Armed with sanitary pads, pain meds, and a whole lot of resilience, women reveal how they prep for travel with their period in tow. Traveling on your period is not easy, you have to fight with your emotions and mental wellbeing.
Booking the comfiest seat. Shopping for the perfect vacation wardrobe. Mapping out the most mouth-watering of detours and curating the flawless Instagram dump. Planning a vacation is an art unto itself.
But what about the quick, invisible calculation that happens before every trip, for women, that is? “Will I be on my period?” For Shalini, a 26-year-old management professional who travels often for work, the answer is simple and sometimes unavoidable. A women travel during menstruation is always a challenge itself.
If travel is already scheduled, she puts on her big girl panties and is ready to be on the go. But not before she’s armed with an arsenal of toilet paper rolls, sanitary sprays, tampons, and backup sanitary napkin liners, too. Even if the destination is a five-star property or a sleek conference venue.
She laughs about the predictability of packaging, “from the kali panni in India to opaque paper bags in Dubai.” Beneath the humour lies a firm, familiar truth: The experience of having your period on the road is a stomach-churning marriage of logistics and discomfort.
Whether in the plush comfort of business class or on a winding road trip through the hills of Pune, menstruation has never paused for an itinerary. Yet rarely do we see travel narratives that pause for menstruation. We chatted with ambitious, well-travelled women on how they navigate the intersection of travel and biology, paired with the essential advice from gynaecologists who insist that planning with our bodies, not against them, is the key to empowered travel.
Your Flight Might Be Smooth But What About The Turbulence Within?
Travel is entwined into the rhythm of Sakshi’s life. Yet the most vivid memory of the 28-year-old’s globetrotting adventures is when she was curled up in pain on a red-eye flight from Malaysia to Delhi.
“It was day two of my period. I couldn’t sleep properly. The cramps made it worse.” Even with medication, relief was elusive. “While I popped a Meftal Spas, it didn’t help. I was desperately waiting to land and rest for some time in the lounge.”
No lie-flat seat can offer relief when your uterus is intent on doing somersaults while you’re trapped an odd 40,000 feet up in the air, feeling both achingly human and totally helpless.
While she loves to travel, she now chooses her destinations based on how her body is likely to feel: “If it’s water-bound and requires physical activity, I avoid it. If it’s a chill vacation, or just site visits for work, I try to go.”
According to Dr Spoorthi Prakash, a consultant obstetrician at Bangalore’s Altius Hospital, the physical act of travel, while exciting, can be a perfect storm for hormonal disruption. “Travel can cause both physical and mental stress, which would release cortisol, a hormone which disrupts the hypothalamus-pituitary axis. Irregular periods, poor sleep, and dehydration only make things worse.”
That same dehydration, especially common on flights, also increases the risk of discomfort and infections. In fact, Dr Komal Bhadu, a gynaecologist from Pune’s Ruby Hall Clinic, notes that flying can exacerbate both period symptoms and risks.
Also Read: 7 Travel Attractions and Things to do in India
The New-Age Menstrual Toolkit for Travelers
Packing for your period while traveling doesn’t have to be stressful anymore. Here’s what modern travelers are carrying and why it’s a total game-changer.
1. Menstrual Cups
Lightweight, leak-proof, and reusable, menstrual cups have become a backpacker’s best friend.
Unlike pads or tampons, one cup can last up to 8–10 hours, perfect for long flights, hikes, or road trips. Plus, it eliminates the need to dispose of sanitary waste (a big challenge in remote areas).
2. Period Panties
Think of them as your travel insurance for leaks. Period panties are washable, comfortable, and ideal for nights or long travel days when changing products isn’t easy.
They also come in chic, discreet designs, so you can feel confident even in your favorite white jeans.
3. Pain Relief Patches & Roll-ons
Forget stuffing your bag with painkillers. Period patches and herbal roll-ons can be a more natural and travel-safe alternative for cramp relief.
Just stick or roll them on your abdomen before a long trek or sightseeing day, and they work like magic.
4. Portable Heating Pads
Compact, USB-charged, and designed for comfort, these are the new must-haves for travel during your period. They help ease cramps and can be reused on the go, from your hostel bed to your car seat.
Prepping Smart Before You Travel
Traveling on your period is all about preparation, not panic. Here’s how you can plan ahead and avoid surprises mid-trip:
1. Track Your Cycle
The are many apps which help predict your cycle accurately. Knowing when your period might start lets you plan your itinerary and pack accordingly.
2. Pack an Extra Day’s Supply
Delays happen, flights, weather, and sometimes, your period. Always carry one or two extra products than you think you’ll need.
3. Carry a Zip Pouch
A discreet pouch for your menstrual products saves you from rummaging through your luggage at awkward times.
4. Stay Hydrated & Eat Light
Period bloating and cramps can worsen with dehydration and junk food. Opt for hydrating fruits, coconut water, and protein-packed snacks.
5. Don’t Skip Movement
Gentle stretching or yoga during travel can help regulate blood flow and reduce pain. Even a short walk during layovers can make a difference.
Don’t Let Your Period Ground Your Travel Plans
Sure, travel is about freedom for many but what good is that when you’re unable to bring your whole self? And that includes the part the world rarely talks about, the pain, the inconvenience, and the extra bag of “just-in-cases.”
What makes these stories so compelling is the resilience and distinct intelligence of women who continue to carve space for their needs, even in environments that rarely accommodate them. You shouldn’t have to apologise for requesting access to a cleaner bathroom. Period.
So no, the period doesn’t pause for your flight to Pune or your road trip through Goa. But with planning, care, and a little defiance, it doesn’t have to stop the journey either.
