How to Buy Pads Without Being Embarrassed

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: December 15, 2022 References Approved

Purchasing pads can be an embarrassing task, especially if it's your first time buying them. You might be afraid that other customers will notice your purchases or laugh at you. However, think about how many people purchase pads each day. Chances are, no one will even notice. Buying pads need not be an embarrassing activity. There is no shame attached to menstruation. Menstruation is a natural process and it happens to every human being with a uterus. Pads should be bought freely without feeling embarrassed.

If you're still embarrassed, you can do things to make your purchase discreet. Buy pads alongside other products or use the self checkout. Seek support from friends and family members, especially if you're just starting to have regular periods. Others can help you feel more confident and less alone.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Making the Purchase Discreetly

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Buy several other items while purchasing pads. Many people feel having only one purchase calls more attention to what they're buying. If you want to feel more discreet purchasing feminine products, buy several other items at the same time. This can take some attention away from your pads.^{[1]
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- However, be careful of the other items you add. You may feel more embarrassed if you buy something that seems related. For example, do not buy new underwear and pads.
- Instead, stock up on unrelated items that you need. For example, purchase shampoo and conditioner the same day you purchase pads.
2
Take advantage of the self checkout. If there's a self checkout at your store, take advantage of this. One of the embarrassing things about buying pads is often interacting with the cashier. To avoid this, you can find a store that has a self checkout. When you're done, you can slip your pads into a discreet bag and walk out the door.^{[2]
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- If a self checkout isn't an option, try going to the least busy register or checking out at the pharmacy section.
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3
Take friends or family members with you. Oftentimes, people feel less embarrassed in the presence of others. If you have friends who also need to purchase pads, you can all go together. That way, no one person feels singled out or awkward purchasing pads.^{[3]
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- Ask your friends something like, "Do you guys ever feel weird buying pads alone? Maybe we could go together so no one feels awkward."
- You can also ask a parent/guardian to pick up pads for you if they're running to the store, avoiding the embarrassment of purchasing them altogether. For example, "Would you mind getting me pads at the store? I feel a little embarrassed going alone."
4
Purchase pads online. Many stores sell pads online, and you can often stock up on supplies for months.^{[4]
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Research source} Big online retail stores, like Amazon, also sell things like pads. If you're embarrassed to go to the store, see if you can make an online purchase.
- Make sure to purchase pads well before your period, however. You don't want to be left without necessary supplies when your period starts.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Seeking Support from Others

1
Ask your parents/guardian for help. It can be embarrassing to talk about your period, especially if it's your first time. However, your parents will want to help you cope and may be able to assist you in buying pads. Even if it's hard, let your parents/guardian know that you started your period.^{[5]
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- If you feel embarrassed, take a deep breath. Remind yourself this is a normal process that just means you're getting older. Your parents are probably expecting you to come to them with this issue at some point.
- Say something straightforward. Wait for a moment where your parents are not busy and you can speak to them in private. Say something like, "Hey, I just started my period and could use some help choosing supplies." You could also say something like, "I'm not sure how to buy supplies for my period. Could you help?"
2
Write down the request if you're embarrassed. You may on occasion need supplies at school. You may be embarrassed to let, say, a teacher or the school nurse know you need to buy pads or get them from the office. You can try writing the request down on a slip of paper if you're not comfortable saying it out loud.^{[6]
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- Write something like, "I had my period and I need a pad. Can I please go to the office?"
3
Seek stories from others. Talk to your friends who have started their periods. Ask them to share stories of feeling embarrassed or awkward when buying menstrual supplies. Many people feel better about embarrassing moments if they become shared experiences. Venting to your friends about awkward situations surrounding your menstrual cycle can help you feel less alone.
- Ask something like, "Have you guys ever had something embarrassing happen on your period? Maybe it would be fun to share stories and laugh about it."
4
Ask to borrow pads from your friends. If you're at school, it can sometimes feel awkward to ask a teacher or nurse. If you have any friends who have started their period, talk to them. They may be able to provide you with supplies. Say something like, "Hey, I just started my period. Do you have any spare pads?"

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Getting Over the Embarrassment

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Consider the cashier's perspective. Think about how many people come in and out of a store in a given day. The average cashier has probably seen people make a wide variety of purchases. Many customers probably also bought items they found embarrassing, including pads. Keep this in mind when making your purchase. It can help to remember the cashier is probably not thinking about you as much as you are thinking about them.^{[7]
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Accept your period is a natural bodily process. About half the population experiences their period once a month. It is nothing to be embarrassed about. In fact, your period is evidence you are growing up and your body is functioning as it should.^{[8]
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- If you feel embarrassed going into the store, remind yourself that your period is normal. Think about how many other people have their period each month.
- Do you feel embarrassed when you buy a toothbrush and a toothpaste? Or do you feel embarrassed when you buy salt? If your answer to these questions is no, then you need not feel embarrassed while buying, using, talking about, discarding, and carrying, sanitary pads.
- If a sibling, friend, or classmate teases you, try to ignore them. Tell them this just means you're growing up and it's immature to laugh at a normal bodily process.^{[9]
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3
Learn to laugh about it. Making jokes about things that frighten or embarrass us can often make them seem less upsetting. Try to make jokes about your period or laugh about it in your head. This can help you feel less embarrassed when doing things like purchasing pads.
- If you're not sure how to laugh at your period, you can look up jokes online. Many women who are stand up comedians make period jokes.
- Joke around with a friend. When you're feeling sensitive about something, it can be hard to make light of it on your own. Sometimes, having a friend laugh with you can help. Make a lighthearted joke, like, "I feel like my face looks like a pizza I'm breaking out so bad from my period."
4
Gain perspective from other embarrassing moments. Think about other moments you've been embarrassed. The negative feelings probably faded with time. You probably don't really think about past embarrassing moments that much anymore. Remembering that embarrassment is temporary can help you feel more confident about buying pads.
- It can help to write down a list of your five most embarrassing moments and then read it over. For example, "The time I fell down in front of everyone during a gymnastics event." Most of these moments will probably seem less embarrassing in the present than they did in the past.