You’ve booked the flights. Packed the sunscreen. Counted out the outfits. But one thing that doesn’t always follow the itinerary?
Your period.
The truth is, it can show up at the least convenient time—on a hike, during a flight, or en route to the hot springs of your dreams. But it doesn’t have to derail your adventure. With a little planning and a lot of resilience, you can travel confidently, no matter what your cycle’s up to.
To celebrate our 5th birthday, we asked our community to share their most unforgettable travel-with-your-period stories through our periodcation contest. The result? A powerful reminder that we’ve all been there—and we always figure it out.
Here are four stories straight from our joni community. See if you can relate!
Stories from the Road
Eileen:
“I was headed for a dream vacation to Japan... the highlight was a day trip to the hot springs in a tiny mountain town that I still can't pronounce. BUUUUT as the day approached, I realized that I was due for my period! Not sure if you understand, but you go in your birthday suit at the hot springs in Japan. So if you're on your period, you're not getting in!
Luckily, due to the stress of traveling across continents, I was ONE day late, and got to ease my cramps in the hot spring waters of Japan.”
Lena:
“When I travelled to India, I hadn’t had my period for a few years due to intense athletic training. Half way through the trip my body had relaxed enough that it thought it was time to menstruate again.
We were on a hike and half way through the floodgates opened! I had thought I started peeing myself. I kept going hoping nothing would leak through, but then one of the hikers pulled me aside to ask me if I was okay. I was horrified and had to use a bandana as a makeshift pad until we got back.”
Irina:
“I was on a 20 hours long-haul flight, cramping and bloated, when the turbulence hit. My already queasy stomach turned, and suddenly, I felt an unstoppable flood. The tiny airplane bathroom was occupied for what felt like an eternity, and by the time I got in, it looked like a crime scene.
I had to MacGyver a solution with a wad of toilet paper and a pair of socks from my carry-on. Lesson learned: always pack extra supplies, even when you think you won’t need them.”
Jessica (our contest winner):
“On a long bus ride through the mountains, my period showed up unannounced, turning every bump in the road into a new level of discomfort. I dug through my bag—no pads, no tampons, just a single crumpled tissue and a growing sense of dread.
The woman next to me must have noticed my distress because, without a word, she reached into her purse and handed me exactly what I needed. We didn’t speak the same language, but in that moment, no words were necessary. I smiled in gratitude, and she just nodded.”
Pack Like You’ve Been There Before
If there’s one thing these stories tell us, it’s that periods rarely arrive at the perfect time—but being prepared can make all the difference.
That’s where joni comes in:
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Flat, easy-to-pack packaging – fits in any carry-on or weekender bag
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Minipacks – perfect for beach days, festival kits, and day trips
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Organic + biodegradable – because taking care of your body shouldn’t harm the planet
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Breathable comfort – Soft breathable topsheets keep you dry and irritation-free!
These stories also remind us of something bigger: access matters. In an ideal world, every public bathroom would offer period care products—just like toilet paper. Until then, packing your own (plus extras for sharing) is an act of empowerment.