Forum: workplace.stackexchange.com
Tags: <work-environment><europe>
Title: How to take my pads with me to the toilet subtly?
Question: How to take my pads with me to the toilet subtly?  I work in an all male office/open space and everytime I get my period I go through the awkwardness of trying to take them out of my bag and put them in my pocket an go to the toilet. I can't really take my whole bag, nor can I carry all the pads I need in my pants during the day.

Answers:
sents: text: Having your period is part of being a woman and completely normal.
text: There is nothing to be ashamed of.
text: If you feel uncomfortable taking out single pads from your bag bring a small purse that holds your pads in your bag.
text: You can also consider placing a box of pads in the bathroom with a sign that reads Emergency stock.
text: Help yourself and consider filling it up if empty or something like this for all women in the office space.
text: I bet some of them will be really thankfull if their period hits unprepared.
text: To include the suggestion from the comments, if there is no space available to put a box of pads, you could request a shelf or something like this from your management or facility management.
text: As a side note: there are ways to manage the flow that don't include pads that need to be changed regularly.
text: A cup just needs to be emptied once in a while (up to 8 - 12 hours if I remember correctly) and that can be done in the bathroom without carrying anything.
text: There are also period panties one can wear if the cup is not enough.
answer_details: author: workplace.stackexchange.com/users/78026/Lehue
score: 36
sents: text: I think small metal boxes are available at most apothecaries to store and carry pads.
text: I use them and they are quite practical.
text: But, seriously, there's nothing embarrassing in having the period.
text: If a group of grown men are feeling awkward for this reason, it's definitely their problem, not yours
answer_details: author: workplace.stackexchange.com/users/102625/schrodingercat
score: 26
sents: text: I personally use a small, decorative travel makeup bag that holds my sanitary supplies and some single-use packs of Advil.
text: I fill it at home and take the whole pouch with me to the restroom, so there's no smuggling supplies from one bag to another or into my hand.
text: In the fairly unlikely chance that someone even notices what I am carrying, it can easily be assumed that it's just to freshen up.
text: Even though I don't usually wear makeup at work, I doubt the men in the office overthink me sometimes entering the restroom with a travel makeup kit.
answer_details: author: workplace.stackexchange.com/users/94856/Meg
score: 18
sents: text: Talk to your office manager to organize sanitary packages for the bathroom.
text: That should include things like disposable tooth brushes, antiseptic mouthwash, pads, toilet disposable wet naps (alternative to dry toilet paper), etc.
text: Having those things in the bathroom is not only a great convenience, but also a subtle way to remind everybody about hygiene.
text: Now, despite people telling you to "not be embarrassed," the reality is that the human brain is a bit more complex than that.
text: Trying to simply overcome something you're uncomfortable with doesn't happen by sheer brute force.
text: While I don't have to deal with it with pads, somewhere around spring and fall, I usually have a couple of weeks (perhaps due to temperature changes) where I have a perspiration problem.
text: Imagine wearing a t-shirt in the cold and still having sweaty armpits.
text: It can be really annoying and embarrassing.
text: If somebody tells me that I shouldn't be embarrassed about it because it's a normal human reaction, it's not just going to make it not embarrassing.
text: I have to take my medical-grade antiperspirant, walk myself to the bathroom and apply it out of sight.
text: So if you don't think you'll simply become the brave person that everybody says you should be (like I'm not), then feel free to adopt some strategies: Put it in your jean pocket; if you have a switcher with pockets, use those pockets.
text: Proceed to the bathroom.
answer_details: author: workplace.stackexchange.com/users/111778/Kiril
score: 11
sents: text: You could treat them as what they are: Normal hygiene items.
text: Just put a Box on the toilet.
text: I know a lot of people doing that already, in the guest toilet, as well as restaurants/cafes having those available for their guests.
text: If you have female visitors/clients on site, they might appreciate it in a time of an emergency.
text: Get one of those larger handbags for work, put your personal stock in there as well as other toiletries you might need (comb, toothbrush etc.).
text: Make a habit out of it to carry this bag to the toilet with you.
answer_details: author: workplace.stackexchange.com/users/71695/Daniel
score: 9

Summary of the answers:
You could bring a small bag with some emergency supplies that you can carry to the toilet or leave a box in the bathroom.
If you want to be subtle, you could simply get a small purse or make-up bag which you routinely take with you to the toilet. Alternatively, you could leave a supply in the toilet at all times.