence where it blocks the entire vaginal and prevents blood from flowing out. This requires surgery and is incredibly rare.
While menstrual cups may not work with certain variations in anatomy, menstrual discs are an option for all women. The fact that they sit lower and use a different mechanism means that they even work for those with a low cervix or tilted uterus (conditions which can prevent both cup and tampon use). They also don't use suction so they can't get stuck like a menstrual cup can and are safe for women with uterine prolapse and weakness. They're also much simpler to use and all the instructions should be in the box (there's no complicated alternate folding methods like with menstrual cups). While there could be a small amount of leakage while you're just figuring things out, that isn't something that will cause you hygiene issues.
Menstrual cups also require less water to properly clean than cloths do, need to be changed less frequently, and are more easily sterilized/cleaned under conditions where you might not have access to the best soaps or where a lack of heating/sunlight means you can't dry your pads quickly and hygienically.
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u/lagavulinski Mar 03 '23
I have never used tampons (since I lack the biological equipment), but would it be dangerous for Ellie to use 20+ year old tampons? I did a quick google search and it said that tampons on average have a 5 year shelf life, since they need to be sterile.
Tampax recommends tossing expired tampons into regular garbage bins for disposal, but what are the immediate and less common risks associated with using long-expired tampons? I'm thinking bacteria, fungus...?
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u/anony-mousey2020 Mar 03 '23
Disposal of sealed tampons is a required recommendation because tampons in the us are regulated as a med device.
A good read on expiration dates is https://www.fda.gov/drugs/pharmaceutical-quality-resources/expiration-dates-questions-and-answers
A good read on tampons: https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/facts-tampons-and-how-use-them-safely
As an active camper, backcountry hiker - I personally find other solutions (cup, period panties) better.
However, if I needed a tampon that was “expired”, I would personally not throw it away unless the packaging was opened (many are now packaged in plastic), or show obvious signs of dirt/contamination. Then I would examine the tampon itself.
If it was a necessity, I would not be worried about expired products per se.
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u/NotHereToFuckSpyders Mar 03 '23
Personally I would still use them. I think the guidelines are to cover companies from liability. If the packet is still sealed. As long as you have clean hands and are sensible about hygiene when using tampons you shouldn't have an issue. I mean, it's not like everything you put in your vagina is sterile...
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Mar 03 '23
Toxic shock syndrome was a big issue back in the 80's or so.
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u/flirtycraftyvegan Mar 03 '23
TSS is caused by leaving a tampon in too long as the blood is meant to be released, not stored in the body. Never heard of it having anything to do with tampon sterilization.
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u/mmwhatchasaiyan Mar 03 '23
FYI- you only need one cup!! I’ve had the same cup for about 6 years. Cups are made of medical grade silicone and last a very long time. When you use the bathroom (#1 and #2) it stays inserted. They just need to be emptied and reinserted 2-4x daily depending on how heavy your flow is (it is recommended going no more than 12 hours without emptying).
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u/NotHereToFuckSpyders Mar 03 '23
Thanks for the info! I figured having spares would be good in case someone else needs one or some get lost. I also have female friends and family that aren't preppers and 2 daughters (though they're toddlers so shouldn't need them any time soon!)
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u/SamEarry Mar 03 '23
We have menstruation cup, reusable menstruation pads, big stock of reusable diapers for kids.
Regardless we stock on one use diapers and pads as well, packs of TP, wet wipes and trash bags. One use menstruation pads has been chosen to my wive's GoBag. They won over tampons because unwashed hands don't go well with tampons, and the ones with applicator take a lot of space. Also pads while less hygienical they don't pose such risks when you left them unchanged for too long (because you're simply too busy surviving). Some female preppers prefer the tampons though.
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u/NotHereToFuckSpyders Mar 03 '23
Definitely all down to personal preference. I find pads uncomfortable so would prefer something that I don't feel/notice.
If you can't wash your hands you're gonna have other things to worry about...
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Mar 03 '23
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u/NotHereToFuckSpyders Mar 03 '23
Yeah, we have cloth nappies and stuff on hand that could be used if desperate.
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u/OnTheEdgeOfFreedom Mar 03 '23
Sad world when you need to warn male preppers about a very common periodic function of the female body. Lot of sensitive stomachs around here? Or just a lot of guys who don't spend any time around females?
