You ask, I'll answer

A few months ago I posted an opportunity to ask me anything. I received a few questions from the "you ask, I'll answer" post. To read the Q&A visit here, here, here, and here.

I was recently visiting family and was asked a question more than once. Once they heard the answer they encouraged me to post the answer on my blog, because the women in my family believe inquiring minds want to know the answer to this question. If you are male, I recommend you stop reading now - for your own good. Men, just come back tomorrow when I post a different topic.

What is the question?

When you're traveling, what do you do when you have your monthly period?

Well, that is one of the physical challenges of doing this job as a woman. I'm female and with that comes some issues men don't have to deal with. Try as I might, I cannot pee while standing up and just whip it out on the side of the road. As a woman, I must find privacy (and safety) in order to pee.

As a women, I menstruate monthly and with that comes complications. As often as I travel, there is no way to schedule around it. PMS makes me tired and I must rest as we travel from place to place instead of using that time for work. Before my period I have difficulty remembering stuff, at those times I must write everything down because I cannot rely on my brain for information. I pack muscle relaxers for cramps. I pack tampons and pads at all times, just in case. When needed, I carry these things in my day pack. Finding a toilet isn't always an option, at those times I must use the bushes and carry dirty things with me until I find a fire and can burn the items. That's the reality of the job for women.

The thing that is hardest to get used to is that I must announce it to someone, usually my male translator, so we can make frequent stops on my behalf throughout the day. In this work one must get over any embarrassment they have over bodily functions. For instance, if someone is stricken with travelers diarrhea they often announce it at breakfast. I've had the good fortune of avoiding diarrhea with the exception of my first international trip almost 20 years ago. This is the nature of the work. It may not be normal everyday conversation for most, but it is normal in this line of work.

If you have a question you'd like to ask, click here.