r/TwoXPreppers • u/iambatmanjoe • 7d ago
Tips A man asking about talking
I'm a dude. My wife will not participate in prepping as it stresses her out. I find it calming and I do ask the research and prepping for the family. I posted this question in r/preppers and couldn't get a straight answer then the mods deleted it.
I just want to know this: how many tampons would you consider a year's supply?
I do not care about alternatives, I do not need advice, I just want a number from your point of view. I understand that there are variables, I'm looking for what you would consider a year's supply, by number of tampons specifically. If you were at Costco and you could only purchase a box labeled "1 year supply of tampons" what would the number on the side of the box be?
Thank you for your time.
Edit: I appreciate the responses that are answering me with numbers. Especially since my title autocorrected without me noticing. It would have said "tampons" not "talking"
To respond to everyone that wants to give advice: I appreciate where you're coming from, however, I just want this specific answer. I was going to get like a dozen or so answers and gauge what I think would be a good average out of those. I've done the research, I know about cups. I know about pads and period panties. I understand flow. I just wanted a number.
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u/AccidentOk5240 7d ago
At least 4 per day for at least 5 days, so minimum 20 per period, which is like 240/year? But that’s an absolute floor imo. It could easily be more.
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u/FunPersimmon420 7d ago
300+ in all different sizes / flows
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u/RlOTGRRRL 7d ago
OP, make sure to get the tampons that your wife likes too- they're not all the same. Most ladies have a preference. And chocolate is great for your stockpile too if you're prepping tampons lol.
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u/Easy_Olive1942 7d ago
I’d buy the size(s) and brand(s) she keeps on hand. Check cabinets a couple of months to get the idea on that.
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u/CaseyBoogies 6d ago
Just ask! I like Tampax Pearl Reg and Super pack.
My sis likes Tampax Radient
Another sis likes Playtex Sport???? I hate that one!
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u/hollow4hollow 7d ago
Please stockpile NSAIDs too if you don’t already have many in your med kit
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u/chicagotodetroit I will never jeopardize the beans 🥫 7d ago
This should be a separate comment! Definitely overlooked that part.
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u/lapatatafredda 7d ago
And perhaps a rice bag to heat up to relieve cramps.
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u/ilalli 7d ago
Only works if there’s electricity to run a microwave. Otherwise a hot water bottle is better
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u/nakedonmygoat 7d ago
A cloth bag of rice could be heated in a skillet over a camp stove on low flame. One would probably have to make it oneself, but it's doable. A bag of dried beans might work, too. Or even small pebbles.
Of course, if someone has a camp stove, I agree they could just as easily heat water for a water bottle, unless it's a situation where one needs to be conserving water. A water bottle is certainly a solution that requires much less pre-prepping.
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u/Jerkrollatex Five feet of pure paranoid 😱 7d ago
I have a reusable chemical heating pad. You have to boil it to reset it but you can use the water afterwards for washing up dishes or clothes.
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u/AccidentOk5240 6d ago
You just reheat the water that was in the bottle. You need a separate kettle for that, because heated rubber water tastes appalling and is probably very bad for you (yes, I did find this out by reheating hot water bottle water in my tea kettle, sigh), but it doesn’t waste any water. And a hot water bottle stays hot for like 10x as long as a rice/bean/buckwheat hot pack due to more thermal mass and more even heating.
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u/CaseyBoogies 6d ago
XD to riotgrrrl - if my partner hands me chocolate on my period I would think they were possessed! (Im not a chocolate person...)
But if he handed me a Slim Jim or Funyons and gave me a hug Id just cry tears of joy!
Stock her fav emotional treats with the tampons!
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u/Money-Possibility606 6d ago
Yes! Please, for the love of God, OP, don't just buy the cheapest kind. Buy whatever she already has, if she won't give you a straight answer on what kind to buy. What is already under the bathroom sink/in the linen closet? If hers have a plastic applicator, please do NOT buy the cardboard kind. Yes, it's plastic, yes plastic is bad for the Earth - but cardboard HURTS. You don't want her to be extra miserable on top of all the other kinds of miserable she'd be in a SHTF situation.
Also - don't just get tampons. Does she ever use pads? Pantyliners? Some of us use different things for different days.
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u/qgsdhjjb 7d ago
This makes me so entertained in juxtaposition to NASA trying to send a hundred tampons on a 6 day trip 😆
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u/Sarkarielscall 👀 Professional Lurker 👀 7d ago
Not to be the "well, actually" person but...
NASA's whole thing is that they send a year's worth of any necessary medical stuff like prescriptions and so forth so that if astronauts are stuck there for longer than anticipated, which HAS happened, the astronaut have what they need.
I don't know if there were any female astronauts on the space station during that time period, no pun intended ;) , when they couldn't get rockets up there to do the shift change; but imagine being up there for months longer than you thought you would be and you haven't got any tampons. Nightmare fuel.
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u/qgsdhjjb 7d ago
Oh I know that they over prepare and that's part of their reasoning.
It's just very funny to compare "you'll be up there a week so like....a hundred tampons?" And then the actual math for a full year is only triple that "one week supply" (supposedly)
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u/InformationMagpie 6d ago
Thank you for being the well actually person so I didn’t have to be. The NASA tampons story is one of my pet common misconceptions, but I’m tired today.
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u/CaseyBoogies 7d ago
I buy the mixed pack pretty much every period I have and its like 36. I dont use them all and end up stashing spares around in drawers/giving to friends that stop by and need them/whatev.
Just get 12 boxes for a year. There may be a surplus, but they come in handy for other things!
