The Red Tent! Periods and Wild Camping.
28 May was World Menstrual Hygiene day which promotes menstrual hygiene rights worldwide. It got me thinking of what camping is like whilst we bleed; it’s annoying but certainly not going to ruin our fun outdoors.
No bloody way.
Here is a grab bag of tips for camping when on your period!
Take what you are most comfortable using at home. I wouldn’t want to be experimenting with a new menstrual cup whilst dangling off the side of a mountain in a howling gale. Also, just ‘cause you are camping you don’t have to suddenly go level-10 eco, but it’s always nice to find ways to use less plastic.
Period pants, reusable pads and reusable wipes are really easy. Use, then sling them in a double ziplocked bag with some bicarbonate of soda in it (stops it smelling) and throw in the wash when you get home!
Menstrual cups are brilliant – just make sure if you’re wild camping to make a cat hole to empty it into at least 70 paces from your camp and from any water source, just like you would with a poo. Also, bring a spare in case you drop it in the mud! (Yup, voice of experience.)
Disposable towels/tampons etc can be ‘packed out’ in plastic ziplock bags and disposed of when you get home. Remember to take home used loo roll too. Think Leave no Trace of your stay and you got it!
How to stay comfortable:
Feeling clean is hard on camp anyway! Add to that a visit from your period and… Ergh, it doesn’t feel nice. And for me, wet-wipes, no matter how organic or biodegradable or natural or whatever they claim to be – never do their job properly. I cut an old towel into 10 cm squares and take a handful with me. Get them damp and use in place of a wet wipe and I promise you won’t go back to slimy wipes! Seal them in a bag and wash when you get home.
Squirty water bottle – the sports top type. Handy for squirting water on your menstrual cup, cleaning your hands or giving yourself an alfresco bidet!
Have your painkillers packed. Paracetamol, or nettle tea! Whatever works for you!
Camp hot water bottle for cramps! Find a sturdy bottle Nalgene shaped and fill 3/4 full with warm (not boiling… of course) water. Wrap in a t-shirt, and cuddle.
We don’t have enough hands to do everything; standing on one leg, hovering in the dark somewhere trying to hold a torch in our mouths, biting the corners of wrapping off, holding a clean towel in our armpit and trying to shove the used one in another bag. Nah, not fun.
And my top tip: Never forget your head torch!
We are getting better at it, but there is STILL a huge amount of shame and secrecy that remains on the subject of periods. If you’re feeling a bit meh, cause you’ve got your period then ask a camp mate to help you out! I bet you they would happily do a bit of firewood collection, cook you up a hot water bottle or share their snacks. Just as you would them.
And if you’re camping with me? Knock on my tent. I ALWAYS have chocolate.
Enjoy the wild!
No good for me any more, praise be, but brilliant for my daughters! I will tell them to read. But the bit about cut up old towels instead of wipes IS such a good idea that I shall copy for picnics etc…
I agree Jane, James and I love camping but I’ve never thought of cutting up an old towel instead of wet wipes – great idea jules!!! Periods can be so inconvenient but they don’t have to be! Great article
So many options now for managing those annoying times! Even with the luxury of a portaloo on site, it still makes staying outdoors that little bit more of a challenge.
However, it’s worth the hassle!