Travel Hacks For When You Have Your Period On Vacation
Sometimes your period can make a surprise appearance. We’ve all experienced it: a rogue period shows up out of nowhere to mess up a big day, a major event, or put a huge damper on a backing packing trip up to Machu Picchu. In fact travel, in itself, can also affect your period, throwing everything for a loop. Even the most predictable of periods can, for a variety of reasons, suddenly become unpredictable. Stress, alone, is definitely one of those factors.
“Normal fluctuations in hormones during the menstrual cycle alter neurotransmitters that are responsible for a variety of functions, including mood, libido, appetite, anxiety, emotion, pain, and pleasure,”Sara Twogood, MD, FACOG, tells Bustle. “The changes and relative levels of estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone throughout the menstrual cycle, including during the period itself, are also responsible for many of the changes women notice .”
But you shouldn’t let something like your period ruin your big vacation. So to avoid the potential menstrual cramps, pain, headaches or any other symptoms you may have, here are seven travel hacks, according to a doctor, to help you deal when your period decides to join your party in the Maldives.
Myth #: Periods Attract Sharks
Sharks have really good senses of smell, so they pick up on more than just blood in the water.
They also sense urine and other bodily fluids which they arent into that will deter even the most curious shark from trying to make you an afternoon snack.
Still worried? There isnt any research to suggest that periods increase the likelihood of a shark attack, so you really are in the clear.
Camping On Your Period / Hiking On Your Period
If youre camping while on your period in the backcountry, this means youll have no immediate access to waste disposal. This is where I really do recommend you invest in a Lily Menstrual Cup: theres no waste youll have to discard! Please remember to travel responsibly and bury the contents of the cup in a cat hole youve dug 6-8 inches deep, 200 ft away from any water source.
Dont feel worried about inserting and taking out the menstrual cup whilst camping or hiking on your period. Using a menstrual cup takes a little practice, but you can do it girl. Carry some soap, water and hand sanitizer with you to maintain hygiene. When you empty the contents of the cup, wash it with warm water and soap if possible or wipe it down with toilet roll. When you get back from your trip, you clean your cup completely in your accommodation.
Cant bear the thought of using a menstrual cup? Use tampons without applicators or reusable pads and bring two plastic resealable bags: one for the new products, the other for the used.
Special tip! To keep bugs and wildlife at bay, put dry tea bags inside the plastic bag with the used products to keep nasties at bay. Apart from that, keep an eye out for stinging nettles and pointy branches when youre squatting down to do your period business. Hehe!
Also Check: How To Get Rid Of Really Bad Period Cramps
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Can You Go Swimming On Your Period
It doesnt matter how many times youve had a period, you might go months years even wondering whether swimming on your period is okay Will I leak? Could I catch an infection? Will I get cramps? Will sharks know?
Its time for the myth to be debunked! You can swim on your period. And its super easy too.
Read on to find out our tips for swimming on your period.
Facts About Swimming And Menses
Most of the information that you find recommending restricting your physical activity during your period is based on cultural beliefs, taboos, and myths about menstruation. Being in the water while you are menstruating does not put you at an increased risk of infection.
Also, there are no changes in your body during your period that would make you more susceptible to injury while swimming.
Another common fear about swimming in the ocean during your period is the thought that menstrual blood will attract sharks. Although it sounds like a compelling reason to pass up on a swim, theres no evidence that people who are menstruating are more likely than anyone else to attract sharks.
The most important thing to consider when swimming with your period is to be sure that you have adequate protection to control your bleeding.
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Can I Catch An Infection From Swimming During My Period
Its unlikely that you will catch a vaginal infection from swimming simply because you’re on your period, although the chance of infection is increased if you opt to go wild swimming.
“Swimming in polluted water can increase the risk of experiencing skin irritation and getting a Urinary Tract Infection ,” points out Dr O’Neill. “Wearing a wet bathing suit for a long time after you are done with your swim can also increase the likelihood of irritation and infection, however these risks are not exclusive to when you are on your period.”
She adds: “It is always recommended to have a shower and change into clean, dry clothes after you have been swimming to prevent the above from happening.”
The most common complaints from swimming in contaminated water often include skin infections and stomach illnesses .
You can always check with the regional health authority for information on the water quality at your favourite swimming spot, if youre worried.
In some cases, the chlorine in swimming pools can irritate the vulva and , which can leave you at risk of developing a yeast infection or bacterial vaginosis . If this happens, dont panic, just have a shower immediately after swimming in chlorinated pools, and dont sit around in your wet swimwear.
