Traveling does not mean vacations for birth control at all. Emergency contraception packing should be taken into consideration, just in case if the usual birth control method fails or in case of having an unprotected sexual intercourse. It is also necessary to point out, that Plan B is not easily accessible in some certain areas. In addition, all prescribed drugs are to be stored in their original containers with readable labels. here are 10 birth control travel tips you should know for your next trip.
Traveling and Menstrual Cycle
It is quite possible and often, that traveling can cause menstrual cycle mayhem. Everything is because of emotional stress, exhaustion, different time zones. These all can become reasons of irregular bleeding. This is why any woman should remember to pack her personal hygiene products so, that she will always have them easily accessible. However, such factors as excessive exercise (occurs in the result of sight – seeing, swimming, etc.) and stress can become the reason of missed periods. In this case fertility patterns, if a woman relies on one of the Natural Family Planning Methods, can be thrown off.
Bring Condoms
It is necessary for every woman to bring condoms with her even if she applies another method of birth control. Condoms are truly considered to be the only contraception method, which provides almost 100% protection against sexually transmitted diseases, as well as against HIV and AIDS. That is why it is necessary always to have condoms near, just in case if a woman finally meets that “only and best” person. Moreover, with the help of condoms a woman, and her partner as well will be protected from any urinary and vaginal infection, which is much more likely to occur, simply because usually traveling environment is much less hygienic than any person’s normal living conditions.
In Case if a Woman Applies Depo – Provera
While vacation dates are being planned, it is necessary to remember that Depo – Provera injections are to be given every three months or 12 weeks, and than a woman is considered to be protected for about the following 11 – 13 weeks long as long as she gets these shots four times a year.
However, in case if the shot date conicides with the date of a woman’s being away? Then it is possible to get this birth control shot at least one weak earlier, or not longer than in a week after when her next shot is due. There are studies, which insist that a woman can delay up to one month (four weeks) with having the Depo – Provera injection, therefore, Pfizer, the manufacturer of this method of birth control, does not advise to do so; moreover, they recommend not to push the limit past one week, as there were cases, when women conceived by delaying their shots for longer. Pfizer suggests to apply some other back up method of birth control in case if a shot is missed, or if more than 13 weeks have passed since the woman’s last injection.
Vacations and Sex in the Water. Exciting, but be carful.
There are people, who have a tendency to becoming somewhat “adventurous” while they are spending their vacations in romantic places. This information is just for people like them: a desire to have water sex in some exotic places requires some kind of preparation to be done before, because any spermicide containing method of birth control is not suitable for applying in the sea, pool, hot tub or bathtub.
Birth Control Methods Storage Conditions
There are definite methods of contraception, like, condoms, either male or female, for example, which are susceptible to high temperature; this is why it is necessary for them to be kept only in cool and dry places. Of course, it does not mean that a condom can be taken out of its storage place in a hot sunny day even for a little while, though they should be avoided of being exposed to air, heat, light, or sunlight for long periods of time, which means that glove compartment or back pocket are definitely not the right places of condoms’ storage, of course, if a person is not going to use them that day.
In addition, it is important to make sure that the package inserts of the preferred method of birth control was read cautiously in order to determine the temperature and conditions that they are to be stored at, as well as with the aim of avoiding of any possible misunderstandings.
Do Not Forget To Take the Pill
Some recent surveys have revealed, that more than 43% of birth control pill users in their 20s consider that taking the pill definitely puts a damper on their vacation. About one in every five pill users say that they have missed taking their pills while traveling somewhere. In addition, up to a quarter of women consider that the necessity of taking the birth control pill has impacted their trip in a negative way.
However, there are other surveys, in according to which there are plenty of women who used the birth control pill while they were traveling with their male partner, and they always remember about their chosen method of contraception.
Moreover, four percent of birth control pill users reported, that they were not able to take their pill because of some conditions, which prevented them from doing it, for example due to their baggage being lost.
Romantic Getaways of New Sexual Encounters
In case if it is possible, the method of birth control to be chosen, should be discussed and agreed with the woman’s partner yet before they leave. It is necessary to plan to discuss sexually transmitted diseases, sexual histories, and contraceptive preferences of each other in advance, simply because there are some definite methods of contraception, which require the visit to a doctor and which take some time before they become effective enough to be relied upon.
Therefore, if a woman is with a new partner of her, a man, whom she has just recently met, it is still much advisable to discuss their contraception yet before having their first sexual intercourse. If caught in the heat of the moment, a woman may possibly be pressured into somehting that she may regret later. Unless she does not mind having a baby or catching some sexually transmitted disease as a souvenir from this romantic trip, birth control method is to be discussed and agreed in advance.
Over the Counter Methods of Contraception and Barrier Methods of Birth Control
In case if someone prefers using one of the over – the – counter contraception methods, and / or one of the barrier methods, then it is necessary to remember about bringing enough spermicidial creams, film, foams, jellies, as well as suppositories. The same may be said for the sponge users, they should take their sponge with them everywhere, simply because there are plenty of spermicidal products, which are not available in other countries of places.
Even people, who use diaphragm as the method of birth control, they are to make sure that they pack enough spermicide to use with their diaphragm while they are away.
Hormonal Methods of Birth Control and Long Trips
There is a link between long – distance travel and potentially fatal deep vein thromboses (DVT) as well as pulmonary embolism (PE). However, women, who apply one of the hormonal methods of contraception occur at much higher risk and they may even need to take some additional precautions in case if their travel plans include sitting in a still position for a long period of time. Therefore, a woman can easily avoid these risk factors simply by making sure that she stretches her legs from time to time and by staying hydrated enough during the trip. However, a woman is to drink water as well and not just soda and / or coffee.
Pack an Extra Supply of Contraception
In case if someone is currently applying the birth control pill, the Ortho Evra Patch or the NuvaRing, she should remember about bringing her next month’s supply just in case if she runs out while being away, or if she used her method of contraception incorrectly, and there is a necessity for a new course to be begun. In addition, there are areas, in which is may be extremely difficult to get this prescription methods of birth control, that is why it is very important to plan ahead and pack the extra supply.