Dimples on the Edge

For the past year, I have been living on a sojourn around the world. Partially by choice, but mostly as a manner of maintaining my Schengen days for my visa. That 90/180 rule is a tough gal to wrangle.

As a result, and as the unfortunate carrier of a uterus (unfortunate because I have no interest in having children, and as such, the monthly troubles that come along with it are extra annoying), I occasionally have to travel while menstruating. Oy vey. Few things are as miserable and inconvenient as being on an eight hour flight as your innards are slowly and painfully leaking out of you.

Given this frequent occurrence in my life, I attempted to make a Pros/Cons list of traveling while in the throes of pelvic agony.

Cons

There is limited/no desire to do anything other than eat and rest

Nothing packed fits right

Everyone is annoying

Trips to the bathroom take longer and finding a decently clean one can be such a labor

Using a cup, while more environmentally conscious, can be SO inconvenient

Pros

Rest is important. This dip in energy from luteal phase through the first two days of the period beginning, forces me to be present in my body and nurture her

Food cravings can feel more nourishing and enjoyable

—

Ultimately, I would rather not travel during my period. It’s so much nicer to be a little gremlin and burrow under covers until I feel ready to face the world again. However, I cannot always coordinate my travel around my period, so learning to roll with it and feel as good as possible while it happens is the next best thing.