Travel is often romanticized as this dreamy escape from reality, which it is most of the time. Except when you are a female travelling with painful periods.
During that time it is a test of endurance rather than a liberating adventure. Being a female traveller comes with its own set of challenges, but throw terrible periods into the mix, and you’re navigating a whole different kind of maze. Here’s a candid take on what it’s like:
1. The Inability to Make Concrete Plans
Ah, the beauty of spontaneity… except when it’s your period that’s being spontaneous, deciding to show up early or make a fashionable late arrival. For someone with fairly regular cycles, it might not sound like the worst thing. But when you’re travelling and trying to juggle itineraries, work commitments, and sightseeing, those 2-3 days of unpredictability feel like a logistical nightmare.
Do I book that hike? What if I’m curled up in pain by then? Do I take a day off from work today or wait for the inevitable day off that is my period? Planning becomes a stressful guessing game, and sometimes, you just cancel altogether because the gamble doesn’t seem worth it.
Also read: My Non-Existent Travel Friendships – An Introspection
2. Waste of Resources
It might sound dramatic, but it does feel like I’m wasting resources during those days. Imagine paying to be in a beautiful place only to spend half your time (if I’m lucky) glued to the bed in a fetal position. Or splurging on a trip’s food budget just to satisfy your cravings for salty chips, sugary desserts, and carbs.
You’re spending more, losing out on time, and barely enjoying the experience you invested so much in. The financial guilt paired with the physical discomfort makes it feel like an unbalanced equation that’s hard to digest.
3. Mandatory Days Off Make Mental Days Off Harder
Here’s where it really starts to weigh on me: the sense of “lost” days. No matter how I’m feeling mentally or emotionally, I already know I’ll need to set aside three non-negotiable days every month for my period. This makes it harder to allow myself extra “just because” rest days.
What about when I’m feeling burnt out? Or when I just want to slow down and soak in the destination at my own pace? Knowing that my period will already force me to take time off makes me feel guilty for wanting any more days to just exist.
4. No Room to Be a Baby
Let’s be real—one of the few perks of dealing with periods is giving yourself permission to be a little extra. Throw a tantrum. Let someone else take care of you. Binge-watch cheesy TV with a hot water bottle while someone brings you snacks.
But when you’re travelling solo, there’s no room for that. You’re your own caretaker. You still have to navigate maps, deal with logistics, and show up like a responsible adult—even when all you want is to be a baby for a day. The emotional labour of keeping it together adds a whole other layer to the struggle.
Travel is empowering, yes. It’s liberating and soul-nourishing. But for women travelling with painful periods, it’s also an uphill climb—sometimes literally, with a backpack and cramps. The world may not stop for us, but maybe, just maybe, we can give ourselves a little grace on those days when it all feels a bit too much. Whether it’s splurging on that comfy stay or taking a slower pace, I hope to not let periods rob me of the joy of travel. I guess we just have to find ways to reclaim it on our own terms.
