Periods. They happen, usually at the most inconsiderate time. Halfway through your 23 hour flight or mid mountain hike for example...When it comes to long term travel there isn't much you can do about it apart from be prepared. In my opinion, the best period product to use while travelling is a menstrual cup. I'm going to focus this blog on how you would deal with your cup whilst travelling, but also look into other options.
The cup itself
I know how terrifying menstrual cups seem, they look far too big to sit up there without you noticing right? Leave them in for up to 12 hours, when we are taught to change a tampon every 3-4? No leaks? It all just seems wrong! However, they are one of the most life changing items to be invented, in my humble opinion. Not having to sit as high up as a tampon, the cup unfolds once inserted and sits very comfortably, suctioned in place. This tight suction is what helps to minimise leakages, but we'll get into this later.
Here I want to tell you about finding the right cup for you. There are many sizes, brands and styles out there. I've tried 3 different cups and find myself always reaching for my Pixie cup at the time of the month. I've also used BeYou (and keep this cup as my back up) along with two unbranded ones that I rotate between my current handbags/backpacks (these ones were a targeted social media add, 2 for £5, and although comfy I find they move around a little too much as they're too small, hence why they are reserved for absolute emergencies).
You can use the handy size guide on BeYou to see what size cup you will need. I highly recommend BeYou or Pixie cup for their starter bundles. In these you get a storage bag, the cup and cleansing foam/wipes.
Inserting and removing the cup
Your cup will come with instructions! Do not panic. There are also plenty of YouTube tutorials on different ways to insert your cup. The basics are:
Relax! If you are tense and stressed you're going to make this more difficult for yourself
Wash/anti-bac your hands
Find a comfortable position for insertion, whether that's crouched down or sat on the toilet. If it's your first time using one, I recommend practicing inserting and removing it before your period. Lie down if you need to, just to get used to the motion
There are two main folds, the tulip fold/punch down or the c/u fold. The tulip fold/punch down makes a smaller circumference, similar to the same size as an average tampon. I've tried both and find the c/u fold easier (personally). There are other ways to fold your cup for insertion so give them all a try to find your comfiest one
Once it's in, you want to secure it and ensure the cup suctions. This can be a bit fiddly, I find the easiest way is (once it's in), to run my finger around the base of the cup, feeling for any indents. These indents indicate the cup hasn't fully opened (this will cause leaks and some uncomfort), to open the cup gently squeeze the base of the cup and rotate it (I also sometimes wiggle it a little up and down). Check again for indents by running your finger around the base and repeat the process until the cup opens, securing suction
Cut the stem! These bad boys come with whopping stems, because everyone is built differently. I had to fully remove the one from my Pixie cup, but have a small stump left on my BeYou one. These stems are there to help you locate the cup and to hold while emptying. Do not use these stems to remove the cup
To remove the cup:
Get yourself in a comfortable position and breathe- being stressed isn't going to help (and there's no need to stress of panic, I promise!)
Wash/anti-bac your hands
Locate the cup with the help of the stem, the cup can move up higher through-out the day or night, this is normal. Once you've located the cup, squeeze the base gently with your index finger and thumb
Slowly start to move the cup downwards and out, until the rim of the cup is in the opening of the vagina
Reposition your hand to have a firm grasp on the cup (don't grasp or squeeze too hard otherwise you'll cause a spillage) and gently remove the cup
Empty the contents down the toilet
Rinse the cup with warm water or use one of the specifically designed cup cleaning wipes
Re-insert the cup
Cleaning after emptying
As briefly mentioned above, you want to give your cup a clean once you've emptied it. For me, I rinse it under water (warm or cold, but warm will be nicer on your hands and downstairs area) and pop it straight back in.
Some women like to use the cleaning foams or soaps on the cup after every removal which is perfectly fine. It's completely up to you the extent you go to. A quick rinse is the basic before re-inserting.
Emptying and cleaning in public bathrooms
This is where people get put off with a cup, how do you clean it when in public? I have some options for you:
Wipe it out with some toilet roll, ensuring there is no debris left on the cup before you insert
Take a bottle of water into the cubicle with you and give it a rise over the toilet
Use your handy Pixie cup wipes
Use the Pixie cup cup, a collapsible silicone carry cup for your cup! You can fill this with water from the tap before entering the cubicle and use it to give your cup a quick rinse. Also good for storage, transport and on-the-go sterilization
Sanitizing the cup
This has to be done. No if's or buts about it. There is always a risk of infection when entering or inserting an item into the body, so to lower this risk, sterilize and sanitize your cup. There are a few methods for doing this:
Place it into a saucepan of water, pop this on the hob and bring to the boil, simmering for 5-10 minutes, cool and store
Put the cup into a microwavable dish, cover with water and microwave for 5 minutes, leave to cool and store
Using a microwavable dish, your Pixie cup cup or even a mug, place your cup into it and pour over boiling water (you can also add a pump of cleaning foam), cover and leave for 5 minutes, rinse and store
Use the Pixie cup steamer!
For long term, shared dorm travel, you'll find the boiling water into a mug the easiest option. No one questions why you are pouring boiling water into a mug! Take this back to your dorm, pop your cup in and cover it with a lid of sorts and push it under your bed or even do it in the bathroom. This way you can leave it on the side to sterilize while you take a shower.
Pixie cup steamer, public restroom cup and classic menstrual cup- Pixie Cup via Amazon
Storing and transporting the cup
Most cups will come with a storage bag when you order them and these are designed for you to keep your cup in and carry with you in your bag! Perfect really.
They are super small and as they are re-usable, you don't have to fill up space in your bags with boxes of tampons or packs of pads. Cups can last up to 10 years before they need replacing. They will discolour with use but this does not mean they are damaged or dirty!
Alternative options
You can, of course, stick to tampons and pads although I believe the benefits of the cup completely out-weigh these single use items.
Benefits of the cup include:
Re-usable
Easy to store and carry
Can wear when swimming
Can wear for up to 12 hours
Less likely to leak (I only leaked twice, in the early days when I hadn't engaged the suction properly)
Last for years
There are other reusable period items such as period pants and reusable pads. I have never used either of these items so I can't give much insight to them. For these items, you would need to consider how you would wash and sterilize these while travelling.
I'm just going to pop this little side note in as well- contraception is not a reliable way to stop your menstruation. Please, please do not rely on the pill to stop your bleeds. 6 years on the pill and my period returned, it's not reliable and it's not worth the risk. Also, there are pills you can get to postpone your period but these should only be used for short term trips (like a week in Spain kinda thing).
Thanks for reading! I hope you enjoyed this blog, follow us for more here on WIX blogs, Instagram (@bilbo.h) and TikTok (@travelbeeblog).
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