Feel Confident While Traveling. Period.

Ok, so I am totally assuming most of my readership is female, but if you are here by accident (pun intended), just know that you are getting ready for a bit of TMI. Ok? Be forewarned. This post is about my experience with roaming while having my period. Here goes!

This post is in partnership with Knix. Just wait til you hear my story and what they are all about!

Having my period while traveling is nothing short of a pain. As a travel writer, it’s not necessarily the cramps or bloating that get me – although, yes, those are inconvenient – mostly my concern is about bleeding through my clothing. You see, on media trips and press tours, I often am in close quarters and on someone else’s schedule. Here are a few examples of my trials and tribulations within the past few months below.

traveling with my period – #1

So, I was on a two-day media trip, and – as fate would have it – I was riding solo with a male for two straight days. I got my day before “warning dot” (as I call it) the first day I was there, and I knew I was in a bit of a conundrum.  You see, the first full day of my period (as it is for most women, I’d assume) is full of hellfire and brimstone. Ha! Seriously, though, I feel tired and irritable, my digestive system is unpredictable at best, and let’s just say it’s a crazy heavy flow (can any guys STILL READING just leave already, please??).

That encompassed day two of my trip. And I was paranoid. The whole day. Luckily I wore red jeans (not on purpose, either), so I knew I was partially covered, but I made what felt like 1000 trips to the bathroom just to check on things. I totally wanted to fess up to the guy leading the tour that I had my period, lest he think that I had other issues (ha!), but I just bore through it. And then there was the 5+ hour plane ride home.

Needless to say, it was a bit uncomfortable, and I felt as though I couldn’t fully pay attention to the media part of the trip due to my paranoia. Ug!

having my period while traveling – #2

This is super short, but I made a 6-hour drive to my mom’s house – VA to PA – and I tried to make the trip as efficient as possible. Not many stops and not much food or drink to minimize bathroom trips. I was super proud of the time I was making, only to be mortified to change position in the driver’s seat to get more comfortable – out came a gush of blood that spilled over into my underwear only to have me bleed through. Thankfully, I would only see my mom, and I was almost at her house. Almost!

one last period travel story – #3

Last, but not least, my husband and I were on an 11-day cruise, and it was inevitable that my “monthly visitor” was going to make an appearance during that time. We spent each port stop off of the boat swimming, exploring, renting scooters and generally just having a great time. Not that I had any real worries, but it would have been nice to be fully prepared instead of wondering if and when Aunt Flo (don’t you hate that term, lol?) would rear her ugly head while I was far from my own personal space on the ship.

the solution to having your period while traveling

So, if you have ever experienced any of the conundrums I have while on the go, I have the PERFECT solution for you. Imagine the freedom of wearing a pair of panties that was ready for those leaks, spills, and unexpected starts to your period.

Those are exactly the potential issues that Knix can cover. Available in several styles and colors, these leakproof panties hold anywhere from 1-2 tampons worth of fluid. So, feel free to use them as your period protection, or do what you would normally do (pads, tampons, cup) and have Knix give you confidence that you have a failsafe backup system. I love that! Honestly, with the unpredictability, it’s a smart idea to keep a pair with you wherever – and whenever – you travel.

Ok, girls – at least I HOPE there are only girls still around by now. That was an honest and frank talk. Happy (leak free) travels!

Want more advice on travel? See my advice section here and hear sage advice from other female travelers in this post.