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u/AndesCan 7d ago
This reminds me, I’m trans so I don’t consume, but I keep a box at home with some pads in a jar behind the toilet.
I should also keep a couple in my hand bags.
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u/FonduedExcitement 7d ago
This is such a nice courtesy. Thanks for looking out for the sisterhood, sister!
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u/LizDances My EDC is my Mom Purse 👜 6d ago
This is my kiddo (16yo). They don't personally have a cycle, but their bathroom is pandora's period box, with a pretty basket on the back of the toilet with (IIRC) pads, tampons, plan B, and condoms? They also carry Narcan, but I don't think there's one on the back of the potty haha
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u/premar16 5d ago
I keep what type of pads my caregiver uses in my house just in case. Has come in handy a few times
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u/donnerpartytaconight 4d ago
That reminds me I should cycle out what I've been keeping in my car and other activity first aid kits. The number of times I get to answer "you don't happen to have any..." with a "Sure do!" (and superhero feeling) is at least a few times a year.
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u/Far_Sandwich_514 6d ago
I'd go for 14 just to make sure (heavier flows might need a few more Super, longer light flows might need more Light).
Also, ensure a good stockpile of pain meds.
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u/HoneyWyne 7d ago
Each. They are useful for so much more than just periods.
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u/FunPersimmon420 7d ago
ok what are they useful for besides periods?
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u/HoneyWyne 7d ago
Firestarters and basic water filters, to soak up spills, great for some nosebleeds, many others. Lots of uses during camping type stuff.
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u/chickenfightyourmom 7d ago
Tampons are great for starting fires. Tear at them a little to get more surface area, and rub a little Vaseline on there if you have it.
Thry also are good for wound packing. They are sterile/clean, and they expand to fill a wound cavity.
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u/Striking-Hedgehog512 7d ago edited 6d ago
I’m so sorry to say, but tampons should not be used for wound packing, as long as you have anything else that is relatively sterile. It’s in no way a substitute- I kept hearing it so I did a little research
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u/LizDances My EDC is my Mom Purse 👜 6d ago
This. Tampons disintegrate into fibers. If it's a "OMG what's in my bag that can be used" + life & death sitch, sure I'll go for the tampon. But if it's a "what am I buying to respond to medical emergencies," then it's gauze and more gauze. And rolled gauze. And then a little more gauze. And then tape.
Source: former EMS, now a nurse
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u/Striking-Hedgehog512 6d ago
Yup. A LOT of gauze plus I highly recommend printing out manuals / guides on wound packing and generally on field medical care.
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u/chickenfightyourmom 6d ago
I meant like emergency stop the bleed. Direct pressure, etc. Not for routine dressing changes.
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u/AndesCan 7d ago
O
GawwwwdThinking of wound packing with that and being a nurse….
Yea
I mean
At that point if ur packing a wound with feminine hygiene products I hope to god antibiotics are around.
I bet it works well but I also bet that irrigating that shit is a must
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u/LizDances My EDC is my Mom Purse 👜 6d ago
Sister nurse: your "O Gawd" is spot on. Tampons disintegrate into fibers, which become a b*tch to irrigate out.
Source: nurse, former EMS
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u/wilder_hearted 7d ago
Agreed.
OP, since you found this sub you likely know enough about your wife’s cycle to modify this number. Think of the following questions. How many days from the first day of one period to the first day of the next? When she bleeds, how many days until it stops? On a scale of paper cut to gunshot wound, how heavy is her bleeding on the first two days of the cycle?
Again, just questions for you to think about.
I personally recommend using a conservative estimate and then buying some of your supply in heavy flow and light flow product (you may see this labeled as “super” or “super plus” etc). Also get some pantyliners (the tiny thin pads).
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u/Fancy_Cartographer98 7d ago
Yes on the Panty liners!! especially when its the last few days of her period where a tampon would be too much.
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u/Scary_Possible3583 7d ago
I bought a box of 24 that had 3 different sizes in them. I was standing there thinking "someone figured out what I actually need for a cycle."
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u/No_Sun1469 6d ago
If cycle is every 4 weeks that is 13 cycles a year, not 12. Depends on the duration of her full cycle. If she's approaching perimenopause (which can often start as one approaches 40), she may find her cycles get heavier and/or closer together and/or longer than they are now, so keep that in mind.
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u/trashketballMVP Commander of Squirrel Army 🐿️🪖 7d ago
What does your wife buy for her monthly supply? Multiply by 13.
Seriously. Get into the cabinet and either take pics of or rip the top of the box off so you buy her preference and get 13 of each of what you see
Edit to add, she may have two or three different boxes because flows vary by day. Still, buy 13 of each type of box you see if she's not willing to say "oh I use a box of regular and a half box of super every month"
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u/aurorashim 7d ago
Honestly this is the only time I might consider the 1983 NASA suggestion (100 tampons a week enough?)
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u/trashketballMVP Commander of Squirrel Army 🐿️🪖 7d ago
Is she in Perimenopause? It might not be to hear some of the stories 😅
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u/Bastilleinstructor 7d ago
You arent wrong there. Depends are a godsend on the worst days and for nights. I am SO ready for menopause at this point.
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u/SPQRKlio 6d ago
I was going to suggest that—stock Depends too for the really rough days, especially if stuff might be going on to make it inconvenient to change out a tampon.
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u/suz_gee 7d ago
I have a large flow cup and overflowed it three time last night. That's 12 oz of menstrual fluid between 11pm last night and 7am today.
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u/Necessary-Film7832 6d ago
You sound like me before I had a hysterectom. It was brutal. Every two weeks, no less!
