Comments on: Finding Tampons on the Road Less Traveled, and Other Menstrual Miracles http://trekhound.com/2006/10/24/finding-tampons-on-the-road-less-traveled-and-other-menstrual-miracles/ A resource for independent travelers Mon, 30 Jan 2012 22:55:43 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: webmaster http://trekhound.com/2006/10/24/finding-tampons-on-the-road-less-traveled-and-other-menstrual-miracles/comment-page-1/#comment-6018 webmaster Fri, 18 Sep 2009 11:32:28 +0000 http://trekhound.com/?p=24#comment-6018 Hi First Trek, Your concern about water access on a particular day is valid. One way some women get around it is to have an extra bottle of water that they never drink from to use in the toilet stall or behind a bush. That's the supply of rinse water. That and a few baby wipes or even a damp cloth in a water resistant bag (similar to what women who use cloth pads use to compartmentalize them for the day) should do. If you only have tap water to rinse with that you are not sure is safe, you can either dilute it with vinegar (although this is only convenient to keep in your hostel room likely) or keep a squirt bottle of grapefruit seed extract on hand to put a few drops in the rinse water before you take off for the day. It kills nearly everything. Keep in mind however, that the toughest days with your menstrual cup are going to be the first few days of your period. That's when the flow is heaviest, making it necessary to change more frequently. Otherwise, on light days it's safe to wear up to 12 hours. Also, just a tip. Start using your cup a few months before you go. It'll give you a sense of the best techniques in various situations, so you won't be going in cold. It's definitely not a skill you want to develop under duress. (Trust me.) If you're interested in learning more, here's another article I wrote on eco friendly feminine hygiene that goes into more detail, including a comprehensive comment discussion by various readers afterwards with some great tips and links to other online articles on "how to groove" with a Diva Cup or Keeper. http://www.wisebread.com/green-for-girls-a-feminine-perspective Hi First Trek,

Your concern about water access on a particular day is valid. One way some women get around it is to have an extra bottle of water that they never drink from to use in the toilet stall or behind a bush. That’s the supply of rinse water. That and a few baby wipes or even a damp cloth in a water resistant bag (similar to what women who use cloth pads use to compartmentalize them for the day) should do. If you only have tap water to rinse with that you are not sure is safe, you can either dilute it with vinegar (although this is only convenient to keep in your hostel room likely) or keep a squirt bottle of grapefruit seed extract on hand to put a few drops in the rinse water before you take off for the day. It kills nearly everything. Keep in mind however, that the toughest days with your menstrual cup are going to be the first few days of your period. That’s when the flow is heaviest, making it necessary to change more frequently. Otherwise, on light days it’s safe to wear up to 12 hours.

Also, just a tip. Start using your cup a few months before you go. It’ll give you a sense of the best techniques in various situations, so you won’t be going in cold. It’s definitely not a skill you want to develop under duress. (Trust me.) If you’re interested in learning more, here’s another article I wrote on eco friendly feminine hygiene that goes into more detail, including a comprehensive comment discussion by various readers afterwards with some great tips and links to other online articles on “how to groove” with a Diva Cup or Keeper. http://www.wisebread.com/green-for-girls-a-feminine-perspective

]]> By: firsttrek http://trekhound.com/2006/10/24/finding-tampons-on-the-road-less-traveled-and-other-menstrual-miracles/comment-page-1/#comment-6015 firsttrek Fri, 18 Sep 2009 05:16:13 +0000 http://trekhound.com/?p=24#comment-6015 I just stumbled upon this article while I was trying to find information on this particular subject... I'm planning on going on my first trek, in nepal, in May, and I have no idea what to expect in this regard! I was definitely looking at the Diva Cup... but I know you're supposed to at least rinse them between emptyings. The two concerns I had with that are 1) is there even a lot of opportunity to rinse it? and 2) is the cleanliness of the water an issue (if you have to put water purifiers in it to drink, why should I wash something in unpurified water and stick it you know where? :P)? Maybe I'm making it overly complicated, or maybe I'm just naive and it will all be so simple when I get there, but until then I can't help but worry about it a little bit. I'd welcome any tips and tricks. :) I just stumbled upon this article while I was trying to find information on this particular subject… I’m planning on going on my first trek, in nepal, in May, and I have no idea what to expect in this regard! I was definitely looking at the Diva Cup… but I know you’re supposed to at least rinse them between emptyings. The two concerns I had with that are 1) is there even a lot of opportunity to rinse it? and 2) is the cleanliness of the water an issue (if you have to put water purifiers in it to drink, why should I wash something in unpurified water and stick it you know where? :P )? Maybe I’m making it overly complicated, or maybe I’m just naive and it will all be so simple when I get there, but until then I can’t help but worry about it a little bit. I’d welcome any tips and tricks. :)

