7 Reproductive Hygiene Items To Add To Your Backcountry First Aid Kit
We all know the importance of being prepared when you head outdoors— yet often the way we prepare for our outdoor adventures don’t include considerations for our reproductive health (or the reproductive health of those we may be traveling with).
Fortunately, there are only a handful of basics you can add to your backcountry First Aid Kit to be more prepared while traveling or adventuring in remote places:
EMergency contraception (Plan B)
When someone needs Plan B, there’s a limited amount of time that taking it is effective. The FDA recommends taking Plan B within 72 hours (though some research show that emergency contraceptives can still be effective in limited cases up to 5 days from the time of intercourse). Long story short: the faster someone can take Plan B, the better. And if you have some on hand in a First Aid Kit, you’ll be as prepared as possible.
UTI Medication
Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) are fairly common and are approximately 9 times more likely to happen among folks with vaginas. While on the surface it may be easy to brush off a UTI, they can be incredibly uncomfortable and fast-moving, and if left unaddressed can develop into a kidney infection— so it’s important to have considerations in place for what to do if you find that you or someone you’re with has a UTI. While you get to urgent medical care (as urine tests and antibiotics are often required to resolve these infections), temporary pain relief could be a good idea. Azo is a popular urinary tract pain relief medication and is worth having in your kit.
Note: Urinary tract pain relief medication will not mitigate a UTI and, if taken too close to the time of urine sample required to be approved for antibiotics, will likely skew results negative. It’s important to only take this medication if you absolutely need to, and be aware that it could delay your test time.
uti travel tests
As noted above, getting antibiotics is often the most effective way to resolve a UTI. Ideally, when UTI symptoms set in, getting to urgent care as quickly as possible so that medical treatment can begin (and so the person can take urinary tract pain relief medication without it interfering with lab results). In the backcountry or other remote places, this can be an extreme challenge. Fortunately, independent companies like LemonAid Health and Wisp are expediting this entire process with “at-home” test kits that you can take with you anywhere. By having these UTI tests with you in a First Aid Kit, all you need is a cell signal to send in your results. You’ll be connected with a doctor who will send your prescription to whatever pharmacy is closest to you.
Tampons and menstrual pads
It’s never a bad idea to have a small assortment of tampons and pads for yourself or others. Not only will this make your adventure buddies feel more at ease if they need one in the moment, but it can delay the urgent run to a general store for menstrual products.
Body Wipes
Whether it’s from unwanted odor, keeping genitals as clean as possible, or cleaning up after some outdoor spicy time, body wipes are an often overlooked part of reproductive care while out in the backcountry or traveling.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Did you know that fresh blood stains can be lifted out of fabric with hydrogen peroxide? We’re not meaning to get too technical here, but carrying even a small sample of this compound can help with unexpected menstrual stains (as well as blood from any cuts that someone might get while out in the backcountry). To use, all you need to do is pour a bit of hydrogen peroxide directly onto the fresh blood stain— watch it bubble, scrub, and rinse.
Condoms and other barriers
This one is critical, but a little tricky! Most of condoms and other barriers are made of materials that don’t do well in prolonged exposure to extreme temperatures (anything below 32 degrees Fahrenheit or about 100 degrees Fahrenheit), which means that it could be most effective to pack these items last every time you head out on an adventure (as opposed to keeping some condoms in a First Aid Kit at all times).
bonus: reuseable items!
If you’re creating your own expanded First Aid Kit and are a vulva owner or menstruator, consider these re-useable items for your own adventures— while these aren’t meant for sharing, you’ll step out onto the road or trail feeling even more prepared.
Re-useable menstrual products: Re-useable menstrual products can simplify your experience outdoors, while also limiting our consumption of single-use products. Menstrual cups, period underwear, or re-useable pads are all great options! Make sure to research products before purchasing, and aim to buy items that don’t contain PFAs.
Kula Cloth: Kula Cloths are an antimicrobial, quick-drying re-useable pee cloths. Kula Cloths can help you to stay cleaner and drier for longer— especially for those with vulvas. (Pro tip: consider getting a second Kula cloth and use one for post-sex clean up).
Now you’ve got a slightly fuller First Aid Kit, and WAY more tools to help you be prepared when you’re out on an adventure! What else would you add to this list?