How to manage your period on long journeys

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Being women, we have all had to cancel our plans sometime in life because du-uh! It was ‘That-time-of-the-month’. But hey, don’t you worry! Your period and travel can go well together with a little planning and little extra care. Be it heavy-flow or menstrual cramps that bother you, we have got them all covered. Read on to find out how to prevent period cramps before the journey, planning the journey right and how to take care of your period throughout the travel.

Understanding what causes the Period discomfort?

It is important to first understand what causes the discomfort and irritation before moving on to the remedies. The period pain is caused because of menstrual cramps and bloating.

We are all familiar with the fact that after the uterus receives a new egg, if there is no sperm to fertilize the egg, then the uterine walls contract to let the blood out. These contractions cause most of the pain. Nearly 50% of women get menstrual cramps and unless they are not due to a medical issue (get checked by a doctor if your cramps are always severe), the cramps are normal and you can take care of them without hindering your fun during your journey.

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The women who have delayed sleep patterns experience more painful cramps. Make sure to set your sleep cycle right 3-4 weeks before your journey so that you won’t have to deal with much trouble!

Also, exercising regularly along with maintaining a good nutritious diet reduces the chances of cramps. Keep that in mind and get active if you aren’t!

It has also been found out through research that smoking during teens can lead to severe menstrual cramps during the 20s.

Period cramps cause most of the discomfort that you feel during your period, like nausea, vomiting, bloating in the stomach, pain in the lower abdomen, diarrhea, constipation, head aches and weakness.

How to prevent cramps before your journey?

The foremost thing to prevent menstrual cramps is the correct diet. A woman’s body loses iron and some important minerals and nutrients during the period, so it is advisable to have the proper diet before the journey.

Avoid tea or coffee, because they prevent the body from absorbing iron. Also, avoid alcohol. Have as many leafy greens as you can. They are the key to huge amounts of Iron.

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If you usually have bloating and bowel discomfort, have bananas and curd before/during the period. They are the best sources for potassium and calcium, help in the digestion and regulate bowel movements. You can also have broccoli for calcium.

Sleep well and exercise regularly. Make all these a part of your daily schedule starting a month before the long travel. You will be amazed at the results, all thanks to maintaining a good routine.

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Planning the vacation right

Prevention is the best cure! Try to plan a vacation according to your period calendar. Avoid travelling on the dates when you have your period. Or, at least try to avoid travelling on the first and second day, since those are the worsts. Now we all know that this may not be possible always, so prepare your suitcase right.

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Carry the right amounts of sanitary napkins and tampons, only extra. Now we don’t want our suitcases to be filed half with sanitary napkins. Research a bit about the brand that you use and find out if it is available in the country/ area that you are going to visit. You might want to know that countries in Central Europe usually don’t sell tampons with detachers. Also, you won’t find tampons in most parts of Asia.

Using menstrual cups are a great option, since they can hold the blood for up to 12 hours without any chances of leakage. All you have to do is take them out, wash them and they are ready to be used again. They are easy to use and safe, though you might want to try them out once beforehand and not test them on the actual day of your journey.

Birth control pills work well to prevent your period. However, make sure to consult your doctor before starting the course. Carry anti-prostaglandins (drugs for relieving period cramps) like Ibuprufen, Meftal-Spas and Midol.

Carry comfortable clothing. Make sure to carry at least 3 period-suitable underwear like a hipster, bikini panty or a brief. Avoid skinny jeans and light coloured bottoms. Carry loose-skirts and pants. Also carry black plastic bags to keep your dirty stuff secure until you can dispose them off properly.

Make sure to keep 2-3 quantities each of these items in your hand-purse or in the outer-most pocket of your suitcase. That will save you the trouble of unloading everything in front of dozens of people at the airport or the hotel reception.

Taking care of your period while travelling

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To help during those cramps, eat the right foods. Have green leafy vegetables. Sea foods like salmon and mackerel are rich in Omega-3 fatty acids and help relaxing your muscles. Have walnuts and flax seeds if you are vegetarian. Have cranberry juice, or raw cranberries if available. They work really well for cramps.

Avoid oils and fried food. Instead, have more amounts of light food like salads and cereals. Oh and have chocolate, dark chocolate. The magnesium will help with the period mood swings. Eat bananas and curd like mentioned earlier.

Drink lots of water at regular intervals. Water helps maintain a regular flow. Going to the bathroom once every two hours is a must. Urination greatly helps regulate the blood flow and reduces the bloating and abdomen pains.

Have a hot water bath or use a heating pad. Small, easy-to-carry heating bags are readily available at pharmacies. Hot water bath will help alleviate the leg pains.

If on a flight or a train, make sure to walk about every 2-3 hours. Walking also helps in swift blood flow. If using a tampon or a menstrual cup, set an alarm for the ride to make sure that you change it and not doze off in plane with a tampon that is full!

Above all, enjoy to your fullest since you deserve that break and periods are just a part of a woman’s life. Have any more suggestions? Comment and we shall include them!

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