Feminine Hygiene: What If I Get My Period While Trekking in Nepal?
Just like getting your period in normal life, it doesn’t stop you from enjoying your trek in Nepal! But obviously facilities look really different and here’s our tips for having a successful trip while on your menstrual cycle.
Supplies
The first thing to know is that most trekking regions won’t have supplies of period products for you to buy on the way, so you do need to bring them in with you. Some limited villages will sell pads, but you won’t have a choice of size/style so if a bulky one-size-fits-all option doesn’t suit you, we recommend bringing your own.
You know your body best but don’t be too surprised if your cycle feels different when you’re trekking or at high altitude, it’s really normal for it to be heavier, lighter, earlier or later. So a little extra preparation will go a long way!
Bathroom and Loo Facilities
Tea houses have mostly shared bathroom facilities that are very simple. There’ll be a room with the toilet that’s often a ceramic squat-style which is great for hygiene as you don’t touch anything, although balancing can be a little more tricky. Next to the toilet there’s a bucket of water that has a little jug in it and this is for flushing the toilet and washing yourself as in Nepal toilet paper is not used as much (but don’t worry, you’re not expected to do this!).
If you’re using a menstrual cup or disc, you can use the water from this bucket to rinse it. Just make sure you get water with the jug provided and pour it over your item over the toilet (so it drains down rather than going over the floor). The people who use the toilet after you will also use this water so don’t dunk anything but the jug in the bigger bucket.
Always put your used toilet paper in the bin next to the toilet.
Hand washing facilities are usually outside of the toilet room – your guide will help you locate this if you’re not sure.
Hand Washing
This is one of the biggest factors that impacts health while on trek in the Himalayas. Wash your hands before you eat anything. Wash your hands after you’ve been to the toilet. Wash your hands in between as well! If hand washing facilities aren’t available on the trail, use some hand sanitizer before you stick your hand into your trail mix.
Mini bottles of hand sanitizer that clip to the outside of your day pack make it easy to quickly sanitise.
Eco Friendly Periods
Consider using a no-waste, reusable period product like a menstrual cup or disc. These don’t take up much space in your luggage and you don’t have to worry about waste along the way.
- Meticulously wash your hands both before and after emptying or inserting your disc or cup
- Make sure you’re a seasoned user of these products BEFORE using them while travelling. Once you get the hang of it they’re super convenient and comfortable, but it can take some getting used to and having the comforts of your own home for the trial period (ha pun intended!) is strongly recommended
- You won’t have the opportunity to boil sterilise your cup/disc until you’re home again so once you’ve finished using it, give it a good wash in water with soap, make sure it fully dried and store it in a breathable bag
Wet Wipes and Alternatives
There’s no doubt that wet wipes are a convenience that help with hygiene, when a normal bathroom and shower isn’t an option.
Cold temperatures and low oxygen levels mean that decomposition of waste happens a lot slower at high altitudes. Even biodegradable waste sits around for a long time as litter in the mountains, so you can imagine that plastic-based wipes spent a lot of time enjoying the views!
Products claiming to be plant based or eco-friendly often still contain plastic as part of the fabric (this is what gives it strength to not tear apart) that’s blended with natural or plant-based fibres. So it’s definitely a step in the right direction, but in the mountains waste is waste and the considerations are very different to being at home.
Flushable wipes are not appropriate for the plumbing in Nepal, please never put them in a toilet while trekking or in city hotels.
So here’s the advice:
- Use sparingly – we recognise that resources do need to be used sometimes, but a conservative approach in this sensitive environment is especially appreciated
- Seek alternatives like the Unwipe system or Wype gel (these aren’t available in Nepal so please bring them from home)
Rubbish Disposal
It’s really important to use proper waste disposal facilities in the tea houses. Never put any toilet paper into the toilets and certainly not pads, tampons or even tissues.
It’s a good idea to bring zip lock bags to store any used pads or tampons that you aren’t able to dispose of in a rubbish bin while on the trail. Then just pop it into the next bin you see.
What to bring with you
- Toilet paper
- Plenty of your preferred period product/s: Pads, tampons, panty liners, menstrual cup or disc
- Zip lock bags to store any used disposable products in case there’s not a bin available. Pop it in the bin when you get to the next tea house
- Soap – hand hygiene is important whether you have your period or not!
- Hand sanitiser for when water isn’t available
