that time of the month... - TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards!

goldenseal · 02-13-2006, 11:32 AM

So, I'll be in europe for just over a month and I need the ladies' opinion on a couple of things:
First of all, do they have the same products there as they do here (canada)? Or am I better off just bringin my own stuff?

Also, I get bad cramps... like, incapacitated for three to four days type bad...

I'm looking into birth control because I've heard it really helps with that, but I just want to know of anybody else's experiences with that type of thing... Side effects, etc. Usually I'd just use prescription meds, but they make me pretty loopy, so I'd rather not.
thanks a lot!

**space virgin** · 02-13-2006, 11:47 AM

When are you going? You may want to give yourself at least a month to get used to birth control if you go that route. And yes, they have pretty much the same products over there.

And stock up on pain killers if you can.

Good luck!

**benna2** · 02-13-2006, 11:48 AM

Well if you are only going for a month, then that is just one cycle and I would bring my own products with me. As far as the birth control goes, you can always work it so that you skip it all together while you are away. But that takes a bit of planning.

Anyway...bring your stuff with ya. It is only a month and will not take up that much room. I brought a ziplock bag full of my trusty ob's.

**tumblezweedz** · 02-13-2006, 11:57 AM

I lived in Lithuania, and found familiar products there, so I'm sure you'll be fine in any of the big drug stores in western Europe. In some places you might have to ask at a pharmacy, but that's probably more in eastern Europe. Any grocery or big department store (Carrefours is a major chain throughout Europe) you'll be fine. But a month's supplies wouldn't take up a whole lot of space or add weight, so bring your own just for peace of mind.

Have you ever tried Motrin? I don't suffer as you do, but for me it rocks a headache, fever or any muscle pain in no time, and it doesn't incapacitate me! If you can't take Ibuprofen (it upsets some people's stomachs) then ask your doc for something that isn't quite so strong - you def. don't want to be loopy in a foreign environment.

Another suggestion, plan to stay in one place for that time span, preferably somewhere relaxing and laid back, so you don't feel any extra pressure to do stuff, and can just laze about in bed or on a hammock all day. You might want to splurge on a hotel room or private guest house where you can have privacy and stay in bed as long as you want. They're not fancy, but the Etap and Formule 1 hotel chains have bare bones rooms for between 30 and 50 Euro, depending on the location. But I'd pick a little guest house in the countryside and enjoy the serenity.

When and where will you be travelling - we might be able to give you more specific info.

**Brookers13** · 02-13-2006, 02:18 PM

i used to have a horrible problem with cramps years ago before i was on birth control, but like spacevirgin said, it takes your body at least a month to get used to it, many times more than that....and if you have a difficult adjustment to birth control thats no fun either....before i was on it, i found that if i took motrin or tylenol BEFORE the cramps started, they would be much more bearable..just a thought...good luck!

goldenseal · 02-13-2006, 03:03 PM

Wow thanks guys!
I think I'm definitely going to go the birth control route and as soon as possible! I've pretty much tried every brand-name pain reliever on the market and the only thing that ever worked for me was Advil... and eventually I developed an immunity to it... blegh, that sucked.
anyway, thanks for the info! :D

**TERI** · 02-13-2006, 03:07 PM

yeah a month is no problem. if you were to travel longer, i would keep enough "supplies" for a cycle in my pack for emerg's. and buy local stuff while in the big cities, if it timed itself that way. I only get it 4-5 times a year, and get minor pains for a day. its gotta suck to hurt for days.

**bluepea** · 02-13-2006, 07:33 PM

I also used to deal with debilitating cramps and now rely on birth control. Nuvaring is the greatest invention ever. Super low side effects (I've experienced none), no pill to take daily and totally curbs PMS/cramps. Life is so much better for me (and my husband

now. I also used it to skip a few periods in Europe - just switched rings after four weeks. You can do that with the pill also by not taking the "sugar pills" and continuing the hormones. My doctor has recommended I skip the occasional period due to my bad cramps and stuff. I have found the best thing to take is about 600 mg of Ibuprofen.

**blinkchick2134** · 02-13-2006, 07:44 PM

Just a side note: I could only find tampons without applicators in Europe (mainly Switzerland and Germany). It was odd for me because I didn't even know they existed when I went over there....had a laugh reading the directions.

**Brookers13** · 02-13-2006, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by jamiepeaski@Feb 13 2006, 10:33 PM
Nuvaring is the greatest invention ever.

[snapback]102542[/snapback]

ditto ditto ditto times ifinity!!!!

**joanofarc** · 02-14-2006, 01:56 PM

i use the nuvaring too - i love it.

**bellelass** · 02-14-2006, 03:19 PM

I also love nuvaring but Im worried what the bf will think. or feel.

as for times of month when traveling, I have to say just take your bc back to back so you dont even have to deal with it. I am always out of service for at least a day due to cramps etc no matter what I take (motrin, alieve, vicodin) so if you're only gone for a month just do that. then you wont have to worry. but you know, women all over the world have the same thing going on, so you'll always be able to find what you need.

**joanofarc** · 02-14-2006, 04:29 PM

my boyfriend says he can feel it sometimes - but he doesn't care... what guy would, they're screwing! haha! HO!

i was mostly worried about tasting different. can't have the boy slackin' off in that department. it's all good there too though.

no complaints from my love slave.

**blinkchick2134** · 02-14-2006, 06:54 PM

I love how the boys avoided this thread!

**raysen** · 02-15-2006, 02:58 PM

I dont mean to post jump or anything, but I am going to america for 3 months this yea and although I have no worries about being able to get anything for the time of the month, I am going to be camping so was also think that as I am on the Pill to just continue it through the week I am supose to stop. Myfriend did this when shewent on holiday a couple of years ago, but I am also thinking is it safe to take the pill for 3 months without a break?

I dont really have exruciating pains or anything I am quite lucky, but this was something I have thought about.

Cheers

**joanofarc** · 02-15-2006, 03:00 PM

it seems like a long time, but i don't know???

**Diorama** · 02-15-2006, 08:49 PM

First off I agree. Go on the Pill! It has saved my life. I used to get horrible back pains but the pill completely changed everything.I still get the occasional pain but nothing I can't handle with tylenol.

Second, I took the pill straight thru but it didn't work for me at all. I still got my period and worse it was on and off for two months after. There was no regularity which sucked ass! Talk with your doctor. I'm really not sure if it's safe to go three months straight thru. I only did it for one, but it really screwed up my system.

GO PERIODS! Dayam We need a womens forum or something!

**bluepea** · 02-16-2006, 10:35 AM

When I was on the pill, I'd skip a period every now and then. Supposedly, it is safe to do. They have a pill that's specifically designed to take all through, except four times a year.

**raysen** · 02-16-2006, 12:45 PM

well ive been on the pill for past 3 and half year si rekon so I guess my body is pretty used to whats going on when, and if i skip three months may mess up my body's system.

I'm not too fussed just thought it maybe a mention to see what peoples thoughts are on it.
Yeah maybe best to see my GP.

**zylah** · 02-18-2006, 09:53 AM

if u really want to avoid periods consult your GP. there are several options of medium term contraception that can do this (with varying results based on the person).
depending on what contraception you are using and what u want they should be able to come up with something.
I got implanon (in australia) it was cheap $3, and lasts for 3 years, and i get almost no bleeding (i will spot a tiny bit after i do heaps of heavy lifting) but nothing else. (the americans have something similar i think its called norplant.)
then there's depo (provera) an injection every 3-4 months that will stop any periods (good if you're going for less than 3 months, but i would recomend against trying to get injections while overseas)
then there are coils and the like, so talk to your GP/ family planning