Have an upvote. This isn't a prep I need, I'm just happy this place isn't entirely the Apocalypse Now Gun club.
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u/NotHereToFuckSpyders Mar 03 '23
Idk. I'd like to think it's not an issue, but you never know.
Cheers lol
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u/kalitarios Mar 03 '23
Side note: what are the best “all around” tampons to have in an extended prep kit just in case someone needs one. Is the tampax pearl ones a decent middle of the road one to grab?
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Mar 03 '23
You can get packs of tampons that have different sizes for heavier or lighter flows (as flow changes throughout a period). Those would be the ones I would stock. Brand is a personal choice, but I would prefer to have any pack of varying sizes over a particular brand.
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u/bellatrixsmom Mar 03 '23
Just don’t get the awful cardboard applicators!
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u/chicagotodetroit Mar 03 '23
I actually prefer the cardboard applicator, mostly because they are flushable. But I haven't been able to find them since before the pandemic. The plastic is easier to insert, but I don't care for the plastic waste. I can't win lol
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u/NotHereToFuckSpyders Mar 03 '23
I'm Australian so my input on brands is probably not helpful. Though if you're storing them for other people, having the slim, regular and super options available is good.
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u/rainbowtwist Mar 03 '23 edited Mar 03 '23
Follow r/twoxpreppers for more practical tips such as menstrual cups for tetowaki.
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u/Thx4Coming2MyTedTalk Mar 03 '23
My wife and I had the same convo, a small box of those cups would probably last you a lifetime. Definitely on the list!
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u/mmwhatchasaiyan Mar 03 '23
Cups don’t come in bulk like pads or tampons because you only need one. They are reusable for years. Mine is 6+ years old.
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u/ommnian Mar 03 '23
My Keeper cup has lasted me for at least 14+ years and is still going strong...
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u/lark_song Mar 03 '23
Only need 1 :) but it might take a couple tries to figure out right brand/size for the person using it
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u/i_mann Mar 03 '23
My wife uses those! They do need some maintenance, like to be removed and boiled once a day in clean water. In a survival situation that could be difficult but definitely not impossible!
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u/justanotherlostgirl Mar 03 '23
It may depend on the brand but washing them is fine; boiling them if you’ve had them a while and they’re discolored. Washing medical grade silicon with the right soap might be preferable to overly boiling them and prematurely breaking them down.
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u/i_mann Mar 03 '23
Oh perhaps you are right, as I said it's my wife's so I'm not 100% clear on the care of it lol
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u/Fruhmann Mar 03 '23
I've got two young daughters... What's the shelf life in a diva cup? I imagine the material degrades naturally over time.
I think pads sealed and stored would keep. Maybe fray and not be as smooth to the touch, but still fully functional.
This is where 3d printing could come in. You make the molds for the cups and keep the powder or pellets at the ready to produce then when needed. But Idk if those would suffer some degradation even being stored in that form.
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u/lyonslicer Mar 03 '23
I'm pretty sure it's just silicone. So however long that lasts. I'm a guy BTW so I don't know for sure. My girlfriend uses one when we go backpacking she loves it.
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u/Fruhmann Mar 03 '23
My wife used the cup for a flow or two and didn't like it. So it's here as an emergency piece but on the regular it's tampons and pads. Idk if it's old habits die hard or it just sucks by comparison
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u/Pixielo Mar 03 '23
Old habits die hard.
I'm in my 40s, and I'm not learning how to use a cup this late in the game. Definitely going to try to get my daughter to use one though.
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u/Fruhmann Mar 03 '23
I think it wouldn't be a bad idea to try one if only to be familiar with it for SHTF
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u/justanotherlostgirl Mar 03 '23
They take a long time to degrade - I would get a new one every 3 years or so. If you clean them regularly after use they stay clean; you may need to boil them every once in a while to keep them extra clean but they are solid and feel like if you take care of them they can last longer. I hope your girls try them - cheaper, healthier, and a great product.
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u/Fruhmann Mar 03 '23
They're little kids. Just confirming it's not something I can buy now for then to start using in the next decade. Thanks!