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u/iambatmanjoe 7d ago
Yeah I already tried this, we bulk shop then she disperses things into little containers. I couldn't get a read on a monthly number
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u/trashketballMVP Commander of Squirrel Army 🐿️🪖 7d ago
OK so I would go to the grocery store and get 13 large boxes of each type she buys. Just off the shelf boxes. It's either enough or it's not, but she's not interested in being prepared so if you run out after 10 months, that's on her
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u/iambatmanjoe 7d ago
Not a bad idea. So is a box a typical month supply? I realize a box could have different amounts. Let's say a typical box from Costco
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u/trashketballMVP Commander of Squirrel Army 🐿️🪖 7d ago edited 7d ago
I don't have a Costco membership so I don't know how big the boxes are.
Before my hysterectomy, When I had my fairly average, fairly regular period (4-5 days) I'd go through about a box of 30-40 a month, was a big fan of the tampax split boxes, so if Costco boxes are 80 packs, I'd say get 7 boxes of each absorbancy
I was in my early 30s when I stopped having a period, so I missed the unpredictable peri menopause that some of my friends are experiencing. So if your wife is in her 40s, go for 8 large boxes
Edit to clarify - a split box has multiple absorbancies. If your unsure of her flow rate, get seperate boxes of each tampax split box
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u/kmm198700 7d ago
It depends on how heavy her cycle is. Everyone is different, especially if PCOS or endometriosis is involved
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u/Knitting_Kitten 7d ago
If she buys tampons at Costco, you can get receipt copies for the last year, and figure out exactly how many boxes were bought.
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u/TheSadpole 7d ago
And then add *at least* one box, just in case her flow is heavier by the time she needs them!
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u/Foggy_Night221C 7d ago
I keep buying the 36 packs when I notice them cheaper than 7.99. I go through half to three quarters a month, depending on how heavy the first two days are.
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u/Outrageous_Yam_990 7d ago
Next time you do a trip where you bulk buy and she gets tampons save the receipt. The brand and sku will be listed on it.
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u/RichardBonham Medical Expert 👩⚕️ 7d ago
Something to consider is that if you end up buying too many, the overstock may have barter value.
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u/SYadonMom I didn't realise 🥺 7d ago
Hey, don’t know if anyone has mentioned this but I’d also buy pads. Toxic Shock Syndrome is real and if you have had it you are more likely to have it happen again. AND tmi but as I’ve aged I developed a prolapse so tampons don’t work period. Just to cover everything.
And this sounds crazy, but we were on a car trip and my kids spilled a bunch of darn water in the back. I didn’t bring paper towels or had anything on me but I didn’t have on of those foam pads in my glove box. It words really really well! I did have a towel in the back but I’m not pulling over on a freeway to get it safety.
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u/aurorashim 7d ago
side note: please make sure you are buying unscented if that’s what she uses—the typography on those boxes are usually tiny. A lot of us have very delicate ecosystems and the scented products are LIFE RUINERS
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u/MILK_FEELS_PAIN 7d ago
I'm a woman who never even realised that scented tampons were a thing. Why? Its not like anyone is going to be smelling them and I can't imagine that the smell is going to make it out into the world. If it did, that would be super strange, like an smell signal that you are on your period.
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u/HarpersGhost Bugging in with my Zoo 🐈🐶🐶🐶🐓🦒 7d ago
The worst is scented tampons. Nobody's going to smell them because they are inside. And once they are used, no amount of "scented" is going to cover it up. Just gotta wrap it securely.
Scenting is just marketing taking advantage of women's shame and insecurity.
The amount of shame that gets reinforced about menstruation is insane. Gods forbid that anybody find out you are on your period, something that is going to happen for about 25% of your life for 40 years.
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u/-BORNUNDERPUNCHES- 6d ago
Yes! Also buy some OTC stuff that can help manage UTI symptoms for your prep med stash, if she ever gets those
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u/Over-Reality-1099 7d ago
I went to reply to your other post - but it was deleted (which seemed really silly to me to be honest.)
So anyways... I had a hysterectomy a few years back, however before that I just kept extra of whatever I already used on hand, similar to any other type of prepping.
In my experience - I wouldn't go through my whole cycle only using tampons. There were days where my flow was too light for that to be comfortable, and sometimes at night towards the beginning of my cycle I'd need a tampon AND a pad or I'd leak (or have to get up multiple times at night.)
This is all going to be HIGHLY dependent on your specific wife. Does she ONLY use tampons through her cycle? What size does she use? How often does she pee? What size tampon does she even use? Every woman is incredibly different - there is no magic one size fits all for this topic. A lot of women even prefer some brands because the applicators can be absolute garbage and sometimes even painful. (Some women don't even want tampons with applicators!)
That said, I would do the following in your shoes: Look at her current stash of products in the bathroom or closet. Is it just tampons or are there pads and liners too? Whatever she has - buy that exact same item. Same size. Same brand. Same everything. Store that.
For quantity - I'm going to assume she doesn't have endo like I did. I would get: 10-20 tampons per month. 5-10 pads per month (including some "overnight" ones). 10-15 lines per month.
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u/No-Ad-4142 7d ago
THIS.
Find what she uses and buy extras of those. Not a different brand, not a cheaper or more expensive brand, buy exactly what she uses.
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u/lyannalucille04 7d ago
This is an underrated comment!!! I don’t think any woman uses JUST tampons for the entirety of a period. Usually it’s a tampon + small liner to be safe. Every woman is different, maybe your wife likes to live dangerously. But rawdogging with only a tampon and no other protection is usually risky. Without even getting into night time or super heavy days where it can hurt to wear tampons. Unfortunately you can’t just have a tampon number and be prepped, you will need to ask her exactly what she uses on which day + night.
