Summer travel often means long journeys, hot weather, swimming, disrupted routines and spending more time outdoors. While exciting, these changes can sometimes affect intimate comfort too.
We've put together some simple travel essentials and practical tips that help us feel comfortable, confident and prepared wherever we're heading. Because we have been there; stuck on a long-haul flight with that burning creeping up or in a new place with no pharmacy around trying to somehow get hold of some antibiotics.
First things first, always consult your doctor before any trip if you have concerns accessing medication or support. They can provide you with the necessary medication and advice to prepare you while you are away from home.
Hydration, hydration, hydration!
Hydration is going to be your best friend. Drink lots of water throughout your journey. This will not only keep you hydrated but also help flush bacteria from your urinary tract. Being out in the sun and drinking coffee, alcohol (more about the effects of alcohol on UTIs here, and other sugary drinks can be very de-hydrating and may also irritate your bladder and trigger a flare up. To compensate try to remember to drink a lot of water.
It's break time!
As such, plan your itinerary with plenty of bathroom breaks and check out where your nearest pharmacies could be. Wet wipes and sanitising gel might be helpful friends when using public toilets.
Plan your seat
You might also like to choose a seat close to the restroom on a plane or train, maybe get the aisle seat instead of the window one, or plan driving routes with lots of rest stops. There's nothing worse than trying to climb over the person sleeping next to you on the plane just to get out of your seat but don’t let the fear of potential bathroom breaks deter you from enjoying your journey.
Comfort is key
Go for loose, breathable clothing, not only is it chic (think Jennifer Coolidge in White Lotus!) but also keeps you cool and comfortable on those sweaty, humid days. Underwear with a cotton gusset is another great option.
Change out of wet swimwear
If you are going to the beach and wearing swimwear, try changing out of wet swimwear as soon as you can, as it creates an ideal warm and moist environment for bacteria to grow in, and we want to avoid that! Some women also feel pools with a high concentration of chlorine can impact the balance of their microbiome, so maybe go for the sea water instead.
Summer loving?
If this is the summer of love, you may want to be prepared. Packing products you already know and trust can help you maintain your usual routine while travelling. When practicing safe sex, condoms without spermicides are an option as spermicides are not microbiome friendly and can cause an imbalance. An intimate moisturising serum may be a useful addition to your wash bag, particularly during periods of increased activity, swimming or travel.
Are you a travel foodie?
One of the best parts of travelling is enjoying local food, discovering new flavours, and saying yes to the extra scoop of gelato. Travel often comes with later nights, different foods, holiday treats, and a few more cocktails than usual, all part of the fun.
At the same time, some women notice that certain foods or drinks can affect how comfortable they feel or influence the balance of their intimate microbiome. If you know spicy foods, alcohol, or particularly sugary treats are personal triggers for you, it may be worth enjoying them in moderation and balancing them with plenty of water.
Staying hydrated and paying attention to what helps you feel your best can go a long way towards enjoying your holiday comfortably.
Pack your essentials!
Don't forget to pack all prescribed medication, and maybe even some extra, just in case you are on some remote island in Greece or stuck on a plane for a few hours. You can find our guide to treatments and supplements here including some over-the-counter solutions.
Travel checklist: Intimate comfort edition
Here are a few things to remember to do and pack before you go away:
- Prescribed medication plus some extra
- Reusable water bottle
- Extra toilet paper
- Hand sanitiser or antibacterial wipes
- Spare underwear for long travel days
- Comfortable, breathable clothing
- Condoms without spermicides
- Intimate moisturising serum (keeping the intimate area balanced can help you manage your triggers)
- Save nearby pharmacies or health centres on Google Maps
A little preparation can go a long way when you're travelling. We hope these simple tips help you stay comfortable, confident and ready to enjoy everything summer has to offer.
