Periods have no respect for your travel plans. Those are the facts, and I’m sorry.

If you have a period and travel, I’d be willing to bet that you have (or will) face many trips while already on or expecting your period. And if you’re traveling on your period, a menstrual cup is the ideal solution!

• Menstrual cups take up minimal space in your luggage (you can even pack a spare without worry)
• Cups are comfortable
• Even average cups have 3-5x more capacity than a tampon or pad
• Up to 12 hours of continuous wear means that you can worry less about finding a restroom and focus on taking in the moment

As a frequent flyer who is quite experienced at traveling on their period, I can attest to how amazing it is to grab my cup and pack it for a trip, no matter the length, without having to fill my luggage with a box of tampons (or making a mad dash to a store when I realize my period has decided to show up early!)

What To Pack When Traveling On Your Period — YOUR CUP!

If you’re not already on your period on the day of your trip, you’ll still want to pack. your. cup! Even if you think your period won’t begin while you’re away, I promise it’s better to pack your cup just in case. Travel has a way of wreaking havoc on your body: from sleep patterns to digestion, you may find that your period is also thrown off track and decides to show up later or earlier than expected.

Pack a pouch. Most menstrual cups come with a travel pouch or case when you purchase them brand new. If you don’t have one, you’ll want to pack your cup in something breathable, like a cotton pouch, to protect it from getting dirty. If you’re already on your period (or think you may start), toss your cup in nature’s pocket (your vagina), and you’re good to go. You will, however, want to bring your storage pouch in case your period ends and you need a place to put your cup when it’s over.

& Pack Cleanser. Hotels, Air BnB’s, and family or friends can have varying styles of soaps available (most hotels only provide French milled bar soaps), so you may want to pack your own menstrual cup cleanser in a TSA approved travel bottle for when you’re emptying and washing in the comfort of your home away from home.

Other items you may want to pack when traveling on your period:

• Several pairs of period underwear
• Extra clean underwear of any variety
• Individual cup wipes (for cleaning on the go)
• Ibuprofen, Acetaminophen, or other OTC pain reliever (these are especially hard to come by internationally!)

Pro Tip

Remember to pack your cup! If you forget and need period supplies, consider opting for an organic tampon. If you truly can’t live without a cup for your period, many chain pharmacies, Whole Foods, and Target stores sell cups — many even sell period underwear!

Emptying A Menstrual Cup In Airplane Bathroom

If you’re traveling on your period and really must empty your cup in-flight, I admit, the airplane bathroom can be a terrifying thought. Luckily for most of us, a menstrual cup is ideal for flying because they can be worn 10-12 hours at a time, which makes that less likely.

If you’re someone who needs to empty more frequently (or perhaps you are taking a long-haul flight), it can be done — carefully. Airplane bathrooms are cramped, so it might be easiest to stand sideways when removing your cup, being extra careful not to drop it. When dumping the blood, you should aim for right over the “trap door” and avoid dumping the blood on the walls of the toilet. Airplane toilets differ from regular toilets; any blood on the bowl’s walls may not “flush” away.

The water from the faucet in an airplane bathroom is not drinkable. Bacteria have been found in airplane tap water, so it’s better to be safe than sorry. Hopefully, you remembered your cup wipes, but if not, just empty the cup and replace it without washing it until you reach a bathroom on the ground. You can also wipe the cup with toilet paper like you would in a public restroom that isn’t 30,000 feet in the air.

Pro Tip:

You can safely insert your cup before your period starts — if you anticipate you may start the same day as a scheduled flight, definitely put that cup in before you take off! You could start mid-flight and not even know it.

It’s incredible to think of how much space you can save in your luggage by using a menstrual cup instead of disposable pads or tampons. While no one loves the idea of traveling on your period, I have heard of many vacations saved by having a cup on hand. If you’re headed to a warm climate while traveling on your period, you’ll even get the peace of mind of not having a tampon string hanging from your bathing suit. So be sure to remember your cup next time you pack a suitcase and if you’re flying check the airport restrooms, I may have placed a “Put A Cup In It” sticker in the stall!