In the wilderness

[helipos.livejournal.com]

So I'm going to be at a summer camp for the next couple months. The situation is going to be rather.. rustic, in the sense that girl-friendly restrooms are few and far between, and certainly nowhere near the cabin I'll be staying in. Lucky me, my period is going to start on the day of my arrival.

Can anyone suggest a kind of "protection" that would be suited to this environment? I use pads normally, but I've been looking at the various cups available. I'd prefer something clean, easy, and comfortable that doesn't require much maintenance; I want this to go as smoothly as possible.

Any other tips for coping with these circumstances would be appreciated. "Rustic" is fine for me the rest of the month, but I'm a complete wuss during my period. Surely there's some way to make this bearable.

Comments

[amyakieran.livejournal.com]

i enjoy using the insteads. some leakage did occur when i didnt put it in all the way, but i never felt it while it was in and swimming was fine but always had to change it because of the fact it filled up. the reuseable cups are better for swimming because of the suction they create. i have one but i haven't used it yet because i got a yeast infection right before the first cycle i'd be using it. the only problem with using the reuseable cups is you have to clean them out after emptying it... which might not be practical. although you can leave it in as long as you think you need to, depending on your cycle. sorry i'm not much help.

[helipos.livejournal.com]

This is helpful, actually. I think I may try the Instead variety - for one thing, it's the only one I've found that's sold in stores (correct me if I'm wrong) and I don't have time to order anything over the internet.

One question, though: are the Instead cups OK to use while sleeping? This isn't of huge importance but I'm curious.

[boobookittylilo.livejournal.com]

I have spotted Instead at Wal-Mart. You could also probably find them at Walgreens. I only like Wal-Mart for the good prices that they have for our lady products.

[amyakieran.livejournal.com]

yes they are fine to use while sleeping. unlike tampons they don't carry the risk of tss and can be left in for up to 12 hours. they also don't dry up your vagina like tampons. :) good luck!

[uozlulu.livejournal.com]

If you like pads, I'd go with StayFree four-wall Maxis. That's what I use and they haven't leaked when walking or doing activities yet.

~ Uozumi

[below-the-belt.livejournal.com]

+ the keeper/divacup/mooncup [reusable cups] - they don't take that much maintenance, i've used them on and off for five years and loved it - including long backpacking trips

+ reusable cloth pads [look at the links section of my website for more info on that, it has lots of links to companies that make them and how to make your own and all that]

[stripling.livejournal.com]

i have a diva cup and it works great and is quite low maintenance. in terms of what another commenter said about having to wash it every time you empty it... what you can do, is empty it, & even rinse with urine! (it's sterile!) then once you get closer to a bathroom with rinsing possibilities, give 'er a good rinse/clean then.

good luck!

[flightlessangel.livejournal.com]

tampons?
they're easy to carry around.. not much to worry about.. although can be tricky to insert if you havent used them.
you can easily throw them away when you're done, not much waste.
you can burry it easily .. and they are cotton so they'll... decompose eventually (but i would suggest going for the all natural ones as it's better for the environment and your body).
anyway.. i think that they would be easiest.. that way you dont need to wipe out the cup, wash it, boil it, etc.
just wash your hands and go.

[helipos.livejournal.com]

Sadly I've never been able to fit a tampon up there. Well, it's not that sad since they've never really appealed to me anyway, but they do sound more convenient in a lot of ways. I hope I won't have the same problem with a cup.

Thanks for the tip anyway - if it comes to that I may give the tampon thing another try, awkward though it may be.

[flightlessangel.livejournal.com]

a..... a tampon is much smaller than a cup... and i would imagine, a lot easier to insert.
i couldnt get a tampon in there either... for YEARS i tried with no success.. then one day i HAD to use one, it's all my friend had with her- and voila!
it was always very painful to wear one, but now i dont feel anything :)

[char.livejournal.com]

some of your problem with tampons could be nervousness. when you're nervous, your muscles clench up and it makes it hard and painful to insert the tampon.
i've had to really concentrate on relaxing my muscles before to get a tampon in. sometimes i have to do it now to get my cup in right.

[amyakieran.livejournal.com]

i'd imagine that using the instead cup will be easier for you because 1)they don't dry up your vagina which might be attributing to your inability to insert them and 2)they slide into your vagina kinda like a drawer with ease and comfort. you'll understand what i'm talking about by going to this (http://www.softcup.com/softcup_howtouse.php) website. good luck!