Dealing with your period can be challenging enough in the comfort of your home, but what happens when you’re out in the field, whether it’s for work, camping, or any outdoor adventure? Managing menstrual hygiene outside of your typical routine requires some planning and smart strategies to ensure comfort and cleanliness.

I have been working in the field for a long time. Sometimes there are no bathrooms, sometimes you are out on a boat all day and you don’t have a place to deal with it (people peeing off the back of the boat!?), and sometimes you know you are going to be in a place where you need to pack it in and pack it out and the idea of doing that with your period products is scary.

I will provide practical tips and period hacks to help you maintain feminine hygiene while out in the field, ensuring you can focus on your activities with confidence. I will tell you how I handle it and how you can support other mensurating people in the field.

Understanding Menstrual Hygiene

This is not just for the ladies!

Before we dive into the specifics, let’s discuss what menstrual hygiene entails. It’s more than just using a pad or a tampon; it’s about understanding your body, knowing your options, and being prepared. Good menstrual hygiene involves practices that prevent infections, make your period more comfortable, and help you manage it with minimal disturbance to your daily life—even when you’re miles away from the nearest convenience store, bathroom, or shelter.

This is important for everyone to understand. It can be embarrassing or uncomfortable to let everyone know that you are on your period, but when you are camping, working, or out in the back woods hiding it can be an issue. Getting everyone on board with the importance of menstrual hygrine is essential. You might need extra time or privacy and that is not inconvenient. It is also important to include essential products in first aid kits and emergency kits, which means everyone needs to understand.

Why It Matters

Menstrual hygiene is crucial for your health, comfort, and well-being. When you’re in the field, maintaining good hygiene can be a bit more challenging due to limited resources and privacy. However, with the right knowledge and preparation, you can tackle your period head-on and help support others in the same situation. If you are going to be out in the field for multiple days or say on a long back packing trip, infections and other issues can compound. Rather than dealing with a health issue later, staying safe and doing it right from the beginning is important.

Things to think about:

Menstrual Hygiene Techniques for the Field

Out in the field, you’ll need to adapt your usual menstrual hygiene routine. Here are some techniques that can help. There are a lot things that you need to consider when planning.

How close is the nearest facility? How much privacy will you have/need?

There is a good chance that you will not be able to get to a bathroom during the day. When planning consider how often you need to change or empty the product that you are using. If you don’t feel comfortable changing out your products in the wilderness then you need to think about what products can get you from point a to point b.

If you feel like you will need a lot of privacy make a plan, how far off trail will you go? Who will you tell? If you want to bring a tent or a sheet just make plan!

How much access to water will you have? You may need to bring extra water with you to wash hands and rinse products.

Practice Proper Disposal

Proper disposal of menstrual products is critical to maintaining hygiene and respecting the environment. If you’re using single-use products like tampons or pads, bring sealable bags to store used items until you can dispose of them properly. Never leave used products in the field.

There a few ways to do this. I suggest bring 3 Ziplock bags. One Ziplock bag for clean unused products. 2 Additional bags for used products. These second two should be doubled bagged, a smaller inner bag for the actual used product and the outer larger bag for security and any wipes or other products you bring to clean.

Most “biodegradable” products take months and even years to breakdown so nothing should be left out in the wilderness.

Depending on where you are you may want to also have a plan for over night and keeping animals out of the bag. Just like you would with trash or food, have a plan to keep this trash safe as well.

Hand Hygiene

Maintaining hand hygiene is essential, especially when handling menstrual products. Use hand sanitizer or biodegradable soap and water before and after changing your products to prevent infections. Wipes or hand sanitizer can be used afterward as well, if you are like me and you may not have the ability to wash hands as well as you would like, you can consider bringing gloves. Again, you will need to pack it out but you want to have a plan to have a clean way of changing things out, especially with tampons or a cup.

Choose the Right Menstrual Products

When packing for your time in the field, consider the duration of your trip and the menstrual products that will work best for you. Tampons and menstrual cups are often preferred for their convenience and low waste, but it’s essential to choose what makes you feel most comfortable and confident.

Tampons

Most of us are familiar with tampons. They are available almost everywhere.

Pro: Tampons are compact and can be easily disposed of, but you’ll need to carry enough for your entire trip plus some extras. They can be shared if needed and have alterative first aid applications.

Con: Remember, it’s important to change your tampon every 4-8 hours to prevent Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS). If you ware not going to have a place to change them easily this is a downside. Also, you can not leave tampons in nature, you cant burry them. You will need to pack them out.

Menstrual Cups

There are a lot of cups and disks on the market. Choosing one that works for you can take some time. This option takes the most amount of planning but in my opinion is the best choice! For many people the use of a cup significantly reduces cramps as well.

