*First of all I apologize deeply for such a girly and gender specific title, had to make something to put men off reading about blood, hair, squatting for wee etc.*
But now you know what this is all about lets press on! These subjects aren't exactly lovely but often over looked when preparing for travelling and believe me you don't want to forget about this as i have done! (starting your period while trekking through the Thai rain forest with a team of men and the one shop you come across sells crisps and tango?! what?! Is not fun! believe me! )
1. Periods (Yay!)
while scrolling through your Instagram staring at post after post of beautiful tanned couples, living on the beach, eating fruit and drinking from coconuts its easy to forget the monthly visit from the red devil. However as previously mentioned this is not what you want to happen while travelling! The first time I was caught out while thinking taking back to back contraceptive pill without a break week for several months wouldn't catch up with me! It did! It was Disgusting! I'll keep it light but lets say I was so unprepared I had to use tissues, socks, wear several layers of pants, and buy everything when I was back in Bangkok. Obviously the pill works different for each woman and girls I know don't get periods at all while taking it and usually I'm fine when skipping my week but for some reason whether it was the heat, time difference, amount of time i'd be taking it for, it didn't work! So after careful researching for my next trip I invested in a Mooncup. Some people swear by them (me) others really don't get on with them! I think it depends from woman to woman however I would say there are many different brands available all with slightly different shapes for each woman so if you don't get on with The Mooncup look at Femmecup, DivaCup, Organicup, Lunette cup, Lily cup (There's hundreds! just search menstrual cups!) I was lucky, my mum recommended it and I figured how different can the shape of our lady bits be!
If you've never heard of them, its very simple they come in two sizes (A - If you've had a vaginal birth/ if you' re over 30 or B - if you've given birth by caesarean or if you're under 30) they fold up and you insert them, they sit on the lower part of your vagina instead of tampons which are at the top and its essentially a little cup that collects the blood. They are so so much healthier for you as they don't leave any fibers behind or dry you out. Most tampons and cotton sanitary products contain pesticides and bleaches which inside you is not good! They're Greener! One woman uses at least 11, 000 throwaway sanitary products in a lifetime which will end up in landfill or the sea! Its cheaper! I use to spend around £10 a month on sanitary products this is around £20 and lasts for years! Its Vegan! Yay! It so much easier to take everywhere with you for travel! Depending on where you're going sanitary products can be hard to find and sometimes expensive, not to mention bringing them all with you in your bag would take up a lot of room and weight! This one little cup can be tucked in my bag and forgotten about until I need it. Its easy to wash just with water and solves all my Monthly problems while backpacking!
I'm sold but if this is not for you I would suggest washable pads. This can be more difficult depending if you're on the move a lot while travelling but if you're one place for a while, where you can dry you're clothes its worth it. They're a little expensive and are essentially big padded pants to stop leakage with and extra pad that can be taken out which is the main one. They come in all sizes and colors ( I have black and a pink one with bikes on it) just might take a bit of researching to find the cheapest in you're area.
But now you know what this is all about lets press on! These subjects aren't exactly lovely but often over looked when preparing for travelling and believe me you don't want to forget about this as i have done! (starting your period while trekking through the Thai rain forest with a team of men and the one shop you come across sells crisps and tango?! what?! Is not fun! believe me! )
1. Periods (Yay!)
while scrolling through your Instagram staring at post after post of beautiful tanned couples, living on the beach, eating fruit and drinking from coconuts its easy to forget the monthly visit from the red devil. However as previously mentioned this is not what you want to happen while travelling! The first time I was caught out while thinking taking back to back contraceptive pill without a break week for several months wouldn't catch up with me! It did! It was Disgusting! I'll keep it light but lets say I was so unprepared I had to use tissues, socks, wear several layers of pants, and buy everything when I was back in Bangkok. Obviously the pill works different for each woman and girls I know don't get periods at all while taking it and usually I'm fine when skipping my week but for some reason whether it was the heat, time difference, amount of time i'd be taking it for, it didn't work! So after careful researching for my next trip I invested in a Mooncup. Some people swear by them (me) others really don't get on with them! I think it depends from woman to woman however I would say there are many different brands available all with slightly different shapes for each woman so if you don't get on with The Mooncup look at Femmecup, DivaCup, Organicup, Lunette cup, Lily cup (There's hundreds! just search menstrual cups!) I was lucky, my mum recommended it and I figured how different can the shape of our lady bits be!
