How to Manage Periods While Travelling
Menstruation is a beautiful reminder of all the incredible things our bodies, as women, are capable of doing. However, our periods are not the same and that time of the month can be quite stressful for many. If that’s the case, getting a period on your trip may not be ideal, and to some, it could even ruin the entire trip if they’re not sure how to handle things well. That’s why we’ve put together the best tips for you to know how to manage periods while travelling.
Top 7 Tips on How to Manage Periods While Travelling
#1 Download a period tracking app
When you first get your period as a teenager, it’s easier to remember the time you’re expecting it would hit you because it’s all still new. But now, we bet you often forget that time of the month and it takes you by surprise most of the time. Don’t worry, it’s fine, we all forget!
With how fast-paced life could get, it’s completely normal to lose track of our cycles, but who wants a surprise period on a trip? No one! That’s why downloading an app to track your period is quite useful (even when you’re not travelling) because then you could plan trips accordingly. It’s even essential if you’re planning trips that revolve around vigorous physical activities or living conditions that aren’t ideal, such as hiking or camping trips.
And of course, these apps have plenty of other non-travel-related benefits such as tracking ovulation, monitoring physical and mood changes, and so on. Our favourite apps available for both iOS and Android are Period Tracker and Flo.
#2 Always pack sanitary products
Even if it’s not your time, always pack sanitary products – you never know what might happen! Tracking your period isn’t enough because period dates change due to various reasons – it’s not unlikely to happen especially if you’re travelling. Things like hormonal changes, stress, and even atmospheric pressure and the weather may impact menstruation. So, it’s always better to be prepared.
Speaking of being well prepared, make sure to pack the sanitary products that you’re used to using back home as you might not necessarily find them easily elsewhere. For instance, tampons are not commonly found as sanitary pads in some countries. So, if you prefer using tampons over pads in which case, bring enough with you.
It’s also important to note that in some countries, the very same sanitary products may be way more expensive with the exchange rates and everything. In this case, it’s also better to bring them from home.
#3 Don’t forget painkillers
This, of course, goes without saying. You have to pack emergency meds, and painkillers are often the first thing that comes to mind when you’re preparing your medical pouch. Just bear in mind to bring the painkiller that you usually take on your period. Our pain tolerance isn’t the same and some women may need a prescribed painkiller or simply there’s one that you find more effective than the other. For example, if you usually take a painkiller that is specifically made for menstruation, it may be available in your home country but may not be where you’re travelling. That’s something you need to put into consideration.
#4 Bring dark comfy pants
Accidents happen so you just want to be ready for heavy flow to hit you just in case. On menstruation days, we all feel like being wrapped in a blanket and snuggling with a teddy bear. Since that isn’t quite convenient for your packing list, the least you could do to yourself is bring a pair of super comfy pants.
#5 As well as comfy underwear
Just like you probably have what you call period pants, we bet you also have period underwear. And we’re not talking about these no, we’re talking about grandma underwear. There’s no shame in that! Remember, everyone’s period is different and if you have a heavy flow, what good would those sexy thongs do you? Just come prepared.
#6 Wipes and tissues will come in handy
Public toilets aren’t the best so if you get your period while you’re travelling, having wipes and tissues on you will make things less of a hassle. It sounds like obvious things to pack anyway, but we know they’re also often overlooked and forgotten.
#7 Don’t forget to eat well
Believe it or not, not everyone eats well on trips. Sure, foodies do, but when you’re hopping from one place to another, squeezing in so many activities in your day, trying to get more things on your bucket list done, you forget to eat. Some people skip breakfast if they wake up too early for a tour, or go hiking without packing enough snacks, and some simply don’t recognize when they’re hungry.
If this sounds like you, don’t feel bad about it, it happens. It may be the adrenaline, the excitement, or you simply just forget things. What’s important here is to acknowledge this and work on it, especially if you’re on your period which is when your body needs it the most.
Prioritise having healthy balanced meals even if it requires waking up early or an extra pit stop during the day. And if you’re forgetful, set alarms on your phone to remind yourself. Also, make sure to eat food rich in iron, and of course, stay hydrated and drink a lot of water.
Did your period ever ruin any of your trips? Let us know in the comments how you handled it. If you found our tips on how to manage periods while travelling helpful, save this post for later and share it with your girlfriends.