]]> By: webmaster http://trekhound.com/2006/10/24/finding-tampons-on-the-road-less-traveled-and-other-menstrual-miracles/comment-page-1/#comment-2469 webmaster Sat, 24 Jan 2009 13:06:13 +0000 http://trekhound.com/?p=24#comment-2469 Hi Patricia! Thanks for stopping by, and for your comment. You know, in many parts of the world women go through this all the time, as the poverty is so pervasive that even rice is hard to come by. So feminine products are a luxury many of them can't even dream about. That being said, once you have the system set up at home, alternative products can be incorporated with less difficulty than you might expect. I'm so thrilled you enjoy the articles. You know, often times I question whether to share a certain level of information, but ultimately believe that if nobody is willing to open up and discuss just how real they have to be to make ends meet, then people who need the strategy or tip won't necessarily receive the information they need to try out something new. Looking forward to further reader participation from you! Hi Patricia! Thanks for stopping by, and for your comment. You know, in many parts of the world women go through this all the time, as the poverty is so pervasive that even rice is hard to come by. So feminine products are a luxury many of them can’t even dream about. That being said, once you have the system set up at home, alternative products can be incorporated with less difficulty than you might expect. I’m so thrilled you enjoy the articles. You know, often times I question whether to share a certain level of information, but ultimately believe that if nobody is willing to open up and discuss just how real they have to be to make ends meet, then people who need the strategy or tip won’t necessarily receive the information they need to try out something new. Looking forward to further reader participation from you!

]]> By: Patricia http://trekhound.com/2006/10/24/finding-tampons-on-the-road-less-traveled-and-other-menstrual-miracles/comment-page-1/#comment-2406 Patricia Wed, 21 Jan 2009 12:33:31 +0000 http://trekhound.com/?p=24#comment-2406 Myscha, This sounds terrible, but it is true. When I was very young, we were so poor that we often had to steal a little toilet paper from service stations each day, or do without it completely. The men in the house never seemed to care, but my mother and I certainly hated the situation. Needless to say, we could not afford pads or tampons. My dear mother would use old dishcloth material folded over and over so it would be very absorbent. Thankfully, time passed, and our living conditions improved somewhat. I immensely enjoy your writings. The trials and tribulations that you describe are so familiar to myself and many other women. I smile when you seem to doubt your sanity, at times, as you come up with your own unique way of making your way through your world each day. I had to learn at a very early age to improvise, and I find that it comes in very handy in these difficult financial times... I look forward to more journeys along the road with you! Myscha,
This sounds terrible, but it is true. When I was very young, we were so poor that we often had to steal a little toilet paper from service stations each day, or do without it completely. The men in the house never seemed to care, but my mother and I certainly hated the situation. Needless to say, we could not afford pads or tampons. My dear mother would use old dishcloth material folded over and over so it would be very absorbent. Thankfully, time passed, and our living conditions improved somewhat.

I immensely enjoy your writings. The trials and tribulations that you describe are so familiar to myself and many other women. I smile when you seem to doubt your sanity, at times, as you come up with your own unique way of making your way through your world each day. I had to learn at a very early age to improvise, and I find that it comes in very handy in these difficult financial times… I look forward to more journeys along the road with you!

]]> By: webmaster http://trekhound.com/2006/10/24/finding-tampons-on-the-road-less-traveled-and-other-menstrual-miracles/comment-page-1/#comment-168 webmaster Tue, 10 Jun 2008 18:46:38 +0000 http://trekhound.com/?p=24#comment-168 Hi Celine! Glad you are enjoying the blog. Yes, I've used the alternative methods at home as well. We are in transition right now, and so I'm sort of 50-50, so to speak. But they are such cool products, and it's such a relief not to have to run to the store if I don't want to. I couldn't agree more. Have a great day, and thanks for stopping by. Myscha Hi Celine!
Glad you are enjoying the blog. Yes, I’ve used the alternative methods at home as well. We are in transition right now, and so I’m sort of 50-50, so to speak. But they are such cool products, and it’s such a relief not to have to run to the store if I don’t want to. I couldn’t agree more. Have a great day, and thanks for stopping by.

Myscha

]]> By: Celine http://trekhound.com/2006/10/24/finding-tampons-on-the-road-less-traveled-and-other-menstrual-miracles/comment-page-1/#comment-167 Celine Tue, 10 Jun 2008 18:31:06 +0000 http://trekhound.com/?p=24#comment-167 I've just discovered your blog today. As an avid leisure and business traveler, I know how horrible it is to have to hunt for tampons and such. I've been using The Diva Cup for the last four years as a result of trying it out for travel. Its great to travel with as it takes virtually no room but when at home, there is no need to think about if you have to run to the store to pick up more supplies because this month it is heavier flow than usual. Have you thought about switching over to alternative methods permanently? Give it a try. Saves time, money, and the environment. I’ve just discovered your blog today. As an avid leisure and business traveler, I know how horrible it is to have to hunt for tampons and such. I’ve been using The Diva Cup for the last four years as a result of trying it out for travel. Its great to travel with as it takes virtually no room but when at home, there is no need to think about if you have to run to the store to pick up more supplies because this month it is heavier flow than usual. Have you thought about switching over to alternative methods permanently? Give it a try. Saves time, money, and the environment.

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