Bloody Getaway: Have A Good Time. Period.

You didn’t plan for your trip to coincide with your Blood Moon (or maybe you did*), but either way, you’re cramping. You know you’ll start spotting soon, and you’re wondering, will I have a good time?

In recent years, I booked trips that coincided with my period more than a few times. On my last voyage (despite my best calculations), my cycle lined up with the last half of my roadie and, as luck would have it, five days and nights of non-stop rain. I wasn’t caught without supplies as I always have a menstruation kit on hand, but I wasn’t prepared to deal with it in any other fashion.

*This year, I purposefully booked three trips that coincide with my cycle; a glamping cabin, a walk-in campsite and a paddle-in site to experience menstruation in a way I usually avoid – on a trip.

So, what should you pack? What should you do?

Pain Inhibitors

Whether you go for over-the-counter or herbal pain remedies, bring more than you think you’ll need. Now, you won’t run out, and if you have to share, you’ll have more than enough to spare.

I take n-acetyl cysteine (NAC) at the same time to prevent poisonous forms of acetaminophen from forming in the liver and prevent liver failure. During that time of the month, I am taking more pain inhibitors than usual, and the NAC makes preventing liver failure easy!

Move! Bend! Stretch!

I know the urge to curl up and moan can be strong, but with a bit of bendy flexy, your body will thank you for lessening the tension.

Now that you’ve stretched, it’s time to take a short walk, even if it’s just to the bathroom, then keep walking on… or back to camp to find a blanket to curl up with.

Stay Warm.

Packing a few extra pounds in your pack (or car trunk) won’t hurt as much as absolute discomfort regarding personal warmth and care.

Sweat-Wicking, Layered Clothing

Wool base layers and mid layers are by far my favourites; not only are they sweat-wicking and quick-drying, but they naturally repel odours. After a few hours of airing out, except for the most hardcore of lingering armpit smells, lighter stinks will have dissipated – especially if you expose them to direct sunlight.

Fleece is excellent, but personally, it heats me up and makes me sweat excessively when I do any physical activity, so this material is what I’ll snug into in the evening when I want that extra warmth.

A Hot Water Bottle

Many hikers use their Nalgene bottle while camping instead of a dedicated hot water bottle.

Fill with hot (not boiling) water, wrap with a blanket and apply to your midsection (or back) for relief.

Pro tip: You can tuck the bottle in your sleeping bag to warm up the foot box. Remember to remove the bottle once it cools so it won’t leach heat.

A Sleeping Bag Rated for Colder Seasons

If you get cold and crampy while on your period, don’t think for a second that it couldn’t happen while camping – and with twice the torment.

Bring a toque, extra warm blankets, a sleeping bag and an insulated sleeping pad to keep the chill from coming up from underneath and getting into your back and abdomen.

You can remove items when you get warm – it’s better to be able to layer up and be able to dial into the body heat you desire.

Save Your Back: Bring The Best Seat Pad You Have For Your Bum

For most, a thin piece of yoga foam isn’t going to cut it on the best of days, so why start now? Keep your butt warm – and your back! Your muscles will thank you for an extra layer of comfort. Trust me.

I bring reflective bubble wrap to insulate me from the wood benches and to line my camping car for extra warmth.

When I believe I’ll want a little extra cushioning from the picnic table seats (and I’m car camping), I’ll bring my kayak seat, the SweetCheeks 200.

Travel Tips

DISPOSAL: Menstrual Products and Blood

Pads and Tampons: Pack it in, Pack it out.

Most products contain plastics, and yes, there are organic cotton options, but no matter what the materials are, tampons and pads are animal attractants and should be stored in the same way as garbage and secured like food items.

These things don’t belong in toilets, even if they are called a ‘Vault,’ ‘Privy,’ ‘Phoenix,’ or ‘Thunderbox.’

Sure, “no one will know,” but understand that after the holding tanks are pumped out, a worker has to sort through that shit to pick out the litter, from cigarette butts to diapers, dishes and dumped menstrual products. That’s freakin’ disgusting, so don’t be part of the problem, eh?

Bag up your refuse – dog poo bags work great – and then double-bag it in an odour-proof sac and hang it like you would your food while in the backcountry because (I’ve said it before) used products are animal attractants. Dispose of them properly when you are in the frontcountry and after you return from backcountry camping.

Menstrual Cups and Discs: Pack it in, Pour it out.

Menstrual cups and discs are an ideal solution for the backcountry. Blood collections can be poured into Ontario Parks toilets, no matter which one you use.

Remember to clean your hands before removing and replacing the cup or disc – keep water on hand.

PSA From what I’ve gleaned online, Menstrual Discs can be messier to dump than Menstrual Cups.

I purchased BFree Menstrual Cups* made from Medical-Grade Silicone, so keeping these clean and sanitary when I’m far from a faucet is more than manageable.

From day one, BFree has been wonderful to use. I never thought I’d say that about a period product, but there you go.

Want to save 15% on BFree products? Use coupon code organicroadmap when you shop.*

*This post contains one affiliate link to BFree and a coupon code, from which I, Heidi Csernak, may receive a small commission should you purchase a product.