Having period on holiday

pearl348

I'm going on Holiday in a few weeks and my period is due. Its really getting me down. I'm so worried its going to start on the first day and ruin the whole thing, wish I could make it start sooner and get it out of the way so I can enjoy my holiday in peace. I've been looking forward to going away for literally the past year. Can you get a pill to skip one month of a period? I've never been on the pill before.

Does this bother anyone else? Any suggestions please.

Mars Bar

Hi pearl!

Sorry about that really rude response from another user.

Anyway, I was in the same situation last year. Yes, you can get a pill prescribed by your doctor that will delay your period
It worked a treat for me and was such a relief!

m'lady

Yes you can get tablets, they are called ‘primulot’. They delay your period for each day you take them. I find that you get the full symptoms you normally get when you have your period (back ache , cramps etc) but not the bleed.
I’ve also found the period you do get after taking these is pretty bad.

Vojera

m'lady wrote: »

I’ve also found the period you do get after taking these is pretty bad.

Same. I got a progesterone-only pill from my GP before as my period was due the week of my wedding. I had to start taking it the day my period was due and then continue until I was ready for my period. I didn't experience the period-like symptoms while I was on it, but sweet baby Jesus, the period I had afterwards was incredibly painful.

Now, it was worth taking as it would have been a pain in the arse to have my period when it was due, but I'd have liked to have been more prepared for the period that came after.
So, whatever makes you feel better during your period, have plenty of it in hand just in case!

Appledreams15

How would a period ruin a holiday? Tampons in the pool. Life as normal

Vojera

Appledreams15 wrote: »

How would a period ruin a holiday? Tampons in the pool. Life as normal

Everyone's different. Tampons don't suit me and before I started the pill I was always crippled with pain. Would have easily ruined my holiday, whether it was one by the pool or a city break.

Mars Bar

Appledreams15 wrote: »

How would a period ruin a holiday? Tampons in the pool. Life as normal

That's a very narrow view.

I can't do tampons and I've yet to find a menstrual cup that really works.

Then you have the pain and cramps to deal with along with nausea. Primulot is a dream for the week you need it.

You must have very nice, easy periods if you think it's just a tampon and away you go!

AttentionBebe

Appledreams15 wrote: »

How would a period ruin a holiday? Tampons in the pool. Life as normal

Believe it or not, your experience is not universal. Some people get extremely painful periods which could undoubtedly ruin a holiday.

Malari

Appledreams15 wrote: »

How would a period ruin a holiday? Tampons in the pool. Life as normal

AttentionBebe wrote: »

Believe it or not, your experience is not universal. Some people get extremely painful periods which could undoubtedly ruin a holiday.

Hotel sex...important part of any holiday

But even if you don't get painful periods, and you can use tampons, or don't swim, it's just a bit inconvenient. Same reason you wouldn't like to have a cold on holiday - maybe it doesn't even ruin it but it certainly makes it more unpleasant.

Appledreams15

I take your points. But if you look at it this way: I feel I became fearful of periods as a teenager, because of older women telling me how dreadful they are. I was scared. I think we should think before we say stuff that younger girls might be reading. None of us have died from a period. It is a natural and important way to rejuvenate your womb.

Vojera

Appledreams15 wrote: »

I take your points. But if you look at it this way: I feel I became fearful of periods as a teenager, because of older women telling me how dreadful they are. I was scared. I think we should think before we say stuff that younger girls might be reading. None of us have died from a period. It is a natural and important way to rejuvenate your womb.

Equally, it's important for young women to know that everyone's mileage will vary, and if their friends barely notice their periods but they don't seem to be able to get off the couch, that's okay too.

I'm consider myself very period-positive, despite the difficulties I've had with mine, but it's not right to assume or put out the message that everyone's period is a breeze either.

SusieBlue

I had my period once while on holidays, and I ended up fainting.
Severe cramps + dehydration + heat = low blood pressure = fainting.

I'll never put myself in that position again. It ruined 3/4 days of my holiday. The heat really intensifies it and makes it worse. I've since gotten tablets mentioned by PP and have been ok. I'm on the pill now so don't really have the issue any more.

Not trying to make you feel worse OP, just showing that its a legitimate concern to have. Try and get the tablets if you can.

woodchuck

OP have you talked to a doctor or pharmacist about the potential options?

pwurple

Have to disagree with some of this. Periods are not incapacitating.... If they are for you, listen to your body, see the doctor. Telling girls that being unable to stand up is normal... it's just not. 

You gals all know that passing out and severe cramps from a period are symptoms of endometriosis, right? And that those symptoms are typically ignored by women for over 10 years before they seek medical attention.

sullivlo

pwurple wrote: »

Have to disagree with some of this. Periods are not incapacitating.... If they are for you, listen to your body, see the doctor. Telling girls that being unable to stand up is normal... it's just not. 

You gals all know that passing out and severe cramps from a period are symptoms of endometriosis, right? And that those symptoms are typically ignored by women for over 10 years before they seek medical attention.

Periods don’t need to be incapacitating to be disruptive on hollibops. I have taken primolut (or whatever it’s called) a few times for various reasons. Going cycling - wanting to avoid any sort of period goo on 9 hour cycles. Even just for the associated unpredictable farts, bloating and irritability, having your period on holidays sucks. I can’t use tampons. I still buy them because they’re great for nosebleeds. I have a coil now so hopefully won’t have to deal with period on holidays but if I do, I’ll be taking the primolut.

But be prepared for the post primolut period. It’s a doozy.

kylith

If you're on the pill just go straight into your next pack without taking a break. I've done it a couple of times for holidays and it worked fine. You may want to check with your GP if it's ok with your pill (I was on ovranette and yasminelle).

miezekatze

I followed this thread a while ago because this is something that keeps happening to me whenever I book a trip more than a few months in advance. Not being able to swim for a few days (I don't like tampons or cups) was what annoyed me most, especially if I'm only going to be there for a week. I found period swimwear online recently and ordered a pair, thought I'd share with you guys in case it would help someone else too. The site is called PantyProp, a US site and it took almost a month to arrive. They do period undies too. It's not super thick though so if your flow is really heavy you won't want to leave it on for too long after swimming.