Beach vacation and my period
 

So, we are going on vacation to Croatia, which I have mentioned before, but one thing I need to think about is my period. I have NEVER taken hormones for birth control and in previous trips, I guess I just dealt with it.

First time there was one day where there was NO WHERE to change I had to go behind some tree to remove a tampon - it was awkward - nowhere to wash up or anything. The last time we went to the beach I was newly pregnant (but miscarried that pregnancy) so I didn't have to deal with it.

But now... I probably will as we will be there for nearly 3 weeks and most of it will be at the sea.

Problem is now that I'm 42 and had two kids, when I get my period it's fast and furious. I need to change the super plus (biggest there is) tampon every hour on Day 2 AND wear a pad to keep from leaking. Day one is much less (though enough - more like normal) and day 3 is normal and day four it's light and then gone.

How will I deal with that while on a beach? or on a plane?

SHould I get on birth control? Or what?

Oh, and the disposible cup thing does NOT work for me - I leak if I bend over, squat. (Whatever it is called - like a Diaphragm).

Suggestions! I know it's really only a couple days, but it could be a huge mess! And I can't really depend on when my period will come. At 42, it's not as much clock work as before.

I'm 47 and recently went on the pill because my periods were getting heavier and crampier. Sounds similar to your heavier periods. I've loved loved loved being on the pill. Periods are a breeze now. You might want to give it some thought.

When I was on birth control I loved being able to plan or skip my period. I know this vacation is already stressful enough based on your other posts so I vote birth control. You can always stop using it when you get back.

My daughter just started a birth control where you only get your period for 2 days a month. It for people who get heavy periods and it is the lowest estrogen dose out there. I would try it. How long til you leave?

What about that shot that stops your period for a few months at a time? Even if you don't stay on it when you return, might be worth it for the time your on vacation...

If you mean Depo, it doesn't stop it for everyone. I know people who had even heavier periods on it.

I am not a fan of the pill at all, but this might be a good idea if you are struggling with a heavy period. I had the same problem (heavy period and an upcoming beach trip) and decided to take Seasonique. You go for 3 months without your period and I started taking it before my trip. This way I didn't have to deal with it at all and enjoyed my time.

Or try taking something like Ortho Tri Cyclen Lo to have the control over your period, but skip some of the side effects that sometimes come with BC. The "Lo" version works for me and doesn't give me any weight gain or other common side effects like some other BC's do.

Good luck and have fun on your trip!!

I am definitely no expert on birth control, but two of my good friends started the Depo shot and started gaining lots of weight (not diet/lack of exercise related) and have other terrible side effects. I've always heard things about the shot so I would be cautious or at least do your research before getting it.

I have been on depo and yes the side effects are awful. If you have side effects with the pill you just stop taking it but with depo you are stuck for 3 months. The weight gain is also not worth it.

I wouldn't do Depo either, not worth the side effects.

I second the Ortho Tri Cyclen Lo.

Or anything that has been on the market for awhile. Nothing new and fancy to be a guinea pig for.

I agree Depo is awful. I was on it for 4 years and hated it but I can't take the pill in any form so it was the only thing I could have at the time.

It stopped my period but all the other stuff it caused was SO not worth it!

berryblondeboys...... Have you considered endometrial ablasion? Obviuosly not an option right before vacation, but when you get back?

I had it done this past December and I feel sooooo much better. Went from having to use a super tampon and pad (same time), changing it every hour for 2 days and seemingly endless spotting to being able to wear only a pantyliner for a couple days.

I also was cramping on average 3 weeks out of the month. I still have some ridiculous cramping, but only for a week.

Have you ever tried a permanent cup? I use a diva cup and it holds more than the super duper tampon. I used to change tampons every hour as well but with the cup, I can go for a few hours.

When I was on the pill (I'm on an IUD now), I loved being able to skip it or 'put it off' if we had plans around it that would have been hard to juggle it around, so maybe that is an option?

re:
 

You could just go ahead and get pregnant before then! That'd take care of it :)


Seriously though, the pill is nice in regards to controlling when and how much you experience. I don't recall just how fast it starts to regulate you though.

So weird for me to be thinking about the pill when for all these years I avoided hormones, but I don't exercise. I don't really DO anything on the second day of my period because I feel awful and I swear I feel like my bottom is going to fall out.

Would mean we don't have to pack condoms either - one less thing to pack!

