Do you have any plans to go out or travel somewhere? If you do, I'm sure there are many of you who are already looking forward to it.

However, many people worry about whether their travel date will coincide with their period. Some people already have a period that is due on their scheduled date, while others have irregular periods and don't know when their period will come. It's best to enjoy your trip without it coinciding with your period, but in case it does, be sure to be fully prepared and check what to do on the day to ensure you have a wonderful holiday.

Preparation before departure

1. Change your period date

One way to do this is to use birth control pills to delay your period.
It is common to use medium-dose pills to delay your period, and low- or medium-dose pills to bring it forward. The choice of which to use depends on how many days are left until your period is due.
In either case, it is advisable to move your period with ample time to spare. Be sure to check the travel dates carefully.

■ To bring on menstruation earlier

Start taking low-dose birth control pills by the fifth day after the start of your period before the one you want to delay. After taking the pills for 14 days or more, your period will come two or three days after you stop taking the pills, which will bring your period forward.

Also, if it is difficult to take the pill for more than 14 days, you can shorten the period to 10 days by taking medium-dose pills.

■ If you want to delay your period

Take the medium-dose pill 5 to 7 days before the expected start date of your period that you want to delay. Once you stop taking it, your period will come 2 to 3 days later. Although it varies from person to person, you can delay your period by up to about a week. If your period comes while you are taking it, stop taking it.

2. Bring sanitary products and other preventative items

If you are not taking the pill, being careful about what you bring with you can help reduce anxiety. Here are some items that are useful to have when traveling.

■ Sanitary shorts

There is a possibility that you may get your period on the day of your trip, so it is a good idea to bring napkins and sanitary shorts with you.

■ Lingerie detergent

If menstrual blood leaks, it is recommended to wash it quickly. Even if you don't have detergent, you can soak it in water.

■ Sanitary product disposal bags

This is useful if your toilet doesn't have a sanitary box.

■ Bath towels

If you are worried about getting your bath towel dirty at your accommodation, laying one down before going to bed can help reduce the worry of leaks.

Menstruation precautions on the day of travel

1. If you have a long journey

Traveling long distances by train, bus, or car can be quite stressful. By being a little more creative when traveling, you can make your trip more comfortable during your period.

■To a car with a toilet

When traveling long distances by bus or train, there may be toilets available. In that case, sitting in a car with a toilet will allow you to respond immediately if you suddenly become unwell.

■ Non-constricting clothing

When you know you will be sitting for long periods while traveling, it is important to wear comfortable clothing. Another thing you can do is to wear clothes that you don't mind getting stained with menstrual blood.

■ Use tampons or night pads

Tampons absorb menstrual blood inside the body, eliminating the worries of slipping or leaking like with pads. Also, if they can be used for a long time, they can reduce anxiety about when to go to the bathroom.

2. When going to a hot spring or the beach

While traveling is one of the joys of traveling, it can be worrying if it coincides with your period. One way to deal with this is to refrain from traveling due to etiquette and the risk of infection, but taking precautions can also help you enjoy your trip.

■ Using a menstrual cup

We recommend using a menstrual cup when visiting hot springs, the beach, or the pool. It's an item that provides a high level of airtightness, so there's little risk of it falling out or leaking. We recommend practicing using it beforehand to get used to it.

■Using tampons

Tampons are one of the items that allow you to go about your day without worrying about leaks. However, you need to be careful about infections. During your period, it is easier for bacteria to get into your body. Be sure to remove tampons immediately after bathing.

3. When you go to bed at your accommodation

Most leakage that occurs during sleep during menstruation is caused by "sneezing." There are ways to sleep safely even during menstruation. Using tampons and napkins together is particularly effective. Also, laying a towel or waterproof sheet over your mattress will help prevent it from getting dirty.

4. Unexpected period while traveling

If your period suddenly comes on a different day than expected while you're traveling, you may not have made any preparations.

When traveling domestically, it's easy to get sanitary napkins and painkillers locally, but when traveling abroad, it can be difficult to find stores in an unfamiliar place and to find sanitary products that suit you. Even if it's not your expected period, be sure to bring sanitary products with you when traveling.

Also, if you wear sanitary spats with excellent waterproof properties, you won't have to worry about getting your clothes dirty if your period suddenly comes.

▶ Recommended sanitary spats: "Angelite"

summary

While it's best to avoid traveling and your period overlapping as much as possible, knowing how to take precautions and deal with them beforehand can still make your trip enjoyable. While traveling is enjoyable precisely because it puts you in a different environment than usual, it's important to take precautions so that you can deal with your period smoothly when it does come on. Be sure to talk to your family, friends, or partner who will be traveling with you. Even if you don't plan on having your period overlap at all, we recommend keeping at least one napkin or painkiller in your purse.