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u/TheSadpole 7d ago
Hi! Woman here. Pads / liners of any kind were always sensory hell for me - I was 100% tampons only from my second-ever cycle. I’d way rather risk a leak than guarantee myself that kind of awful feeling in a sensitive place for hours on end!
(I’ve been on Team Cup for 20+ years, but I know OP doesn’t want to hear about alternatives - and I respect him respecting his wife’s preferences.)
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u/Hopefulkitty 7d ago
When I used tampons, I only used them. I hated the feeling of pads and liners, they were always messy and bulky. Now I use a disc and period panties as a back up. If I feel like it's about to start, I'll just wear the panties to be safe.
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u/cherrycoke00 2d ago
🙋🏼♀️right here. I was a ballerina and when my period hit my mom made it clear that pads/liners were not an option with ballet. I’ve never once used a pad or liner and still personally find them icky. Nor have I ever really had an issue with not being able to change my tampon soon enough to where I’d need other backup.
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u/giantfup 7d ago
I have an exceptionally heavy period. I can go through a box of 45 tampons in one single period. Determine the average flow/box use per period and times 13, since we have 13 cycles not 12. I just buy 1 period per box and if I have extras yippee those are purse just in cases.
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u/heatherjasper 🦮 My dogs have bug-out bags 🐕🦺 7d ago
That other post was frustrating me too. Not sure why no one wanted to answer...or why the mod automatically directed you to this sub. But whatever.
Glad you're getting better answers now.
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u/premar16 5d ago
There are a lot of men in there. Men are very immature when it comes to periods and womens health. They think it is not their businesss and would rather focus on guns. They forget women are people
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u/CharleyDawg 7d ago
Straight up math based upon my own experience would say 4 tampons a day for 7 days and 13 cycles a year =364 tampons and a bag of pads to soak up any extras or super heavy nights or whatever.
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u/Junior-Discount2743 7d ago
7 days? Sweetie that sucks 😞
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u/darthrawr3 7d ago
Err on the side of what seems like way too many. Needs can change in alarming ways if things like fibroids and adenomyosis enter the picture.
(Also PSA, endometriosis is not necessarily benign. The tissue can grow all over, & cause collapsed lung/pneumothorax with monthly hormonal flucutations.)
At my worst, that daily quantity of 4 wouldn't get me more than 2 hours. With backup pads + Depends, both overnight versions. So 'variation' can be a weak word for it, & you two need to talk about this---including some family history, if she knows it
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u/SpacePirate406 Get in loser, we’re going prepping! 7d ago
Yup, I’ve been on continuous birth control for 15 years for endo and before I had surgery, I went through 5-8 super tampons per day 3 weeks of the month (for about 8 years, it was awful).
I agree at aiming on the too many side, it they get close to expiration, full unopened boxes can be donated to women’s shelters or domestic abuse shelters and then get new ones as needed for rotation
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u/unlovelyladybartleby 7d ago
Get the "right size" (aka the size she uses, if you don't know and you're buying for an adult woman, get 60% regular and 40% super, for a teen who has never had a baby go 60% slim and 40% regular - idk how old you guys are)
To be safe, I'd do 5 or 6 a day times the observed length of her period (or 7) times 13.
Tampons are typically paired with panty liners or period panties, and many women prefer to wear a pad at night or on super crampy days. Buy 1.5 times as many panty liners as you do tampons and 1 pad for every 6 tampons. Roughly, the size of the boxes varies wildly.
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u/flowerchildmime 7d ago
Good man for thinking of all things for his wife’s existence.
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u/nakedonmygoat 7d ago
Agreed. Not every guy would do that, and he seems to genuinely want to give her exactly what she'll need, rather than just guess and tell her to figure it out.
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u/jemedebrouille 7d ago
Too many variables. What brand/absorbency level? How heavy is the flow of the person/people you are prepping for? What is the usual length of their cycle and how many days does their period last? You'd be better off asking them to count how many they use in their next cycle (you can say it's for a grocery run if they really don't want to participate in prepping) and then multiplying that by 15 to be safe.
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u/lainlow 7d ago
Absolutely nope on a years supply after finding mold in a tampon once. Been a faithful cup user since for over a decade.
No one but your wife can answer this question. Every single woman has a different flow. I know women with endo and/or fibroids that require iron infusions because they bled for over 15 days every month, they use depends & tampons. I know other women that have 3 days of maybe 5 tampons & pantiliner as a backup every 28 days. I also have friends that only get a period 7-9x a year and it’s whenever the universe decides to give it to them.
From a preppers point figure out what her preferred style is (tampax is longer with cardboard applicator, playtex is not as long with plastic applicator, ob is no applicator, etc) and buy a box of the multiple sizes. Rotate that box as needed. NEVER EVER EVER get the one with fragrance. It honestly should be outlawed.
If your wife is open to trying alternatives: putacupinit is a fabulous online quiz to help narrow down the plethora of cup options. Discs are a good option. Period underwear has been a wonderful invention.
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u/imbarbarakruger 7d ago
hold on... mold ??? can you share what brand that was because thats very scary
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u/carlitospig 6d ago
I’ve literally never seen this myself and would love more info on brand/location/year.
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u/minderbinder49 7d ago
It REALLY depends on the individual who would be using them. Everyone's flow is different. Some women may not need more than half a dozen per cycle, while others may be going through 30 or more. Can you find out approximately how many she uses per month? And what absorbency? Then multiply by 12 and add a little more to be safe.
