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Don’t let your period ruin your travel plans. Here are some ways to prepare for having your period on holiday – from period delay options to packing essentials.
We all know the feeling. Those familiar PMS symptoms appear at the most inconvenient moments – an early warning sign that your period is on its way. And getting your period while you’re on holiday is perhaps one of the most annoying times for it to happen. After all, who wants their period to get in the way of chilling in the sun or exploring a new city?
Whether you’re on holiday already, have one coming up, or are just interested in how to prepare yourself for any future adventures you go on, we’re here to help.
In this article, we will run you through some helpful tricks and tips to manage your period and focus on enjoying your time away.
How to tell if you’ll be on your period on holiday
If you’ve got a holiday coming up, you might want to find out whether you’ll be on your period during the trip. However, if you’re not sure how to go about it, that’s okay! There are a couple of different methods you can choose.
One of the easiest ways to check if you’ll be on your period while you’re away is to use a period tracker app. Simply fill in the details of when your last period was and how long it usually lasts, and it’ll come up with a prediction of when your next period will be.
But, if you’d rather go the more old-fashioned way, that’s fine as well – just grab yourself a pen and paper and here’s what you’ll need to do:
- start off by writing down when you start your period each month and how long it lasts.1 Repeat this over the next few months
- once you have a few months’ worth of data, look for the average number of days from day one of your period, to the day before your next one. This will give you the average length of your menstrual cycle, which is usually around 28 days. However, it can range from any time between 23 and 35 days (and sometimes shorter or longer than this!)2
- once you know the length of your cycle, calculate your period due date for each month
- using this information, look ahead in your calendar to when you’re going on holiday and work out where you’ll be in your cycle. Remember that some month-to-month variation can be normal – particularly if you’ve been under stress or had lots of late nights, for example
Can you delay your period for a holiday?
If you’ve discovered that you’ll be on your period on holiday and absolutely don’t want that to be the case, we completely understand.
If you want to try and delay your period for your holiday, your first port of call should be your local pharmacist or GP, they may advise you on medication that may help, such as:
Taking your combined pill pack back-to-back
If you already take the combined pill, you can delay your period by skipping the seven-day break you usually take.3
Instead, take two packets continuously back-to-back and you will effectively prevent your period from arriving for that month.3 This also won’t affect how the pill acts as a contraceptive.3
If you’re not sure what pill you’re on or how it works, speak to a medical professional and they’ll be able to offer tailored advice.3
Using a period delay pill
If you’re not taking a contraceptive pill, another option to delay your period may be taking a medication called norethisterone. However, it’s important to note that your GP will need to prescribe this to you (if it’s suitable for you) and it won’t act as a contraception.3
Norethisterone is part of a group of medicines called progestogens, which are similar to the hormone progesterone. It works by keeping your levels of progesterone up and therefore delaying your period.4
Usually, you’ll start taking three tablets a day, approximately three or four days before your period is due to start. Your period will then arrive two or three days after you stop taking the medication.3
However, norethisterone may not be suitable for everyone, particularly if you have breast cancer or a history of blood clots.3 You may also experience side effects such as changes in mood and libido, nausea or headaches, so it’s important to speak with your doctor if you’re not sure.
Packing for your period on holiday
Preparation is key when it comes to travelling, but it’s especially important if you’re going to be on your period while you’re away. Make sure your suitcase is stocked up with light, comfy clothes for those bloated days, a variety of period products, and a selection of swimwear, as well as the following:
Period swimwear
If you think being on your period while on holiday means you can’t enjoy swimming, think again.
Period swimwear is, essentially, period pants for swimming. This means they are specially designed with a super-absorbent lining, leaving you feeling comfortable and leak-free.
The outer fabric is also water-resistant so water can’t get inside the lining.5 Simply wear your period swimwear instead of normal swimwear and you’ll be good to go. Better still, they can be worn for up to eight hours, depending on your flow.5
Tampons
Swim-safe, discrete, and offering minimal leakage, tampons are one of the best options to bring with you on your holiday.
The only downside is being able to dispose of them in the right way, which can be especially difficult when enjoying a day down at the beach. To make sure you don’t get caught out, remember to take some small, sealable bags along with you on your travels.
Menstrual cup
Whether for personal or environmental reasons if you’re not a fan of tampons, a menstrual cup may be a better choice for you to use while you’re away.6
Designed to be reused, menstrual cups don’t require you to carry any other period products around with you all day and can help you cut down on valuable bag space.6
They’re also discreet and swim-friendly, and as long as they’re inserted correctly, you won’t need to worry about any leaks.7
Pain relief for period cramps
While not everyone needs pain relief for their periods, lots of people do. If you suffer from period cramps, remember to pack painkillers like ibuprofen and paracetamol to help manage any pain.8
However, if your periods are so painful that these medications aren’t helpful, speak to your GP. They’ll be able to offer tailored advice and treatment for painful periods, and help find out if something else is going on.
The final say
While periods can often come at the most inconvenient times, they don’t have to ruin your holiday plans. Just remember a regular cycle reflects a healthy you – having periods is a sign of a healthy cycle, and nothing to be ashamed or embarrassed about.
Packing so you feel prepared in case your period starts can help you relax and enjoy your trip more.
And if you don’t want to have your period on holiday, speak to your doctor as they may suggest using a period delay pill which can hold it while you enjoy the sun, sea, and sand. Speak to your doctor if you’re unsure of what’s best for you.
Just remember, if you do get your period while you’re on holiday, getting plenty of sleep and fuelling your body with lots of iron-rich foods to replace the iron you often lose during your period can help you feel your best while you’re enjoying your time away.9
The advice in this article is for information only and should not replace medical care.
Please check with your GP or healthcare professional if you would like to delay your period.
- Office on Women's Health. Menstrual cycle tool [Internet]. [Cited 2024 Feb 17]. Available from: https://www.womenshealth.gov/menstrual-cycle/your-menstrual-cycle.
- NHS Choices. Periods and fertility in the menstrual cycle - Periods [Internet]. [Cited 2024 Feb 17]. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/periods/fertility-in-the-menstrual-cycle/.
- NHS. How can I delay my period? [Internet]. [Cited 2024 Feb 17]. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/common-health-questions/travel-health/how-can-i-delay-my-period/.
- Medicines. Package leaflet: Information for the user. Norethisterone 5mg Tablets [Internet]. [Cited 2024 Feb 17]. Available from: https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.1494.pdf.
- Modibodi UK. How our period bathers *actually* work [Internet]. [Cited 2024 Feb 17]. Available from: https://www.modibodi.co.uk/blogs/womens/period-bathers.
- Peberdy, E., et al. ‘A Study into Public Awareness of the Environmental Impact of Menstrual Products and Product Choice.’ Sustainability. 2019;11(2):473. Available from: https://doi.org/10.3390/su11020473.
- Barbara B. North and Michael J. Oldham. Preclinical, Clinical, and Over-the-Counter Postmarketing Experience with a New Vaginal Cup: Menstrual Collection. Journal of Women's Health 2011 20:2, 303-311. Available from: https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/full/10.1089/jwh.2009.1929
- NHS. Period pain [Internet]. [Cited 2024 Feb 17]. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/period-pain/.
- Napolitano, M., Dolce, A., Celenza, G. et al. Iron-dependent erythropoiesis in women with excessive menstrual blood losses and women with normal menses. Ann Hematol 93, 557–563 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00277-013-1901-3
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