Camping on your period can be a major hassle. But in this article, we are going to look at camping on your period hacks and options for managing your period. A great option is menstrual cup camping. We will check out some of the best cups for outdoor activities and how to use a menstrual cup while camping. We will also look into what should be in your camp period kit and why it's so important to not leave anything behind.

The thing about camping or any outdoor activity is to always be prepared and pack what you need. Even more so when you are camping on your period. You can also organise and make your own camp period kit to manage your period easier.

There are quite a few options that you can plan for when camping on your period. See below.

Menstrual Cups may be known by their brands; such as The DivaCup, LENA cup, Blossom cup, Dutchess cup, etc.

Menstrual cups are flexible silicon cups that you can place inside your vagina, like a tampon. Instead of absorbing the blood, the cup will collect your menstrual blood. You can then go to the bathroom (or the bush!), tip the collected blood out, and then reinsert.

Check out the Benefits of Menstrual Cups

These are very handy if you are camping on your period or doing outdoor activities. Menstrual cups are safe to leave in for up to 12 hours depending on your flow. They also come in a range of sizes depending on your age, flow, and childbirth history.

Why Use A Menstrual Cup when Camping on your Period?

Menstrual cups can last up to 10 years with care. If placed correctly, like a tampon, you should not be able to feel it inside. It is the preferred choice for many active women. It is discreet; no tampon string hanging out of the bikini, or having to change your tampon every 4 hours. It is environmentally-friendly with no monthly waste and no chemicals used to create the product.  It is also very cheap when compared to purchasing tampons and pads over a lifetime!

It's a great option for when you are running on your period or swimming on your period too!

How to Use A Menstrual Cup While Camping on Your Period

1. ​Find a secluded place to do your business and try to take a bottle of water with you
2. Dig a small cat hole
3. Remove the cup - check out some handy tips on How to Remove A Menstrual Cup Safely
4. Tip out the contents of the cup into the hole
5. Rinse the cup off with a bit of water from the bottle. If you don't have water, then use a bit of tissue paper to wipe it off as clean as you can
6. Re-insert the menstrual cup
7. Put some dirt over your cat hole
8. Enjoy your outdoor adventures!
   
   

This is even more magical than the menstrual cup (it's 'magical,' because I don't know how it works, but it does!)  This underwear will absorb your period blood without leaving stains or leaks. It also looks great (no granny underwear here!) and feels very comfortable.  Absorbent underwear has been designed to be used with or without a menstrual cup or tampon.

Take a few pairs of menstrual underwear when packing your camp period kit. You can change it as often as you would like, and at least once a day. To hand-wash, you can use soak it in some water and rub it with some environmental soap. You can then wring it out (I would be careful with this and not 'over-wring' it to not damage the material), then leave it to dry.

If you prefer tampons and pads then make sure you bring enough supplies. This will depend on the length of your period, your normal flow and your outdoor adventure.

Remember you will need to change your tampon at least every 4-6 hours. This is to avoid Toxic Shock Syndrome, read about the Dangers of Tampons here. You should also avoid leaving a tampon in while sleeping.

Tampons and pads are individually small in size, but they will add up and end up taking lots of space in your bag. 

Bring enough zip-locks bags, or small plastic bags that you can use. Use a clean zip-lock bag inside a waterproof bag to make sure your new tampons and pads stay clean and sterile. You also don't want your supplies to get wet while kayaking or rained on.

Remember to bring some toilet paper to wrap your used tampon or pad up. You should also bring a plastic bag to store your used supplies. Do not ever bury your tampon or pad, used or not, as animals may dig it up. Tampons and pads also have chemicals and bleached cotton. You do not want to leave this buried in the bush as it is bad for the environment!

If you are prone to cramps and discomfort during your period then you should make a period camping kit. This will make camping on your period more comfortable.

Here’s a list of handy items that won’t weigh you down too much!

Yes, getting your period sucks sometimes. But a great way to forget about your cramps is by sleeping under the stars or going for a scenic hike. Camping on your period can be manageable, there's even menstrual cups for heavy flows!. If you make a plan and prepare your options, then camping on your period can be a breeze. Having your period should not stop you from going on your wild or not quite wild adventures!