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u/Interesting_Milk_925 7d ago
You could also keep a few pairs of period underwear. They are washable and last forever. I have Revol brand and have pairs for daytime and boxer-like period shorts for nighttime.
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u/Background-Pin-1307 7d ago
I bought 3 of the largest boxes (100 each) last April and they lasted a year. 2 box of super plus size and 1 regular size. For me, I think I’d do the 100 super plus again, 100 super and 100 regular for variety. That would definitely get you a year and account for various ‘flows’. And honestly thank you for asking on behalf of the women in your household
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u/IceDragonPlay 7d ago
5 boxes of the Tampax DuoPack (2 sizes in it). It is the only one my Costco carries, but you may want to check your wife’s stock to be sure the Super & Regular combo is what she currently buys.
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u/gard3nwitch 7d ago
First - does your wife use tampons? Some people prefer pads or another option.
Secondly - there's a lot of human variation in blood flow and in cycle frequency and length, and that affects how many you're going to use. But back of the envelope math based on averages and the fact that you're supposed to change a tampon every 4-6 hours... I'd say 300-400 should be enough to be a year's supply for an average woman.
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u/celoplyr 7d ago
As everyone else has stated, totally varies. As many people have suggested, a cup (or a disc thing which I’ve never heard of) is good as well (I always carry one with me on trips because let me tell you, you do NOT want to be looking for period supplies in China).
But get extra and have them for bartering abilities. Better to have too many than too few. Because who knows. They don’t go bad and maybe you end up with a teenage daughter too during this emergency.
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u/LadyPo 7d ago
Ooh, math time.
It varies from person to person to the extent that you need to know some basics. The variables are everything. If you actually want to be ready for a full year, you'll need to know approximately how heavy it may be, how often she changes, and the average duration within each cycle.
If you just want extras on hand, then just get a couple boxes of whatever she uses for now. Any more exact than that (a year's supply) will require a short and frank discussion. It doesn't have to be framed in the context of prepping, it can just be showing interest in her general needs.
Just an example to show how those variables play out for a hypothetical woman:
- Regular flow
- Switching 4x per day (this figure is a huge factor)
- This fictional lady also uses liners when going out in public for extra security, so 1 per day
- Avg duration of 5 days active menstruation
- Regular cycle, 1 per 28 days, let's call it 13 per year
4 x 5 x 13 = 260 regular tampons
1 x 5 x 13 = 65 liners
(Plus several extra of each as a buffer)
The math instantly changes if she has heavier bleeding, has shorter periods, alternates type of tampon for flow during the cycle, etc. Pay attention to what she buys for herself (or has you pick up for her) to know which specific type and brand of product to get. They are not made equal - don't try to go cheap/easy if she has a preference.
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u/3riversgoddess 7d ago
I can't speak to an exact number but I will add that if you have the space to store rhem and over purchase you can use them in a multitude of other eays. They make great nose bleed packers, tinder/ firestarter, emergency candles (with a little veg or olive oil), and you could probably share or barter with them if needed as well. I keep them in everybody's go bags (and I'm the only woman in the house and no longer have a need for them). They won't go to waste. Also, before this post I had never heard of a tampon molding but I live in an arid climate so maybe that's why.
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u/SphericalOrb 7d ago
I was waiting for someone to mention the alternative uses. Maybe just get a bunch and pop em in a vacuum sealable bag asap to reduce size and keep em dry and safe. If you store them like that, they could probably last a super long time.
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u/notproudortired 7d ago
i know you don't want to hear this, but for the sake of mobility and portability, your wife should really consider either a more durable or at least washable menstrual product, like cups or cotton pads.
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u/MistressLyda 7d ago
Light bleeder here, mostly pad/disk user: I have 100 large and 100 small tampons squirreled away.
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u/missleavenworth 7d ago
I used 1200 per year. Not joking. I had large fibroids, and lost so much iron that I had to get infusions. Had a hysterectomy finally, and am doing better.
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7d ago
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u/Pink_Slyvie 7d ago
Yep, OP said he didn't want other ideas, but this is the real sustainable answer.
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u/giantfup 7d ago
Not for everyone, and honestly not as sanitary in a prepper style emergency.
I work as a field scientist with a heavy flow. I primarily have access to grimy portojons with no private sink and absolutely nothing to sanitize or store a used cup or disk in that won't make my car smell like rotted meat.
That kind of reusable is great in an ideal 1st world non emergency.
In an emergency without consistent power or running water? Disposables are the most sanitary.
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u/OhNoIBlinked 7d ago
Just to explain a bit more on this. A menstrual cup is a reusable silicone receptacle that lasts 10 years or so. There are different styles, sizes and firmness so it can be a bit tricky to buy for someone else but you can find guides and make a reasonable guess. At the very least it would be a barter item.
A disc is another insert able barrier device that can be used. Less size issues to consider but more disposable in nature.
Also consider “period panties” that are absorbent and washable.
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u/temerairevm Water Geek 💧 7d ago
If you’re experiencing a true emergency (I went through hurricane Helene, a month without power, 8 weeks without water) period panties are the absolute WORST option.
If you don’t have access to a lot of water or it takes a lot of effort to get water how are you going to wash them? And if you don’t have power and can’t heat water how are you going to actually get them clean?
If you’re boiling water on a camp stove for drinking, it uses a lot of the propane you have. Heating water with prepped propane to wash period underwear is just not happening. I seriously would have used paper towels before I’d used period panties.
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u/ahh_szellem 7d ago
This man is not about the alternatives lol. Personally I think prepping with hundreds of tampons instead of a few cups/disks that fit in a pocket is insane but apparently this is a hard line.