But what about moodiness? A lot of people get moody with it. and why didn't I think to ask about it when I was at the gyn last month!

Or maybe get an IUD that tends to stop or lesson periods? Not sure if it will have time to "kick in" by then though.

I started taking the Ortho Tri Cyclen Lo because I had terrible, horrendously horrible periods that were heavy, crampy, turned me into a monster etc.

Once I was on it for a full month, when it came time for TOM it was SO much better. I had a lighter period, not moody at all, only a slight water weight gain (without BC I gain 5-6 lbs every time). However, my gyn told me that sometimes it takes up to 3 months to have a full effect.

When are you taking this trip? If it's in a month or two you should start asap if you decide to take BC. That way it is fully in your system and you won't have to worry about packing the condoms!! ;)

But, the beauty of the pill is you never have to have a period again.

The only reason pill inventers did 3 weeks on 1/ week off bleed was to make it seem "normal."

http://www.womhealth.org.au/healthjo...onceptions.htm

When a woman takes the Pill her normal menstrual cycle is interrupted. In effect, the Pill tricks the body into believing it is pregnant. When the Pill was being developed, however, it was felt that women would find the lack of a normal menstrual cycle disconcerting. Many women, for example, rely on their regular menstrual period for reassurance of not being pregnant. Consequently, it was decided to have the Pill consist of 21 days of active pills (pills containing the hormones), followed by a pill-free interval of seven days (either no pills or sugar pills). The rapid decline in the artificial hormones which occurs in the pill-free interval results in a 'withdrawal bleed', which somewhat resembles a menstrual period and is often still referred to as a 'period' for simplicity. It is important, however, for women to understand that when they take the Pill the bleeding which occurs during the pill free interval is not a menstrual period.

Similarly, women should be aware the current packaging of the Pill (21 active pills, seven day pill free interval) was developed primarily for acceptability reasons and not because of any physiological reason. Indeed, contraception expert John Guillebaud explains "When you think about it we have here a bizarre contraceptive: one that we providers actually instruct the users not to use - for 25% of the time" (4). As Guillebaud suggests, the pill free interval is the 'Achilles heel' of the Pill's efficacy as it can contribute to pill failure. To stop ovulation from occurring a woman needs to take seven consecutive active pills. In addition, if more than seven days are missed a woman risks ovulation and, if unprotected intercourse occurs, pregnancy. The lengthening of the pill free interval is one of the most common causes of pill failure and is often associated with a woman starting her new Pill packet late. It is very easy to start a pill packet late with women either simply forgetting or not having their new packet with them.

I'm another vote for menstrual cups. The silicone, non-disposable brands hold a great deal and don't leak, as they create a bit of a suction seal around the cervical neck.

I'm a heavy bleeder and still don't have to empty the cup more than every two hours during my heaviest time. The you just dump, rinse or wipe it if you can (not necessary each time it is emptied) and be on your merry way. Much more reliable and comfortable than tampons and no hormonal concerns. I love Lunette and Divacup, though the latter wasn't the best fit for my particular anatomy.

MELISSA ~ I had the same concern someone else had -- would you have enough time for the pill to be effective before the holiday? I think you have to use them at least 3 months. It could very well reduce your menstrual flow & symptoms, but you should still pack the condoms. ;)

Some people have worse symptoms on the pill -- it wasn't as heavy, but I had cramps & bleeding every day, so I couldn't take them (they weren't helping). If you haven't used them before, you do need some time to see how your body reacts to them as well.


GLORY ~ that was a great article ... :)

I took Minovral for my BC pills. It worked great. I had no side effects or symptoms and i actually found it improved my mood. I was actually happier on it then off...And it is true, after a month of being on it consistently, you can skip a menstrul cycle if you need to after that. It was the first pill i was on, and its the only pill i will take now.

Where can you find these? The disposable ones DO NOT WORK for me at all. I'm not squeamish - years ago we used the diaphragm for birth control (until we figured out it was hindering my enjoyment during sex).

I had no luck with the divacup. :( I consistently leaked...badly. I finally gave up. And for the record I tried to use it for over a year. While it doesn't help Melissa's sitch, I had an ablation last year. Not a drop since. I feel like I can finally live my life unhindered. The best part is no hormones. Like another poster, I reacted badly on bcp. I had monthly migraines. Same for DD24.

I frequently see them at Whole foods. I ordered mine online. I've never had any leaking myself but it does tae a little practice to get it in.