If you've never heard of them, its very simple they come in two sizes (A - If you've had a vaginal birth/ if you' re over 30 or B - if you've given birth by caesarean or if you're under 30) they fold up and you insert them, they sit on the lower part of your vagina instead of tampons which are at the top and its essentially a little cup that collects the blood. They are so so much healthier for you as they don't leave any fibers behind or dry you out. Most tampons and cotton sanitary products contain pesticides and bleaches which inside you is not good! They're Greener! One woman uses at least 11, 000 throwaway sanitary products in a lifetime which will end up in landfill or the sea! Its cheaper! I use to spend around £10 a month on sanitary products this is around £20 and lasts for years! Its Vegan! Yay! It so much easier to take everywhere with you for travel! Depending on where you're going sanitary products can be hard to find and sometimes expensive, not to mention bringing them all with you in your bag would take up a lot of room and weight! This one little cup can be tucked in my bag and forgotten about until I need it. Its easy to wash just with water and solves all my Monthly problems while backpacking!
I'm sold but if this is not for you I would suggest washable pads. This can be more difficult depending if you're on the move a lot while travelling but if you're one place for a while, where you can dry you're clothes its worth it. They're a little expensive and are essentially big padded pants to stop leakage with and extra pad that can be taken out which is the main one. They come in all sizes and colors ( I have black and a pink one with bikes on it) just might take a bit of researching to find the cheapest in you're area.
2. Hair!
Depending on your age/ culture public hair might not be a bad thing for you. I've been travelling with a boyfriend and without one, if I'm honest both times I was conscious of when I felt I could and couldn't have sex, or wear a bikini or even lift my arms up.. I'm not saying I had to be clean shaven at all times for my boyfriend/ the male species just for me this is a preference, as I feel more confident and cleaner. I've tried travel razors and they kinda work but after a while they go blunt or a bit gammy and i just feel like i need a new one! Some Asian airports i found got a bit funny with taking razors through hand luggage, there didn't seem to be a reason ( as in breaking airport rules) so bare that in mind if you're taking hand luggage. Buying razors in the country is fine if you're in a big city that's mostly westernized. This was going to be my plan but I it became bit difficult in India as its mostly men who use razors over there and they go to the barbers to have a traditional cut throat shave as its cheaper and just the culture over there. I didn't feel it was appropriate to turn up my hairy lady area and ask for the same treatment!!
Personally hair removal cream isn't my thing, I think it smells, never works as you want it to and is just a bit of a hassle. But Depending on you consider that?
What I've found works best (If you're going to be in a big city every few weeks) is to get a bikini/leg/ whatever wax while in a big city. This can take some hunting depending on city to city, example Bangkok you're fine! There's one on every corner (no surprise) however in Goa, India there was 1 In the whole of Goa which for me was a bit of trek to get to. It just takes some googling to prepare. However don't expect your usual standards for Bikini waxes tho, it could be a little more laid back than your usual salon visit! I also took a small razor with me just in case I couldn't find one as soon as I needed one!
3. Birth Control
I don't have a religion, its not against anything for me and i'm not a fan of children ( a woman that doesn't like children? Shock! The Horror! ) so therefore i'm up for birth control. As I previously said I take a contraceptive pill however this is the only thing that is a hassle, the different time zones from country to country, and taking in some cases a year's supply with me is very annoying and something I haven't mastered yet! loads of people have suggested the implant but this freaks the fuck out of me! I really don't like the idea of something i can feel in my arm that i cant control. I'm not scared or squeamish about jabs or operations of anything, I've got a sleeve of tattoo's so its not like i'm against stuff like that but its a no from me! Also many people i know that have it in their arm have struggled with periods and end up taking the pill and have the implant to control their periods, have put on weight or huge mood swings. So this is something to discuss with your girlfriends if you're looking for long term contraception.
Condoms are another thing I don't really do. Yes i should. Yes it can be dangerous but seriously what sort of people do you think i'm sleeping with?! For me whipping you slippery latex out mid way through your sessions kills the moment for me a lot! Not to mention i read somewhere they're not vegan? If anyone knows about that let me know? However a few of these in your wash bag takes up no room if you're planning on a few wild nights.
4. Finally (this is long I know) Make Up
when I first went travelling I thought I won't need makeup, no one wears makeup travelling, i'll take a few tiny things so I brought a BB Cream, Bronzer, Mascara and pencil eyeliner. This was fine and got me though my trip however a few occasions we were invited out to nice restaurants with people we met or went to different beach parties or even working the next day after a night out and I needed something more Industrial! I completely overlooked that I wouldn't be wearing makeup, showering, washing my hair etc for days sometimes and just something on my face would make me feel like I was on the red carpet! After this I extended my Makeup list to foundation, eye shadow pencils, eye shadow (which can also double up as brow powder if you're clever about what colors you bring!) 1 lipstick, liquid eyeliner as well as my previous list. This may seem a lot but once I had it I was very thankful! I found myself wearing the BB Cream every day as it contains sun cream and lasts quite well during the heat. I also loved the Eye shadow pencils they're super small and easy just to draw over your eyelid with before a night out. Plus they're cheap and some are even double ended! Bonus! I didn't wear the lipstick as much as I thought I would however i'm still glad I brought it can impact your outfit and mood so much with a bit of lippy!
