Tampons

[Denice]

Hi all!

Do you know if tampons are easy to find along the Camino in pharmacies?

Thanks,
Denice!

 

[SabsP]

Hi all!

Do you know if tampons are easy to find along the Camino in pharmacies?

Thanks,
Denice!

Of course , but do take into consideration that prices are much higher at pharmacies than at supermarkets.

 

[klimmo]

You'd fnd them at any corner shop, supermarket and what have you. They'll prob be quite expensive at the pharmacy, but they'll have them too.

Curious about the question? Are they hard to get in the US? That would be good to know.

 

[Denice]

Hi thanks for your response. No they are not hard to get in the US, just planning on what I will need. Thanks

 

[AnneO]

I will add that finding the heavier absorbency sizes might be tougher to find. So if you need those I would bring some from home. I needed to buy some tampons along the way and the grocery store I went to only had one or two of the lighter sizes available. I remember thinking if I had needed something more than those I would have needed to get pads, for which they had a lot more options.

 

[Dennis Pack]

The Camino is, in reality, an "urban trek", Spain is not a third world country, and their sewage systems are not designed to cope with such items.
Buen Camino

 

[backpack45]

Just to add a bit of fun--the word "tampon" in French has several quite different meanings including "menstrual product" as you mean it, and "stamp" meaning the stamp you get each day on your Pilgrim passport!

 

[antepacem]

One other point - the tampons that are widely available in Spain are those without an applicator (like the o.b. brand in the US/Canada). Those are actually my preference, but I know some fellow peregrinas who have been freaked out when they realized it's hard to get the applicator/playtex style in Spain!

 

[dbeatriceb]

You can find tampons in grocery stores and farmacias. And unless something drastic has changed in the last 60 years, the sewage system can handle the refuse with no problem. In any given establishment I imagine there would be a sign posted if for some reason they don’t want tampons disposed of in that way. I’ve never seen such a notice though.

 

[trecile]

In any given establishment I imagine there would be a sign posted if for some reason they don’t want tampons disposed of in that way. I’ve never seen such a notice though.

I have seen many signs stating that.

 

[dbeatriceb]

I have seen many signs stating that.

Good to know

 

[Lydia Le]

I many places, they don't even want toilet paper in the toilet.

 

[MariaSP]

One other point - the tampons that are widely available in Spain are those without an applicator (like the o.b. brand in the US/Canada). Those are actually my preference, but I know some fellow peregrinas who have been freaked out when they realized it's hard to get the applicator/playtex style in Spain!

I don't know where people are buying their tampons, but the ones with applicator are widely available.

Hi all!

Do you know if tampons are easy to find along the Camino in pharmacies?

Thanks,
Denice!

In pharmacies, supermarkets and 'droguerías/perfumerías'. A pharmacy would be my last choice, as their prices will be higher.

 

[Former member 92300]

Yes. But just know - feminine hygiene products will be different wherever you go (in case you are someone who likes specific brands - you have to be flexible). I usually bring pads/tampons to Europe because I am picky about which products/brands I use. Thankfully that is no longer an issue for me on the Camino (or otherwise). Daughter is like me - she hated the products she bought in Europe.

 

[pourmeadrink9]

Hi all!

Do you know if tampons are easy to find along the Camino in pharmacies?

Thanks,
Denice!

They are pretty easy to find, and in 2018 I had too many left over so I left a bunch in a first aid kit at the Albergue I was staying at. Now I use one of those reusable things. Saalt is a good company to check out. Even saves $$!

 

[antepacem]

I don't know where people are buying their tampons, but the ones with applicator are widely available.


In pharmacies, supermarkets and 'droguerías/perfumerías'. A pharmacy would be my last choice, as their prices will be higher.

Weird! I never saw any. But then again, I don't like them so maybe I just never noticed! Thanks for the info.

 

[MilenaS]

You can find tampons in grocery stores and farmacias. And unless something drastic has changed in the last 60 years, the sewage system can handle the refuse with no problem. In any given establishment I imagine there would be a sign posted if for some reason they don’t want tampons disposed of in that way. I’ve never seen such a notice though.

Tampons should never be thrown in the toilet... The reason there are no signs is because it is regarded common knowledge. In Norway there is a saying to teach kids: only three things should go into the toilet, number one, nuber two and toilet paper.

 

[David Tallan]

You can find tampons in grocery stores and farmacias. And unless something drastic has changed in the last 60 years, the sewage system can handle the refuse with no problem. In any given establishment I imagine there would be a sign posted if for some reason they don’t want tampons disposed of in that way. I’ve never seen such a notice though.

I can't speak to availability but I have frequently been seeing signs at albergues about things they would prefer not going into the toilet and feminine hygiene products are often on the list.

 

[JRO]

Hi all!

Do you know if tampons are easy to find along the Camino in pharmacies?

Thanks,
Denice!

I found that generally in Europe, you find either plain old Tampax, or OB or similar WITHOUT applicators. So if those aren't your preference, you may want to bring some.

 

[Enzed]

Get thee a menstrual cup.
So much less hassle!

 

[Perambulating Griffin]

Get thee a menstrual cup.
So much less hassle!

Unless you need to change on the trail and have no water supply. Using a pile of wipes rather defeats the purpose.
There are many people for whom such products do not work anyway (due to internal anatomy positioning).
I assume an adult person in search of menstrual products is aware of what she wants to use and would not want to begin experimenting with something new while on an unfamiliar trek.

 

[Enzed]

Change on the trail, at your accommodations or cafe.
Chance of leaking, using a pad or period underwear.
Cleaning, by giving it a wipe with toilet paper and rinsing it later on at accommodations, and when showering.
I purposely trialed out the cup a few months before my first Camino.

A menstrual cup is seriously worth considering, for a minimal camino experience.

 

[Anniesantiago]

Get thee a menstrual cup.
So much less hassle!

Personally, I don't feel a menstrual cup is a good option.
Washing out blood in common area sinks concerns me.
Changing on the trail with unwashed hands concerns me. It's a good opportunity for an infection. Plus where would you pour out the blood? On the ground? Biohazard?
But that's me...