Female Urination Devices
The best investment I ever made for traveling was my Freshette Urination Device!
There are all sorts of female urination devices. These are made so women can urinate standing up. Some are cardboard, disposable, all shapes and sizes. Some fit into your pants fly and some you have to remove your pants completely (which to me is silly).
The disposable ones are.. well.. disposable, and that presents its own problem on the trail. Much better to spnd the cash on a plastic model which can be used thousands of times. I've used mine a lot and just recently broke it when I stepped on it while packing! I'm ordering another before my Camino trip!
The plastic ones, I only know of 3.
One, I can't find the name of.. I'll keep researching, but BEWARE. The way this particular device fits is to nestle it BETWEEN the outer and inner labia, which on a trip like we're taking spells "infection." So please choose one of the following. These two are easier to use and safer, in my opinion.
How do you use them? You just open your fly, nestle the small contraption's "cup" around your pubis, and pee away like a guy. It works GREAT! I've used it in the bushes, just like a guy, with my back to the road, and nobody was the wiser. You can actually "wipe" upwards when you remove the device to take off any clinging drops. Then, you just shake it off, put it into it's plastic carrying case, and wash both up in the shower at your next stop. No toilet paper (unless you're squeamish when backpacking) and no horrible searching for a toilet.
Ok.. the two I know of:
One is the Whiz, which I have not used but which looks pretty good.
One is the Freshette, which I have had for 3 years and LOVE!
I'd say do not bother buying the urine bags, etc. I bought them and have never used them.
I also use this when traveling and when I have to use a dirty toilet. I can just pee standing up like a guy.. no problem. It's small and very lightweight and worth it's small weight in gold!
I am past menopause and buddy, when I have to go.. I have to GO.. so this thing is my favorite travel friend.
I'll be happy to answer any questions.
You can do a search on female urination devices to see all the many cardboard and disposables, but please check out the two plastic varieties as well...
Deborah