Travelling Through Menopause

Travelling can be challenging on its own, even before considering the effects of menopause!

Anxiety can ramp up, nerves can be higher than usual, and even something that's meant to be exciting can suddenly feel overwhelming - you suddenly don’t really want to go, even though you have had it on count down.  Before I've even left the house, my brain is in overdrive - panicking I’m going to get a UTI or a migraine from the stress!

Then the internal questioning begins..

Have I packed everything? Have I packed too much? Am I allowed to take that in my hand luggage? Will security pull me aside because I've forgotten some random rule? What's the weather doing? Do I need a jumper, a raincoat, both?

Then comes the menopause packing list...

Have I got enough HRT? Did I remember to order it in time? Did I remember to put it in the right bag? If my oestrogen gel gets too hot, will it still work properly? 

And then the really glamorous thoughts start!

What if I get a migraine? What if my IBS decides to make an appearance? What if the cramps kick in? What if my acid reflux flares up? What if I spend the whole holiday looking for the nearest toilet? When I get anxious, I need to pee all the time!

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If the thoughts above resonate with you, here's a rundown of my carefully curated "just in case" pharmacy - collected & refined through the years:

• Migraine tablets

• Anti-bloat tablets

• Anti-cramp tablets

• Tablets to stop me spending my holiday on the loo (such as Loperamide or Immodium)

• Tablets to help me go to the loo (such as Movicol or other constipation relief tablets)

• Painkillers for headaches and aching joints

• Supplements (I use GLOWWA Hair Food!)

• HRT (you can read my thoughts on HRT for menopausal hair here)

... Honestly, I could probably open a small chemist from my hand luggage!

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It's not that I expect all these things to happen - it's that menopause teaches you to be prepared for the possibility that they might. And to reduce my anxiety, I need to have these things in place. 

I now also add in a foldable fan for my handbag. A bottle of water is a must-have to cover the dry mouth problems - and chewy sweets also work wonders for a dry mouth. Finally, my Peace Pebble is also always in my pocket, for me to rub to reduce anxiety, help me breathe & stay calm.

So while other people are packing bikinis and flip-flops, I'm packing enough medication and supplies to survive a small apocalypse. And yet, despite all this I still insist on going away and booking more trips - and I do enjoy myself when I get there!