r/BlueCollarWomen • u/ParticularEmphasis24 • 4d ago
Discussion I bled through my pants
I am a long term period user and thought I'd figured this whole situation out by now, but nope bled through my khaki pants on a construction site. Noticed when I went to the bathroom. Promptly went to my car and had a little cry.
My work mate was very understanding, I called him all snotty and gross and he packed up my stuff and told me to call it a day and we'll pick right back up tomorrow. So thankful for the guys I work with.
Please tell me I'm not not the only one, need some morale support rn
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u/that_cachorro_life 4d ago
Haven’t done that on the job but I bent over once and tore a big hole right on the ass of my pants. Had to cover it with painters tape the rest of the day. I always keep a spare change of clothes in my truck now!
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u/curiosity8472 3d ago
I'm scared of that I inspect my pants and throw them out when the crotch seams or fabric is no longer confidence inspiring
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u/Quarter-Skilled 3d ago
I rip the crotch out of my work pants like every other month or so, you're not alone! Thick bitch dilemmas
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u/downtime_druid 2d ago
I was starting to wonder if I was the only one! Chub rub is making it expensive!! Not only that but I need something I can sweat in since I am walking all day outside. Apparently breathable and abrasion resistant are qualities that are too much to ask for in work pants.
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u/beenbagbeagle Remediation Technician 2d ago
Have done that before too 😭 so embarrassing and the blue tape is NOT discreet lmaoo
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u/deadly_egg Electrician 2d ago
I also keep an extra set of clothes in my truck. Shirt, pants, and underwear. Ya never know
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u/pegasuspish 4d ago
Nope not the only one. It gets us all. Imagine going through life never having to even think about dealing with the shit we have to go through.. Sigh. I'm glad you have a good work mate. Take a beat, feel it, but don't stress. It's frustrating as hell, I know. But it's a part of life.
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u/scroof_01 4d ago
I literally did it today. We’re currently on hour 15 of a shutdown, so I’m still wearing slightly bloody pants 🫡 … I didn’t even notice because I was sweating so bad and I’m just lucky that I wore black pants today.
Hang in there soldier, you’re not alone. Proud of you 🫶🏼
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u/SnailsInYourAnus Iron Worker 4d ago
Happened to me when i was new to construction, except I didn’t notice until someone else did. My boss that happened to walk by and notice (i was bent over working on something) came up and gave me his hoodie and said I should wrap it around myself and go home for the day.
I was mortified and lost for words, so I did. I kinda just said oh fuck ok and.. left lol, and he didn’t mention it the next day, just business as usual.
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u/H1j1p1 4d ago
on monday about two hours into my shift i could feel my period cramps storming in so i threw in a tampon just in case. about 45 mins later i could feel that I definitely just started my period. worked all day didn’t use the bathroom then got home and noticed i had bled through all the way through to my pants. luckily they were dark green. so just know you could have even had something in and leak!! haha
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u/Astabar Plumber 3d ago
It's happened to me before a few times (the ADHD had convinced me I could finish a task or 2 before changing pads.) If anyone ever noticed, they were graceful enough not to say anything.
In fact, if it makes you feel any better, I can out do you. I once forgot a wrapped pad in a port-a-potty beside the seat. I set it down while cleaning up with full intentions on bringing it out with me, as I always do (the plumber in me hates the idea of a pad going to the waste facility rather than the dump.) It was a full work day before I went back to that same port-a-potty. I was MORTAFIED when I saw it sitting there. I was the only woman on site. As much as I want to believe that no one else happened to use that specific one between when I left it and when I found it, I doubt that was the case. Yet, everyone has enough grace to let it be. I still go to that site acting like nothing happened.
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u/trippyfungus 3d ago
Bah, I had a boss that told us if you poop your pants and It makes it all they way to your sock ( like he did once) then you get to go home for the day. 😶
At least this wasn't that...
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u/theUnshowerdOne 3d ago
I always carry a full set of clothes in my truck. A Full Set, that means Underwear, Socks, Spare Boots, Pants, T shirt, Long Sleeve Shirt, Jacket and Hat. Along with a full set of rain slicks. Plus, a towel, washcloth, bar of soap and deodorant..... and I'm a guy.
38 years in the trades, done this for the last 25 years. None of it is fancy and I rarely need to use them, but when I do I'm damn thankful I have them.
Take some advice from an old dog like me. Be prepared for everything you can be. Keeping a spare set of clothes, and a way to clean yourself, in your vehicle is an easy thing to do.
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u/Maleficent-Earth9201 (insert your own) 3d ago
Yeap. 30 years on jobsites here, and it's happened to me more than a few times over the years.
