Period protection and camping

[TheClaifeCrier]

I'm going camping next week. Am a seasoned camper. However, my period is due on the day I go.

I'm currently waiting on a referral for a gynaecologist. My GP thinks I could have endometriosis.

My periods are horrific. During the day I can manage it but I'm worried about night times, as I tend to wake up in a bit of a mess. Obviously this isn't so much of an issue at home as I can just change sheets, pyjamas etc and the bathroom is a few metres away.

At the moment I use night time pads doubled up but I'm wondering if there is a better, more leak proof solution. Are period pants any good?

I don't want to try a mooncup this week as I'm camping, though I'd be open to trying it in the future.

Hmm, actually, I can't find the Always pants on their UK site. Maybe the Tena ones will work.

As an off grid camper, and someone who has had horrific periods, I'd use a cup.
No worries you will run out of protection, much more leak control overnight, remains can be buried with no trace or waste, and at least personally I found I cramped less.

Tena pants are great for heavy flow and big coverage. I find night time pads only work if you don’t move or sleep on sides. Tena pants mean I can toss turn knowing not going flood or make mess on way to toilets. Also can tear off sides,so if you did need change in tent in night you could pull on clean pair then take off old. So not in tent making a mess everywhere!

Ibuprofen works but you need to take it before your period starts.

Transexamic acid and naproxen or ibuprofen taken at the very first hint of cramping and then continually regardless of pain levels. It's much better as a preventative than a cure.

I'd use an extra super tampon plus an Always night-time pad. Also something as simple as a plastic bag to line the sleeping bag.

Yes, get the Boots heavy period tablets. To be honest,it wasn't the magical solution I'd hoped for but did have an effect, so might be worth a go for a short trip.

Been there and it's not ideal but I used a super-plus tampon with a cloth pad, tight fitting pants, leggings (with another pad in them) and then pjs.

Put a spare sleeping bag in the car just in case.

I packed my 'emergency kit' in a separate wash bag and kept it close to the tent entrance - spare pants, tampons, pads, wipes, a carrier bag and a spare pair of pyjama bottoms/leggings. I got up a couple of times in the night and went to the toilet block. You could set a vibrating alarm if needed. Not a lot of sleep but it prevented any massive accidents and I went for an afternoon snooze to make up for it.

Feminax Ultra is naproxen, but the pharmacist told me it increased flow (when he wouldn't give me tranexamic acid without a prescription - I was away from home, and period wasn't expected for a few days.) Didn't care at that point, as it is an effective painkiller.

As protection for bedding in addition to above some cheap fleece blankets would be good as you could wash and dry them quickly if there's an onsite machine.