Travel easily on your period, like you’re not even on it

Luigi Rausch
Updated September 16, 2020
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10 Min Read

Does traveling on your period stress you out?

I Hear You

Traveling on your period can seem scary. Unfamiliar situations and surroundings make it difficult to plan, hindering you from fully enjoying your traveling experience.

But periods shouldn’t be seen as a burden when traveling. Plenty of female travelers like Amelia Earhart and Sacagawea not only survived but thrived during their monthly cycle. You can too. By switching to a reusable menstrual cup, you can travel easily on your period – forgetting that you’re even on it.

The better period plan

Rethink your period

Learn 10 ways a reusable menstrual cup will make traveling on your period less scary and way easier

Make the switch

Buy a menstrual cup today and start traveling better tomorrow

Travel with confidence

With less fear, leaks, or embarrassment, you can enjoy more of your trip

What are menstrual cups?

It’s a small reusable cup inserted into the vagina during menstruation. Usually made of silicon, the natural suction creates a seal, allowing it to comfortably stay in place just below the cervix. And works by collecting menstrual fluid, rather than absorbing it like a tampon. The cup then holds the fluid until the wearer removes it, empties it, and reinserts it. Often only needing to be emptied every 12 hours (depending on your flow).

10 ways a menstrual cup is a traveling game changer

Maxi pads and tampons were indeed great inventions. They empowered women and revolutionized the period product industry, but like all technology, period products continually evolve. With having to change a tampon every few hours, leaving embarrassing evidence, and taking up a lot of space in your bag, tampons are becoming a thing of the past.

A reusable menstrual cup is the new bright future.

Convenient scheduling

Empty it once in the morning and once at night

Unlike a tampon that is usually changed every 4 to 6 hours, menstrual cups can be emptied every 12, once in the morning and once at night. This is fantastic! For most of your day you’ll forget you’re on your period.

No leaking

Creates a vacuum seal

Once the cup is inserted, the flexible silicon pops open creating a leak-proof seal around the edges. This is fantastic because now you’re prepared for anything your day throws at you, worry-free. Running, jumping, swimming, peeing, pooping, doesn’t matter — now you can travel with confidence.

Saves you money

148x cheaper than tampons

Periods aren’t the cheapest monthly subscription.

1 tampon every 6 hours = 4 tampons per day x 5 days of a period = 20 tampons per cycle x 456 periods throughout your life = 9,120 tampons. At 36 tampons per box, that’s 253.3 boxes x $7 = $1,773.33 (Kane, 2017).

Comparing this to a menstrual cup,

1 menstrual cup every 10 years. With a woman experiencing an average of 456 periods / 120 periods over the course of 10 years = 4 menstrual cups in your lifetime x $30 apiece = $120

Wow.

Plus, just think all the time you will save yourself over the course of 10 years. All those minutes spent driving to stores, searching for tampons, waiting in checkouts, etc. — buying a menstrual cup will truly change your life.

Environmentally better

Reusable, not disposable

Tampons are the equivalent of a disposable plastic water bottle. You use it once, and then it spends eternity in a landfill.

Taking into account packaging, individual wrapping, the applicator, the string, and even the core, tampons are riddled with plastic — just one will take longer to decompose than you will be alive…

But there is still hope.

By purchasing a reusable menstrual cup, this recurring monthly waste is eliminated, so you can feel better about contributing to the solution rather than the problem.

No embarrassing trash or odor

What's that smell? Not you.

Unfortunately, tampons don’t also absorb smells. But this is another major win with a menstrual cup. Because the cup creates a seal inside of you, menstrual fluid doesn’t come into contact with the air, slowing bacterial growth and preventing odors. Unlike tampons, which create ample environments for bacteria to thrive in, producing unpleasant smells.

When it comes time to remove your cup; however, this is when it can smell, but once you flush it down the toilet, the smell goes with it. Soiled tampons on the other hand can leave a lingering smell in the garbage. In a public restroom, this isn’t a biggie, but not ideal when you’re a guest in someone’s home. This can be embarrassing and it shouldn’t have to be. With a switch to a menstrual cup, you eliminate odors and the embarrassing evidence in a one-two punch.

Prepare ahead of time

Your period is coming

Expect your period is coming and worried it might start at an inconvenient time?

With a menstrual cup, you can wear it even before your period starts — on the days you think you’ll get it. Because the cup is smooth, it won’t hurt putting in or taking out empty — you just aren’t able to do this with tampons.

Healthier for your body

Doesn't dry out your vagina

Menstrual cups only collect menstrual blood. Rather than absorbing it along with your naturally occurring vaginal fluid, like tampons. So they won’t dry you out, disrupting the natural pH and bacteria in your vagina.

Also, the fewer foreign materials the better. Menstrual cups are made of just a single material, medical-grade silicone. It’s hypoallergenic and inert, so it won’t leave behind any traces of cotton, rayon, or whatever else tampons are packing.

Period less

Have a shorter, more comfortable, lighter period...Really!

Weekend trips are short, so wouldn’t it be nice if you didn’t have to spend all of it on your period? Well, that’s possible with a menstrual cup! According to a 1,400 women survey, 53% said they bled fewer days using a menstrual cup (Donohoe, 2020). And furthermore, many women say they experience less cramping and lighter periods overall while using one. Damn. That’s a win-win-win. Thanks to a menstrual cup, now you can period less and vacation more.