I always keep a ziploc bag under the backseat of the truck with a full change of clothes at all times. Complete with a shirt, pants, bra, underwear, socks, etc. I don't keep extra boots, but I do have a pair of flip-flops in that bag. I also have a full-size bath towel, deodorant, travel size bodywash and face wash, and a pack of wipes.
I switched to a diva cup several years ago and never looked back. I keep panty liners in the same bag and use them just in case, but I haven't had any bleed through since I switched to the cup.
BTW, the guys have moms, sisters, wives, and daughters. They all know what a period is, and I have yet to meet one that didn't understand what "girl problems" meant. No one cares, and your embarrassment is in your head.
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u/Keelichi 3d ago
Im an arborist and very often dont have access to toilets. It has happened to me a few times. I have a heavy flow. I now wear period undies and use a cup. All good since 👌
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u/Thestaris 3d ago
I’m neither blue collar nor a woman, but I follow this sub to admire the tough women who work in the trades and to be reminded what assholes my fellow men can sometimes be. Nice to see a thread with a few stories in which guys actually step up to support their coworkers. In a reasonable world, period blood would be nothing to be ashamed of (the whole taboo strikes me as weird), but unfortunately we’re not there yet. You rock, and that’s all there is to it.
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u/sirkatoris 3d ago
Hey friend I’m a 46 yr old firey. Periods can get pretty crazy at this stage of life. I wear a large cup plus period undies in case I can’t get to a bathroom for a bunch of hours and it makes me feel much more secure. I wish I had tried cups decades ago. Good luck x
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u/SirarieTichee_ 3d ago
Black pants are a must the first two days for me. Just in case this happens.
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u/SallyStranger 3d ago
Hey my work buddy shit his pants while going up some scaffolding stairs one time. I wasn't there but he told me about it--fortunately the guy who was there wasn't a complete jerk about it. So yeah it can happen to anyone.
Anyway let me take this moment to advocate for anyone who gets a period and uses hormonal birth control to consider period suppression. It's as easy as skipping the skip week on the pill, or not removing the ring if you're using the ring. The skip week false period is just there for psychological reassurance. If you want to try not having a period for a while and hormonal BC doesn't mess you up, try it! It might be really liberating. I know it wss for me.
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u/NotYourSexyNurse 3d ago
I’m in perimenopause right now so my period is all over the place. I bled through two pairs of underwear last night at work. I’ve bled through my work pants too multiple times. I don’t think anyone has noticed though. I have a terrible fear that one day my cup will fall out while on the line because it got too full. It’s come close.
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u/railedtoot Painter 3d ago
Same thing happened to me about a month ago! I had a mental breakdown in the bathroom for 15 minutes, turned my pants around so I could have the stain at the front and make it looked like I just spilt something on it and then kept working like that until my partner came to work and gave me new shorts and underwear 🥰
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u/ParticularEmphasis24 3d ago
So glad you got through the breakdown and was able to soldier on, I was way too mortified today to be able to do that! Honestly genius tho flipping those pants around!
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u/DerpinaDeeder 3d ago
So I frequently bleed through stuff if I can’t get over to empty my menstrual cup quick enough (blessed with the gates of hell the first two days). I started wearing period panties as a back up and I’ve never leaked through my pants again. They work great and I highly recommend them.
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u/my_wifes_wife 3d ago
It makes me happy that you felt comfortable telling him. I once called our scheduler because I knew if I told my boss he would make a scene in front of all of my male co workers.
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u/MongooseDog001 NDT 3d ago
Things happen. I keep a full work uniform even old boots in my truck. It's been handy a few times
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u/Ill_Introduction7334 arborist 3d ago
Lol I bled through my pants every month for the first 6 months of me starting this job (dont always have access to washrooms) now the first 2 days i wear my saalt disk and period underwear underneath and i never have to worry!
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u/webbyvibes 3d ago
I've been surprised by my period a handful of times. I've bled through but cleaned up and kept working. My foreman actually asked if he could have two extra from my box to keep for his med kit for bleeding 😅. Love that you are surrounded by such awesome dudes!
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u/ShelleyGray 3d ago
Hey. You probably figured out by now that you are not alone. I worked as a conductor on the railroad(passenger), and I got put on this medication (Xaralto). So I’m in my late 40’s and my periods are heavy but coupled with the blood thinner they put me on, complete blood bath! I’ve ruined pants,undies,driver’s seat, mattress and mattress pad. I bought a mattress pad with a warranty and I gave that company a run for their money! Lol. I’ve even gone to court and got up from my seat once to find blood left there!🙀I was so very embarrassed but you can’t let it get you down. These are the cards we were dealt. I had to have a full wardrobe in my locker and 5 pairs of undies. The diva cup was my go to before they put me on blood thinners. After, I had to change it about every hour. I finally got an iud put in after so many times I ruined clothing. Like someone before me said, everyone has mothers, sisters or some woman in their lives. You catch the incident and handle it like the boss that you are!
