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Female suplies in Africa Female suplies in Africa
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Staying Healthy on the Road Medical info, e.g. malaria, vaccinations, travel medical tips, medical insurance, where to find a doctor.
Photo by Alessio Corradini, on the Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia, of two locals

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Alessio Corradini,
on the Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia,
of two locals



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  #1  
Old 27 Apr 2015
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Female suplies in Africa
Hello,

Wondering how easy/difficult it is to find 'female supplies' in Africa.
(Such as tampons, sanitary towels,...)
And if you find them, are they any good?
I read something about the menstrual cup, that it's easy to use on long travels.
Anyone ever used it?

Also, is it possible to find 'the pil' (birhtcontrol) in Africa or do I better take my supply for home?

Planning for travelling East Africa.

Any help, info, tips welcome.

Thanks!
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  #2  
Old 28 Apr 2015
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Location: E Yorkshireman...in the Chum Phae area, Thailand
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A reply from a bloke.... My ex wife used to use the implant in her arm for birth control this stopped her needing 'female supplies' at all. Think it lasted for a year also.
Don't know where you are from but it is available in UK, so i am assuming it is available in a host of other countries.

Wayne
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  #3  
Old 28 Apr 2015
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Me and my wife are prepping for the pan am highway so we've done some research.

1) test before you go. Different options can impact people very differently. Some hormonal supplements (birth control) that is designed to skip the need for sanitary supplies can impact people differently and cause a lot of issues on that front -- physically and mentally. Each person is a bit different so try it for at least 3 months before departure (I'm not a doctor but that's what I read).. And even then, 99.9% is not 100%. Babies happen. Latex helps!

As for sanitary napkins we've read nothing but good things about the cup. Never used it myself....


.... And neither has my wife! But information I've seen says it's effective and it works.

reddit has several subreddits specifically for women, that are good places to ask questions. Response there are typically mature, measured, and responsible.

Sorry folks if this thread is TMI but the fact is this "issue" can be a big issue for some travellers and it's as natural as any other bodily function so there's no reason not to throw the information out there just as much as the age old TP debate -- remove the cardboard tube or not?!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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  #4  
Old 28 Apr 2015
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Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Stockton-on-Tees England
Posts: 139
Quote:
Originally Posted by Travel_Around View Post
Hello,

Wondering how easy/difficult it is to find 'female supplies' in Africa.
(Such as tampons, sanitary towels,...)
And if you find them, are they any good?
I read something about the menstrual cup, that it's easy to use on long travels.
Anyone ever used it?

Also, is it possible to find 'the pil' (birhtcontrol) in Africa or do I better take my supply for home?

Planning for travelling East Africa.

Any help, info, tips welcome.

Thanks!
I thought ALL females had this addition to their anatomy ( despite it being a nuisance at times) and African ladies are no different. Any corner shop will have the essential goods as in England and often more so.
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  #5  
Old 28 Apr 2015
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Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: The Netherlands
Posts: 66
Hi Travel-Around,

Last year I travelled through Africa riding from North Africa through East Africa to Southern Africa for 11 months. Along the entire route I was able to find what I needed, both sanitary napkins and tampons.
In the smaller towns, and the smaller shops (think a shed with some sugar, bread and fruits), I saw mostly sanitary napkins. It might not be the brand you use at home, but will work just fine.

In all the bigger cities there will be at least one supermarket that will have everything you need (and more). Here you will even be able to choose from different brands, I also found the brand I use at home (I am from the Netherlands).

I cannot think of a country where we did not go to a big supermarket at least once. Also because we had to go to the bigger cities anyway to apply for visas. To prevent having to go in search for the stuff, I just took enough for two periods. It packs small if you take the tampons from their box.

It look a years supply of 'the pil' and have thus not looked for those. They also pack really small.

Hope this helps. Good luck and have fun preparing the trip. Safe travels,

Leonie
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Small bikes, big adventure --> www.amsterdamtoanywhere.nl
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  #6  
Old 4 May 2015
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Hi all,

Thanks so much for the info!
I know woman all around the world goes through the same 'trouble', but was just wondering how other travelers did it.

Was very useful.

Thanks!
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