It’s travel time Campus Divas!
Your flight is booked, bags are packed and everything is planned for a great time away. Then your period decides to show up.
I think almost every Diva can agree with me when I say traveling on your period can sometimes be a challenge. I have had to (on more than one occasion) go through a 24-hour car ride from Canada to Florida on my period with my mom, dad, brother, dog and two cats, and this was before I discovered the wonders of the DivaCup! It was not a happy experience for anyone.
I have decided to share some of the tips and tricks that I’ve come across to make everyone’s period care while traveling a whole lot better!
Never leave home without the DivaCup!
You probably know what the DivaCup is, and if you don’t, you NEED to! The DivaCup is a reusable menstrual cup that takes the place of tampons and pads during your period. It really is the best thing for you and an essential for in your suitcase when traveling!
Pack tea for nausea and cramping.
Most hotel rooms, airplanes and gas stations have hot water available, and a nice cup of peppermint, ginger or raspberry loose leaf tea can make a world of difference. A nice warm beverage can also help you to relax and de-stress while traveling.
Invest in a good heating pad or hot water bottle.
Whether staying at a hotel, sitting on a plane or out camping, heat can help do away with cramps or at least help you settle.
Bring comfy pants.
These are especially helpful for plane rides. Keeping yourself relaxed and comfortable is key, and you won’t feel that way with tight, uncomfortable clothing. Dresses and skirts that don’t have tight or high waistlines are also a great choice! I also recommend having a change of clothing in your carry-on just in case.
Find relief for nausea.
For nausea brought on by travel, I usually pack the homeopathic remedy cocculus indicus and for all other sorts of nausea I pack Ipecac. I’d recommend first talking to a health care provider before taking anything of this nature to ensure you are taking the right dosage for your symptoms. Another great option is essential oils that are specifically made to help with nausea. Trust me, these can do wonders when on a long plan or car ride. A bag of potato chips has also been found to help settle the stomach.
Find comfortable clothing options for sore breasts.
For those of us who experience breast tenderness prior to and/or during our period, a comfortable bra can go a long way. Packing shirts with in seam cups or loose-fitting tops that let you get away with a non-wire bra can greatly increase your comfort. Another option is to wear breast petals. Breast petals or nipple petals are accessories designed to shield the nipples and prevent irritation. You can find a good pair of reusable silicone petals at any department store.
Bring a reusable water bottle.
Hydration is important for feeling good throughout your cycle. By packing a reusable bottle, you can ensure you will have access to water at all times to help you feel better from a number of symptoms. Depending on where you are traveling you may even want to invest in a reusable bottle that has the ability to filter your water. There are a number of reusable bottles available commercially that have a filter built in and these are great for on the road.
Make yourself a travel kit.
Feeling fresh and clean is also important, and sometimes hard to do when traveling long distances. Packing travel sized deodorant, soap, face wipes, cleansers and toothbrush can help to make you feel more refreshed and relaxed when traveling. Remember for liquids, gels, and creams brought on airplanes as carry-ons, you will be have to follow airline restrictions. These items must be placed in one clear, closed and re-sealable plastic bag. You can find these travel size products at any drug store and even some dollar stores.
Traveling with the DivaCup
I mentioned above that you should never leave on a trip without the DivaCup, and it is true! But how do you care for and clean it on the road? Well here are some great questions and answers to set your mind at ease:
How packable is The DivaCup? Does it take up much room?
It packs really small! The diameter is less than 5 cm; the length is less than 7 cm and its weight only 15g. It also comes with a cute little cute cloth bag to store it in. You can easily fit this inside your clothes or toiletries pouch without noticing the addition. Since The DivaCup is small and convenient to carry when traveling, you don’t have to lose all that precious luggage space by carrying a bunch of disposables!
Can you swim with the DivaCup?
The DivaCup is perfect for swimming, diving, snorkeling, scuba diving, rafting, or even just wearing a bikini and playing on the beach. I know many friends that feel they have to create fake reasons about why they can’t join in on the fun when menstruating, but even worse than creating the fake reason is of course missing out on the fun itself. The DivaCup offers total confidence and makes being active on your period a breeze!
What if I can’t find a place to wash my cup?
If you are unable to wash The DivaCup after removal (for instance when using a public restroom), wash your hands thoroughly before entering the stall, empty the contents in the toilet and simply use a dry or damp tissue to clean the cup. At the next convenient time, clean as per these instructions. When traveling, or otherwise, always wash the cup using potable (safe to drink) water. Additionally, locating a single person washroom (with sink and toilet) can be very helpful for cleaning The DivaCup. Some women also prefer to bring a water bottle with them, which can aid in rinsing the cup while in a bathroom stall.
What can I use to wash the DivaCup?
Well technically I suppose you can use any mild oil-free and perfume-free soap to clean The DivaCup while traveling… but why would you use anything but DivaWash when on an adventure??? DivaWash can also be used as a body wash, face wash, shaving cream and even a shampoo (read about the many uses of DivaWash in this blog post)! Plus it is in a great convenient bottle for travel. If not using DivaWash to clean your cup… remember the same rules apply when on the road as at home… Do NOT use: vinegar, tea tree oil, scented/fragranced soap, castile/peppermint soap or any other oil based soap, rubbing alcohol, antibacterial soap, hand sanitizer, baking soda, pre-moistened wipes, hydrogen peroxide, dish washing soap, bleach or harsh chemicals as some have been known to damage or compromise the silicone (such as a sticky or powdery film, severe discoloration or odor, etc.) and the cup may need to be replaced to avoid irritations.
Well now you are all set to start traveling like a Diva! We hope these tips have helped to make a better period experience for you while traveling. Until next time!
