Getting your period in normal times is not always easy, but when you are travelling, it is even more worrying. Here are a few ideas to get organised and leave with peace of mind
Having your period in your own country is not always easy to manage while the toilets are clean and accessible, what about the Burmese jungle or the Gobi desert! Periods, menstruation, which sound like monstrous are often experienced as a curse.
Don’t panic, there are many solutions to stay serene while travelling. The menstrual cycle is a marvellous feminine mechanism, it would be very sad to be ashamed of it or to remain mortified as soon as periods arrive.
Recommendation N°1 : every good traveller should always carry something with her to protect herself… when her period is due
Does that seem obvious? It is not for everyone! Even if you’re far-sighted, you should know that the trip is full of surprises. 8 hours by bus when you had been told you would have 2, it happens frequently in other latitudes. You should also know that tampons are not sold in all countries and that the toilets may not always be accessible… or frequentable.
Some women have “sensitive” periods. Anxiety, strong emotions, a fit of tiredness, and they may be late or early. It is then difficult to rely on a regular schedule.
Slipping a hygienic protection into your walking bag can really save you a lot of trouble and prevent you from coming back to the hostel in a hurry. It can also help out a careless or destitute person – that’s what women’s solidarity is all about.
The periodical fittings in question
They are at the heart of many scandals because they are suspected to also contain toxic products for health.
Fortunately, there are alternatives to periodical hygienic protection, and today we can find some that are biodegradable, ecological and healthy.
Hooray, the green revolution is also happening in the pants!
The silicone cup or menstrual cup
This soft silicone cup is placed in the vagina and collects the menstrual flow. Simply empty the cup, clean it and reuse it. This intravaginal protection is a real revolution. Light, hygienic, comfortable and discreet, the cup avoids having to throw away tampons and/or periodic sanitary protection that will end up in the wild. It is very economical to use and allows you to travel serenely. Perfect for destinations by the sea, lake, river, etc., it is perfectly possible to swim with it while remaining protected. There is no need to run after the dustbins as it is sufficient to wash it with clear water. No smell, no waste to carry, no pollution, it is a really interesting menstrual protection.
To know everything about the cup, it’s here!
If this is a first for you, it is recommended to test the cup two or three months before going on a trip. It’s best to be sure that this protection suits you.
Menstrual panties: goodbye to expensive and polluting period fillings
For the rebels to intravaginal protection, menstrual panties are ideal when you are menstruating while travelling or at home. To be convinced of this, you have to go hunting down preconceived ideas. Menstrual pants no longer look like huge incontinence nappies. They are now light, comfortable and sexy!
They are so thin and light that they can be worn like normal panties. Bamboo or cotton, they are very absorbent and remain flexible. Fans say it, they are as safe as regular protection, no risk of leakage. With menstrual panties it is no longer necessary to rush to the toilet every 3 hours. We keep them on all day long! In the evening, simply wash them first with cold water and then with soap or run them in the washing machine at low temperature. Menstrual panties are so well designed, elegant and comfortable that it is difficult to know that they are intended for menstrual periods.
Is it possible to make the periods disappear?
In certain cases (20%), a hormonal or estrogen IUD (like Mirena) can decrease menstrual bleeding and, in certain case make menstruation disappear completely. More good news for a very reliable contraceptive.
If you are taking the pill and your period has to arrive in the middle of a Nepalese trek or raft trip down the Mekong River, you can take your pill continuously to prevent it from arriving at the wrong time.
Each woman has her own metabolism, so what works for one will be ineffective for the other. For this type of question, it is imperative that you speak with a health professional beforehand.
So remember to make your appointments with the gynaecologist a few months before you leave.
Menstruation is sometimes painful and tiring: any idea to care in the middle of nowhere
At the end of the world, when menstruation is painful, you can find yourself quite destitute. Don’t panic, it is not difficult to tinker with a small comforting hot water bottle. Simply fill a sock with slightly damp sand, rice, lentils, beans, whatever you have on hand and heat it (owen, pot or put it in the microwave) to make an express hot water bottle. A glass bottle filled with hot water wrapped in a towel will also do the job. Otherwise, a stone heated by the fireplace will be just as effective.
In the first-aid kit, remember to take specific painkillers for painful periods.
A good first aid kit is essential when travelling. Away from home, a pharmacy or your regular doctor, it’s best to carry something to ward off a temporary health problem or injury before it becomes infected.
