Period on Holiday? Here’s How to Deal with It

1 Comment9 January 2023  |  Admin

Having your period in the normal scheme of things is usually just a bit annoying, unless of course you suffer with really heavy periods or cramping.

How to deal with your period on holiday

Having your period on holiday is a pain in the bum. Literally. It just makes things more difficult and worrying about whether you can get out of the pool without leaving a bloody trail behind you is no fun.

In an ideal world, we'd be able to look at the calendar in advance, see when our period is due and then book our holiday so that we're not on our period for our holiday.

In reality, that never works. You can guarantee your cycle length will randomly get shorter or longer. Or the dates that work for YOU to go on holiday don't work for your travelling companions.

But if you've realised you're due on for your holiday, don't fear. Here's 6 fantastic tips to deal with your period when you’re on your holidays:

  1. Be Prepared
  2. Use Menstrual Cups and Period Underwear
  3. Pack Comfortable Clothes 
  4. Use Period Swimwear 
  5. Stay Hydrated
  6. Stop your period for your holiday

Be Prepared for your period on holiday

1. Be Prepared

Don't wait to get onto the airplane, go to the loo and wipe and then realise that your period has arrived and you've got no tampons or pads to deal with it. The last thing you want to be doing as soon as you arrive at your holiday destination is schlepping off to the local farmacia for supplies to manage your period. Seriously, who needs that stress?

Like any good boy scout knows, it's a good idea to be prepared. Always travel with a few days worth of your preferred period protection, plus ideally intimate wipes.

If you regularly suffer with period pains, pack some pain relief too. Or check out our article on natural remedies for period pain.

Our reusable period protection kits have everything you need to get started with period pants and pads and even include some reusable intimate wipes to keep you feeling fresh.

Bamboo Period Pants

2. Use Menstrual Cups or Period Underwear

Using tampons on holiday can sometimes be tricky as water can be absorbed through the vagina, soaking the tampon and meaning that it needs to be changed several times a day.

If you're normally a tampon wearer, why not try switching to a menstrual cup? Because it just holds your period blood rather than absorbing it, it's much better for holidays, no matter how many water park rides you do!

We'd also really recommend that if you're normally a disposable pad wearer, you consider period underwear. These are simply knickers with absorbent lining and leak-proof layers that you bleed into, wash and reuse. This makes them PERFECT for holiday as you could simply take 5 pairs of period pants for your entire period. Wear two pairs daily, wash them in cold water by hand in the sink, dry on your balcony and reuse.

Period pants are hygienic and they look just like regular knickers, no-one will know that they're period pants!

Period underwear comes in a range of absorbencies. From period thongs which work on the lightest days of our period, right through to heavy flow period pants which have extra absorbency.

Bring along some of our period wetbags which have double pockets for carrying both clean and dirty period pants separately.

'Was due to be on my period whilst on holiday abroad and the idea of having to use tampons and towels in the heat whilst on a heavy period did not seem appealing!

Ordered these at the last minute and they came at such speed and was pleasantly surprised with how good they were with zero leaks and able to wear something other thank black due to not having the worry about leaks as I was covered front and back completely with these period underwear! Absolute lifesavers and will be using them every period from now on!' Katharine via Trustpilot

Wear comfortable clothes like a maxi dress when on holiday on your period

3. Pack Comfortable Clothes 

You know how you can often feel bloated and crampy on your period. But you're not at home, so can't really be slobbing out in your PJ's or sweatpants.

Instead, pack comfortable dresses which you can wear all day and into the evening too. Pretty sundresses or maxi dresses will look great by the pool side but be super comfortable whilst you're on.

Cheeky Period Swimwear or Swimming Costume

4. Use Period Swimwear 

Period swimsuits are the new kids on the block for holiday period protection and they're a gamechanger when it comes to swimming on your period! The period swimming costumes are comfortable to wear, with a clever waterproof layer which works with the water pressure to keep your period blood in and water out.

'I usually avoid swimming when on period but as we were going on holiday I didn’t want to miss swimming with the kids. Easy to Order, great customer service when I needed help and it arrived in good time.

It worked well and I felt secure wearing it. Bit expensive but will be used when not ‘on’ as well so will get moneys worth.' Product Review via Trustpilot

Stay hydrated to reduce period pains on holiday

5. Stay Hydrated

Staying hydrated is always important on holiday, however did you know that dehydration can impact your hormone levels too leaving you feel lethargic and in more pain?

According to Penn Medicine, staying hydrated is one of the best ways to manage our period symptoms on holiday. Keep that water bottle or virgin mojito close to hand!

Talk to an online Doctor to have tables prescribed to stop your period on holiday

6Stop your period for your holiday

Yes, you can stop your period for your holiday. According to the NHS website, if you're already using the combined contraceptive pill, you can take the packs back to back without a break which is what normally triggrs your bleeding.

Alternatively, you can have a pill prescribed via online doctors and pharmacies called norethisterone. You start taking it three or four days before your period is due and it works to delay your periods for up to 20 days whilst you're taking it.

It's worth pointing out that it doesn't prevent pregnancy and may have side effects including blood clotting. It's priced from £13.49, depending on the length of time that you need it for.

We hope you've enjoyed this article. If you have and would like some further reading, you may wish to take a look at these relevant articles:

 

 

 

About the Author: Helen Rankin is a Mum of 4 who founded Cheeky Wipes, the original reusable wipes kit back in 2008 after disposable wipes caused her eczema to flare up. She went on to develop their range of 'Simple Reusables' to include reusable period pants & pads in the UK and reusable makeup removing pads.

Her customer services team pride themselves on providing relatable friendly advice and just LOVE to chat pee, poo and periods all day long! The Company was recognised for their hard work in developing environmentally friendly products with the Queens Award in Enterprise for Sustainable Development in 2021.

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