Managing Flo on the Trail

Traffic Jam · May 29th 2015, 8:02am

This is the women's thread. There are rules. Men may post but must stay on topic. Thank you.

On my first solo hike, I was approached by two young ladies who were late teens or early 20's, who asked if I had any tampons or pads...BOTH of them had started their periods on the trail. I felt really bad for them and had nothing to offer, being a devoted Diva Cup user. The only thing I could do is tell them about using a cup...

Trillium · May 29th 2015, 10:55am

I did not have this issue. But the issue I take extreme issue with is finding used tampon applicators in the woods. I was only on the trail for 16 actual days of hiking and 2 neros. During that time, I found approx. half dozen of these. I used disposable gloves to pick them up and put in my trash bag because not only is littering in any manner bad but NO ONE wants to see that.

Ladies, PLEASE take LEAVE NO TRACE to heart with any feminine hygiene products!!! Pack it in, pack it out!

Gents, if you are taking hiking partners of the feminine persuasion out hiking/backpacking for the first time, please educate them about LEAVE NO TRACE principles before you get out on the trail and be sure that she has a way to discreetly carry out (colored or opaque plastic bag) any used feminine hygiene products to an appropriate trash receptacle.

Traffic Jam · May 29th 2015, 5:21pm

I love my diva cup. It's environmentally friendly, healthier than chemically treated tampons, and saves a ton of money. Best of all, it only weighs .8 oz, including the storage bag.

Most women only have to empty the cup twice a day, morning and evening. 12 hrs is the max time limit before it should be emptied.

Good hygiene is a must. Use disinfectant wipes and sanitizer for your hands before and after handling the cup. The cup only needs a swish of water each time it is emptied with a soap/water cleaning every few days. Most thru hikers do this when they stop in town. Never use hand san or antibacterial soap on the cup as it degrades the silicone.

I like to wash my hands with soap and water at least once a day and learned the one handed wash from Skurka's site (the demo on pooing in the woods).

For washing the cup on the trail, I bought Jimmyjam's water hauler (sorry JJ

).

The cup can also be boiled but although I'm not squeamish, I don't like the thought of using my cook pot. So please, do not fear sharing tea or coffee with me.

Always follow LNT! Like other human waste, menstrual blood gets buried in a cathole 6-8" deep at least 200' from water, campsite, and trail.

Traffic Jam · May 30th 2015, 9:37am

After I started using the cup, I was surprised at what a small amount of fluid there was.

The average for one cycle is 10-35 ml. That is only 1-2 tablespoons (one tablespoon =15 ml) over 3-4 days! One soaked tampon only holds 5 ml.

Seriously, pooping in the woods produces much more human waste.

twistwrist · May 30th 2015, 8:07pm

Hell yeah a woman's forum!!

I'll (dammit) learn really quickly how to handle dear Aunt Flo. She'll be visiting when I start (pun intended)

AnotherKevin · May 31st 2015, 10:29pm

For what it's worth, my daughter uses a Diva Cup and boils it on trail.

Boiling water is a very effective cleaner and disinfectant. It doesn't spoil the cookpot. Get over it.

(I hope this is an example of a man actually making a contribution to a women's thread. In case there's no such thing, I'll shut up now.)

Traffic Jam · Jun 1st 2015, 12:34am

AnotherKevin wrote:

For what it's worth, my daughter uses a Diva Cup and boils it on trail.

Boiling water is a very effective cleaner and disinfectant. It doesn't spoil the cookpot. Get over it.

(I hope this is an example of a man actually making a contribution to a women's thread. In case there's no such thing, I'll shut up now.)

Good post AK, I'm happy to hear that about your daughter.
I agree with you about boiling water and that I should get over it.

twistwrist · Jun 1st 2015, 6:58am

Is it true if a chick is on birth control pills, she can skip the placebo week and stay on the pill continuously and not have a period?

Best case scenario is to leave Aunt Flo behind.

Foresight · Jun 1st 2015, 7:19am

While I'm still allowed to respond in here and since I know this one.......yes, if you replace the "placebo" with "active" pills you will not have a "period".

twistwrist · Jun 1st 2015, 8:20am

And the pill is still effective?

Gonna call my dr today and confirm, but that sounds awesome!

Traffic Jam · Jun 1st 2015, 8:46am

twistwrist wrote:

And the pill is still effective?

Gonna call my dr today and confirm, but that sounds awesome!

You can do the same thing with the nuva ring. You only need to replace it once a month instead of taking a pill every day.

hikerboy · Jun 2nd 2015, 3:53pm

i think we need to clean this thread up. some here need a dale carnegie course.
i dont mind the women's forum, but if the guys insist on "contributing", it better be straight forward.

Socks · Jun 2nd 2015, 10:07pm

I just use a pee bottle

Foresight · Jun 3rd 2015, 1:05am

I'm out. Don't trust myself.

Rasty · Jun 3rd 2015, 8:04am

this section went green

Traffic Jam · Jun 9th 2015, 3:08pm

Some good resources

hikinglady.com/hiking/this-one-is-for-the-girls/

andrewskurka.com/2013/female-hygiene-guide-tips/

divacup.com/2013/diary-of-a-di…e-trails-with-my-divacup/

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