As a woman who loves traveling, you may have a difficult time during your period.
A YouGov poll of American women found that 38% of women have mood changes around their period. They also experience fatigue and cramps. It can be distressing for someone who loves picking up a backpack and heading on spontaneous trips.
Fortunately, we can now access better products and care to make menstruation less agonizing. They can make life easier for passionate travelers and anyone undertaking a trip on unfavorable dates.
Here are some hugs and tips to improve your traveling experience when Aunt Flo comes to visit.
Include Relaxing Activities in the Itinerary
Being on your period needn’t be a reason to cancel your travel plans. However, there’s no harm in being easier on yourself and scheduling ample downtime.
For example, Wisconsin offers high-energy activities like kayaking and biking. At the same time, it also has quieter pursuits like fishing and golfing. All these activities allow you to soak in the glorious outdoors, but not all are equally strenuous. You can also focus more on indoor sights, like the famous Milwaukee Art Museum, known for its collection of Georgia O’Keeffe’s works.
What are some relaxing activities you can enjoy during a period?
Swimming can be a calming idea if you are comfortable with period products like tampons. Self magazine recommends changing your tampon after swimming to eliminate moisture and potential bacterial growth. Alternatively, a quiet drink by the swimming pool, book in hand, can be therapeutic.
Discuss Medication With Your Doctor
Many women who suffer from distressing menstrual symptoms take over-the-counter medication. Most healthcare providers say that painkillers are safe in such circumstances. You can ask your doctor to prescribe something suitable to help you alleviate period pain during your journey. Also, discuss whether you should expect any side effects.
Some women take birth control to regulate their periods. Technically, it is possible to delay or skip a period altogether by timing your pills accordingly. Cosmopolitan explains that these pills usually contain norethisterone, a type of progesterone. This strategy seems tempting for travel enthusiasts or anyone who wants to avoid having a period during a critical trip with inflexible dates.
Your doctor can guide you on the safety and functionality of this approach. Some women experience issues like an upset stomach or spotting, so it is best to follow the physician’s advice closely.
On that note, beware of some contraceptive approaches. For instance, the Depo Provera injection manufactured by Pfizer may have associated risks. Many women have filed a Depo-Provera lawsuit, claiming that it made them vulnerable to brain tumors.
We recommend siding with tested and safe approaches to manage your period before embarking on your travels. According to TruLaw, some products may falsely claim to be safe while failing to disclose potential side effects. This lack of transparency can put users at risk of unexpected health issues.
Choose Comfortable Clothing
If you expect a period during your travels, pack comfortable clothes that allow you to be free and flexible. You may suffer from menstrual cramps, and the last thing you want is fidgety or tight clothing that adds to your discomfort.
Depending on the weather, pick loose pants or skirts in skin-friendly fabrics. For example, tourists often head to Wisconsin’s many state parks in the summer. Although it is a popular season for tourists, you should dress in light clothes and stay well-protected against the high temperature and humidity. Being on your period requires additional considerations of comfort and breathability.
We also recommend packing extra underwear and a change of clothes or two. You can keep a set in your carry-on bag to manage any staining or discomfort during the journey. That said, even professional sports teams are changing the narrative around period stains. It shouldn’t be embarrassing, considering it is among the most frequent stains.
Many women love using super-absorbent or specially designed period panties for traveling. They can work well for trips involving long hours of sitting, possibly with limited access to a washroom.
Pack a Soothing Period-Kit
Besides clothing, consider other items that can offer comfort when you travel on your period. These can be a hot water bag you can snuggle with after the day’s sightseeing, or some of your favorite snacks.
For example, stock some foods that reduce period cramps, from chia seeds to kiwi. The key may be managing the release of prostaglandin, a compound that causes inflammation and can trigger painful cramps.
How much extra space is there in your luggage? You can consider including essential oils like lavender. Cleveland Clinic finds that some women experience benefits from lavender oil either through smell or topical application.
Life is too short and unpredictable to change plans around events you cannot control. The next time you feel anxious about a period while traveling, we hope these tips will provide you with some support.
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