ADVENTURES ON YOUR PERIOD
ADVENTURES ON YOUR PERIOD
ADVENTURES
ON YOUR PERIOD
First of all, no, bears are in fact not attracted to menstrual blood so rest easy there, partner. They want your food way more.
Since we are all past TMI at this point, I feel inclined to share that my very first period found me whilst I was canoeing down the Colorado River (The Black Canyon, actually) with my father (yes, just my father), for four days, camping, off-the-grid, with not a restroom facility for many miles. Yeah… so that was a fun experience. All kidding aside, once I laughed off the inevitable absurdity of my cosmic timing, I just made it work; I took lots of dips in the river, kept a few plastic baggies with me at all times, and just figured it out. Believe me, if I could figure it out and still have the time of my life, at age 12, and on my very first, and very unexpected period, you sure can too.
You’ve got a week off the grid planned and you know your period will be showing up just in time to be as inconvenient as possible. You just need to figure out which option works best for you. It takes a little more prep and know-how but once you do, you won’t have to think twice about heading into the backcountry at any time of the month.
The aptly named, Peek-a-boo Slot Canyon , Utah
DISPOSABLE OPTIONS
Tampons and/or Pads
Disposable pads and tampons may actually be better for following Leave No Trace principles (don’t leave anything not created by your body in nature), since they absorb everything and you can pack it all out rather than needing a cathole.
PROS
You can bring tampons without applicators to take up less space.
Lightweight
You know the routine if it works for you.
CONS
You have to carry them in, which takes up room and ounces in your pack.
And, you have to pack out every single used tampon and pad in a special waste bag. It’s important not to bury a used tampon or pad in your cat hole because animals dig them up.
Pads can cause some serious chafing if you’re walking with them for more than a mile or two. Add some BodyGlide For Her Anti-Chafing Skin Protectant ($5) to your pack if pads are your gear of choice, and apply it to your inner thighs before you start hiking.
how to pack your period prep kit
Two sealable Ziploc bags
One with fresh toilet paper, pads, tampons, and hand sanitizer
The other for used products.
PRO TIP / For extra privacy, wrap the second bag in duct tape and add tea bags or crushed aspirin to cut down on the smell.
There are also premade packs, like those by Animosa, that do all this work for you with reusable or refillable supplies.
Go With Your Flow Kit ($54 for the largest size)
A waterproof carrying case, hypoallergenic wipes, sealable and biodegradable disposal bags, and a reusable pouch to keep them in.
It’s available in three sizes—one for single-day trips, another for multi-day adventures, and a third for a multi-week stays in the wild.
REUSABLE OPTIONS
Menstrual Cup
This is a flexible silicone or rubber cup you insert to catch menstrual blood. Many companies make them. You buy one and reuse it, often for years. Brands may have different sizes based on your age, flow amount, or childbirth history.
Once you insert the cup—it’s a different process from inserting a tampon so read the manufacturer’s instructions—you can keep it in for up to 12 hours. Then you remove it (again, follow instructions) and empty the contents into your “cat hole” (the hole you dig for bathroom use during a backpacking trip).
After you empty out the cup, rinse it with clean water if possible, or wipe it out with tissue, and reinsert it. You can do this as often as you need to. Some people even pee on the cup to rinse it while on the trail, then wash it in camp. You may prefer to use the cup only at night or only during the day. Typically a cup can be boiled for a thorough cleaning. Most come with a small drawstring storage bag made of breathable cotton.
PROS
The menstrual cup is more affordable, comfortable, and (in the long run) friendlier to the environment than disposables.
A cup is reusable and lightweight, so you only have to bring one item instead of multiple tampons/pads that get heavy after use.
It eliminates waste, making it more environmentally friendly than tampons.
You’re not exposed to bleach, dioxin or fibers found in some tampons.
CONS
Inserting and removing a cup takes practice—it’s important to practice at home and use the cup during one or two periods before you go backpacking.
Lack of soap and water to clean your hands and the cup can be a deterrent for some.
period underwear & shorts
Period panties look and feel just like normal underwear, but they have a special layer that helps prevent blood from seeping through.
Thinx carries multiple styles, like hip-hugger, sport, and thong. It also makes period-proof training shorts ($65), with built-in underwear and pockets, perfect for running or yoga. Companies like DearKate, Knix, and ModiBodi also make solid period underwear, if you’re looking for less expensive and more varied options. (Knix offers a variety three-pack for $56, while one pair of Thinx hip-huggers will run you $34.)
PROS
Highly absorbent & leakproof
Often sweat wicking and odor reducing
More comfortable for a long day of hiking than pads and tampons.
CONS
Can get uncomfortable if not washed properly.
Can be more difficult to clean than cups
To clean, wring out into a cathole, wash the panties thoroughly in your designated bowl or pot, and empty the used water into the hole.
If you choose to go with period panties, get at least two pairs, so you can use one while the other is drying out. One pair can usually absorb up to a day’s worth of heavy bleeding, but this depends on the type of underwear you buy—some are intended to be more absorbent than others.
Backcountry Hygiene Tips for Your Period
Wash your hands with soap and clean water when you’re in camp, and use hand sanitizer while on the trail.
You can bring pre-moistened wipes to clean your hands before and after inserting or removing the menstrual cup or tampons. (While some wipes are made especially for cleaning out the menstrual cup when you can’t rinse it, some cup manufacturer’s advise against using wipes or sanitizer on the cup itself.)
Bring along a few nitrile medical gloves to use when inserting or removing a menstrual cup or tampon to avoid getting your hands messy. They’re good to have in your first-aid kit even if you don’t use them, but they do create extra waste to manage. (Put them in your waste bag and carry them out with you.)
Spooky Slot Canyon, Utah