Managing your Period in the Outdoors

Use a small roll top dry bag ( I recommend this 3 litre one from Cotswolds) and fill with the following:

• Clean tampons/pads/menstrual cup.
• Wad of toilet paper
• Resealable sandwich bag to keep the items above nice and dry.
• Hand sanitiser – good for killing bugs on your hands pre and post if you can’t wash them, but never use it on your genitals.
• Waste bag – a large resealable sandwich bag is perfect for this, you can store it in another non-see through dry bag if you’d rather or wrap it duct-tape. Wrap your waste in toilet paper or the scented sanitary disposal bags and seal it carefully. Once you’re back in civilisation you can dispose of this whole bag.

Optional

• A small trowel for digging your cat hole (there’s not necessarily a need for one trowel each if you’re in a group, but if you like to be discreet take your own). I recommend this one from Cotswold’s.
• Unscented wet wipes can make life a lot easier (some manufacturers do advise against using wipes or sanitiser on their menstrual cups).
• Biodegradable soap for washing hands and possibly your underwear.
• Sanitary disposal bags. I recommend these from FabLittleBag.com. Fantastic wee biodegradable bags. Starter pack of 25 bags for £4.49. Online shop here. 

After you empty out the cup, rinse it with clean water if possible, or wipe it out with tissue, and reinsert it. You can do this as often as you need to. Some people even pee on the cup to rinse it, then wash it when they get a chance. You may prefer to use the cup only at night or only during the day. A cup can be boiled for a thorough cleaning.

For disposal you’ve got a couple of options:

• Empty the cup into heavy duty, resealable bag and “pack it out” like you would with any other waste.
• Using Leave No Trace principals, dig a 6 – 8 inch deep cathole, away from water sources, paths and people, empty the cup and bury the contents. See here for details https://lnt.org/learn/principle-3

Tampons/pads
Wrap the used product in toilet paper or wet wipes and put it in the resealable waste bag. You’ll have to “pack it out” along with any applicators or wrappers. Under no circumstances should you bury your used products even if they say they’re biodegradable/compostable, these products can take many years to rot away and will often be brought back to the surface by the weather or animals before that happens.

• Privacy is an obvious one maybe, but do plan for a bit more privacy than a normal pee stop. 
• Hygiene keeps you going strong. Make sure you understand the basics of cleanliness in the outdoors.
• Understand the Leave No Trace principles. More info here –  http://www.leave-no-trace-training.co.uk/
• Wear quick drying sports underwear that can be easily washed and reused.
• If you suffer from cramps or other symptoms don’t forget your painkillers. Ibuprofen is a popular choice, but do talk to your pharmacist or doctor as there are thought to be risks associated with taking them during strenuous exercise.
• Keep your tampons and pads dry – they’ve used up all their absorbency once they’re wet and will be completely useless when you come to using them. 
• Drink plenty of fluids. Being active outside will already require more water, but at this time of month, you’ll need to be even more hydrated.