December 10, 2023

Period on Holiday: How to Travel and Swim Without Worrying

Getting your period on holiday is annoying, but it does not have to change your plans. With a small kit in your hand luggage, the right product for the pool and a little thought about heat and time zones, you can fly, swim, road-trip and sit through a desert safari as normal. This guide is written for women travelling from the UAE, whether that is a summer escape to Europe, an Eid trip home or a staycation in Ras Al Khaimah.

Pack a period kit for the flight, not the suitcase

Checked bags get delayed. Keep your period supplies in your hand luggage or handbag, even if you are not due. Cycles shift with travel more often than people expect.

A sensible flight kit:

Four to six pads in your usual size, plus two liners for spotting days
One night pad if you will be sleeping on the plane or arriving late
Disposal bags, because not every aircraft toilet has a sanitary bin
Unscented wipes and a small hand sanitiser
A spare pair of underwear in a zip bag
Painkillers you already know work for you, in their original packaging
A dark scarf or light sarong for confidence on long sits
A snack, since airline meals rarely arrive when cramps do

Our post on building a period survival kit has full checklists for handbag, desk and car if you want to go further.

Changing pads on long flights

Dubai to London is seven hours, Dubai to Sydney closer to fourteen. Aim to change every four to six hours as you would on the ground, and change once more before landing so you arrive fresh. Go when the seatbelt sign is off and the meal service is finished.

Aircraft toilets are cramped and dry, so an ultrathin pad with wings is far easier to manage than a thick one. Fold the used pad into its wrapper or a disposal bag and bin it in the lavatory, never the seat pocket. Keep two pads and a wipe in a small pouch in your seat bag so you do not have to open the overhead locker each time.

Swimming on your period

You can swim on your period. Water pressure slows the flow while you are in the pool or sea, though it does not stop it entirely, and once you climb out gravity takes over again.

A pad does not work in water because it soaks up the water instead of your flow and turns heavy and useless. For swimming, use a tampon or a menstrual cup. A cup is especially convenient for beach days because it can stay in for up to twelve hours and there is nothing to dispose of. If you have never used either, try at home before the trip rather than in a hotel bathroom. Our post on choosing between pads, tampons and a cup walks through the differences.

A pad is perfectly fine for sitting by the pool, on a boat or under a beach umbrella. Just carry a spare and change after a sweaty afternoon. Dark swimwear and a sarong give peace of mind.

Heat and humidity in a Gulf summer

Whether you stay in the UAE or head to Oman, Bahrain or Saudi Arabia for the holidays, July and August mean temperatures above 50 degrees and humidity that makes everything damp. Periods feel worse in that weather: sweat mixes with flow, the pad area gets warm, and skin irritation and rashes are more likely.

What helps:

Change more often than usual, even if the pad is not full
Choose breathable, fragrance-free pads. A bamboo top sheet wicks moisture and stays cooler than a plastic one. LiZZOM's organic ultrathin pads are chlorine-free and fragrance-free, which matters when heat already has your skin on edge
Wear loose cotton or linen rather than tight synthetic fabric
Drink far more water than feels necessary, and add electrolytes if you are out for long
Plan outdoor activities for early morning or after sunset

Our guide to periods in Dubai summer heat goes deeper into all of this.

Time zones and cycle changes

Long-haul travel disrupts sleep, meal times and stress levels, and all three affect the hormones that control your cycle. It is common for a period to arrive a few days early or late around a big trip, or for the first day to be lighter or heavier than usual. This is normal and usually settles by the next cycle.

The practical lesson is to carry supplies whenever you fly, whether or not the app says you are due. If your period is more than a couple of weeks late after travel and you could be pregnant, take a test. If your cycle stays irregular for several months afterwards, see a doctor.

Staycations and desert trips

Not every holiday involves an airport. A weekend at a Fujairah beach resort, a night in a desert camp near Al Ain or a road trip up to Jebel Jais all come with the same period logistics, just closer to home.

For desert safaris and camping, bathroom facilities can be basic and far apart. Change before you leave the hotel, carry disposal bags and wipes, and wear a night pad or a Large day pad if you will be away from a toilet for several hours. Dune bashing with cramps is not fun, so take your usual painkiller before you set off rather than waiting. For resort stays, the poolside advice above applies, and most UAE hotels stock basic pads at reception if you run short.

Buying pads abroad versus bringing your own

You can buy pads almost anywhere, but you may not find your brand, your size or an unscented option. In parts of Europe and Asia, heavily fragranced pads dominate the shelves, and sizing labels differ from what you are used to. If you have sensitive skin or a preference for organic materials, bring enough for the whole trip plus a spare day.

Order ahead so you are not running to a pharmacy the night before your flight. LiZZOM delivers free across the UAE on orders over AED 50 in plain courier packaging, usually within a couple of days. The quick quarterly packs cover three months and are handy if you are heading away for the summer. Our guide to buying sanitary pads online in Dubai explains delivery options and what to check before you order.

Frequently asked questions

Can I delay my period for a holiday?

Some women use hormonal contraception or a short course of prescribed medication to shift a period around a trip. This should always be arranged with a doctor in advance, ideally a few weeks before travel, and is not suitable for everyone.

Are tampons and menstrual cups available in the UAE?

Yes. Larger pharmacies and supermarkets in Dubai and Abu Dhabi stock tampons, and cups are sold online and in some pharmacies. Buy and try before your trip rather than searching abroad.

Can I go through airport security with pads and a cup?

Yes. Pads, tampons and cups are personal items and can be carried in hand luggage without restriction. Painkillers should be in their original packaging.

What if I get my period on a beach day and only have pads?

Sit by the water rather than swimming, change your pad after a couple of hours in the heat, wear a sarong for confidence and enjoy the day. If you want to swim, most resort shops and nearby pharmacies sell tampons.

Stock up before you go: LiZZOM quick quarterly packs cover three months and ship free across the UAE.