“If you have any unusual itching, burning or discharge that persists after your swim, consider speaking with your doctor,” reminds Dr O’Neill.
Top Things To Know About Swimming On Your Period:
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Itâs not unhygienic to swim while youâre on your period
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You wonât leave a bloody trail in the water
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You can use a tampon, sponge or a menstrual cup while swimming
People often write to us asking if itâs okay to swim while on their period. Will you get terrible cramps, get an infection, or be eaten by sharks? Not likely.
If you enjoy swimming during the rest of your cycle, you can still swim when you have your period!
Still, if youâd rather lie on the sofa and eat pizza, thatâs also a valid option. Read on for answers to all your period swimming questions.
Also Check: How To Get Rid Of Period Acne Overnight
Misconceptions About Swimming During Your Period
Itâs messy. You can swim when you have your period. You just need to wear a tampon or menstrual cup to catch the flow. Competitive swimmers have participated in big races during their periods.â
It isnât safe. While a sharkâs sense of smell is powerful, thereâs no evidence that menstrual blood increases your risk of being attacked by sharks. More than 80% of recorded shark bites happened to men. â
Itâs unhygienic. Itâs always best to wear a tampon or menstrual cup when swimming. Itâs very unlikely that there will be leakage, but swimming pools are chlorinated and use a filtration system.â
Cramps will be worse. You may not feel like swimming if you have painful period cramps, but exercise may actually help improve your period pain. â
One study of 70 women with regular period cramps found that those who exercised regularly over 4 weeks had improved levels of pain.â
Researchers found that 30 minutes of aerobic exercise three times a week helped significantly improve the severity of period cramps after 8 weeks. This effect wasnât seen after just 4 weeks of exercise.â
Talk to your doctor if your menstrual cramps are very painful. It may be due to a condition such as:
Can You Swim On Your Period Without A Tampon
As with swimming in general, it’s okay to swim on your period without a tampon or any menstrual product for that matter, says Dr. van Dis.
Whether you’re lacking access or you simply don’t feel like using one, going tampon-, cup-, or disc-free while wading in the water doesn’t come with any serious health concerns or issues, she says. Still, there is one potential risk: ” possibly have some bleeding that people can see as you’re walking around the pool, lake, or ocean before or after swimming,” she says. If you have Lizzo’s sky-high level of confidence, though, a little bit of swimsuit staining is NBD. (
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Bonus: Swimming May Actually Help Relieve Any Pms
Still need convincing before you hop in the water on your period?
A 2018 study looked at 70 people who experience PMS and concluded that swimming significantly decreased many of their physical and psychological symptoms.
This means that, while you might not be interested in a super heavy workout during your period, engaging in some light physical activity might be exactly what you need to find relief.
Best Tampons For Swimming
Tampons are specifically designed to absorb period flow before it can leave your body which makes them one of the best products to use for swimming on your period and you wonât have to worry about signs of your period showing in the water. Pads are made to absorb period flow too, but as we all know theyâre worn outside of the body and would be great at absorbing all that pool water too, hello soggy diaper bikini! So, do yourself a favor and leave the pads behind and snag a tampon. All Tampax tampons can be worn while swimming in any kind of water and only Tampax tampons have a LeakGuard Braid to help stop leaks before they happen to give you all-day comfort and protection for up to 8 hours. Check out how to insert a tampon and practice a few times before you head out to the water especially if wearing a tampon is new for you. Be sure to tuck the string into the lining of your swimming suit before you leave the bathroom, and you should be set.
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How Can Pandia Health Help
Should you decide to make your #PeriodsOptional, Pandia Health has your back! Not only do we offer a variety of birth control options, but we also have a ton of resources that can help you decide which method works best for your lifestyle. If you choose to take the pill or Twirla patch, dont forget to sign up for our FREE delivery service, so you can #SkipTheTrip the pharmacy and get your prescription shipped right to your mailbox.
Will Period Blood Attract Sharks
A fair question. The simple answer is no period blood does not attract sharks. So, breathe a sigh of relief â your beach holiday that your period happens to fall on is not a disaster waiting to happen. No worries and no shark attacks! While a lot of people like to joke about this, the science behind it proves that thereâs no correlation between menstruating people and an increase in shark attacks. The amount of blood lost throughout an menstrual cycle is merely six tablespoons, so the small amount lost during a swim in the sea would be very low â and very unlikely to send any nearby sharks into frenzy.
There you have it. Your answer and guide to if can you go swimming on your period. Hopefully youâll have peace of mind the next time you swim in the ocean on your period.
