We don't always have the luxury of knowing or choosing when our period will occur, and sometimes it falls in the middle of a trip.
While your period can be an added stress when traveling, it should never dictate your vacation. In this article, you will find tips and recommendations to help you live your period while traveling.
BEFORE YOU LEAVE
It's a good idea to research the country you'll be visiting and find out what the situation is regarding access to menstrual products. While most countries offer fairly easy access to menstrual products, in other countries the view of menstruation can be very negative, making it difficult or impossible to purchase menstrual products.
For details on the availability of menstrual products in your destination or questions about menstruation in certain countries, you can consult travel blogs, as others have certainly asked the question before you!
WHICH MENSTRUAL PRODUCTS TO CHOOSE?
Once you know what to expect when you're there, the question arises: what products should I bring? Reusable products are more environmentally friendly, but if you still want to use disposable menstrual products, there are alternatives that minimize the environmental impact; such as Iris + Arlo products that are made of biodegradable materials.
For example, you can use:
- A menstrual cup (takes up very little space, one is enough, and is practical for bathing, but be sure to be able to clean and sterilize it)
- Tampons (which is more practical for bathing, easy to use and carry but not reusable, and can only be kept for 8 hours, so you will need several)
- Sanitary napkins (suitable for people who do not appreciate internal products, but again not reusable)
- Menstrual panties (3x more absorbent than a tampon, and comfortable, although you have to wash them, and you can't bathe with them)
In short, choose the product that suits you best depending on your habits, your flow and the activities you want to do!
WHAT ELSE SHOULD I PACK?
Once you have taken with you the menstrual products that suit you best, don't forget to take what you need to manage your period in full!
- If you're going to be out in the wilderness, I recommend taking a bag to put your used menstrual products in until you can find a trash can or a watering hole to wash your menstrual panties.
- Menstruation can also be painful for some people. If this is the case, don't forget to take painkillers to relieve the pain.
- You may want to pack clothes that you feel comfortable in during your period, such as loose fitting pants. It's also a good idea to bring a change of clothes in case you need it.
In conclusion, it is important to remember that it is possible to have your period while traveling without it preventing you from doing anything. You just need to know the country you're going to and its relationship with menstruation, evaluate which menstrual products are best for you and bring all the necessary elements to live your period without any problem.
Enjoy your trip!
More information on Vaolo's blog.
