Traveling as a Woman: Practical Tips!

Traveling as a woman? A topic I've started discussing with you while planning to get straight to your practical questions... but it led me to take a moment to set the stage by delving into the fundamental question behind traveling as a woman: why is this topic so prevalent and why is the issue of safety for female travelers so prominent in current discussions? And now, as promised, here is the second part of this special report > where I address all the questions you asked me: how to manage contraception while traveling, what are the alternatives regarding menstruation and hair removal? How to choose a bra? And what about hygiene on the road?

So many questions that I will try to answer, based initially on my personal experience, but also by sharing the results of my surveys with other female travelers and the findings of recent research and scientific advances on the subject.

Since this article was quite lengthy, I divided it into two parts, and in this first article, I will focus on the subjects for which you had the most questions: namely contraception and menstruation.

What contraception should be used? Should it be changed or adapted to a nomadic lifestyle? Questions that many women ask before their first trip.

Just a reminder before diving into the main topic: regardless of your contraception method, remember that contraception and protection are two different things. Taking the pill does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases: in addition to your contraception method, feel free to bring condoms along with you.

For my first big trip, I left with a supply of contraceptive pills and, just in case, prescriptions from my gynecologist, with the generic name of the medication (which is preferred over the brand name, which may not always be available worldwide).

This system worked well. A few small downsides: carrying pill packets (bulky), some nervous moments at customs (carrying hundreds of capsules in the medicine cabinet can prompt overly strict customs officers to ask questions - but we always make it through!), and the always tricky issue of adjusting to time zone changes (following your internal clock versus adapting to the new time upon arrival? - to be discussed with your doctor).

Now, I have an IUD, and this choice suits me perfectly on all levels and is particularly practical for traveling. What comfort it is to not have to worry about anything on a daily basis!

I started with a copper IUD (having completely wanted to avoid hormones due to issues with the contraceptive pill), and I kept it for several years. Then, on the advice of my gynecologist, I switched to an IUD with a very low hormonal dosage a few months before leaving for our sabbatical year. This was a great piece of advice, as I naturally have very heavy periods, and this IUD drastically reduced the flow - which is quite comfortable when you know you will be spending hours or even days on buses and in not always ideal hygiene conditions.

Another advantage of the IUD while traveling: no stock of pills to carry with you, no need for a prescription, no risk of forgetting or doubts with time changes... In short, a great peace of mind.

This is a term I discovered just a few weeks ago, and I find this topic fascinating! I am currently reading the book >, freely available via the Sympto Therm Foundation, and being still in the very beginning of my research, I am far from being an expert in the field. But I felt it was important to mention it here, as it is an alternative to traditional techniques that are rarely discussed.

Modern symptothermy is a process aimed at giving control of their bodies back to women; and more than control, knowledge and love of one's body, without taboos or social pressure. It is the only contraception method based on observing and analyzing criteria to determine the fertile and infertile phases of a woman's cycle (internal vaginal feelings and observation of fluids, taking temperature, and self-examination of the cervix). With this method, the woman knows exactly where she stands in her cycle, whether she is in a fertile or non-fertile phase. If her goal is contraception, she will only need to use a contraceptive method (like a condom) during her few days of fertility, enjoying the entire infertile phase freely. This method has proven effective and is 99% reliable.

It is still largely unknown to the general public, as it requires a long learning period before it can be practiced independently. You will find more information on the site Sympto.org, where you will find the book I'm reading, as well as an app for smartphones.

In addition to these options (pill, IUD, and symptothermy), there are also other alternatives, such as condoms, the ring, the implant, the patch... Every woman is different, and this topic touches on the intimacy and health of women: it's up to you to find the solution that works for you.

Don't hesitate to talk openly with your gynecologist and to schedule an appointment a few months before your departure, allowing you the opportunity to test a new form of contraception before you leave and avoid unpleasant surprises on the road.

Let's tackle the taboo, the female subject that is only whispered about: menstruation! Personally, I see no taboo here and, as I mentioned in the article about my bag for a year of travel, I use a menstrual cup.

But let's go back to the different options, which I will outline here, including, on one hand, the most classic: pads and tampons, and on the other hand, lesser-known solutions such as the menstrual cup, reusable pads, and free flow.

In addition to all the options we will discuss shortly, some women prefer to skip the placebo pills of their contraceptive pill (especially on a short trip not exceeding a few weeks).

Having never done it, not being a doctor, and preferring natural methods (and having stopped the pill because it didn't work for me), I prefer not to advise this technique. But if you plan on doing it, don't hesitate to discuss it with your gynecologist for their advice on the matter.

