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Traveling While On Your Period

by Xiaolin Li

Kaitlyn Luckow


Image source: Nathaniel Kohfield

 

Whenever I book a vacation, I spend the days leading up to the trip as an anxious mess. I’m not anxious about losing my luggage, or getting lost, or missing my flight. No. I’m anxious about getting my period.  

Every girl probably has a story about a time when they went on a vacation and their period nearly ruined it. Whether it’s because of debilitating cramps, PMS, or just being uncomfortable, your period can change your vacation.  

But as I’ve grown older, I’ve realized that it doesn’t have to ruin it! Here are some tricks I’ve learned along  the way that have helped ease my anxiety of menstruating on vacation and have helped make me not worry (as much) about it:


Always Have Products With You

Even if you’re not planning to have your period during your vacation, it always provides a peace of mind to bring your own feminine hygiene products while on vacation.

This way, you don’t have to worry about being in an unfamiliar place if your period surprises you. You don’t have to worry about leakage or finding something to work where you’re at.

This is even more important if you’re traveling abroad. If you are particular about the feminine hygiene products you use (and you should be particular about what you put in your body), it may not be possible to find your product of choice if you’re in another country.  

It could even be harder to find something you like if you don’t know the language.  

If you bring your own emergency stash of feminine hygiene products and carry one with you everywhere you go, you have nothing to worry about.  


Bring Your Cramp Emergency Kit

If you’re someone that gets frequent menstrual cramps, make sure you bring your tools you use to combat those cramps with you. You know how important this is.

If you’re not able to combat your cramps, they can be entirely debilitating and you may have you spend days in a hotel bed, which is NOT what you’re going on vacation to do.

Make sure you pack your painkillers, heating pads, NannoPads, or any other products that help you combat and control your cramps.

If you’re worried about getting cramps and don’t know how to combat them yet, here are a few things you can do to fight them/make them more bearable:

  • Drink lots of water and eat healthy food

  • Avoid getting a drink on the plane or at the hotel bar

  • Try some tea with peppermint oil

  • The last thing you’ll probably want to do is exercise, but it will help you. If you want to take precautionary measures, try to exercise before your period even begins

  • Our NannoPads are proven to relieve menstrual discomfort in over 75% of women tested. Pack your bag with NannoPads to ensure that you experience less discomfort while traveling.


Don’t Freak Out If Your Flow Is Weird

If you’ve ever traveled while on your period before, you might have noticed that your flow may act differently. This is completely normal and not something you need to freak out about.

Breathe. It’s okay.

In fact, this is especially true if you’re flying. Your flow is actually proven to lighten when you’re on a plane due to air pressure, and may continue to be lighter than usual if you’re experiencing some travel stress.

This also means that your flow may drastically change and become heavier as soon as you hit the ground.

Traveling can even throw off your cycle a little bit. It can cause your period to come early or come late. So if you’re a few days or a week late on getting your period, it’s okay.

Again. This is normal.

This is due to hormonal changes you may experience during traveling due to stress and sleep schedule changes.

This is even more common if you’re traveling to a different time zone or country—your body is struggling to get used to it and it could affect your cycle.

A little tip: If you’re experiencing jet lag, this may be a sign that your period cycle will be off as well.

I’m going to say it one last time: your period being late while traveling is nothing to stress out about. In fact, if you’re stressed out about it, it will cause it to come even later.

Don’t forget to breathe, fight that jet lag, and then breathe again.

Dress Comfortably

The last thing you want is to be stuck on a plane for 10 hours, bloated with cramps, and wearing skinny jeans.

I’m literally in pain just thinking about it. 

When you’re traveling, dress comfortably in loose clothing that will make bloating and cramping more bearable if you’re experiencing them.

Do this favor for yourself. Your body will thank you.

Plan Ahead

If you are on birth control, you may have the power to manipulate when you get your period. If you are dead-set on not having your period while you travel, plan ahead in your birth control cycle and plan to not have your period during that time.

Honestly, I do this a lot. I schedule out my pills so that I skip my period during my travel times. It’s safe to do this, unless your doctor has told you otherwise. You may still experience some spotting or light cramping if this isn’t something you do on a regular basis.

This obviously doesn’t work for everyone, but it’s an option if you’re comfortable with it.

 

At the end of the day, your period doesn’t have to ruin your vacation. It may cause a little bump in the road, but if you’re prepared and are able to fight discomfort and pain, having your period doesn’t have to be something you worry about at all. Paradise can still be paradise—even when you’re on your period.

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