Your well-deserved vacation is approaching - a time of relaxation, adventure and enjoyment. But what if your period occurs exactly during this time? Don't worry: in this article we will give you valuable tips on how you can make your holiday stress-free even during your period.
Period disposable products such as tampons or pads are compact, lightweight and fit in any handbag - and they are available almost everywhere in case you forgot them.
Menstrual cups and period underwear are also compact and easy to take with you. They usually have a higher capacity than tampons, offer long-lasting protection and therefore need to be changed less often.
Do you know the fear of a long flight, train journey or car journey full of traffic jams ahead of you as your period approaches? Having to stop at the next rest stop only to find that there is no soap; or on a hike in the middle of nature noticing that the tampon needs to be changed?
Tampons and menstrual cups have the disadvantage that germs can get into the vagina when they are inserted, so you should pay attention to the appropriate hygiene when changing. Not everywhere are there public toilets or the possibility to wash your hands with soap at any time, so it is best to have disinfectant with you to be able to change your period products hygienically.
Menstrual cups should also be washed out after emptying and boiled thoroughly after the period at the latest to kill germs and prevent infections.
If you want to avoid changing on the go, we recommend period underwear. Our Strong Styles in particular have the advantage that they can absorb up to 6 tampons of liquid and can therefore be worn for an extra long time. This makes them ideal for long flights, train journeys or, in general, entire day trips.
Should you need or want to change them in between, you can simply change without risking dangerous infections from insufficiently washed hands.
Period disposable products like tampons and pads are widely available, compact and easy to take with you, but need to be changed frequently. Used tampons and pads should be disposed of in a designated waste container or in a sealable bag. Most disposable period products are non-recyclable and are made from materials that are not biodegradable - so please do not throw your worn disposable period products into nature or down the toilet! If you are out in nature or there is no suitable disposal option nearby, you should bring a bag with you to pack up the used products and dispose of them in a garbage can later.
Pack enough period products to ensure you have enough switching options. If you use period underwear, we recommend that you pack one ooia per day and one per night for your trip or the duration of your period. For example, if you are traveling 2 days and 2 nights, that would be 4 ooias. Optionally, you could also think about additional hygiene products such as menstrual cups, which give you extra security as a back-up. Also, remember to plan somewhere to store the period underwear you wear.
The ooia wetbag is a real hero when traveling. You can use it to transport and store your worn period panties in a leak-proof manner until you have found a suitable way to wash them out. Under the outer fabric is an impermeable layer that does not let any liquid out. The practical wetbag is available in two sizes: in a smaller version for 2-3 ooias and in a maxi version, in which even more panties can be stored.
Recreation and self-care should be the focus of your vacation. During your period, your body needs a lot of rest and you may feel tired and listless. This is quite normal, because your hormone levels are at their lowest during this time - which is why this cycle phase is often referred to as "inner winter". If you want to learn more about the individual cycle phases, you can read on here: Understanding the menstrual cycle and period.
The inner winter is the time to listen to what you need now and what is good for you. The best thing to do is take conscious breaks and try not to overload your vacation days with activities. Plan enough sleep and rest - you should probably postpone a demanding hike until later. Light exercise like yoga and stretching, on the other hand, can help relax the body. You can find out more about optimal movement in the individual cycle phases here: Sports and period.
Enjoy a beach holiday despite having a period? Sure! If you want to relax by the water on a hot day, our ooia period beachwear is a great option for you. It looks just like your usual swimwear, but like our ooia period underwear, it can reliably absorb liquids and thus protect you from leakage - without a tampon string or pad in your bikini bottom. It is also perfect for activities such as beach volleyball without slipping.
Since we cannot override the laws of physics, we recommend that you do not wear ooia beachwear when swimming in the water. The membrane can soak up water and cannot absorb other liquids such as blood. If you keep this in mind, our ooia beachwear will hold up to three tampons of liquid leak-proof.
You can find out more about this topic here: Swimming with period.
Taking a vacation during your period doesn't have to be a cause for concern. With the right preparation and the right period underwear in your suitcase, you can enjoy your holiday to the fullest. The freedom to actively move and explore the world without having to constantly think about changing your menstrual products enables a stress-free travel experience. Don't let your period limit you and enjoy your well-deserved vacation! We wish you a relaxing holiday and a stress-free time <3