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Welcome to Day 20 of 30 Days to Packing a Better Bag.
When assembling your packing list, you must also think about your health and hygiene.
Your destination plays a huge role in this. You may not find specific lady products or have access to clean drinking water in certain parts of the world.
Some of these items have been discussed in previous posts, but we’re mentioning them again for good measure.
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Feminine Hygiene
“That time of the month” will inevitably strike at some point while you’re traveling, especially if you’re traveling for a longer period of time. So take it into consideration before you leave rather than when you arrive at your destination.
You don’t want to be running around town in a panic to find tampons or pads or trying to find somewhere to dispose of them.
You have a few options when it comes to feminine hygiene:
Menstrual Cup:
We love the Diva Cup here at Her Packing List because it saves space and money and is environmentally responsible. One menstrual cup may cost you around $35 but can last for several years without being replaced.
The downside is that there is a bit of a learning curve to using them. If you go with this option, try it out before you leave for your trip.
If you have a lighter flow, then these might be your ideal period solution.
Thinx makes 12 hour leakproof period underwear that are moisture-wicking and utilize odor control technology. According to Thinx, they hold the same amount as three regular pads. Diva also makes a pair.
If you’re staying in a hostel, consider how you’ll feel about washing these in a communal sink. Alternatively, you can wash them in the shower while you use it. Again, you’re going to want to try these out before you take them on your trip. Assess how long they take to dry and use that to help you decide how many pairs to bring.
Pads and Tampons:
If you prefer pads or tampons, you can either bring them with you in your bag, taking up precious space, or risk not finding a brand you like while abroad.
Tampons are difficult to find in Asia and are usually sold without applicators in Australia. However, tampons without applicators take up less space. If space is an issue, and you’re traveling for a while, stock-piling 6 months of tampons is not a great tactic.
Pain Medication:
If you struggle with painful periods make sure you pack some pain medication like Midol so that you’re as comfortable as possible on your trip.
- For more information, check out this guide: Ultimate Guide to Managing Periods When You Travel
First Aid and Sanitation
Another thing to think about is first aid essentials and items to keep you clean and safe from infections.
First Aid Kit – Assemble a basic first aid kit for your trip. This should include bandages, aspirin, antibiotic ointment, burn cream, and anti-diarrheal medication. Also, include any prescriptions you will need on your trip.
- Take a look at Day 19: The Essential Travel Medical Kit for some more information on this.
Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soap – The liquid and solid soaps can be used as body wash, shampoo or conditioner, detergent, and nearly anything else.
Toilet Paper – Pack your own roll of toilet paper if you’re concerned about staying in places that won’t have it, like on camping or trekking trips. You can purchase mini rolls from most stores. An alternative is to always have a pack or two of mini-tissues with you at all times. Tissues are a lifesaver!
Female Urination Funnels – There are a few brands of female urination funnels, including P Mates and Go Girl, which may sound odd, but will be useful for when you’re using a squat toilet or going camping. These products keep you from having to take off too much clothing and are small enough to pack easily.
Water Purifier – This isn’t necessary for all trips, but if you require a water purifier to ensure that you don’t get sick from drinking water try iodine tablets or a water bottle with a built-in filter.
Baby Wipes– Whether you prefer baby wipes or wet wipes, packing some sort of cleaning cloth is a good item to stash in your purse or carry-on.
Hand Sanitizer– A small bottle of hand sanitizer is another addition to your travel purse. Great for when you’re walking around and don’t have access to soap and water.
Washing Materials
Laundry soap – Many laundry detergents make travel sized packets that you can throw into a sink of water to hand wash your clothing.
Sea to Summit Wash – This company’s Wilderness Wash is a concentrated soap that can be used for shampoo, body wash, and laundry detergent.
Travel clothesline – Once you’ve washed your clothing, you’ll need to dry them. A travel clothesline is easy to hang up in your hostel or hotel room.
Sink plug – If you’re washing clothes in the sink, you’ll need something to block the drain with. Try a universal sink plug. In a pinch, you can use a bandana as an impromptu plug.
- Find our other hand-washing essentials in this post: Essential Pack Items for Hand-Washing Clothes on the Road
Other Essentials
Dry shampoo – When your hair is looking dirty or if you’re between showers, toss some dry shampoo into it to soak up the oils.
Travel deodorant – Keep yourself smelling fresh, particularly in hotter climates. This is a great addition to your carry-on bag or travel purse so that you always have it on you during long travel days.