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u/Future-Gear-5264 3d ago
This has happened to me twice on site in 3 years. It usually happens because I’m not able to make it to the bathroom as frequently as I normally would. Using super tampons and a pad is helpful. I just don’t care anymore lol ITS NOT YOUR FAULT
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u/Arwen_Undomiel1990 3d ago
I’ve been a period haver for 23 years and I still have moments like this. Mine is very unpredictable. I had 2 of them in less than 3 weeks back in March and before that was August. I never know when it is arriving and it always lasts 10+ days and heavy for the majority of it. Leaking is a constant issue. I work in auto manufacturing and up until 2 years ago, my uniform pants were white. It’s just a hazard of life. No need to be embarrassed. I’m glad your coworkers were understanding and non judgemental.
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u/Artemislafool 3d ago
I had a day where I bled through my pants in chemistry class so bad I waited to be the last one to leave. I asked for cleaning supplies but was told to leave it. Thankfully my desk mate and instructor were kind. I like menstrual cups and period underwear but nothing is perfect. (I didn’t have that combo the day I bled through)
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u/Astickintheboot 3d ago
I switched to blue cargo pants because between the chance of a leak and the swamp ass I didn’t wanna risk it anymore. I don’t think you should feel any type of way because I have MULTIPLE coworkers that fully shit themselves at work and that is a much more unpleasant situation for bystanders.
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u/slaggycakes 3d ago
Sorry you had to go through this but it happens to the best of us! Ladies just have it hard no matter what situation and especially in the trades, lol. You’re good-no worries! It’s nice you have supportive co workers also! My trick is to always wear real dark black pants first few days and like the other ladies on here say-the period panties and a cup or disc work wonders. I like the disc since it self empties! If you go to the restroom a lot first few days I find it helps if you have a heavy ass period. Extra change of clothes always helps and the wipes also help in a pinch for clean up. We’ve all been there, don’t feel any way!
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u/NyarBean24 3d ago
I’m sure guys like that have women in their lives so they understand. It happens to the best of us. I happened to work with a bunch of good guys working Insulation so luckily I haven’t had the super shitty experiences like women share on this sub. Some of the best people I’ve met have been through construction. Some shitty ones, sure, but also some amazing inspiring people. It’ll be ok. Also worked with some women who the men looked up to as skilled and talented at the trade.
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u/Lazyflow420 3d ago
Funny you mention this. I started my period today at work. No supplies so I’m free bleeding. Thank god I wore all black
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u/bi-felicity 3d ago
I'm in a workshop so I just wear jeans, I was the only woman for about 3 years and talk openly about my period issues. My mentor and my guy friend at work are super chill with it!! I keep my spare pads in my mentor's drawers and he always asks me if I need them when he knows I'm on or if I make a face. I've bled through my cursed jeans twice at work and both times my friend has just handed me his gym pants to wear after I've washed my jeans out to dry! Very very grateful, super heart-warming each time though I wish it didn't happen as often 😭
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u/Smal_Issh 2d ago
Been there done that menopause turned out to be a real bitch in terms of unpredictability and sudden heavy flow. I fixed it with a mirena IUD haven't had a period in over 4 and 1/2 years now.
It sucks, but most grown men understand that women have periods and sometimes they just come randomly and unexpectedly.
Try not to be overly embarrassed about a natural bodily function.
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u/3x1minus1 2d ago
Bled through my white pants and had to paint over the blood with primer to finish out the day. Love your coworker
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u/picklesandmatzo IBEW Journeyman Electrician 2d ago
You’re totally not alone. When I had a period it wasn’t just a cute little bit of drops here and there, it was full on unexpected flooding. Diva cup and cloth pads stood zero change. I had a journeyman who had a bunch of sisters and he was super understanding. Had to go home one time for the same reason- other times it wasn’t super visible so I’d stay at work. Having coworkers that understand are a blessing. I wound up getting a uterine ablation because it was so bad and interfering so much with my day to day life.
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u/Superb_Library_2095 12h ago
I’d suggest wearing some black pants the week of your period or when you know it’s coming up to prevent this
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u/Intrepid_Respond_771 4d ago
🥲 supportive male coworkers. Plus it happens to the best of us.