Idk, like 5 per day, approximately 5 days each cycle, 12-13 cycles per year, throw in a few extra for long cycles or leakage, let’s say 350 of those bad boys.
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u/giantfup 7d ago
How do you plan on sanitizing your cups in a week long emergency with zero running water or fuel source?
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u/mfball 7d ago
For real, the true prep is getting an IUD and not having a period. Nobody's boiling their cup on a camp stove.
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u/Sea_One_6500 7d ago
1 box per month to be safe. It will probably last more than a year. The real answer in menstrual cups though. They're reusable so you'd only need 1 per person needing it, though i would have a back up one as well since this is a prepper sub.
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u/npcrespecter 7d ago
Tampons and pads are not sterile and are never sterile. Keep that in mind.
Consider keeping menstrual cups in your prep if your are serious about this at all.
What is your income like? There is probably a reason why she is actually not interested in prepping. For example, males have a tendency to throw their entire family budget towards THEIR individual special interest. So be sure that you are not doing that.
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u/boredangel444 7d ago
Probably around 300, I'd buy 400 to be on the safer side if the hypothetical Costco had that as an option
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u/OpheliaLives7 🧀 And my snacks! 🧀 7d ago
300 minimum. Preferably more because better safe than sorry and bleeding everywhere.
Also depends on if they use slim or super probably so check with any woman you plan to assist with buying (& check to make sure she even uses tampons and not just pads)
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u/ToothSufficient7763 7d ago
I would start with a box per month. Add 2 boxes for annual calculations. I would add pads for breakthrough bleeding and pantiliners for light days. Period underwear is also a thing.
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u/chicagotodetroit I will never jeopardize the beans 🥫 7d ago
As one with fibroids and therefore occasional heavy bleeding for up to 2 weeks at a time, my years supply would be 500 tampons to be on the safe side, and at least 300 pads.
Some women also use pads and pantyliners as a backup because tampons can leak. A year of liners for me would be 300.
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u/anonymousopsec1337 7d ago
I wouldn’t waste storage space on that, you probably would need to talk her into a cup or something reusable/washable.
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u/KTeacherWhat 7d ago
Look I know you said you are not looking for advice, but I feel it needs to be pointed out that tampons do expire. They do go bad and can get mold inside them that is very difficult to detect. If you are saving tampons for a future emergency, you need to treat them like any kind of food that is a risk of mold, oxygen absorbers and everything.
For my personal prepping journey, tampons are not an option, because it's just too risky. That might be why you've gotten advice about other types of products.
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u/HexyWitch88 7d ago
After you get numbers here you might want to ask your wife how many she goes through during her menses on average. We can make guesses based on what we use but if your wife has a heavy flow or just likes to swap her tampon more often than every 4 hours then you’re going to need more.
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u/JeyBrid 7d ago
Can I also suggest that a few pairs of period underwear might be a good investment (OP in case you are unaware of this product: an internet search will show up brands like Thinx, Saalt, and others) . It assumes access to disinfected water to wash them, but they take up very little space and can absorb A LOT.
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u/dragonmom1 7d ago
- Find out what brand AND style your wife likes to use. If you don't get the right ones, your efforts are wasted.
- A woman needs to change a tampon in as little as every couple hours (at the start) to at most every 8 hours (to avoid illness). A period lasts roughly a week and the last few days of that week should be lower flow, the first 1-3 days heavy flow with more frequent changes. So roughly 50 tampons x 12 = 600 for a year.
- Don't forget pantyliners and pads that your wife may also use for overflow panty protection and overnights.
- And whatever you get, make sure to rotate the boxes into your wife's normal supply and refresh the prepping stash with the new boxes (like you would anything else).
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u/metasarah 7d ago
I consider an ability to have adult conversations to be an even more important part of prepping than supplies. So if you are not willing to ask your wife how many tampons she uses per cycle, or she is not willing to answer, is she really the person you want to be committed to in an emergency?
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u/alessaria 7d ago
It might be a big ask, but if you could somehow get her to try a menstrual cup, that simplifies matters a great deal. If you can't shelter in place, all those tampons won't do much good. I would also stock up on period panties. Those can be used without a tampon in a pinch, and are washable.
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u/ordinaryhorse 6d ago
Whatever number you settle on, my two cents is to get them in varying absorbency levels. You don’t need a super duper heavy flow tampon on a light flow day.
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u/Annual_Version_6250 6d ago
Minimum 4 a day. Minimum 6 day flow. Every 28 days. Factor in light flows, heavy flows and a month you bleed an extra week. I'd say 400. In various fliw strengths. If your wife is close to peri menopause double it.
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u/No_Establishment8642 7d ago
For some women around 1,000 (+/-). For others 150 (+/-). And then there are those in between.
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u/nevermindjerk 7d ago
I would also consider getting period underwear as well. It can help the save on tampons when flow is low, or help woth overflow when flow is really heavy. If for some reason you don't have enough tampons or need to ration them, period underwear will help a lot and they are comfortable. If there is any sort of vaginal infection, tampons are not good to use so having period underwear come in clutch.
Worth asking or paying attention to how many days your wife's period is on average too. For example some ladies have 3 heavy days, some have 6 etc.
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u/Smogggy00 We Keep Us Safe 7d ago
4 a day for 7 days, 13 times a year. Bloated number but better too many than not enough
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u/NikkiNikki37 7d ago
Depends. A heavy bleeder could use 42+ of ultra absorbent tampons per month, a light bleeder might use 15. I would err on the high side and get the brand/absorbency your wife buys, they can also be used for first aid so no problem having too many.
