Using Menstrual Cups While Camping

menstrual cups

9 Points About Using Menstrual Cups While Camping on Your Period

By Phoebe Hodina

Contents

Menstrual Cups: Because your period shouldn’t ever hold you back. Period.

Thinking of using menstrual cups on your adventures in the great outdoors (or anywhere for that matter)? Here are nine points to consider.

1. The cup is better for Mother Earth.

In a lifetime, the average female uses between 8,000-17,000 tampons. Adding up everything involved (tampons, panty liners, pads, etc.), and multiplying that by all the women in the world… adds up to a lot. If you take in account the energy and carbon released to create those products, and the time it takes for those products to decompose in a landfill… you’re looking at more than just some pesky cramps and PMS to deal with.

To save our planet, switching to menstrual cups can make a serious impact. Silicone cups don’t contain rayon, dioxin, or harmful chemicals. But more than that… they are reusable. They’re pretty much the eco-friendliest way to have a period (other than free-bleeding… which is a whole different kind of article, and not my preference for my clothing).

2. You can skip packing out your used feminine products, and lighten your load.

Lighter pack. This is probably the best perk of camping with a menstrual cup… you don’t have to carry out, and later deal with the waste you’ve created. Simply dump your red stuff in the toilet (or hole), rinse the cup with clean water, reinsert, and continue doing whatever you were doing before. Easy.

 3. You get to worry less and have more fun.

Your lady parts are warm, moist, and the perfect place to a tampon to harbor the deadly bacteria that causes TSS (toxic shock syndrome). Did you know that tiny bits of cotton shreds from tampons can cause small cuts in your vaginal walls—and lead to TSS? For me, remembering to change out a tampon every six hours while in the middle of the great outdoors can be a drag on my fun time. With a menstrual cup, the risk of TSS is almost null. As a woman, you’ve got enough to worry about… TSS shouldn’t be on that list. Plus, with the cup- you can go up to 12 hours before having to fuss with it.

Spending my time petting a wolf instead of changing my tampon
Spending my time petting a wolf, instead of changing my tampon

 4. You can save money… loads of it.

The average menstrual cup will cost you about $30 USD. You could easily spend that every other month on pads and tampons. Over a decade, you’re looking at a savings of around $1,500 if you replace your cup annually. Being a lady is expensive enough, save your cash for camping gear!
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 5. You will be untethered in the best sense.

Tampon strings have the gross habit of being gross. Swimming causes other problems with your string, as sometimes it has the tendency to make an appearance. Skinny dip with freedom… without the string.

 6. You can stay hydrated… everywhere

No really, hear me out. Cotton tampons can strip your inner walls of not only their natural lining, but your natural moisture as well. This can make your lady parts more susceptible to infection. Not fun anywhere, especially out in the woods.

No fear and no leaks while snorkeling
No fear, and no leaks while snorkeling!

Tampons also absorb that extra moisture that is naturally secreted when you’re sexually aroused. So when you remove it before getting intimate, it can make for a less than slick experience. Also, there are some brands that claim you can wear it during intercourse, mess free(!!). I cannot personally attest to these products, but I am 110% behind women who get busy during that time of the month.

And the 3 things you should know, because you should always be prepared:

 7. It can get messy

The first time you’re using the device… be prepared for your bathroom floor to look like the elevator scene of Stanley Kubrick’s The Shinning. OK- it’s not that bad at all, but be prepared. After a couple tries, you’ll have your technique down, and if a drop spills… you will clean it up as the empowered, fierce woman that you are.

 8. Don’t freak out, it will be fine.

The first time I used mine, I had some difficulty… getting it in, and then out. Without going into too much detail, let’s just say I was sitting, squatting and everything in between all over my bathroom. If I wasn’t so panicked about getting it out, it would have been incredibly comedic. If you’re trying it for the first time… make sure you are in the privacy of your own home. But trust me! The learning curve is well worth it.

