Maintaining Good Feminine Hygiene While Travelling

Female travellers always need to worry about their health and safety while they travel, but maintaining good feminine hygiene is also important. Not only can discomfort result from less than standard feminine hygiene, but ill health may result as well. In order to maintain their usual standards of feminine hygiene while travelling women should bring their own supplies with them, consider reusable supplies, and maintain proper overall hygiene standards. If a feminine hygiene issue is suspected, women should see a medical professional immediately.

Feminine Hygiene Supplies

Feminine hygiene supplies vary around the world. Different brands are sold in different countries and some products may not appear on international shelves at all. To ensure that they always have the supplies they need when they need them, women should bring a supply of their favourite feminine hygiene products with them when they travel. Sanitary towels, tampons, panty liners, feminine wipes, douches and feminine powders, creams and/or sprays are all items that women may feel more confident carrying with them. If women use prescription medications or creams in relation to their feminine hygiene then they should make sure to fill their prescriptions and carry these items with them as well while they travel.

Reusable Supplies

Women travelling for long periods of time and/or with minimal luggage may not want to carry a large supply of feminine hygiene products with them. In order to cut down on their supplies, women could consider reusable feminine hygiene products. Cloth pads, sea sponge tampons and rubber cups worn internally can all be washed and reused as needed. However, women should be sure to follow manufacturer's instructions on proper cleaning and when to replace these products as improper use could cause accidents or even health issues.

Proper Hygiene Standards

Proper standards of feminine hygiene and cleanliness closely follow general hygiene standards. In best practice women should wash every day with soap and water. If this is impossible then using wet wipes in between can help. Do not start to use feminine deodorants or powders while travelling if you have never used them before as they could cause allergic reactions or other changes. If using sanitary towels, panty liners or tampons, be sure to change them as instructed and dispose of them in an appropriate manner. If using reusable supplies, store them hygienically until they can be washed appropriately and reused.

Feminine Hygiene Issues

If feminine hygiene is compromised (and sometimes even if it is not), then some signs and symptoms will act as warnings that all is not right. An odour (generally slightly fishy), itching (inside or outside) and/or abnormal discharge (a different colour or consistency than normal) can all be indications that women should see a medical professional. Though these issues may not be related exclusively to feminine hygiene, ensuring proper hygiene may help alleviate the symptoms and prevent reoccurrences.

Hygiene, particularly feminine hygiene can be an embarrassing topic, but for female travellers it is an important part of staying healthy and comfortable. Prior to travelling, women should think about their feminine hygiene needs and make plans for how best to care for themselves during their travels.