When out in the wilderness, it can get tough to maintain feminine hygiene but it's not impossible. Here are some tips by Aungsumi Sinha, a passionate hiker, who was brought up in the hills of Assam and has been doing all sorts of outdoorsy stuff since she was 6-years-old!

1/ Wipes are important

If you are prone to UTI and other hygiene-related problems, she recommends always carrying V-wash wipes. It's very important that you keep your privates clean and dry. Hikes can make you sweat, especially if it's summer. 

  • Do not stop yourself when nature calls. That would only cause more problems later on. Use wipes, dry it up; should be the mantra. Also make sure to wipe front to back and not the other way. 
  • Change your underwear every day. Twice, if it's too hot. 

2/ Be Period-ready 

Having your period when you are hiking can be difficult, especially if you are prone to cramps. However, it is important to prioritize your body over your trail and make sure you don't overdo it.

  • Carry pad/tampons, extra in fact. Seal it/ziplock it. 
  • Wipes, again. Use them, depend on them. 
  • Carry your medication (if you get cramps) 
  • Carry sealed bags for disposal for the day and dispose of them after you get back to base.


3/ Allergy Awareness

Be aware of your allergies. If you are super sensitive or allergic to any sort of weed or fuzzy things, make sure you-

  • Keep your medications handy, never forget them. Same goes for soothing balms, ointments etc, whatever suits you best. 
  • Know your environment before you head there. It's always better to be safe than sorry.


4/ Answer Nature's Call

Ladies, when you are walking in the wild and you gotta go... well you gotta go in the wild. You probably won't have the privilege of a toilet at every hiking spot. It's vital to know how to spot the spot. If you are in a rocky terrain, this should be easy. Take cover behind a rock and stay away from the shrubs and the weeds. If you are in a terrain which is mostly grassland, pick a spot which is bare, if not, use your shoe to flatten out the surface.
 


5/ Showering In the Wild

Taking a shower is not always an option when you're hiking unless you have a river or waterfall nearby. If your campsite has a water supply, you can take full advantage of that otherwise wipes are your friend again. Wipe your underarms and other areas more often. This will get rid of the odour so you can start the day on a fresher note. 

If water is available and you're camping with a group of people for more than a day or two, it could be interesting to carry a shower cabin along. This gives privacy to shower/change etc.


 


CHECK THE QUECHUA SHOWER CABIN
CHECK OUR HIKING AND TREKKING RANGE

Explore Our Hiking Range
Related tags :