 9. There are two sizes.

If you’ve delivered a baby vaginally, your body is a little bit different from those who haven’t. There are two sizes of menstrual cups, one for pre-birth, and one for post-birth. Make sure to choose the correct size for your body.

 

All in all, menstrual cups can be a great option for outdoor activities during that time of the month. For more info, make sure to check out: Camping And Hiking On Your Period: Don’t let it slow you down! 

menstrual cups 3
Free to frolick with the flowers!

Multiple Contributor

Phoebe Hodina is a marketing consultant from Evansville, Indiana, USA and is an avid hiker, biker, swimmer, runner, yogi and snowshoe aficionado, you could say that she has a passion for outdoor activities.

In her words: “I’ve been fortunate enough to travel around the world, and have biked major parts of North America. I will never say no to new adventures, and I’m happy to encourage other women to get out and try new things in the outdoors”.

13 thoughts on “Using Menstrual Cups While Camping

  • April 27, 2017 at 5:04 am
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    I’m pretty obsessed with my divacup. Tampons are SO expensive where I am right now (Korea)! It kind of can hurt a bit sometimes though but overall, it is the way to go.

    Reply
  • April 27, 2017 at 1:34 am
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    Wow, very interesting post. I for one do not think I would be comfortable with a menstrual cup.. I’m not even comfy with tampons.

    Reply
    • February 23, 2018 at 3:33 am
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      I was a 15 year old virgin when I managed to use my first menstrual cup. I had never been able to successfully insert a tampon without feeling like someone was knifing me – I was convinced nothing would ever fit inside of me and I would be stuck for diaper-like pads until menopause, but, like I said, I managed to make a menstrual cup work. It was definitely a learning curve, it took multiple cycles to figure out insertion and then more to get comfortable with it, but overall it has changed my life. You should definitely try a cup! I found that a very flexible, silicon cup was the only way to go for me…I bought it in France. Good luck!

      Reply
  • April 27, 2017 at 12:08 am
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    I’ve been looking into the Diva Cup for a really long time and I find it so eco-friendly. We need to save our environment and make sure that we’re doing every little bit to save it. I didn’t know the cotton of the tampons strips the moisture from the inner walls and the diva cup would certainly make a period more comfortable. A lighter load while traveling is also a huge bonus!

    Reply
  • April 26, 2017 at 4:26 pm
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    Wow! Interesting. Honestly, I haven’t heard about this before. Your information is really clear and useful for the first users, like me. I will try it out, especially when camping. Hope it works for me and won’t turn to be so awkward. Thank you for sharing! ?

    Reply
  • April 26, 2017 at 12:35 pm
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    Some great arguments and really agree they help the environment, if the majority of women used them but I think it’s something that would take a lot of time to change. Not sure if I’m up for it just yet.

    Reply
  • April 26, 2017 at 12:06 pm
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    I have not tried using a menstrual cup but I am not hesitant either. I have been using pads for so long and I do not think I can change it right away. However, I understand all your good reasons why a menstrual cup is the best when traveling.

    Reply
  • April 26, 2017 at 11:23 am
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    I think they’re a great idea – so much better for the environment. I hate having to worry about tampon strings when I’m in a bikini so I might have to give it a go this summer!

    Reply
  • April 26, 2017 at 11:14 am
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    This is quite informative and useful for women travelers. Happy to see the candid information which is being shared. I would think many women would want to use this.

    Reply
  • April 26, 2017 at 10:15 am
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    I have heard good reports about menstrual cups. I would imagine that they would be much easier to use when camping.

    Reply
  • April 25, 2017 at 1:46 pm
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    I have heard so many positive arguments for using the cups. I believe they are especially good while traveling. I would definitely give them a try!

    Reply
  • April 25, 2017 at 2:11 am
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    I am not comfortable with menstrual cups and I am so not ready to let go of the pads even though I have heard about the advantages of the cups!

    Reply

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