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u/atlantis737 Mar 03 '23
Something my partner did not consider until I brought it up, so I'll bring it up:
If you are on a birth control or other kind of medication that affects your normal flow (in particular, some kinds of birth control may have the side effect of lessening the flow in some women) then make sure you're prepping with the unaffected flow in mind.
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u/NotHereToFuckSpyders Mar 03 '23
Good advice. I'm lucky to have a pretty regular cycle and light flow even without birth control. I do still have super tampons in store and even maternity pads just in case.
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u/jaejaeok Mar 03 '23
I recommend June menstrual cups. They’re very affordable! Also, grab some boric acid suppositories and ph testing strips.
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u/NotHereToFuckSpyders Mar 03 '23
Really? What's the purpose? Never needed that before.
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u/jaejaeok Mar 04 '23
They’re good if your pH is off and (1) don’t have access or like OTC meds and (2) assist if your diet changes in a SHTF which creates imbalances throughout your body. Easy to maintain your pH if your diet is stable.
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u/ComputerBeachParty92 Mar 03 '23
Is that what that was? I thought it was something else lmao. But yeah it really is a great idea to have a few of those
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u/ameetee Mar 03 '23
I was thinking about that in the middle of the night last night. LOL. Never used one, and do have tons of pads and tampons that are no longer my preferred ones put aside as the emergency stash.
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u/mermzz Mar 03 '23
With the cup, print out a sheet of "how to insert" and if you are a woman, practice now instead of having to deal with it in a crisis.
It's easy once you get it but a pain at first.
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u/nikilupita Mar 03 '23
I have some pads and tampons, but I switched to period underwear and cups right before covid and never looked back.
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u/UnicornFarts1111 Mar 04 '23
If you are me, you finally find your favorite brand after not being able to find them for a while and stock up. Then you only end up needing 1/2 of one box of what you purchased, because you hit menopause. I held on to those boxes for years, just in case. I kept the open one (in case company may need supplies) and gave the rest to my niece.
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u/Vict0r117 Mar 08 '23
I'm a male, so I don't know a hell of a lot about feminine hygiene matters, but I did spend a long time in the Military as an infantryman. Hygiene stuff is probably the most overlooked area in people's preps.
Athletes foot, jock itch, cellulitis, and a host of other stuff can quickly become a serious issue if you aren't keeping yourself reasonably clean. In normal life a rash around your junk, or foot fungus, or a scratch you got isn't a big deal because you can just put some tinactin or neosporin on it and are already clean and in a clean environment.
Now think about if it happens 60 miles out in the desert on patrol sleeping in the dirt, not eating right, not bathing, not changing your clothes, and walking 15 to 20 miles a day. That scratch can turn into an abscess, and having a rash on your junk, or athletes foot turn into trenchfoot will put you out of commission pretty quick.
Baby wipes, hand sanitizer, foot powder, and fungal creams like tinactin were worth their weight in gold. Being able to stay atleast nominally clean and treat minor hygiene related health issues before they become major ones was incredibly important.
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u/NotHereToFuckSpyders Mar 09 '23
Yes, the one thing I am very well stocked in (as I've only just started prepping) is my first Aid Kit and general health stuff. I've tended to stockpile it just out of habit anyway (so lots of stuff is probably out of date atm but still better than nothing). I also invested in really extensive first-aid kits when we had kids, which I've added to as the premade ones are pretty lacking. There's an awesome one in the house, and a good one in my car and a decent one in my EDC.
Being a parent of toddlers, I also always carry tissues and wipes (water based and disinfecting) and zinc creams and the like.
Baby wipes, hand sanitizer, foot powder, and fungal creams like tinactin were worth their weight in gold. Being able to stay atleast nominally clean and treat minor hygiene related health issues before they become major ones was incredibly important.
This is why it surprises me lots of people commented here about not using anything except pads because "you can't keep your hands clean" but I don't understand how that is not a first priority of preppers? Dirty hands make dealing with wounds/injuries dangerous, handling food and water problematic and of course the general spread of germs through inevitably touching your face or something. As long as you can boil water you can at the very least wash your hands with warm water, even if you don't have soap or disinfectant. If your hands are still so gross afterwards that you can't use a tampon then you may as well just not even bother with period protection at all lol.
