Midlife is such a joy because we have more time to travel, but in menopause we have to think of factors when packing for a trip.
When women in menopause travel, we need relief from hot flashes in the airplane, swelling, mood swings can all affect our bucket list vacation.
My hope is to spur conversational tips in the comments from women who have found relief from menopause symptoms when traveling.
Things to keep you cool on the plane during a hot flash from peri-menopause or just midlife life:
Fan
- Handheld
- Favorite is one with no actual blade since some of you have longer hair (agree with long hair at any age?)
- Stand alone fan with a USB cord to charge or stand alone fan with no cord until you need to charge it – my flight attendant fan uses it
- Travel fan recommendations/ lollipop fan
- There is also one that hangs on your neck. It’s amazing too but I felt like it was bulky.
Ask yourself if you feel like holding a fan for an hour or just wearing one or propping one up?
Sweating
I would sweat at night but by the time I woke up everything was pretty dry, but I like cotton pajamas. I do recommend asking your gynecologist if you profusely sweat. My gyno has transitioned to women over 40 so I feel like he is more knowledgeable than my everyday doctor, but go with your research.
Low dose of estrogen took them away immediately.
Medications
The TSA is not looking for pills; they are scanning bags and people for things that could harm crew or passengers. But if your pill is a controlled substance, have the prescription somewhere especially if flying to another country.
Sudafed and asthma meds are illegal in Japan but Sudafed is also illegal to be brought into Mexico.
So pack your pills anywhere and in any container unless a controlled substance.
If you take a liquid prescription medication, always have the prescription accessible – either a copy or in person.
When my mom was on alot of medications, she fell while playing football in the house with our son, and had a goose egg knot under her eye.
The travel tip is have a list of medications you do take.
Viewer Question:
Ok, I’m going to be a little gross here but, hey, desperate times … My night sweats are insane & I tend to destroy the pillows at hotels & rentals. I’ve gotten the Borax/baking soda/vinegar cleaning solution down to a science at home, but it’s obviously not something I want to or can do when I travel. I prefer those tootsie roll neck pillows anyway & have taken to packing my own now, but with luggage restrictions getting tighter, I would appreciate any ideas that would allow me to travel lighter:
One travel solution is: neck pillow that you can pack inside of-the trick is to pack it empty. At a hotel could you stuff a towel down in there? I showed it in an old Amazon video.
If you are always cold, these are from last Christmas as a gift idea. Super lightweight hand warmers one for each pocket!!!
Clothing Items
I remember my Granny bringing a wet hand towel to watch our sports activities in GA in the summer. There are some cooling cloths that do absorb and do not just get dripping wet that may help.
There is also merino wool t-shirts. They have worked well in Houston where it’s always over 50% humidity in the summer or if you are in midlife. For my midlife fashion, I wanted to test merino wool shirts. They are usually expensive, and I found two if you want to test the fit.
Merino is not itchy and has 2 helpful features for menopause hot flashes:
- Temperature regulating
- Wicks away moisture unlike cotton. So in colder temperatures if yours is long sleeve or short sleeve, if you sweat, the shirt does NOT GET WET!
100% silk tees and blouses are also amazing! They also regulate your body temperature.
I invested in a 100% silk pillow case and my face has never stuck to it, which was a fear, or made it damp.
Boob cooling things but liquid may help if touring during the day or at an amusement park.
Cheek Boss’ boy shorts came highly recommended from our viewer poll. I also am a fan of wearing a dress with this solution; these shorts that feel thinner than leggings that prevent chafing.
Talbots runs out of things so often, but they do carry my favorite flattering three quarter sleeve shirts and short sleeve ones still. They can also look dressy for travel in a restaurant where you need to look more pulled together.
Tencel is one of my favorite fabrics. I wore it with the plaid pants but in the airport I just wore it with jeans. Quince is also great!
Viewer Question:
How do we efficiently pack our pads for overactive bladder problems? Don’t say to pack the thin pads. They don’t work for me. Also, how hard is it to find them in Europe and the British Isles?
In Europe they do use pads. If at all possible, I would but them there but pack enough for 2 extra days in case your flight gets stranded or diverted etc. It can be so worrisome!
To relieve stress, check a bag so that you don’t have to worry about running out or something.
Skin Concerns
My skin has changed during midlife years. It seems dry, plus the dry air in the airplane. I use Vitamin C serum under my Gold Bond for Diabetics.
Also eye drops do wonders especially when you cannot sleep during the menopause years and have to keep going.
Travel Tips for Senior Women with Mobility Issues
TSA Cares is a free program. You can sign up, show up and be in maybe your own lane but definitely not rushed. Other people with PTSD or texture or sound issues even-maybe autism may be eligible. It is SUCH a great program at most airports.
Tip is to check that you need wheelchair assistance when you buy your ticket, but they are contracted out with the airport so be prepared to wait maybe 30 minutes for one to become available.
Another viewer requested tips for lifting bags into the overhead bins. Years ago on this Travel Tips by Laurie channel a viewer suggested packs of gum or a $5 bill as a gift to a person who helps you.
TIP: Flight attendants are NOT allowed to help you put them in bins anymore for personal injury if they helped everyone who needed that help each day.
I have a rolling suitcase that has fit under 2 airplane seats that I love and recommend. The wheels are embedded too, which is why it fits, I think, but it would be lighter if you DID want to lift it into the overhead bins.
Viewer Question:
Do you have any recommendations for underwear for periods/ incontinence. My friend who had this issue in peri-menopause used them plus a heavy pad.
I would chat with a doctor who knows about these issues.
A friend has even worn a diaper because she was so incredibly worried about incontinence in the airplane on a long flight.
Swelling
This is an issue I have had at least for 10 years is swelling calves and feet during long flights. I love Dr. Scholls
Compression socks for long flights. They look like business socks. Do not go cheap and get the ones from a drug store. There are even compression socks for tennis shoes that I tested from the DSW check out line. I love them for daily wear too.
Just in case you need a really high magnifying mirror, I absolutely love this travel sized one. It also stands securely.