Whether you’re going away to visit family this holiday season, aiming to soak up the sun on a camping trip, or are just spending some time away from home this summer break, the thought of your period tagging along can be daunting, especially for those newer (or emerging) menstruators. However, with the right preparation and packing list, you can enjoy every moment of your trip without any unnecessary worries. Here’s a helpful guide on period essentials for travel, no matter your age.
- Menstrual products.
The first thing you need to have packed when you’re travelling are menstrual products. These could be some just-in-case supplies if your period isn’t expected to come on your trip (because it’s always better to be safe than sorry!) or enough supplies to cover your full period.
Pro tip 1: packing reusable menstrual products like our period underwear, find out more by clicking here, makes preparing for a period on your trip so much easier. There’s no need to ration out your supplies or purchase different eco-friendly products for off-the-grid travel like camping trips. All you need to do is wash and dry the underwear and it’s ready to go again and again OR take one of our wash bags and store your period knickers in there until you get home!
We also have pre- period underwear, which is great for our younger ones who are close to getting their periods. I don’t know about you, but when I was at the age periods were expected, I didn’t want to go out for the day, let alone for multiple nights, just in case it came and I was unprepared! The last thing we want is for our little ones to be uncomfortable on their holidays, so pre-period underwear is a great product they can wear that replicates normal underwear, keeping them feeling "normal" but prepared.
Our leak-proof period underwear products are even more perfect for long flights or road trips, keeping you fresh for 8-12 hours at a time without the stress of changing your period products for fear of leaking or your health!
- Hygiene products.
Extra hygiene products, such as hand sanitiser and wet wipes, can help maintain hygiene and a feeling of cleanliness. These products can be lifesavers for the unfortunate surprise period, or when you’re without access to proper bathrooms.
For those of you travelling by plane, ensure you have some travel-sized products to keep in your carry-on at all times. Not only are they handy for periods, but any other spill or bathroom emergency!
- Pain relief.
We all know the days leading up to a period, and the first few of a period, can be very uncomfortable, and if you’ve got big days of travel, exploration activities, or even just some special family time, you don’t want to have to spend the day wishing you were in bed.
Pack your preferred brand of pain relief medication, a portable heating pad, or read this blog on natural period remedies to get some extra inspiration.
Pro tip 2: our portable MiniTens+ machine for period pain is a must-pack when you’re travelling, providing drug-free relief in a discrete and effective way. Or, if you are going somewhere where you can’t recharge the machine with its USB charging cable, bring our monthly magic PMS roll-on (which is pocket sized!) for the perfect easy-to-use relief. Not only does it help relieve cramps, but also alleviates mood-related PMS symptoms, ensuring you or any menstruator you love is as happy as they deserve to be.
- Comfortable clothing.
Being prepared is key, so pack a few extra pairs of underwear and comfy outfits to stay as fresh as can be.
If you’re flying or taking a long road trip, keep a spare change of clothes and underwear in an accessible place like your carry-on, just in case you need to do a quick change and don’t have access to your luggage.
Also, if you’re going somewhere with the possibility of swimming, don’t let your period stop you! Pack some of our period swimwear to ensure you can laze by the pool, swim at the beach, or do anything your fun trip requires of you.
Extra tips:
We want you to have the most relaxing holiday possible, so here are some extra rapid-fire tips for any type of trip you have planned.
- Keep track of your cycle: Using a period tracking app can help you monitor your cycle and better prepare for your holiday, allowing you to plan around it or just know what to expect and prepare for!
- Plan ahead: Once you know the estimated date of your next period, you can plan accordingly for your trip, keeping big events or travel days away from the hardest days of your cycle.
- Stay hydrated: Drinking plenty of water can help reduce bloating and alleviate cramps, and is especially important for travel days or strenuous activities.
- Maintain a balanced diet: Sometimes planning food when on a trip can be tricky, but try your best to prioritise consuming nutritious foods as these can minimise mood swings and discomfort during your period. Click here to see what foods are best to consume when on your period to minimise PMS.
- Medical consultation: If you're on any prescribed medication or are concerned about travelling while on your period, consult with your doctor before leaving to ensure you’ll be safe and prepared.
With these tips and essentials for managing your period during trips, you're sure to have a fun and stress-free holiday experience. If you want to do some further readings, we recommend this article on the unexpected upsides of travelling during your period, or this Q+A on how travelling can affect your period.
Enjoy your travels and embrace every adventure, no matter what time of the month it is!
