Women on the camino!

[FoxgloveFairy]

Hi ladies!
I will be walking my first camino in May and have most things packed already. But i find myself staring at my toiletries in disdane because i do not want to pack a bunch of tampons/use a bunch while im over there.
Just asking some advice from the ladies who have done the camino before; what did you find easiest? Also is a cup a no go if its 10k of walking every day?
Thanks in advance!!!

 

[HeidiL]

My first Caminos, I went on the mini-pill to avoid menstruating altogether. Now that I'm old, I bring a few tampons, but stock up on the way. They sell them everywhere.

 

[Jan_D]

Stick with what you're most comfortable using. If you're doing the Frances you will pass through lots of towns or villages which have pharmacies if you need to stock up, or cafes if you need a toilet. I wouldn't make any major changes: it'll only last a few days, and will probably only happen once during your walk.

I was going to say "just go with the flow" but that might be inappropriate

 

[Onewithspirit]

If you are on Facebook, join a really informative and supportive group for women walking the Camino. It's called CAMIGAS- a buddy system for women on the Camino. They will have threads that have already discussed this and many other questions. Buen Camino!

 

[VNwalking]

A cup.
Small, light, and environmentally friendly.
Just try it out first, making sure you know how to use it correctly.
I have to admit that this advice is (sadly) not firsthand. But younger women have told me they are super for travel to places where other sanitary products are hard to find or inconvenent to use or dispose of.

 

[MilerMilo]

I would second the comment that you should just use what you're comfortable with. Sanitary products are readily available in pharmacies, grocery stores, and other shops. Also, as a cup user, I have no issues with it when it comes to walking distances. They're great because you can wear them for hours. The only drawback is trying to find a bathroom situation where you can have private access to a sink in order to wash it. In a pinch you can empty it, wipe it out with toilet paper, and put it back in, but it's not advisable to do that more than one time in a row.

 

[november_moon]

I use OB tampons - because they don't have an applicator, they are very small and pack easily. Worked well on the Camino.

 

[Nichola Scurry]

I’ll be on the pill and skip the sugar pill section so I hopefully don’t get a period at all on the Camino. Love the idea of the cup for environmental reasons, but it doesn’t work for me.

 

[november_moon]

Nichola - Have you skipped the sugar pills before? If not, try it before you go to see how your body reacts. I have done it, but I definitely pay the price during the next cycle - and I still spotted, so I didn't really gain much. For other women, it works great though.

 

[Nichola Scurry]

Nichola - Have you skipped the sugar pills before? If not, try it before you go to see how your body reacts. I have done it, but I definitely pay the price during the next cycle - and I still spotted, so I didn't really gain much. For other women, it works great though.

Yes, and I do still spot so my doctor has given me some additional medication which I’ll test before I leave. Worst case scenario I’ll but sanitary products along the way

 

[Kay.V]

Hi ladies!
I will be walking my first camino in May and have most things packed already. But i find myself staring at my toiletries in disdane because i do not want to pack a bunch of tampons/use a bunch while im over there.
Just asking some advice from the ladies who have done the camino before; what did you find easiest? Also is a cup a no go if its 10k of walking every day?
Thanks in advance!!!

I just posted the same question and then somebody send me this thread. Thanks for the tips being shared and so basically we shouldn't be changing a lot to what we are accustomed to. I'm also walking in May. Guess we'll be meeting each other soon Buen Camino!

 

[FoxgloveFairy]

Hi Kay!

Im so relieved i dont have to get anything different or have to wear a cup!

Ill be starting the first week in May!! Will see you there!!
Buen Camino!

 

[kelleymac]

There are lot's of stores, and so you can get pads or tampons while there. You can take a few. -- I used pads. -- I also used thin light pads on days I didn't get my period so I wouldn't have to worry about toilet paper. The pads have chemicals that absorb any fluid (urine), and I just wore a clean one every morning and then threw it out when I got the albergue.