Great thread!
(Full disclosure, I'm a boy and scanned the thread)
One thing my girlfriend does is take her pill continuously for 6 months on end, then stops for a period and continues. This has a few obvious advantages. In Canada, if you tell them this at the pharmacy, they will give you an amount of pills to cover a normal cycle plus what you need to bridge the weeks you'd normally have a period. Solves at least one challenge.

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http://www.nohorizons.net

Wow! It's great to find this 'ladies' tread. As a newbie heading out on my first long trip, I really appreciate hearing the advice of other women on the road.
Keep it coming!

Casey

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Casey & Darren Walker
WannaRoam.com
2007 - ?
North, Central & South Americas

Ooops, sorry, got excited with spelling as enunciated.
It's P-Mate rather than peemate.

Happy practising

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Shells. nice tips on the decanting shampoo etc

Where did you buy you p-mate. Local or ordered in? We've looked but can't find.

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If there's a will there's a way so I will anyway!
http://www.buyaikhaya.blogspot.com

I can remember reading a news article a few years back on womens sanitation 'problems' at Glastonbury where some of these products were tested.

Here's a few links:

Welcome to whizaway.com - Home of the Whiz® - Whiz Freedom
Travel John
JOE Product Promotions presents the She Pee (P-mate).
BBC NEWS | Entertainment | Girls beat Glasto toilet nightmare

There are lots of views for this thread and I'd love to know if they are all women, or are there a lot of men out there who are curious to know how we women cope with travelling? You can ask us questions - we don't bite!!

I'll admit to being a man browsing this thread, because Mrs MarkE is a bit of a luddite and doesn't get involved with these strange confuser thingies so I'm looking to see if there's anything I can pass on to her. This makes me look like a caring gentleman, and she gets really confused and stressed!

Being the sensitive guy that I am, I want to be there for any women riders when such questions perplex them...

edde

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edde
93 BMW K75s
www.motoedde.com

Hi

Try sheewee.com

This is where i got mine from and they are all the same. Its also possible to get single use cardboard ones that come in a discreet little envelope

Quote:

" I have found that if you use a tampon that is for heavier flow than you need it lasts longer and then a panty liner too will let you get through the whole day"

This may be a case of Grandmother and eggs but be aware of the risks of Toxic Shock before you do the above.

What do you mean with Toxic shock?
What are the risks with that method?

Ive used pant liners for ages when on the bike, even though i dont do extreme adventures.... 'cos after 2 kids and a lack of pelvic floor excersizes... when i've got to go.. ive got to go...

My mate Tiff uses a menstrual sponge when she travels, and finds it really easy to use... she also used a sanitary towel to hold her battery together on the way to Timbuctu a while ago
As a midwife.. i wouild not recommend monkeying about with your hormones unless you've spoken to your GP, as this can cause long term problems with your 'womanhood', as suggested earlier on in this thread, there are alternative and more natural ways of regulating your cycle

Had a poll on my website last year which put the Level 4 Shock Absrober Bra top of the riding list and Sloggi Maxi or Tai knickers were most 'chafe' proof

I go everywhere in mine now ... apart from HU last weekend, because i packed the wrong pile of clothes travel dri provided me with spare socks but spent all weekend in lacy stuff

Just about to embark on a 500mile a day ride lasting 7 days..
i imagine by the end of it, i'll be 'going' anywhere and everywhere
good luck to all you wanderlusters... i'm a jealous woman

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667 the neighbour of the beast

