Traveling With Endometriosis – How To Have Chronically Awesome Vacations

UPDATED FEB 2020. I’ve made it no secret that I have Endometriosis and I’ve also been open about how hard/painful/stressful it can be. I know the struggles firsthand. That’s a big reason why I get excited to share posts like this where I get to discuss tips and strategies that make it easier. The big thing to remember is that everyone is different and you have to find what works for you but hopefully just by sharing ideas you’ll be able to find your own balance. Here is my complete guide for traveling with Endometriosis.

Traveling With Endometriosis – How To Have Chronically Awesome Vacations

Disclaimer

There are affiliate links included in this post. This means at no extra cost to you, I earn a commission if you book through the link.

Can you still travel solo when you have Endometriosis?

Short answer – yes.

Obviously, I wanted to address the obvious one first. Yes, of course, you can travel solo even though you have Endometriosis. I have traveled solo all over the world and I have it.

The only difference is that you need to listen to the limits of your body so you don’t push yourself too hard since there will be no one there to help out if you need it.

If you want to build your confidence to start traveling solo, snag yourself my free guide of empowering affirmations for travelers with a chronic illness.

Traveling solo in Egypt

What clothes to pack

The first step when planning your packing is to obviously pack for the weather. When you are traveling with Endometriosis, it’s also a good idea to pack for that.

Here are a few tricks I’ve picked up along the way.

For any type of trip when I will be swimming, I always pack a one-piece swimsuit as a backup. This way, if I experience a flare-up, I have something a little more covered up to hide the swelling and can still enjoy the water.

Maxi dresses are also great to have for any trips to warm-weather destinations because they are forgiving if you do experience a flare-up.

For other trips, I always use these jeans because they are high waisted and a little stretchier than regular jeans and can give a little leeway if I get a flare-up.

I usually also pack looser tops instead of anything tight-fitting for comfort again – you guessed it – in case of a flare-up.

Basically, the main strategy is to pack clothes that will be as comfortable as possible in the event of a flare-up.

I always have a one-piece swimsuit to hide the swelling when I’m having a flare-up

Always pack lady products – always

You probably already know this, but periods can be somewhat unpredictable when you have Endometriosis.

I recommend always packing whatever feminine products you prefer, even if you’re not due for your period during the trip.

And always take a couple out with you in your purse or backpack on days out and have some in your carry on bag for your flying day.

It’s just better to be prepared just in case it surprises you. Especially since in some destinations, it can be hard to find period products to buy.

Learn about your food triggers

This is one that is really different from person to person so you need to find what works for you.

For a lot of people, different foods will trigger an Endometriosis flare. It’s good to experiment with foods during everyday life to have a good understanding of your triggers and keep them to a minimum while traveling.

Some common triggers are:

• Sugar
• Coffee
• Dairy
• Meat

For me, giving up sugar and moving to a high fat/low carb diet made an enormous difference in reducing flare-ups, stabilizing my energy, and balancing hormones.

I eat like this from Monday to Friday and on weekends, I’m not as strict and eat whatever. It seems to work in terms of finding balance and keeping Endo flares to a minimum.

Traveling with Endometriosis is definitely possible, just listen to your body and remember how strong you are

How to navigate food triggers while traveling

When I am traveling, I love to try different local foods from the area but that can cause problems with triggering Endometriosis.

I have a few strategies for managing this.

Firstly, I pace myself. I’m not going to go nuts with treats on day one because it could cause serious damage for the rest of the trip.

I’ll start slow, maybe one treat a day and really listen to my body for cues on how it is reacting.

The other strategy I use is intermittent fasting. I’m not sure of the science, perhaps since it is hormonal it could be balancing hormones? But I’ve found that it does help with minimizing the effects of food.

Usually, I’ll fast until lunch and not eat after about 7pm. During the eating time, I try whatever foods I feel like.

I think the most important thing is to experiment to find the best strategy for you and listen to your body.

Should you take medication when you travel?

If you take medication regularly and want to bring it with you when you travel, I recommend always getting a Dr’s certificate for your prescription and taking it with you in your carry-on.

Also, check the country’s rules on what they accept to make sure you are allowed to travel with it.

Is accommodation important?

Accommodation is one of the most important things for me as someone who travels with Endometriosis.

Since there are times when being out and about can be incredibly tiring and uncomfortable, I like to guarantee I have a comfortable room to go to at the end of the day.

I prefer mid-range hotel rooms and use Booking.com to book them. I’m also part of their Genius loyalty program and I can usually get an extra discount or free upgrade with this which is a nice bonus.

What I look for when booking is good reviews and walking distance to sights or public transport to make getting around easier.

Finding a hotel with a spa or even just a jacuzzi can be a nice treat to help relax if you’re having a bad Endo day

The most important tip

In my opinion, the most important thing I have learned is to listen to my body.

If you’re starting to feel the early symptoms of a flare-up coming on, just slow down a little and rest if you need it.

Sometimes if I feel it coming on while I am out during the day, I might find somewhere to sit and rest for a bit like a park bench or cafe with a cup of tea.

Other times I might rearrange my plans to have a lighter activity day then pick it up again the next day when I’ve had a rest.

Don’t let Endometriosis stop you from seeing the world, but don’t push yourself to the point of exhaustion for a holiday. It’s meant to be fun.

I always say, let it slow you – not stop you.

Other posts about life with Endometriosis

• Tips For Living With Endometriosis – 5 Tips To Overcome The Challenges

• Adventuring With Endometriosis – Because It Doesn’t Have To Stop You!

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