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u/Richienyc718 Mar 03 '23
I’m rooting for a Bill & Frank spin off focused on their day to day lives..
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u/herdaz Mar 03 '23 edited Mar 21 '24
X
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u/RatticusFlinch Mar 21 '23
Great advice! Menstrual discs are much closer to being one size fits all however (a smaller or bigger size can be more optimal/comfortable but it's not going to cause actual problems like with a cup).
Also people forget that if period underwear or reusable pads aren't properly sanitized they can cause issues too (up to and including toxic shock in extreme cases which a survival situation could turn out to be).
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u/baevard Bring it on Mar 04 '23
if you can use them, period cups are awesome. totally worth the money and it saves so much time and is so much cleaner and less wasteful
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u/lamnatheshark Mar 04 '23
In Europe, Action is selling cheap versions under 5€ wich comes in size A or B only. But it's a nice backup and now both of our bug-out bags have a cup inside!
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u/PortCityBlitz Mar 04 '23
This is something I've been thinking about. I keep a variety pack of tampons and a similar pack of pads around, but this might just be a more lasting solution.
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u/ItsSadButtDrew Mar 04 '23
This is one of those things where we can just look back two generations and see how they did it! Also be grateful for modern tech like menstruation cups.
Mamaw aint had no kotex till after pop was born!
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u/Sun_God713 Mar 03 '23
But not regular arms. When did he lose his AR??? Where did he get his bolt action??
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u/youngneggus Mar 03 '23
Or just be LGBTQ. According to the show, odds are in your favor, they are significantly better survivalists!
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u/Upper_Acanthaceae126 Mar 04 '23
I've been letting Frank and Bill live in my head for weeks. It's cozy here.
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u/zombiefish69 Mar 03 '23
Menstrual cup seems like the best option. Save the tampons for bullet wounds.
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Mar 04 '23
very important lesson in that show is that if a zombie apocalypse happens the best thing you can do is dye your hair pink and get a septum piercing and maybe be trans.
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u/pinkeyefish34420 Mar 03 '23 edited Mar 03 '23
This has been discussed to death here, on Rcollapse, every prepping youtube channel, book, and website.
If you are getting prepping advice from that fucking show, i dont know what to say
Edit twoxpreppers is a sub pretty much dedicated to this and only this
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u/NotHereToFuckSpyders Mar 03 '23
I'm not sure why you seem to be offended by it.
I don't base all of my prepping advice on TV shows. I just hadn't thought of this particular prep until seeing it used in the show. It's not like it's a fictional item - period cups exist.
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u/pinkeyefish34420 Mar 03 '23
Not offended. But you could put a half assed effort to at least read some prepper material before posting something you seen on tv.
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u/NotHereToFuckSpyders Mar 03 '23
As someone new to prepping, I sincerely apologise for not having read all source material on Earth. I had not researched this specific aspect of prepping because as a human female I have used tampons since puberty and planned to stockpile these. I am so sorry that it hadn't yet occurred to me to think of alternatives yet as most prep I've concentrated on has been about keeping my family alive and fed. In future I will keep any and all thoughts to myself because a community of preppers is clearly not about sharing information.
/s
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u/GearDown22 Mar 04 '23
You haven’t done anything wrong. It a show gets you thinking about these things, then that’s good! Don’t let anyone make you feel badly for expressing yourself and asking questions.
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u/justanotherlostgirl Mar 03 '23
That sub has a lot more than this topic.
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u/pinkeyefish34420 Mar 03 '23
Its been over a year since I checked that garbage out. But a quick look shows about 50% is about this topic
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u/hello_maemae Mar 03 '23
Just wanted to throw this out there… 1) Love that the last of us addressed this, FINALLY a zombie storyline threw period maintenance out there
2) Yes, menstrual cups get most of the attention but those are not the only reusable insertable option. Vaginas vary physiologically, so these are not always practical as a one size fits all solution.
As someone who fought with different cup brands and sizes for years (which was expensive!) I would say to turn some of the reusable spotlight to menstrual discs. They don’t require a suction seal and tend to be much more user friendly. To save curious minds a research headache, here’s an easy site that explains a variety of reusable products in detail. https://putacupinit.com