I think people forget when you're travelling you still have shit days, you still have low self esteem days and occasionally no matter where you are, who you're with you want to curl up in bed with a hot water bottle. I found Makeup helped me with this loads! Don't overlook it!
Depending on your age/ culture public hair might not be a bad thing for you. I've been travelling with a boyfriend and without one, if I'm honest both times I was conscious of when I felt I could and couldn't have sex, or wear a bikini or even lift my arms up.. I'm not saying I had to be clean shaven at all times for my boyfriend/ the male species just for me this is a preference, as I feel more confident and cleaner. I've tried travel razors and they kinda work but after a while they go blunt or a bit gammy and i just feel like i need a new one! Some Asian airports i found got a bit funny with taking razors through hand luggage, there didn't seem to be a reason ( as in breaking airport rules) so bare that in mind if you're taking hand luggage. Buying razors in the country is fine if you're in a big city that's mostly westernized. This was going to be my plan but I it became bit difficult in India as its mostly men who use razors over there and they go to the barbers to have a traditional cut throat shave as its cheaper and just the culture over there. I didn't feel it was appropriate to turn up my hairy lady area and ask for the same treatment!!
Personally hair removal cream isn't my thing, I think it smells, never works as you want it to and is just a bit of a hassle. But Depending on you consider that?
What I've found works best (If you're going to be in a big city every few weeks) is to get a bikini/leg/ whatever wax while in a big city. This can take some hunting depending on city to city, example Bangkok you're fine! There's one on every corner (no surprise) however in Goa, India there was 1 In the whole of Goa which for me was a bit of trek to get to. It just takes some googling to prepare. However don't expect your usual standards for Bikini waxes tho, it could be a little more laid back than your usual salon visit! I also took a small razor with me just in case I couldn't find one as soon as I needed one!
3. Birth Control
I don't have a religion, its not against anything for me and i'm not a fan of children ( a woman that doesn't like children? Shock! The Horror! ) so therefore i'm up for birth control. As I previously said I take a contraceptive pill however this is the only thing that is a hassle, the different time zones from country to country, and taking in some cases a year's supply with me is very annoying and something I haven't mastered yet! loads of people have suggested the implant but this freaks the fuck out of me! I really don't like the idea of something i can feel in my arm that i cant control. I'm not scared or squeamish about jabs or operations of anything, I've got a sleeve of tattoo's so its not like i'm against stuff like that but its a no from me! Also many people i know that have it in their arm have struggled with periods and end up taking the pill and have the implant to control their periods, have put on weight or huge mood swings. So this is something to discuss with your girlfriends if you're looking for long term contraception.
Condoms are another thing I don't really do. Yes i should. Yes it can be dangerous but seriously what sort of people do you think i'm sleeping with?! For me whipping you slippery latex out mid way through your sessions kills the moment for me a lot! Not to mention i read somewhere they're not vegan? If anyone knows about that let me know? However a few of these in your wash bag takes up no room if you're planning on a few wild nights.
4. Finally (this is long I know) Make Up
when I first went travelling I thought I won't need makeup, no one wears makeup travelling, i'll take a few tiny things so I brought a BB Cream, Bronzer, Mascara and pencil eyeliner. This was fine and got me though my trip however a few occasions we were invited out to nice restaurants with people we met or went to different beach parties or even working the next day after a night out and I needed something more Industrial! I completely overlooked that I wouldn't be wearing makeup, showering, washing my hair etc for days sometimes and just something on my face would make me feel like I was on the red carpet! After this I extended my Makeup list to foundation, eye shadow pencils, eye shadow (which can also double up as brow powder if you're clever about what colors you bring!) 1 lipstick, liquid eyeliner as well as my previous list. This may seem a lot but once I had it I was very thankful! I found myself wearing the BB Cream every day as it contains sun cream and lasts quite well during the heat. I also loved the Eye shadow pencils they're super small and easy just to draw over your eyelid with before a night out. Plus they're cheap and some are even double ended! Bonus! I didn't wear the lipstick as much as I thought I would however i'm still glad I brought it can impact your outfit and mood so much with a bit of lippy!
I think people forget when you're travelling you still have shit days, you still have low self esteem days and occasionally no matter where you are, who you're with you want to curl up in bed with a hot water bottle. I found Makeup helped me with this loads! Don't overlook it!