Whether you’re an experienced camper, or just about to leave for your first camping trip, you may have wondered about what to do if you get your period when camping outdoors.
If you’ve been tracking your period and think that you’ll get your period during your planned camping trip, there’s no need to make any cancellations, we’ve got your covered!
These are a few tips and guidelines for managing your periods while camping, and how to safely dispose of your used products without polluting the campsite.
Period Products
Everyone has their own preferences for period products. You don’t have to feel like trying out a new product just because you feel it’s best for camping. It’s much safer to continue using what you’re comfortable with.
Pads
Sanitary pads are probably the most familiar and easy-to-use period products out there. However, they take up a lot of space in your bags, especially when soiled. Pads may also not be as comfortable to wear when doing physically demanding activities like climbing, and you can’t use pads to swim either.
Tampons
Tampons can take up relatively less space in your bags, especially if you don’t need applicators to insert them. However, tampons should not be kept in for more than 3-4 hours at a time, especially at a campsite. You’d want to prevent any chance of contracting Toxic Shock Syndrome. Tampons are relatively more suitable than pads for physical activities.
Also read - Tampons vs pads
Menstrual Cup
A menstrual cup is by far the most sustainable option and takes up the least space in your bag. You can also safely wear a cup for longer times, and change it after 10-12 hours of usage. To clean and insert a menstrual cup safely, you’d need access to boiled or purified water and a mild soap.
We don’t recommend using a cup for the first time when going camping as it may take some time to get used to inserting and removing it properly.
Also read - Menstrual cup side effects
Carrying Hygiene Products
We recommend carrying your products in two separate bags to ensure that your clean and soiled products don’t get mixed up and it’s convenient for you to dispose of used products.
Your clean bag should contain your preferred period products, hand sanitiser, antibacterial and unscented wipes, and mild biodegradable soap.
Your waste bag can be opaque for privacy so that no one can see the contents in the bag. It should only contain used pads/tampons and stained clothes in case of accidents. If you’re concerned about the bag emitting a foul odour, you can add a dry tea bag, coffee or some natural fragrances in the bag.
Maintaining Hygiene
It’s crucial to maintain good hygiene when out at a campsite, especially if you’re on your period and your hands are in contact with your sensitive areas. Follow these tips to maintain a good level of personal hygiene with limited resources:
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Find out ahead if the campsite you’re visiting has washrooms available. If there are no washrooms available, check if there are any nearby hotels or restaurants. You may not have to visit these every time you need to change your products, however, it’s good to know about them beforehand.
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Regularly wash your hands with soap and water, especially before and after eating, building and touching your tent, and before changing your menstrual products.
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Use anti-bacterial wipes to clean your hands before and after changing your period products.
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Pack some medical gloves to use if you’re worried your hands will get messy after changing your products.
Disposal Techniques
Disposing of your period products depends entirely on the campsite’s rules and facilities available.
If the campsite has no trash bins and expects you to leave the place as you entered it, you have to carry back all your soiled products in your waste bag and dispose of them outside the campsite.
If the campsite allows for catholes for the disposal of blood, then you can pour the contents of your menstrual cup in a hole that’s 6-8 inches deep in the ground.
If a trash facility is available then you can simply dump a plastic or resealable bag of your used pads/tampons.
More to read
Products you must have while travelling on your period
Running a marathon on your period
Why use organic period products?
