What To Pack In A Period Kit: Essential Items You Should Consider

We all know Periods don't follow a perfect schedule, which is why carrying a Period Kit that's packed and ready to go can make all the difference. Say goodbye to Period stress and hello to your emergency period kit. 

What is a period kit? It's simply a little bag or pouch that you have packed with essential Period products and other items to help make managing your Period even easier when you're out of the comfort of your home - you keep this kit in your every day bag, in the car, gym bag, or at work. Wherever you think you'll need it in case of a Period surprise. 

So if you're wondering what to put in a period kit, this guide walks through the simple essentials that can help you feel more prepared, comfortable, and confident wherever you are. 

1. A Good Quality Bag

First thing we will need is something to keep everything together. A small pouch or bag makes it easy to grab what you need quickly and keeps everything discreet and organised. Look for something that's durable and easy to clean. Period kits tend to live in bags for a long time, so a washable material is always a bonus.

2. Your Preferred Period Product

Everyone has their own preference when it comes to Period products, so your kit should reflect what works best for you. This might include:

• Pads 
• Tampons
• Menstrual Cup or Disc
• Period Underwear

or it could be combination of a few of these options! Which is what I like to do. Sometimes it's more convenient for me to wear a pad, or Period undies, or maybe I have gone through a phase of liking my menstrual cup again. 

Even if you track your cycle, Periods don't always show up exactly when expected. Keeping a few products in your kit means you're always covered, or maybe your friend has started her Period suddenly and doesn't have anything on her! That's what I like to think makes me a real girls girl.

3. A Spare Pair of Underwear

Leaks happen - whether it's your first year of having Periods or your tenth. Not all Periods will be the same, sometimes you'll be dealing with a very heavy period without even knowing! So keeping a spare pair of undies in your kit can be a lifesaver if you ever need to quickly change during the day. 

Another great option is to pack Period undies instead of your regular ones. That way you're not just carrying a backup pair, but something designed to actually absorb and protect if you need it. Picture this - you like to use tampons but you just leaked into your regular underwear, you change them out to your spare Period undies and change your tampon and now you're clean, comfortable and have an extra layer of protection in case you leak again! 

4. Pain Relief

Cramps and headaches are awful... there's really not much more to say on that. So, grab yourself some pain relief - whatever type or  brand you prefer - and keep a few in your Period kit. I like to keep mine in a small metal tin, that way if something squishes my kit then I know my pain relief is safe inside.

I've always found that keeping pain relief in my kit has helped even when I am not on my Period, I've been able to cure my headaches or helped out a friend with her cramps or a someone at work who needed it.

Big tip* keep your pain relief in it's original packaging so you can correctly identify what it is! 

5. A Waterproof Bag 

A wet bag is one of the most underrated things you can include in a Period kit. If you ever need to change your undies, you can pop the used pair in your wet bag until you get home to do laundry. If there's no bin available when changing pads or tampons, wrap it up as you normally would in toilet paper or the pad packaging and chuck it in the wet bag until you get home or find a bin. 

They're discreet, reusable, and keep everything contained without the stress of having whatever is inside to stain anything else in your bag or car. 

They're also great if you have gone for a swim and need to throw your wet swimmers somewhere.

6. Emergency Cash

This might seem unrelated to Periods, but it can be incredibly helpful. Keeping a small amount of cash in your kit can save the day if you ever need to quickly buy period products and can't pay by card, or if you're only somewhere that accepts cash. It can also make the difference between being stranded on the side of the road or being able to put in $10 or $20 worth of fuel to get you somewhere safe - this has happened to me! 

7. A Hair Tie

Yes, this is an essential. Hair ties break! Or maybe you thought having your hair out today was a great idea until the wind was ruining it, or it's a super hot day, or you're just not feeling it anymore. When I get my Period, the last thing I want is to feel my hair sticking to my neck or blowing into my face. It's the little things that will help you feel more comfortable when you need it most. 

8. Lip balm

Another small but mighty essential, but it's another comfort item that people reach for all the time. Adding this to your Period kit just makes the whole thing feel a little more practical and personal. Get the tinted one if you want something that makes you feel a bit more "put together"  in a time where many of us feel so rough and messy.

Where Should You Keep Your Period Kit? 

A Period Kit is only helpful if it's somewhere you can easily access it when you need it. Most of us choose to keep our kit in places we use every day, such as:

• handbag
• school bag
• gym bag
• car
• work desk or locker
• carry-on luggage when travelling

Some women, like me, keep more than one kit. Before The Day One Kit I made my own Period kits, I kept one in my everyday bag and one in the glovebox of my car. Now I have 3, one in my every day bag, one in my car, and one that lives at my workplace.

The goal is simple: when your Period arrives, you don't have to panic or scramble to find supplies.

DIY Period Kit vs The Original Period Kit

You can absolutely build your own Period kit using item you already have at home - a small pouch, your preferred period products, spare undies, and a few extra essentials. For many, this is a great place to start. But the challenge is that most of us don't think about building a Period kit until the moment we actually need one. That's where the ready-made kits can be helpful. 

Instead of remembering to gather everything yourself, a pre-packed kit keeps the essential together in one place so you're always prepared. That's the idea behind The Original Period Kit - creating a simple, organised kit with practical essentials so women always have something on hand when their Period arrives unexpectedly.

Your Period Kit, Your Way

At the end of the day, your Period kit should be built around what makes you feel prepared and comfortable. Some people keep their kit minimal with just basics, while others like to include all these extra comfort items. The most important thing is simply having something ready - because when your Period does arrive, being prepared can make the whole experience a lot easier. 

Periods are something millions of women experience every month, yet so many of us have been left to figure out how to manage them on our own with little to no guidance. No one mentioned anything like any of this when I was a teen! 

Creating a small Period kit is a simple act of care for yourself - and sometimes for someone else too. 

Being prepared doesn't just make your day easier. Sometimes it means you're the person who can quietly help someone else when they need it most. 

 

I hope this has helped to give you some ideas on what to pack in a period kit. These are what I have found to help me in many different scenarios, and even with all of that packed into The Original Period Kit, there is still more space in there to fit other items! I am currently experimenting with stick-on cramp relieving heat patches - very excited to see how well these work and if they become a permanent addition to my emergency period kit packing list! 

Lots of love, 

Phoebe - founder of The Day One Kit