Traveling while on your period may be unavoidable. Finding the techniques and products that work best for your body can help you travel comfortably, confidently, and without the fear of leaks.
After lots of international travel, we’ve learned the hard way that tampons are not available in many countries. If they are, they usually come without an applicator. So, we asked our Fat Girls Traveling community for tips and hacks for traveling while on your period.
Birth Control
Some birth control may allow users to skip or schedule their menstruation.
“Hormonal birth control lets me move and skip periods. I’m on the road sometimes 50% of the year and never have one while traveling. I use the ring but you can also use pills.”
“I use birth control pills and just skip it!”
“I went on the pill for other reasons (super heavy cramps all the time). Now I can control when I have periods.”
Create a Portable Period Kit with some essentials and keep everything in a small toiletry bag.
Period Kit Essentials Include:
- Tampons and other hard to find period products
- Pain relief medications
- Eco-friendly Dry Wipes or tissue.
- Disposable bags
- Lots of underwear
- Favorite sweet or salty snacks and tea or coffee
Regardless of if you’re traveling by train, plane, or bus these tips will make your trip more comfortable.
- Pack your period kit in your carry-on luggage.
- Wear comfortable clothing.
- Get in an aisle seat because you will need to use the bathroom frequently.
- Remember to change tampons every 4-5 hours.
Here’s a trick we found on TikTok that shows you use two maxi pads to prevent leaks. This is a great travel hack!
Period Panties
“My saving grace has been period knickers, to the point they’re now even a daily staple.”
Quite a few of our members use period panties to prevent leaks while traveling. We were surprised to learn that earlier this year Thinx reached a settlement in a 3-year-long class action lawsuit claiming its products contain harmful chemicals. If you bought a pair of Thinx Period Underwear between November 12, 2016 and November 28, 2022 you maybe eligible for a refund.
“I wear period panties to bed and double up with a tampon if it’s heavy. Then shorts or leggings or whatever I’m sleeping in. Find what works for you at home and replicate on your trips.”
“I use period panties and I haven’t had any leaks since I’ve started wearing them. However it is annoying having to rinse them out and carry them around until you can access a washing machine again.”
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Menstrual Cups + Discs
Menstrual cups and disks are popular eco-friendly solutions to single-use period products. A reusable menstrual cup or disk only needs to be removed twice a day and will last five to 10 years.
Knowing how to clean and store menstrual cups properly is essential when using this product. Most silicone menstrual cup instructions, say to boil your cup for five to 10 minutes to sterilize it before using it for the first time.
Menstrual Cups
“During the day, I wear a menstrual cup. Overnight, I wear a tampon and have a couple of pairs of Thinx shorts that I absolutely adore–they’re incredibly comfortable, have pockets, and when I use them, I can actually relax overnight during my period without worrying about leaks.
“I personally swear by my menstrual cup and also wear period panties to bed when I’m on my period and haven’t had a leak in ages!”
“Menstrual cups are a game changer. Especially on vacation when you’re in remote areas or traveling by bus.”
Menstrual Disks
Menstrual Discs hold the largest capacity than any menstrual cup. Here are a few recommended by our community members.
Cora Reusable Period Disc
“When I’m flexible enough to use it, I like the Cora Disc. I can sleep through the night w out leaks. I gotta get the shoulder in right position to get it in and out and when I can, the Cora Disc is amazing!
Flex Disposable Menstrual Discs
“If you’re traveling in such a way that cleaning menstrual cups isn’t really an option, I really like the flex discs. They’re disposable 1-time use, so not as eco-friendly but hold waaaay more than a tampon and I find them significantly easier to use than a cup.”
Hacks
These are a few more travel hacks suggested by our community members.
- Buy adult diapers for nights if you’re surprised by Aunt Flow where traveling.
- If you’ve been thinking about trying something new, test it at home before your trip.
Now, go explore the world and have a have a bloody good time!
