I was wondering how does a woman deal with a monthly cycle on the trail?
thanks for this will help me in my planning.
Wonder
Femine Hygiene - Appalachian Trail
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#1
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#3
There has been a lot of talk about the diva cup. Look it up and you will get a good explaination.
Friend
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#4
My wife’s experience has been that the cycle changes quite a bit on long hikes. She’s done several, and it’s consistent with her. Her body goes into starvation, or survival, mode. Her periods just go away. We’ve read that may be an evolutionary byproduct of the need to not conceive on long migrations in our past, so it must happen to others, too. Or maybe it’s the stress. Everything returns to normal quickly after the hike.
That probably doesn’t help in planning, but it might be a heads up, at least.
Garlic
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#5
I’ve heard the period going away from others but I’ve always been regular so don’t count on it. I’d recommend carrying wet wipes. I’ve heard the diva cup works okay if you order the right size otherwise you can have leakage and you definitely don’t want to deal with that. I haven’t tried it. I stick with tampons and carry extra ziplocs and extra t.p. and the wipes. And I carry some pain reliever for the worst cramps. Hope this helps.
Apple Pie
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#6
Wonder…this is a very valid question. One probably best answered by Krudmeister, she has spent a lot of time on trail.:eek:
Blather
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#7
I have used the Diva Cup for years now and love it. Especially when hiking… Last season while on a Thru I couldn’t believe how awesome it was. I carried extra tp and extra baby wipes (used to clean the cup)which really didn’t take up too much extra space in my pack. I was never lucky enough to have my cycle stop while I was hiking (I never expected it to as I was very athletic as a kid and never lost it then) but I was shocked when it showed up a week early. So be prepare for that possibility! All in all there are lots if ways to deal with it, and you jsut need to find what will work best for you. And if you really want you could go on birth control for the entire time you are out there to stop it (if the idea of drugs doesn’t bother you.)
Phoenix Rising
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#9
If you do use tampons (most do on the trail) be sure to pack them out. Don’t bury them.
I was one of those who had her periods stop or at the least become very light when thruhiking. Not everybody is as lucky.
Ginny
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#10
Gotta love the Diva Cup. I use mine even when I don’t hike. There is a learning curve and the proper size is important. Practice before you go and you will never want to use anything else. Also, although the initial cost is about 30-40$, the thing lasts for a year. My problem has been the not so pleasant nasal assault from sweating in that area. Anyone have suggestions to counteract that problem?
SC
Stickchick
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#11
Just line the inside of your underwear or shorts with one downy fabric softner sheet per day.
Odor Eater