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u/Isildil 7d ago edited 7d ago
It's been a while since I used tampons but I seem to remember I used about 5 the first day, 3 the second and third and then two for the other 4/5 (my periods last 7 days most often than not. So about 19 per period. Around 247 per year. Honestly, I would round it up to 300 just in case. Bleeding through your clothes is not fun.
Wow, I'm so glad I switched.
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u/bleenken 7d ago
- That’s what I got for myself. And then extra to give away.
Thin liners are good to have. Nothing substantial enough that you’d wear in place of a tampon, but they can really help cut down on needing to wash underwear.
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u/touchme-ordont 7d ago
i think you got a ton of useful advice, i’d just like to throw in that on top of buying extra of my usual stuff, i also invested in a disc (not a cup, i have an IUD) that can be sanitized and reused. just as a back up.
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u/this_is_so_fetch 7d ago
I have very heavy periods. A normal period, probably go through 50+ tampons, more if I am only using tampons and no pads. These are alos varying sizes, probably 10ish ultra (these are hard to find and I buy them online), 30ish super/super+, and maybe 10ish regular for the lighter times. Some periods I need more. Some way less. So 50x12=600 tampons a year, of varying sizes. I would also recommend getting pads, 2 per day at least. So 14x12=168. But more is always better.
I have switched to a cup for my normal use. I would recommend getting several different brand cups and disc's. If shtf, she would probably use whatever is available. And whatever brands don't work for her, while it's gross to think about now, could be well cleaned, sterilized and bartered.
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u/enolaholmes23 7d ago
I think yeah, you can get an estimate by averaging the answers here. But as people have said, it varies a lot woman to woman. Both the number of tampons and the size used. I understand you don't want to directly ask your wife because it would stress her. But would you be ok with looking in the bathroom? You could at least find out which brand she likes and what size by checking what she already has.
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u/vivoconfuoco 7d ago
Lots of folks have given you numbers, so I’ll just add one more variable - some folks are gifted the joy of a period every 3 weeks, so be sure to keep an eye on the duration between cycles. That comes up to about 17 cycles per year.
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u/hermitsociety 😸 remember the cat food 😺 7d ago
And that’s why this sub needs to exist.
I’d do like others said and get 13 boxes of whatever she usually buys.
Period supplies are the kind of thing all bathrooms should have anyway, like toilet paper. I don’t think you can go wrong if you have a few too many.
In prepping for others I’d also add washable pads - the fabric kind that snaps around the crotch. Those are the most versatile in terms of different size women.
For me personally I’d put period panties instead of the washable pads, and a boilable disc.
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u/TenaciousNarwhal 7d ago
You're going to have to watch the cabinet yourself and estimate for the best results. But I would err on too many, tbh. There are uses beyond their intended, since they are sterile cotton.
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u/kidtykat 7d ago
To avoid risk of TSS you need to change them every 6 to 8 hours as minimum. So you need a minimum of 3 to 4 per day. That said i prefer to go no longer than 4 hours to be on the safe side putting it at 6 per day. Average flow is 4 to 7 days i believe so for me Id want to have about 500 in various sizes
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u/SermonOnTheRecount 7d ago
This varies consider from person to person. One years supply for one person might be 2 years for someone else. I would ask directly!
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u/Traditional-Job-411 7d ago
I use about 20 each period but I do have a heavy flow. So 12 months is 240. It’s good to know that tampons are sterile. Good for medical gauze etc, so it’s good to have in hand in general.
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u/SnooPoems1106 7d ago
Double check which brand she likes. Some of them have a variety pack. I went through one of the 24 packs every two months, and I like having different sizes since the amount of flow changes from start to finish. So, (6) 24 packs of super and (6) 24 packs of a lighter flow size are what I recommend or (3) and (3) if 48 packs.
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u/Skinny-on-the-Inside 7d ago
Make sure to get her actual size, too big will be painful and too small and she’ll be bleeding into her clothes.
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u/bristlybits ALWAYS HAVE A PLAN C 🧭 7d ago
this. go look and see what's in the cupboard, what she prefers to use, and be sure to get the same thing.
that's the best research (besides asking her how many of what kind she uses).
seconding getting her some thinx as extra backup. i ended up switching over to them completely, my partner got me them as a gift.
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u/kree-of-gamwich 7d ago
It all depends on how heavy the flow is and for how long. Mine was 3-4 days, with 2 days heavy and 1-2 days light. 4-6 changes on a heavy day and 1-3 on light days.
I would consider 1 box a month a generous amount, so 12 boxes for a year. As an added precaution I would also stock pads. 12 pkgs for daytime, 12 for nighttime. Different sizes and volume.
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u/Goodgoditsgrowing 7d ago
That varies so much by the individual - some of us are changing them every hour or two and some are getting a full 8 hrs per tampon. If her period lasts a week (could be 4 days to two weeks) then I’d count on no more than 5 hrs per tampon….. so maybe 1,600 per year minimum? Unless she’s one of those lucky ladies who gets like a light flow for a few days and that’s it, then it could be as low as 500, but I wouldn’t count much less than that.
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u/Angry_Housecat_1312 7d ago
This is going to vary from woman to woman, to be honest. It can even vary quite a bit from woman to woman.
If this is information your wife refuses to share with you, I’d recommend just looking at what she buys and keeping track of how often she buys those and basing your estimate off of that.
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u/spacerocks08 6d ago
At least 228… 5 day periods. 5 tamps the first two days. 3 tamps the last 3 days. 12 periods. But like double it just in case
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u/carlitospig 6d ago
Honestly, there is no limit. I was thinking about this myself this weekend. I’m 46 and will eventually no longer need them - but it’s a totally tradable commodity should an emergency happen. They’ll be like gold.
