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One thing that female travelers must think about that our male counterparts never do is dealing with “that time of the month” when traveling. It’s certainly annoying to have to consider our periods when planning a trip, but it shouldn’t keep you from traveling. After all, women have been on their periods since the beginning of time. Even female explorers and travelers like Amelia Earhart and Jane Goodall had to hit the road during their monthly cycle.
Women all over the world deal with their periods, so if you make preparations in advance, you can get through it. Don’t spend all day in bed when you’ve been saving for this trip for months! We’ll show you how. Do you have additional tips to share? Leave them below!
How to Prepare in Advance
Plan Your Trip and Travel Activities Around Your Period
Look at your dates to see if you’ll be on your period during your trip. You might want to choose your travel days for when you’re not on your period, or at least plan your more active days to take place outside of the bad days. You can also pack items that will make it that much easier, which we’ll discuss later in this post.
Plan your travels or big activities around your period.
Consider Skipping Your Period When You Travel
Also consider skipping your period altogether or moving it around for your trip via birth control pills. While this isn’t a solution for long-term travel, it is possible to temporarily skip your period by either not taking the placebo pills if you’re on traditional pills or by going ahead and putting in a new NuvaRing if you use that system.
According to the Mayo Clinic, it’s safe to do unless your doctor says otherwise, but you may still experience spotting. With that in mind, it’s probably best to test this method before actually on your trip- you might find it more annoying to have spotting for a couple of weeks to deal with.
If you have an IUD, an implanted device in your cervix, you may no longer experience a period at all. I use this method and haven’t had a period since, which is great for travel.
Research Product Options Before You Travel
Also look into what your destination has in terms of options for periods. In many countries, namely in Australia and parts of Europe, you may find tampons but they usually don’t have applicators. It can be a bit of a shock if you’re not used to it. In other parts of the world, like Asia, you won’t find tampons apart from at a few Western stores. In some locations, you may have to ask for tampons at the pharmacy.
Useful Packing List for Traveling On Your Period
As we mentioned earlier, pack items that will help make your period easier. Here are a few to consider:
Sanitary Materials to Pack
1. Traditional Tampons and Pads
If you use traditional tampons or pads, you might want to bring your chosen brand with you, depending on the length of your trip. If you’re gone for less than a month, don’t worry too much about bringing multiple boxes. But if you’re going on a long-term trip, you might want to consider other options instead of taking up unnecessary space in your luggage.
2. Reusable Pads and Panty Liners
More environmentally friendly options include reusable pads, which come in maxi and mini sizes. GladRags and Lunapads are just a few of the brands you can try. Simply wear and wash as needed. The all-natural cotton pads don’t have the nasty chemicals you’ll find in standard pads, and the highly-absorbent material lasts 5 years.
GladRags reusable pads in their carry bag.
Here’s what some women in our HPLWorld Facebook group had to say about using reusable pads on the road:
Clair: “I’ve been using cotton pads for a couple of years now – including the last 8 months on the road – and much prefer them to normal disposable towels (have never used tampons though, personal preference). I soak mine in a double bagged ziploc which I’ve managed to keep hidden in hostels etc, then just wash them in my regular wash. Never had any problems or any embarrassment! Ironically mine are dark fabric but have become discoloured from the bleach in some detergent I’ve used – but no one sees them so I don’t really mind.”
Abigail: “I often use Glad Rags, but while travelling, just wouldn’t have been practical… problems like, where to store them until they can be washed, and explaining them to anyone who happens to notice that I’m putting them in the washing machine… uh, no.”
Other options include sea sponges, a natural and reusable material, and menstrual cups, like our favorite Diva Cup.
3. Diva Cups for Travelers
Menstrual cups, like the Diva Cup, are a great option for long-term travel because they’re good for several years. Simply insert, use for up to 12 hours, empty, wash and re-insert. I do, however, recommend that you test it out well before your trip, as you might not like one brand or another.
We have a whole guide on diva cups for travelers that even help with how to wash and clean when outdoors or at music festivals.
The Diva Cup can be a great way to manage your period while traveling.
4. Period Underwear
You might also want to try period panties, underwear designed to wear alone, without the aid of tampons, and then washed. Thinx is one of the brands that makes multiple pairs, one for each type of flow. Most women tend to wear them as a backup to tampons, or on lighter days, but you might be able to get by with just the underwear and nothing else! As with everything, test in normal life before hitting the road.