I"m happy to see this thread going strong.
As I have been on the road for 6 weeks now ( and still a long way to go).
Regarding dealing with my periods:
I decided against using depo injections or any form of hormones as it make me go psycho (really!). My cycle is fairly regular now. I don{t use tampons (more probs with that) but anything you need is widely available is Colombia, Ecuador and I would think all around south america. Anywhere hostals will have bathroom so no issue there. Changing during the day can be tricky but always managed to stop on the road and find a discreet spot or toilet.
Panty liners in between periods are life savers and save in laundry. Widely available here as well.
using riding tights on top of my M&S panties works fine regarding bum pain. I also have those M&S invisible (no seam ) knickers, they work fine.
I shower every day for the time being but this may change when we hit Bolivia. I will make sure to carry a pack of baby wipes. They are the best stuff when travelling. We also carry a bottle of liquid soap taht does not need rinsing. Will come handy also in Bolivia when crossing Uyuni and going to San PEdro de Atacama. Could take a couple of weeks if I am slow. And I am afraid I am crap at off roading!

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Maria

www.franglais-riders.com

Going on a bike ride for 8-12 months from February next year through SE Asia, Middle East, Northern Africa and Europe, so thanks, these posts were a great help in dealing with feminine stuff that had a big question mark looming above it as to what I would do...taking up half of a pannier with you know what and shuddering at the thought of the monthly inconvenience in remote areas like Tibet.

Hi Girls,
Just a little tip from us guys from the Forces, re Crouch itch sweaty bits,
suggest you buy Silk Nickers/Panties whatever min 85% pure silk.
We found in the Army they dry out very quickly matter of hours & and wick away any sweat they keep you cool in Summer & & quit warm when cold.
I would suggest you look @ patra (on line) that is where I got mine from

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We are the Pilgrims, Master, we shall go Always a little further: it may be beyond that last blue mountain barred with snow, Across that angry or that glimmering sea.

We've done several short (2wk) trips around Europe in prep for RWT trip without time limit.

I've tried the Lush shampoo bars - brilliant, very small, light, smell nice, can be used on the body and (if it's of interest) leaves your hair feeling really nice.

I find thongs work the best, especially if made of soft lace. However the secret is in the size, I'm size 10-12 so wear size 16-18, they don't dig into your hips and don't ride up (Primark's are great). They are v. small so don't use much space.

I use Bodyform Micro Thin Liners (Superdrug/Boots 1.60 stg for box of 22 or wait for frequent deals of 1.00 stg per box) which fit with thongs, can be used with tampons and/or if you can't wash clothes and so as good as having clean knickers.

Wetwipes - priceless, no end of uses, you name it they are good for it.

Plastic ziplock bags - again endless uses. Tesco sell own brand very cheaply and are good for food, to keep items dry/wet e.g. matches, wet wipes etc. and storage for used items.

I tried soap flakes and found them rubbish, once they were wet they transformed into a congealled lump of goo that did nothing - however it may have been the brand as haven't tried more than one type.

Moisturising - I use Niva Visage Oil Free Moisturing Fluid with Witch Hazel & Mattispheres, comes in a 100ml container and contains UVA/UVB protection (avg. price about 3.00 stg, Superdrug, Boots, Tesco etc - can get it on deals for 2.00). It works, evidenced by long walks in unexpected warm weather, friends suffered sunburn I didn't -despite being whiter than white. Guys, my other half also uses it -even though he has tried the various ranges for men, he finds prefers this.

Deodourant - Sanex roll-ons are great, spent two weeks in Spain & Portugal last year with an avg of 30 C (lowest 25 and highest 38) and they worked better than anything else I tried (tested several others whilst there). Widely available and cheap, can usually be found on deals in nearly every UK supermarket and most pharmacies. Haven't tried crystals as suggested on this site so will give these a go.

I have just bought a she-wee so need to test it out but have heard only good things.

Mooncup - don't have one yet but again have only heard good things and am more convinced than ever after reading some of the comments here. I normally use tampons which are fine for short trips but would take some space to stock up several months worth for our RWT and using a heavier flow one just so it lasts longer is one of the things that you are warned against when considering using tampons due to TSS, which is rare but in extreme cases can be fatal.

Wonderful thread, have found it full of helpful tips, especially on where to stash cash! Will continue to dip in to see what else it offers and will post anything useful I discover.