Save space

A travel essential is born

Naturally, tampons absorb a lot of space in your bag. Especially, if you need to pack more than a week’s supply. Take back that valuable real estate with a menstrual cup. Whether you are traveling for a weekend, a month, or a year. It doesn’t matter, it always takes up the same tiny amount of space.

Peace of mind

Hakuna Matata

What if you run out of tampons while traveling? What if you’re in a foreign country like Asia and can’t buy more? What if there’s no convenient spot to change it out and dispose of the evidence?

Forgo these what-ifs and many worries altogether. A reusable menstrual cup will never run out, you don’t need to anxiously find a resupply of period products while traveling, and you only need to change it twice a day. It simply allows you to travel on your period with confidence.

+3 things to know about making the switch

There's a learning curve

Practice makes perfect

Just as traveling with a new pair of shoes could turn out to be uncomfortable, hurt your feet, and make it difficult to explore. The same goes for a new menstrual cup. Like trying anything new, menstrual cups will take some practice to get the hang of things. As did learning to use tampons for the first time — so If you’ve never used one before or are switching cups, be sure to practice with it at home for a couple of menstrual cycles before you decide to travel with it.

Choosing a size

You might have to try on one or two

Everyone’s bodies are different, wearing different bras, shirts, and shoe sizes. Menstrual cups are no different. To learn how to choose the correct menstrual cup size see this step-by-step WikiHow guide.

Note: You shouldn’t feel it once it’s in and it shouldn’t leak, but don’t worry if you get it wrong the first time. Most companies offer risk purchases, so if a cup doesn’t work for you, you can get a full refund.

How to use one

Comfortably stays just below your cervix

To learn how to use a menstrual cup, see this step-by-step WikiHow guide.

Congratulations!

By harnessing the power of a menstrual cup you can finally be the care-free traveler you always wanted to be.

Best menstrual cups to buy

So what’s next? Well, you are probably wondering where you can buy the best menstrual cups?

I’ve combed through the internet to bring you what I believe are the best menstrual cups that I can find. I am extremely picky when it comes to selecting pieces that are as minimal as possible — Meaning little to no exterior branding, elegant timeless pieces/colors that won’t go out of style, high-quality items made to last, and they simply look good. I’ve done all the hard work so you don’t have to because I am here to help you succeed!

Below you will find links to my top recommendations. Please note that some links are affiliate marketing links and some are not. If the brand had an affiliate marketing program I used it to pay for my time, but if they didn’t then I didn’t worry about it. I just want to bring you great content that helps you succeed on your journey in traveling with one backpack or less.

Best Menstrual Cups

Menstrual Cups

Lasts 10 years
Wear up to 12 hours
Available in three sizes
100% medical-grade silicone and dyes

Lasts 10 years
Wear up to 12 hours
Available in three sizes
100% medical-grade silicone
Dye-free (no color additives)

Lasts 10 years
Wear up to 12 hours
Available in two sizes
100% medical-grade silicone and dyes

Lasts 10 years
Wear up to 12 hours
Available in two sizes
100% medical-grade silicone and dyes
First-ever collapsible menstrual cup

Lasts 10 years
Wear up to 12 hours
Available in two sizes
100% medical-grade silicone and dyes
No-spill rim

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References

Alissa. (2018, December 20). Menstrual Cups For Travel And Backpacking: Honest Answers From An Adventurous Lady. Exploring Wild. https://exploringwild.com…

Borunda, A. (2019, September 6). How Tampons And Pads Became So Unsustainable. National Geographic. https://www.nationalgeographic.com…

Brooklyn, C. (2020, January 20). How To Travel Confidently On Your Period. World Nomads. https://www.worldnomads.com…

Donohoe, R. (2020, June 21). How Menstrual Cups Are Changing People’s Periods. Vice. https://www.vice.com…

Eubanks, C. (2016, April 20). Ultimate Guide to Managing Periods When You Travel. Her Packing List. https://herpackinglist.com…

Hensen, M. (2019, April 19). Helpful Menstrual Cup Pros And Cons For Travel. Once Upon A Journey . https://onceuponajrny.com…

Kane, J. (2017, December 6). Here’s How Much A Woman’s Period Will Cost Her Over A Lifetime. HuffPost . https://www.huffpost.com…

Saalt. (2020, August 5). Having a community is important. Saaltco. https://www.instagram.com…

The PACII Team. (n.d.). Tips For Traveling On Your Period With A Menstrual Cup. Put A Cup In It . https://putacupinit.com…

Thiessen, L. (n.d.). Menstrual Cup Pros And Cons: Throw Your Tampons Away! Travel Fashion Girl. Retrieved September 10, 2020, from https://www.travelfashiongirl.com…

Tingle, C. (2017, April 19). Menstrual Cup Leaks- Here’s Some Tips! https://www.nomoretaboo.org…

wikiHow Staff. (2020, July 2). How To Use A Menstrual Cup. WikiHow. https://www.wikihow.com…

(2015, April 1). Menstrual Cups A Must For All Adventurous Ladies! Wayfinder Ali. https://www.wayfinderali.com…

(2019, December 24). Traveling On Your Period: Why To Use A Menstrual Cup While Traveling. EscapingNY . https://www.escapingny.com…