Medications to Pack
Add extra medication to your medical kit in preparation for that time of the month. This might include Midol, ibuprofen/paracetamol, or painkillers, which you might need a prescription for. You also should consider natural remedies like chamomile tea, an anti-inflammatory.
Heating Pads
While exercise helps eliminate cramps, it’s not always possible to go for a run while you’re on your period. If you’re flying on your cycle days, pack a heating pad, which will help eliminate some of the pain you’re experiencing in your back and abdomen.
Plug-in heating pads aren’t always realistic, as you’ll need an outlet, but you can try different versions of the hand warmers you might pack for a cold weather trip. Simply rub it between your hands and it will start to heat up. There are also reusable packs which you can freeze for muscle pain or put in boiling water for warmth. Check out these ThermaCare wraps or menstrual pain.
Comfy Clothing
Period clothing is very similar to plane outfits. Dress for comfort and plan for bloating. Yoga pants, loose fitting tops and maxi dresses are a good idea, paired with comfortable shoes.
Finding Feminine Hygiene Products Overseas
In many parts of Europe, you can find tampons and pads at the grocery store, and often some of the same brands you’re used to at home. However, as mentioned before, in other parts of the world you might have a hard time finding tampons because of lack of resources or because of cultural and religious reasons. In Kyrgyzstan, for example, women can source tampons at the pharmacies, behind the counter. You may need to look up the local word for them, too, when making your request.
Should I Pack 6 Months of Tampons?
So with that in mind, should you stockpile tampons before you head out on your round-the-world trip? Hmm… this is a hard one to answer as it all depends on the type of person you are.
You see, there are some females that are very particular about their brand of tampon. While you will probably be able to find a brand of tampon in most countries (at least in bigger cities), it might not be your preferred brand. To girls that worry about issues like this, you might want to pack some extra tampons.
If the thought of having to go without tampons scares you, then you also might benefit from packing extras. Some countries, or more rural cities, may not have tampons, but only pads, readily available in the shops.
Or, you could simply look into trying a reusable menstrual cup, like the diva cup.
Extra Tips for Traveling on Your Period
Can Traveling Affect Your Period?
Travel can throw off your normal cycle, especially when you’re dealing with time zones. If you’re not on the pill, which regulates your cycle, then it’s best to have some products as a backup in your handbag or daypack at all times. This post has lots of good information on why this may occur.
How to Manage Your Period on Long Plane and Train Journeys
Is there anything worse than being on your period on a long-haul flight, train or car ride? It’s difficult to get comfortable and all you want to do is curl up in a ball. If you’re flying, try to walk around every few hours to keep the blood flowing. Don’t sleep for too long or forget you’re wearing a tampon. Set an alarm if you need to so that you don’t get Toxic Shock Syndrome.
Bring disposal essentials with you on the journey, including plastic bags, tissues or toilet paper, and hand sanitizer. A black plastic bag might be best, just in case the bathroom doesn’t have a trash can and you have to hold onto your used sanitary items until you find the proper place to toss them.
Our recommended method would be to use the Diva Cup, which can be worn for up to 12 hours without the risk of TSS or leaking in most cases. While it is possible to change in public restrooms, it is often easier to wait until in the convenience of your accommodation when at all possible.
Exercise, like walking, can help relieve period pain.
Period Pain Management Methods
When it comes to managing pain and other period symptoms, there are a handful of ways you can treat it apart from medications. Exercise is a surprising way to relieve cramps, which may sound like the last thing you want to do. But rather than curling up in bed in your hotel room, opt for walking around your destination, which allows you to both sightsee and feel better.
Vitamin D also helps. Be sure to drink plenty of water, keeping yourself hydrated and feeling good. And while you might crave salty and fried foods, this is an important time to eat well. Eat fresh veggies or grab a smoothie.
Hot water bottles or heating pads and patches, as mentioned earlier, can also help with pain without medication.
Eat healthy food like fruits and vegetables.
Disposing of Feminine Hygiene Products
Also consider what periods are like for women all over the world. You can’t flush sanitary items in most countries of the world. Consider whether or not you’ll be able to find a receptacle, especially if you’re going camping, and pack extra disposal bags or ziplocs accordingly.
Superstitious Beliefs About Periods
Some countries have superstitious beliefs when it comes to women and their periods. Some mosques and temples don’t allow women to enter while they’re menstruating. In fact, menstrual cycles have been the reason for why women can’t hold certain jobs, including in Japan. Menstruating women are isolated for the week in rural Nepal. In parts of Africa and South America, talking about periods is a taboo. Read this article on Huffington Post for more about period-related beliefs overseas.
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