Can Travel Affect Your Period?

Dr.Seuss once said, "You have brains in your head. Feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose." But what if the crimson tide comes along for the ride? Can travel affect your period?  

Well, travel and periods can indeed be a tricky combination, like trying to pack a week's worth of outfits in a carry-on suitcase. But worry not! In this blog post, we're going to break down for you exactly how your wanderlust can impact your lady business and what you can do about it!

How can travel affect your period?

Traveling can be one of life's funnest yet most stressful experiences. It doesn't take a stretch of the imagination to know that taking a trip can throw a lot of things off course—including Auntie Flo. Here are a couple of ways that the travel bug can impact your menstrual cycle:

1. Your internal clock can get out of whack.

You know that delightful feeling of being both exhausted and wired at the same time? It turns out that jet lag can mess with your hormones in ways that can affect your menstrual cycle. When you're zigzagging across time belts, your body's circadian rhythm or internal clock gets all confused. And this disorientation can lead to changes in your hormonal levels. In turn, this delays the estrogen spike that’s supposed to help your ovulation along, causing period delays. If you already have irregular cycles, jet lag can make it even harder to predict when your next mense will occur. 

But that's not the end of it. If your circadian rhythms are acting up,  they'll lose control over your sleep-wake cycle. This makes it hard to get decent sleep, especially in the first few days of hitting your destination.

To better manage your jet lag, forget your old time zone even before you get on the plane. Schedule your activities according to your new one, including your meal times and bedtime. This will help your body's internal clock adjust and minimize the impact of jet lag on your menstrual cycle.

2. Your vacay can make your diet go "cray."

Your healthy eating habits often take a hiatus when you go on a long break. As a result, it's quite easy to indulge in all the delicious local cuisines you wouldn't normally consume at home. After all, who can resist a plate of authentic paella in Spain or a bowl of hot ramen noodles in Japan?

But, as much as we love to indulge, it's essential to be mindful of what you're consuming. The resulting hormonal imbalance from overeating, nutritional deficiencies, and irregular meal times can cause shifts in your menstrual patterns. And this can make your period more difficult to manage. 

With a bit of planning, it’s possible to have a healthful and balanced diet even when you're on the road. Stick to regular meal times, and don't give that buffet spread a "now-or-never" treatment. Pack handy and nutritious snacks. Also, check out which restos and cafes (even street food!) serve up more nutritious meal or snack selections so you don't have to be limited to high-calorie and high-fat options. And remember to stay hydrated!

3. Your exercise gets "exorcised" out of your daily routine.  

It can be challenging to stick to our regular workouts when we're too busy lounging on the beach or traipsing through the wonderful sights. However, being physically active is beneficial in regulating the menstrual cycle. When you have an active lifestyle, the usual pack of PMS symptoms becomes less intense. For instance, exercising can increase blood flow, which reduces bloatedness and cramps and helps combat fatigue and exhaustion. 

But when our body is out of shape, it can feel like Auntie Flo's gang is perpetually in high gear, like blaring loudspeakers you just can't turn off. 

This doesn't mean you have to be doing jumping jacks while listening to your tour guide (although that's a thought!). You can still go physical without deactivating your travel mode with do-anywhere movements (like chair dips at airports!) and bike-share programs. Wake up 30 minutes earlier so you can get in some exercise at your hotel room or gym before heading off to your next destination.

4. Travel stress can turn you into a mess.

Stress―the one thing that can turn a dream vacation into a nightmare. Whether it's because of all the prepping, navigating, or getting lost, your anxiety levels can easily go wayward on a trip! This can, again, lead to hormonal imbalances that can affect your menstrual cycle. When your body is on heightened alert, your brain releases more of the stress hormone cortisol. Depending on how your body can tolerate it, cortisol can lead to irregularly lighter flows, delays, and sometimes, even the total absence of your period. 

This makes it super important for you to take the time to relax during your travels. Anticipate and prepare for potentially stressful scenarios. For example, you can photocopy travel documents ahead of time and store them in different luggage from where you keep the originals. Set aside a few minutes each day for some deep breathing exercises. Don't cram too many activities in your schedule—remember, the goal is for you to chill and enjoy. 

Lastly, don't forget to pack reliable period apparel, like Ruby Love period underwear, that will keep you covered for days on end. You may also want to throw in a few extra double-sided pads or tampons in your carry-all bag, just in case!

Living it up with Ruby Love Period Underwear 

Traveling can be incredibly exhilarating. After all, there's nothing quite like being out of your comfort zone and discovering something exciting and different! However, it does come with its own set of potential woes. But, with good prepping, you can minimize the impact of travel on your period, so you can truly enjoy your time away.