Pro: Menstrual cups can be a great option as they are reusable and can be worn for up to 12 hours, depending on your flow.

Con: You’ll need to clean the cup with potable water, so plan accordingly. You need to be comfortable using them. Your first time using a cup should not be in the field.

Pads and Liners

Pads and Liners are easy to use and easy to change. They are also available almost everywhere.

Pro: If you prefer pads or liners, opt for ones that offer good absorbency and consider biodegradable options.

Con: Keep in mind that you’ll have to pack out what you pack in, so bring sealable bags for used products. They tend to generate the most waste and take up a lot of space.

Period Underwear

Period Underwear is absorbent and hygienic. They are reusable and can be washed in the washing machine.

Pro: You can wear them all day and they come in different absorbency’s. They are easy to use and easy to change. They can be hand washed and dried very easily.

Con: They need to be washed, and will need a sealed bag to hike them out once dirty. They are more expensive but last 5-10 years.

Period Hacks for Field Comfort

Being in the field doesn’t mean you have to be uncomfortable during your period. Here are some hacks to help you stay comfortable.

Wear Dark-Colored Clothing

Dark-colored pants or shorts can help camouflage any potential leaks and provide peace of mind as you go about your activities. I am a fan of bike shorts and then my field pants. When on a boat, I always pack a spare bath suite, and changing under the towel is a skill that you should practice at home.

Use Backup Protection

Consider using a panty liner or period underwear as a backup to your primary menstrual product for extra protection against leaks. Period underwear is getting better and better all the time! I never go without it. It has also got more affordable. But if your afraid of leaks this is the way to go. I am a fan of the boy short version for the field.

Stay Hydrated and Maintain a Healthy Diet

Drinking plenty of water and maintaining a balanced diet can help reduce bloating and discomfort during your period. When you in the field or on the water this is even more important. Hydration reduces cramps and bloating but during the day as you hike or work adding an electrolyte packet to your water is not a bad idea.

Additionally eating well is important. If your going to be in the field during your cycle, make sure you eat some protein in the morning and minimize sugar so that you can make it through the day. I am not a fan of the runners gel in general but I will eat it mid day if I am in the field on my period, especially if its really hot.

Keep a Period Kit Handy

Prepare a small kit with your chosen menstrual products, hand sanitizer, pain relief medication, and extra underwear. Having everything in one place makes it easier to manage your period on the go. This is my favorite one! It comes with literally everything you need and a bowl to rinse when in the field!

Feminine Hygiene Essentials for the Outdoors

Beyond menstrual products, there are other essentials to consider for maintaining feminine hygiene in the field.

Biodegradable Soap

Choose a biodegradable soap for cleaning yourself and your menstrual cup (if you’re using one), but always use it at least 200 feet away from water sources to protect the environment. You can also consider bringing in extra water specifically for this purpose!

Wet Wipes

Biodegradable wet wipes can be helpful for quick clean-ups. Remember to pack them out with your trash. I find that you can also cut them in half and make your own pack per day your out in the wilderness.

Portable Toilet Options

If there are no restroom facilities, be prepared with a portable toilet solution or know how to dig a cat hole. Always follow Leave No Trace principles. You can also make a portable sink if you need to.

Dealing with Period Pain and Discomfort in the Field

Period pain and discomfort can be an added challenge when you’re away from home comforts. Everyone is different and you know what is going to be the biggest hurdle for you pain and discomfort wise. Keep in mind that you may have to push through it in a way that you would not do otherwise. Here are some strategies to manage discomfort.

Heat/Cool Packs

Portable, air-activated heat packs can provide relief from cramps and are easy to use on the go. Cooling towels are also great if that sounds better to you. I tend to get a lot of back pain on

Gentle Exercise and Stretching

Light exercise and stretching can help alleviate cramps and improve your mood. You will likely be on the move if you are reading this, so stretching early in the day.

Over-the-Counter Medications

Over-the-counter medications that can be beneficial to bring with you to the field, in addition to pain relievers like ibuprofen or naproxen, include medications for nausea and diarrhea. It’s essential to plan accordingly based on how your period affects you to ensure you have the necessary medications to manage any discomfort or symptoms that may arise during your outdoor activities.

Conclusion

Dealing with your period in the field is all about preparation and finding what works best for you. By choosing the right menstrual products, practicing proper disposal, and preparing for discomfort, you can manage your menstrual hygiene with confidence, no matter where your adventures take you.

Remember to listen to your body, prioritize your well-being, and never let your period hold you back from enjoying your time in the field. With these tips and tricks, you’ll be well-equipped to handle your menstrual needs while respecting the environment and continuing to do what you love.