Hi,
This is perhaps not the best question to be asking in a public forum, so all you male hikers who are squeamish, you must forgive me! But I am curious…how do all you female hikers out there deal with your period while hiking the AT? My husband and I are planning to do the AT in a few years, and this, I must say is a question that makes me wonder… Any thoughts are appreciated.
Danielle
I’m planning a thru-hike for the AT this spring, and from what I understand, you have to pack it out, like your toilet paper and all other trash, until it is disposed of or can be burned. Also, when in bear country, you have to hang it with your foodsack, and be super clean, as the scent attracts them.
There is also the option I am taking, which is Depo Provera, a shot I’ve been on for a few years and causes cessation of periods. I need it every three months, though, so somewhere in the middle of the hike, I’ll have to find someone to give me a shot in the butt. If you take the pill, you can also just skip the off days, which has the same effect. I think it’s a great system, but I know some people have a problem with the idea of not having periods, and think it seems unnatural.
Susan
Yes, Susan is right; even though I have not done a thru-hike, I have done a bit of backpacking, and during my period at times. Pads, tampons, etc. have to be packed out and bear-bagged with food and other scented items, like toothpaste. I read in one book that if you elect to burn it, it has to be a large, very hot fire(those were the words used, I believe). you can bring along those antibacterial wipes to clean yourself daily. Of course, it goes without saying that you have to pack those out as well. Also, according to a book on dealing with bears in the backcountry, you don’t have to be paranoid about a bear attacking you or anything just because you’re menstruating, but since it is a curious scent(to them)you should keep yourself clean, etc. like Susan said.
Mini-mosey
When I did my thru-hike with my husband, I used the pill and just skipped the ovulation pills. My doctor said this was perfectly fine and it worked out well not having to deal with the pads, tampons, etc.
Budder Ball
when i’m active, my period is much lighter. anyone noticed this to be the case when thru-hiking or does the body adapt and resume a normal flow?
hephzibah
When I thru-hiked, I used the Keeper, which is a rubber cup-like device that you, um, insert and empty 2-3 times a day depending on your flow. It worked quite well for me; didn’t have to worry about tampons or pads. In the morning and evening when Bushwhack was heating water for food, he’d fill a 4 oz. squirt bottle that I’d take with me as I set off to empty the cup, using the hot water for rinsing the cup, etc. It’s available at keeper.com
On the lighter question, unfortunately, my body adapted…bummer. Also changed from averaging 28 days to 22-23, but that could be the late 30’s affect.
Bramble
hephzibah,
It IS common when doing intensive exercise to experience light periods and also temporary cessation of them (medically called secondary amenorrhoea) I understand the body doesn’t adapt, that this is the body’s reaction to the intensive excercise(what say female thru-hikers?); Check out this website about “the curse”(smile)and female athletes: http://www.pponline.co.uk/encyc/0617.htm
Peep
I haven’t read it yet, but found a book by a woman about the special needs/challenges of women on the Trail. The book is “Women & Thru-Hiking on the Appalachain Trail” by Beverly “Maine Rose” Hugo. Here is a quotation from a review on Amazon:
Beverly has “…taken the responses of experienced women long-distance hikers from surveys and questionnaires and skillfully woven them into a narrative form that gives answers to all the questions a prospective female hiker might have…”
Sounds like this might just be a book we (all of us with no “Y” Chromosome, that is) need before going!
angie
Angie- I had ordered that book but it didn’t arrive until I left for my hike last year. My mom read through some of it and found some chapters of it so funny that she copied it and sent it to me. It’s a great book for women to read before hiking.
Hep- I had just the opposite happen on my hike. Much heavier.
Pushing Up Daisies
Thanks for everyone who responded. It’s good to know there are options out there. I think I’ll get the aforementioned book, and hey, what the heck, six months without periods due to skipping the ovulation pills sounds great to me! I’ll definitely keep that in mind for the future.
Danielle
I had completely forgotten this when I wrote my reply yesterday, but I have that book by “Maine Rose” and one of the many topics it addresses is dealing with your period on the trail, even PMS on the trail!!(grrr-get out of my way!!!)
Mini-Mosey
Yes, you do have to pack out tampons/pads. You can’t bury them, and you shouldn’t put them into privys, either. The best way to carry used tampons/pads is this: put the used stuff inside a plastic bag, then fold a piece of foil around the plastic bag. Then, just to be safe, place the foil packet into another plastic bag. The foil will prevent odor from leaking out. Put a couple pieces of foil in your resupply boxes, and you’ll be fine. ALSO, be prepared for irregular periods. On the AT, I went 3 months without having one. On the PCT, I twice went 2 1/2 weeks between periods. Always be prepared. Carry tampons/pads with you at all times. I personally wouldn’t use pads. I think they wouldn’t stick to sweaty short liners or underwear. Plus, they’re too messy with no showers. Baby wipes are great. Don’t forget to carry pamprin/midol/whatever.
yogi
I hadn’t heard that about the foil–thanks,yogi. Also, since I use pads, I use safety pins to keep them in place. Tampons are better, one reason being better odor control, but I can’t wear them, so that’s how I handle the problem of the shifting pad.
Mini-Mosey
I hadn’t heard that about the foil-thanks, yogi. I use pads, and I use safety pins to keep them in place. Tampons are preferred, one reason being better odor control, but I can’t wear them, so that is how I solve the problem of "shifty"pads.
Mini-Mosey
“Women & Thru-Hiking on the Appalachain Trail” by Beverly “Maine Rose” Hugo was very inspiring and good to have the perspective of the many women she interveiwed.
The bear “seeking menstruating women” thing is WAY over blown as she counters in the book based on research.
Tenderfoot
I ran a thru-hiker who swore by a pretty unconventional (but cool) method of keeping odor to a minimum. it works wonderfully if you’re the tea-drinkin’ type. stuff your tampon into a used teabag (think celestial seasonings) and then toss it all in a plastic bag. the odor is masked and it’s not quite as unsightly. I’m totally using that method on my upcoming thru-hike!
erica
I had a few friends on the shot…it stopped their periods,the downside,one of the three started up again 1 month into it and bled for 2 months straight,the other one was fine for a year and a half than bled for 3 months straight,both of them have switched to the patch,my other friend is fine with the shot and has been period free for two years still :happy
Rebecca & Bennett
Six months period-free? It sounds like heaven! hahahaa