We know that it is strange to think that the period is "perfect" for traveling, but we have something to tell you... we have found the solution to the drama of traveling with the period and it is called: menstrual cup! It has existed for more than 100 years , but It wasn't until a couple of years ago that it became fashionable and women began to use it as an alternative to tampons and pads . If you still don't know what it is, we'll tell you all about it here .
The menstrual cup has many advantages , but for travel lovers it has a very special one. We finally forget about carrying our giant toiletry bag and the things that cannot be done because we are on our period. If you are one of this group of women, keep reading until the end (there is a surprise!).
* By the way! If this year you are looking for a perfect summer destination in Spain, I recommend that you visit our city; Santander. Here you can see our fantastic apartment to spend some great days!
The rule, that "great" adventure companion
Does organizing every last detail of a weekend getaway and having your dear friend on her period want to join the trip sound familiar to you? Surely so, because she is that protagonist. In fact, if the trip lasts a weekend you may be able to get rid of it, but if you leave for 15 days you are lost.
The only option we have left is to join the rule and forget about how frustrating it can be at times. But how are we going to stop worrying about periods during a trip? Changing the method you use, it's that easy.
Don't let your period spoil your trip: my first experience traveling with a menstrual cup!
In more than one interview we have said that the idea of creating the GlupCup menstrual cup arose when packing a suitcase for a five-month trip to South America . When I realized that I needed to carry almost 100 tampons , calculate the absorption of each one and add pads to prevent nighttime stains; I had it clear. The time had come to switch to the menstrual cup and adapt to it, in fact, I only took 10 panty liners just in case.
During the first two periods I got a little overwhelmed because I had leaks and I didn't know if I was putting the cup in correctly, if urine infections were going to continue appearing (my second favorite travel companions), if I was going to be able to wash it in hostels in Bolivia or Ecuador … and you know what? In the end everything is more natural and more normal than we imagine.
The experiment turned out to be a marvel and by the third month I was already proclaiming to the four winds my love for the menstrual cup . I couldn't believe it took me so long to use it! Keep reading, I'm going to tell you everything I learned traveling with the menstrual cup.
Tips for traveling with your period using the menstrual cup
The first piece of advice is not to do what I did, that is, before traveling with the menstrual cup, try using it in your comfort zone , like at home anywhere! With a couple of months of practice you will become an expert. Here I tell you all my tricks for using the menstrual cup for the first time .
The next thing you should keep in mind is that wherever you go you must maintain adequate hygiene conditions . Washing your hands before and after handling the menstrual cup is essential to avoid infections. The other point to take into account is the availability of drinking water in the destination you are traveling to. If there is not, you will be used to drinking bottled water, so use that same water to clean your glass between changes. To sterilize it, the water does not need to be drinkable, since boiling it will eliminate all the bacteria.
Many times you will not be able to sterilize your glass when you want, so as soon as you find an accommodation with a kettle or a restaurant, take the opportunity to ask them to heat up some water for you. If you carry the foldable kettle that we include with our GlupCup Cup it will be much easier for you. I no longer separate myself from him!
Don't forget to store it in a breathable bag like the one we give you at GlupCup. Never carry the cup closed in plastic containers because it is very important that it can release all the moisture it contains.
If you have the option, carry a spare menstrual cup. You never know what can happen during a trip, so it is better to be safe and even more so if it is a trip of several months. On some occasions I did not have a way to sterilize the cup from one month to the next, so I alternated them. For this, we recommend that you buy our GlupCup Pack that includes two menstrual cups in the size you choose.
For the drama of public bathrooms we have a lot of tips in the post on how to change your menstrual cup in a public bathroom . To travel, it is best to organize your excursions well and analyze a little the options you will have to go to a “good” place (we all know that this is not always the case). As soon as you see one, change your glass, even if the expected hours have not passed, it is always better to get ahead of events.
And of course, myths out. You can do all the activities you want: swimming, diving, flying, hiking, paragliding or doing handstands. With the menstrual cup you forget that you have your period !
My last piece of advice, and the most important, is to tell everyone about the advantages of traveling with a menstrual cup. It is important that we spread the message and help each other achieve menstruation that makes us feel a little more comfortable in our daily lives. And if you also collaborate with a good cause , what more could you ask for?
And you, do you dare to switch to the menstrual cup?
