How to travel when you are on your period

Having your period can be inconvenient, especially when it catches you off guard. I remember my first period vividly—it happened during church, and I was unable to leave to use the bathroom while praying. My silent prayer that day was to avoid staining my buttercream yellow skirt.

Periods can indeed pose challenges while traveling, but with some planning, you can manage them effectively. For example, if you’re planning a hiking trip to see the breathtaking Machu Picchu, it’s a good idea to coordinate your period with your travel dates.

In this post, I share essential tips for managing your period while traveling, ensuring that you enjoy your adventures without any discomfort or stress.

Do research

Traveling with your period can be a bit challenging, especially when you’re in unfamiliar places. For instance, in Germany and much of Europe, tampon applicators are less common, and public toilets at train stations and petrol/gas stations often require an entry fee. Meanwhile, in Japan, you might find fewer options for tampons, but public toilets are usually free. Japan also offers oversized pads, which you can see in the video below.

It’s essential to research where you can purchase pain medication and understand what types of medicine are available over the counter in different countries. Additionally, be aware that in some cultures, such as in Bali, menstruating women are not permitted to enter temples. Doing a bit of research before you travel can help you manage your period more smoothly and avoid any potential issues.

Managing Your Period While Traveling: Skipping It or Planning Around It

If the idea of traveling while dealing with period cramps gives you a headache, consider skipping your period. A friend of mine swears by this method for long-haul flights. If you’re on the pill, you can skip your placebo pills and start a new pack of active pills to delay your period. This is a temporary solution and may not be suitable for everyone. Alternatively, if you use the NuvaRing, you can skip your period by keeping it in place, though you could experience spotting. It’s wise to do a trial run before your trip to see how your body responds. If you use an IUD, you probably already have lighter or no periods. However, always consult your doctor before using these methods to ensure they’re safe for you.

Planning Around Your Period

Personally, I plan my trips around my period. By tracking my cycle, I can schedule my travels when I’m least likely to be menstruating. I used to suffer from severe period pain, including vomiting, dizziness, cold sweats, hot flashes, and migraines. Since I started taking the pill, my symptoms have greatly improved. Although my pain is managed, I still prefer not to travel during my period.

Dealing with Your Period While Traveling

During family trips, I often experienced unexpected periods. To manage my symptoms, I focused on eating healthy, staying active, drinking plenty of water, and getting fresh air. Activities like walking and swimming helped alleviate my pain and distracted me from cramps. If you can’t skip your period or plan around it, here’s how to manage it effectively:

Pain Relief: Bring pain medication and heat pads. Taking a warm bath and drinking chamomile tea can also promote relaxation and ease discomfort.
Medical Concerns: If you experience severe pain or unusually heavy bleeding, consult a doctor. I spent years dealing with painful periods until I finally saw a gynecologist and found relief. Don’t let period pain ruin your travels—take care of yourself.

Essential Packing List for Your Period

Comfortable Clothing: Pack clothes that are comfortable and offer plenty of room.
Sanitary Products: Pack enough pads or tampons for your trip. If you’ll be away for an extended period, consider alternatives to avoid overpacking.
Reusable Options: Consider reusable pads and panty liners, which can last up to 5 years and are environmentally friendly.
Diva Cup: The Diva Cup is a great option for travel as it can be used for up to 12 hours and is reusable. It’s especially useful for long bus rides, train journeys, or flights. Check out this video for more details.
Pain Management: Ibuprofen and chamomile tea are effective for managing period pain. Ensure you know if you need a prescription for your painkillers and where to buy them at your destination. Heating pads that don’t require electricity can also be very helpful.
Hygiene Supplies: Pack wet wipes, tissues, and waterless hand sanitizer. If allowed, carry a small bottle of water for cleaning your Diva Cup or taking medication. Use Ziplock bags for organization and extra plastic bags for sanitary products, especially in places where bathrooms might lack bins.

Packing tips

Organise your bag and keep all period-related items in your carry-on bag for easy access. Group items together in a bag or pouch to avoid searching through your luggage.

Thank you for reading and feel free to comment.
Wishing you many happy travels !