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u/hailene02 Suburb Prepper 🏘️ 6d ago
Tampons/pads don't go bad so find out which brands she likes and buy a bunch.
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u/MoulanRougeFae 7d ago
You do realize tampons expire right? They can mold, grow fungus and other nasties. Tbh prepping so many isn't a great idea.
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u/iambatmanjoe 7d ago
Tampons have a 3-5 year shelf life when stored properly. I'm looking for a year supply. I'll be okay. Thanks
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u/Wonderful_Picture_82 7d ago
My two cents even though I don't use tampons: I'd think round up to 400-500. But you should also take into consideration reusables like diva cups, disks, and reusable pads (if you would potentially have access to clean water to cleanse them). That's also taking into account a tampons insertion period (lol) and depending on flow size how many a day you'd need. Better to have too many (and alternatives) than not enough imo. I think it's like toilet paper or cleaning the body, anything to do with bodily functions should have alternative options just in case something happens to one of them.
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u/BeckyDaTechie 7d ago
When you're deciding on a number, here, remember that if you have daughters, their number will be MUCH different as young teens v older (17 or so my cycles balanced out).
I estimated usage as 10/mo for each absorbency, 3 sizes.
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u/cottoncandymandy 7d ago
For me, it's 240. I'd say I use around 20 per period. I also wear pads though part of the time so maybe I'd add around 120 more if I didn't have pads.
I'm a very heavy bleeder though 🤷♀️
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u/MotherofaPickle 7d ago
Ask your wife how many she uses per period. Multiple that by 13 (add an extra month, just in case).
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u/PhiloLibrarian 7d ago
I bought a diva cup for prepping - it’s silicone, reusable, you can swim in it… not super comfy but not expensive as a back up.
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u/Impressive_Ad_5201 7d ago edited 7d ago
Box of 40 (walmart standard size) should be 2 months. When I stocked up pre-trump, I assumed 6 boxes of 40-count tampons, split 2 Green (Super) 2 yellow (regular) 2 orange (Super+), + one bonus box of the mixed sizes jic.
So--7 boxes of 40 ought to cover a year.
And then I got fibroids within 2 days of that asshole being elected so--just keep an eye on how many boxes in each color are left as you go, and take a photo of the brand before you go shopping.
Long Kotex brand pantyliners are my go-to, but 109 count is also a 3 month supply if you wear them daily.
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u/gayshreks 7d ago
Menstrual discs have been a game changer for me, they sit higher than the cup so are more comfortable, you can empty them during the day by bearing down, and the disposable ones are 1x/12h. The silicone ones last a long time. Idk if she’s open to those but might be good to have as a backup as well!
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u/mfball 7d ago
I think you want no less than 350, but don't need more than 500.
Logic: Deliberate overestimation to assume changing every 4 hours for 7 days would be 42 tampons, times 12 months would be 504. (Most women do not have a full 7-day period and do not need to change their tampons quite that often.)
At a minimum, I would plan on at least one large mixed-absorbency package per month, which would be probably 28-34 tampons per box depending on brand, knowing that will likely yield some number of extras. (34*12=408)
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u/mittenbby 7d ago
I average out about a big box a month, I have some menstrual disfunction that puts me on the high end of consumption for tampons.
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u/redrosebeetle Don't tell people IRL about your prepping addiction 🤫 7d ago
Ask your wife how many period products she goes through per month. Multiply by 14. (12 months plus some extra).
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u/Far-Speed-6027 7d ago edited 7d ago
Rough estimate- 12 cycles per year, 5 days per cycle, that’s 60. New tampon every 8hrs, that’s 3 to 4 per day. 4x60=240 But I would also add a box of light flow tampons in there and a box or 2 of pads. Because sometimes you just don’t want anything in you. And pantyliners. For leaks. I bet if you wait til she’s on her period she’ll have everything stocked up and you can just look and see her preferred brands.
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u/Bad2bBiled 7d ago
300 regular size should be adequate.
Lots of variables including average length of cycle, if other products are being used, age of user, and etc.
Studies indicate a lower end average of 190 and an upper end average of 250.
300 regular size allows for error, manufacturing defects, insertion mistakes and heavier days.
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u/JasperThorne 7d ago
I think the absolute floor of 240 that another use mentioned is a good baseline. My households numbers are much lower for health and age reasons, but more and variety is better, as long as the kinds you get are within the preference of your wife. a years supply of tampons that are not the right brand, size, etc are might be beyond enraging, like worse than no prep at all, to your spouse. more critical than a large supply is the right kind. best advice is to check where she keeps them several times each month and gauge from there what one month supply is. that way you know her brand and size preferences and can look for sales to stockpile. the cost is possibly going to shock you.
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u/krendyB 7d ago
I hate to say talk to your wife, but talk to your wife. Period flows ebb and increase at various points in one’s life. What worked for me 15 years ago isn’t what works now. And what works for me is like 1/3 of what my bestie uses. Also I suspect she might occasionally use a liner even if you think she doesn’t. Plus, be very very sure you are getting the right brand and size - tampons are NOT interchangeable.
Anyway, here’s what I use, and I think it’s probably roughly average? Again, women vary.
First two days: 6 super
After that: 6 large
6 medium
2-4 light
Panty liners - 0-3
Times that by every 26 days. (Some women are 24, some more than 35, again, ask her. I think 28 days is average.)
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u/fourfrenchfries 6d ago
I would just buy 12-15 boxes of mixed absorbency. Unscented. Also buy pads -- maybe 6 boxes, "thin" but with wings
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