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Myth #: You Need To Worry About A Bloody Trail
Should you worry about leaving a blood trail in the water if your period products fail? Its hard to make guarantees here: 50% of us have experienced a period product failing at some point. This is especially common at night.
The big difference is that at night you may have exceeded your products absorbency limit. So as long as you choose the right absorbency level for your flow and dont push those limits, you should be just fine. If you do have a very heavy menstrual flow, you may opt to use another menstrual product for additional protection while you swim.
It is worth noting that the water pressure may lighten your blood flow, and even if you do leak a little, it will be quickly diluted in the water, so youre unlikely to leave the gruesome blood trail that youre probably picturing in your head.
Benefits Of Swimming During Your Period
Not only is it safe to go swimming during your period, but it is also a good idea. Staying active has been shown to help ease the cramping and fatigue that some people experience during their monthly period.
Swimming, in particular, can be very helpful. Since your body is buoyant in the water, you may not notice the discomfort of the bloating that you may have during your period. Gentle non-swimming aquatic exercise has also been shown to be very helpful in managing painful periods.
Swimming or other aquatic exercises might be a great way to get pain and stress relief during your period. Even if you are simply wading at the beach, dont let your period stop you from enjoying a nice day in the sun. Just dont forget to pack a few extra tampons along with your sunscreen.
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You Have A Few Different Options Though
There are many safe and effective options for preventing leakage when youre in the water on your period. The most important thing to consider is your own comfort.
Whether youre using tampons or something different, changing whichever menstrual product right before you go is a great way to prevent leaks.
Plan Your Travel Dates And Activities Around Your Period
While periods can be unpredictable, you may find success in charting your cycle and knowing exactly when your period would arrive, allowing you to avoid traveling on those days. However, you cant always put traveling on hold especially when youve been planning a trip with friends for years. Maybe you only have a week off work or school, or perhaps youre traveling with a group and you need to plan an itinerary that works for everyone.
In any case, knowing when to expect your period can help you planor at the very least, offer recommendationsfor travel dates and activities. Choose relaxing activities while youre on period, such as taking a leisurely walk to the museum or going on a scenic drive.
If you joined a womens expedition that involves hiking and mountain climbing, and your group has the choice of going on a hiking trail on different weeks, suggest having the adventure trek on your non-period week. If that isn’t an option, pack a period kit, stay hydrated, and find moments throughout the day to take a break and rest.
Read Also: How Does Birth Control Stop Periods
How To Skip A Period
Contrary to public opinion, monthly cycles are not necessary for those who take hormonal birth control. To stop your period using birth control pills, simply skip the row of placebo pills and move right to your next pack. If you use the NuvaRing or EluRyng, just keep the ring in for 4 weeks or up to 35 days and replace it with a new one. With Annovera, you can keep the ring in for an entire year! Suppressing periods can help decrease the risk of developing multiple health issues including anemia, endometriosis, ovarian cysts, and ovarian and endometrial cancers.
Drink Plenty Of Liquidsand Were Talking Water
You might be inspired to channel your inner Jersey Shore cast member and drink alcohol at the beach. But you need to stay hydrated in the hot sunespecially when you have your period. Although it seems counterintuitive, drinking water actually helps relieve bloating. The tampon company Tampax recommends that you drink 10 glasses of water, juice, or milk a day when you have your periodand thats not even when youre sitting in the sun all day.
Penn Medicine also notes that you may be more prone to dehydration when you have your period due to the hormones estrogen and progesterone fluctuating. Activities like swimming may trick you into thinking youre not sweating as much as you are. All this means that youre going to want to pack a ton of water for your beach day.
Yes, heading to the beach when you have your period is, well, no day at the beach. But if you plan accordingly, you can still embrace those sweet summer vibes and ocean waves no matter what your ovaries are up to.
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What If Blood Leaks Through My Undies And Pants
Oh, no! Theres blood on the back of your pants what do you do? It happens to just about every girl at some point. Sometimes it happens when you arent at home, so you cant change right away. But if youre wearing a sweater or jacket, you can take it off and tie it around your waist. Then get a fresh tampon or pad so that it doesnt bleed through your pants more than it already has.
Change as soon as you can. Youll need to rinse your underwear and pants with cold water as soon as possible. Sometimes, the stain comes out and sometimes it doesnt. To avoid this problem, change your pads and tampons regularly and keep extras in your backpack or locker.
For extra protection on heavy days, some girls use a tampon and wear a pad or absorbent period underwear. You also might want to wear dark-colored underwear and pants during your period.