For years, I traveled while continuing to use the method I used in my sedentary life: sanitary pads. I was afraid I wouldn't find them everywhere, but I couldn't imagine storing pads for six months in my bag (volume-wise, it's not ideal!). My verdict: I had no trouble finding them throughout my trip in South America (most of the time in stores or pharmacies).

It's important to remember that women in the countries visited also have their periods, so there are ways to manage it locally. Now, in certain regions of the world, those methods may be different from ours, more rudimentary... but I've never faced that issue during my travels outside Europe (Latin America and Southeast Asia), even though I have heard some feedback from travelers who sometimes struggled, especially in Asia.

But sanitary pads and tampons seem outdated to me now: besides being impractical and not eco-friendly, they contain dangerous substances that harm our health. Since that is not the subject of this article, I won't elaborate further on this point; but if you are not yet aware of this controversy, inform yourself about the risks of these traditional methods and, above all, about the alternatives available to you, such as the menstrual cup and washable pads (which we will discuss shortly).

And for those who prefer tampons, I have just discovered through that there are organic tampons, without synthetic substances.

For my previous sabbatical year, I wanted to change my system and tested the menstrual cup a few months before departure (I chose this one: the Meluna). To give myself time to judge whether this option worked for me or not. Result? I was more than convinced from the very first days of use.

The practical sides are abundant: it doesn't take much space or weight in the bag, no need to search for pads or other on the spot, good autonomy (greater capacity than a tampon or pad) and no risk of overflow or other unpleasantness...

Many readers have contacted me to know how I managed the cup while traveling. It's very simple: always have a bottle of water with you to rinse it in the restroom (avoid doing this with tap water, especially in non-Western countries) and bring sterilization tablets. To disinfect between cycles, it is recommended to boil it... which is not always easy to do while traveling (but not impossible either). Otherwise, the sterilization tablet system (generally those sold for sterilizing baby bottles) works perfectly. In the foldable rubber container (generally sold on sites that sell menstrual cups - personally, I use this one), soak the cup overnight with one or half a tablet (depending on the dosage). And make sure to clean it in all corners with the little brush provided for that purpose.

And don't be afraid regarding the handling to insert and remove the cup. The first time, do it calmly at home, in your bathroom. And practice! Take the time to be comfortable with this manipulation so that it doesn't occupy your mind while traveling: if you want to adopt this system, do it several months before your departure.

Bonus for the menstrual cup: in addition to being practical, it's also a healthy choice (no carcinogenic substances like in tampons and pads), economical (a cup costs 15 to 30 euros and lasts 10 to 15 years) and eco-friendly. If you are still skeptical, check out this little explanatory video full of humor: >.

So far, I've only talked about two major means of contraception, contrasting the classic pads and tampons with the newest menstrual cups... But these are not the only means available. On the practical and eco-friendly side, there are also reusable cotton sanitary pads (with this link to give you an idea of what they look like and how much they cost).

The ecological and economic advantages are quite similar to those of the menstrual cup. The pads have a lifespan of 5 to 10 years, can be washed by hand or machine, and are produced from natural materials... and thus without chemicals, like regular pads, leading to far fewer allergies and health risks. The main concern of new users is often odor: no worries on that front, feedback is unanimous, there are no issues.

Personally, while using the menstrual cup, I have never used reusable pads, but some women combine both, to be sure. I've read numerous positive reviews on social media and other blogs, particularly from women who sought a healthier and eco-friendly solution than traditional pads, but who weren't comfortable using the menstrual cup. Feel free to share your experiences in the comments.

With the practice of free flow (> in English, hence the abbreviation FFI), there is no need for protections during periods. Women who practice FFI train to contract their pelvic floor while listening to their bodies, allowing the menstrual blood to flow only when they go to the bathroom.

This technique may sound pretty crazy... but given the many testimonials and reports I've read, it works very well! Some women compare learning FFI to toilet training for children: the key is being attentive to one's body to learn to control it. Just like with symptothermy, it's about reclaiming one's body.

I encourage you to explore the topic further with this article by Emma (a blogger for Planet Addict), in which she also discusses natural contraception and symptothermy.

I hope this sharing of experiences will help you find the solutions that work for you. Never hesitate to try different options, ideally several months before your departure, or to consult your doctor/gynecologist for medical advice. It's better to leave with a clear mind and dispel any little doubts that settle in. Being zen while traveling starts with a well-prepared departure!

And, as promised, the second part of this article has been published: I talk about hair removal, bras, hygiene, and beauty for women traveling.

If you still have questions or other tips to share about the topics in this article or the upcoming one, the comments are waiting for you!