Health Concerns Especially for Women

Taking care of your health while you’re on the road is a major concern for most travellers. What problems you may encounter depends on such factors as destination (country, urban or rural), purpose of travel, style of travel (backpacking or luxury tour), any underlying medical problems you may have, your age and the time of year and season. Before venturing on any journey, it would be wise to take a few simple precautions, to minimize the hassle you’d experience on the road.
 

Before you go

The first thing to do, health-wise anyway, is to go for a full medical check-up. This also includes a dental check. Having a clean bill of health when you leave is a powerful confidence boost, and even if you don’t get a completely clean bill, at least you’ll be more aware of what to watch out for.

When going to the doctor, you can opt for your normal family general practitioner, especially if you have a comfortable relationship with him or her. As an alternative, you can also seek out a local travel health specialist who has also travelled extensively. The best would be a doctor who has gone to the same destination as you plan to go. In this way, you’ll get invaluable, first hand travel advice.

As well as checking for any underlying medical conditions, make sure to get all your immunization shots in order. You’ll need to check out the specific requirements for the destination country, and it’s a good idea to book your first appointment at least two months in advance, as you may be required to go for a series of follow up shots on a weekly schedule. You may not be allowed to enter certain countries without proof of shots, so it’s a sensible precaution to take.

Things to take with you

Any prescriptions needed should be filled up before you go. Try and take not only the minimum amount you need for the length of time you plan to be in the country, but also a little extra. The additional supplies lets you stay longer of you want or if you have unexpected trouble leaving the country, and can be life-saving if you accidentally lose part of your supply. Make sure to take copies of your prescriptions. This not only enables you to replenish your supply locally if need be, but also so that the local authorities don’t think you’re drug smuggling. Guard your prescriptions as you would any other valuables: in some countries, prescriptions can be sold on the black market and are thus a fair target for theft.

Along with copies of your prescriptions, it is also a good idea to bring along your doctor’s and/or family’s contact details, either phone or fax number or even an email address. In situations where you are unconscious or otherwise unable to give essential information, it would be invaluable for the attending physician to contact your regular doctor for details of your medical history and possible treatment.

Dealing with menstruation

Menstruation is also a concern for women, especially if they plan to be travelling for an extended period. If a woman chooses to continue menstruating while travelling, it would be a good idea to bring an adequate supply of tampons or sanitary towels. In some areas, it may be a scarce or expensive commodity, or are of an inferior quality.
During extensive travels, stress, a change in climate and higher levels of physical activity often causes an alteration in the menstrual flow. Periods may be missed, late, and be lighter or heavier than normal. This is a perfectly normal occurrence, but it has been known to cause stress in sexually active, heterosexual women.

Some women, especially when travelling to the far corners of the globe, prefer to suppress their periods for the time they are away. This is possible to do if you are on certain kinds of contraceptive pills. Suppressing the menstrual cycle also requires that you keep to a strict medication schedule to ensure complete protection. This may be tricky when you’re crossing time zone, but plan ahead so that you’ll maintain the dosage schedule, as a break of more than 24 hrs between pills will lead to inadequate protection. This option would require some consultation with your gynaecologist or family doctor, who can advise you on the best procedures.

Also, given the change in environmental conditions, vaginal infections are common among women travelling. This is especially when taking certain kinds of medication. If this is a concern for you, then it is a good idea to carry medication for it when you embark on your journey.

Finally, take an adequate supply of contraceptives with you, as you may not be able to get the same medication at your destination. Be aware that diarrhoea, vomiting or other forms of travel sickness will affect you body’s ability to absorb the medication. For this reason (and for additional safety) it is best to bring a supply of condoms with you if you think you may have sexual intercourse on your journey.

Article Information
First published 14 December 2004. This article is free for personal and commercial reproduction, with the following terms and conditions.