Vitamins – If you take vitamins at home, you should bring them with you to keep up your immunities.
Sleep sheet – Some travelers pack sleep sheets to protect them against bed bugs at their accommodation. They’re also great for protecting yourself from questionable blankets and bed sheets at hostels.
Pack towel – Travel sized towels are a must-have for backpackers as they don’t take up much space and they’re quick-drying. Plus, they’re great if you’re staying in hostels that charge for towel usage. You could also pack a Turkish towel instead.
Take Action: Plan Out Health and Hygiene Extras
We’ve covered several of these items in previous posts, but our main concern here is your feminine hygiene routine. This is important both for long trips and short trips.
Make sure you take the time to plan it out.
- Where are you traveling to, and for how long?
- Will you be able to get your feminine hygiene product of choice in your destination, or should you pack enough in advance?
- Think about luggage space in the process.
Do you have any questions about health and hygiene products to pack? Or any others to add to the list? Let us know in the comments below.
- PREVIOUS – Day 19: The Essential Travel Medical Kit
- NEXT – Day 21: How to Pack and Protect Electronics
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I’m heading to Tanzania for 10 weeks and rather than worry about my period I’m just taking my birth control pills back to back without leaving the week break for a period to start. I don’t know if this would be an option for everyone but I know that it’s safe to miss three periods in a row with my pills. I am taking a few of the compact tampons just in case, they have applicators but they’re half the size of regular tampons which could be an option if they sell them in your country. I’m in the UK so I’m not sure what’s available elsewhere.
Yes that’s a good tip, but always make sure you’re type of pill works like that. I used to be on a pill that allowed me to skip, and then I switched to something different and found I just had a very long, light period instead of it actually skipping! Fail! Haha. But yes, this is definitely a great option.
Hi Jessica, funny, i’m going to Tanzania now for 10 weeks too! Did you have a good time? You didn’t happen to go with ISC did you?
I was thinking about the same option although i’ve never been on the pill before, but i usually end up vomiting on my period so i really could do with out that in Tanzania!
I will probably live the hard way though and use no pill, not sure what to do! I would prefer to just use pads but i can tell they are not too hygienic, plus where do they be disposed off in rural tanzania where the toilet will be a hole in the ground and no water!
If you could help me out on your experience i would be so grateful!! Thankss
Along with the feminine products you mentioned above, I always pack a couple doses of Midol and two or three thermacare heat wraps (http://www.thermacare.com/menstrual-heatwraps). These two things don’t take up much space at all and are indispensable for helping me manage that time of the month and still enjoy my trip!
Yes, Midol is a great addition! Thanks for that 🙂
I swear by the Diva Cup (called the Mooncup in the UK) and even when I stop travelling, I’ll probably carry on using it. It’s so much more convenient, cheaper and takes up less room than any other option.
Can you bring razors with you on a plane? If so, what kind of razor and where to store it.
Thanks
Hi Jo. I usually carry my disposable razor in my carry-on without issue. I think the problem comes from carrying actual razor blades (for those old school type shavers that are making a comeback). I searched on the TSA site and womens disposable razors are fine but razor blades are not (search on this site: http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information/prohibited-items) and read this post: http://blog.tsa.gov/2010/08/safety-razors-and-disposable-razors.html Also Electric shavers appear to be fine as well.
For girls who are looking for tampons with applicators in Australia: Libra Applicator Tampons. They’re available in regular and super from Woolworths. (You might be able to find them at Coles, but it can be touch and go with them…)
Have fun on your travels ladies (and gentlemen if you’re reading)!
As an Aussie female who regularly uses tampons without applicators, get over it! The applicators are a waste of plastic with only a one-time use.
Or you could wait until you are post-menopausal!
No, that was a joke!
I get the whole “not wanting to get close to the ground when it’s dark and hygeine conditions are questionable”, but for modern places like HK and Japan, that still have squat toilets but also decent cleanliness, just learn to use a squat toilet. It’s not difficult, the locals have managed for ages, and going number 2 in that position is actually much healthier for your system. Look it up. Plus once you have the confidence to at least use it for number 1, no more waiting longer for the single sit-down when there’s a row of squats available. Travel confidence!
Hey, just a heads up, sea sponge options are widely discouraged by gynecologists as they often contain excess dirt and bacteria like a regular sponge. It’s not really safe for your body, unlike something like tampons or Divacups, which can be washed and don’t encourage the same level of bacteria growth. The other advice was really good though!