Managing Your Period at a Music Festival

You can manage your period at a music festival with a little preparation, a product that suits your flow and comfort and a plan for busy toilets and limited washing facilities.

Pack enough products for the day, bring basic hand-hygiene supplies, carry a backup and decide how you will store used items. You do not need to use a menstrual cup or disc to enjoy a festival comfortably.

1. Choose a period product that suits your festival

There is no single best period product for a music festival. Think about your flow, how long you will be away from your tent or accommodation, how comfortable you are using the product and what toilet and washing facilities will be available.

Menstrual cups and discs

Menstrual cups and menstrual discs collect menstrual flow internally. They can be useful for festivals because you do not need to carry a fresh product for every change, but fit, capacity and wear time matter.

Maximum wear times are limits, not targets.

Menstrual cups supplied in Australia must state a maximum use time of no more than 12 hours. Your flow may mean you need to empty your cup much sooner. Menstrual disc wear times vary by product, so follow the instructions for your particular disc.

If you are new to cups or discs, practise before festival day. A dry run with a menstrual cup or disc lets you practise insertion and removal without also managing menstrual flow or a festival toilet queue.

If insertion or removal is painful, do not force it. Persistent pain is worth discussing with a GP or pelvic health physiotherapist.

Menstrual sponges

Menstrual sponges are another compact internal option and can be convenient for active days.

Natural and synthetic menstrual sponges differ in their recommended wear times, cleaning instructions and replacement schedules. Follow the directions for the exact product you use rather than applying a generic wear time.

If you may need to change your sponge while you are away from your accommodation, packing a clean spare can be easier than trying to wash and reuse one in a festival bathroom.

For more information, see our guide to menstrual sponges.

Tampons and disposable pads

Tampons and disposable pads are familiar options for many people and can be convenient when washing facilities are limited.

Change pads regularly according to your flow and when they become full. Change tampons according to the packet instructions and your flow, choose an absorbency that suits you and never leave a tampon in for more than 8 hours.

Reusable cloth pads and period underwear

Reusable cloth pads and period underwear are external options if you prefer not to use an internal product.

For cloth pads, bring enough clean pads for the time you will be away from washing facilities and carry a wet bag or other suitable bag for used pads.

Period underwear can also be useful if you already use it, but you will need enough clean pairs for the festival and somewhere to wash and dry them if you are camping for several days.

For help comparing your options, visit the Menstrual Products Comparison Hub.

2. Know roughly when your period is due

Tracking your cycle can help you decide what to pack, particularly if your period is likely to arrive during a multi-day festival.

You can use our downloadable period tracker or read our guide to period tracker apps.

Cycle predictions are not exact, so carrying a backup is still useful even if your period is not expected during the event.

3. Pack a festival period kit

A small kit means you are less dependent on whatever products happen to be available at the festival.

Depending on what you use, consider packing:

• your usual period products plus clean spares
• a backup product such as a cloth pad, disposable pad, tampon or spare internal product
• toilet paper or tissues
• soap where practical or alcohol-based hand sanitiser as a backup
• a small bottle of clean water if the festival allows it
• a product-specific cup or disc wipe if your manufacturer's instructions allow one
• a clean spare menstrual sponge if you use sponges
• a wet bag or other suitable bag for used reusable products
• small disposal bags
• spare underwear
• your usual pain relief if needed, following the label directions

Check the festival's rules before packing liquids, aerosols, glass or other restricted items.

For more ideas, see our guide to period care kits. If you are camping for several days, our travel-friendly period care options and guide to travelling with reusable period products may also help.

4. Plan for toilets and hand hygiene

Festival toilets may be busy and sinks may not always be inside the cubicle. Check the event map for toilets, water points, accessible facilities and first aid. If you are camping, locate the nearest facilities when you arrive rather than waiting until you need them.

Cups and discs

Wash your hands with soap and water before and after handling an internal product where possible.

If soap and water are not available and your hands are not visibly dirty, use an alcohol-based hand sanitiser containing at least 60% alcohol and allow your hands to dry completely before handling your cup or disc.

If you need to empty a cup or disc in a festival toilet:

• empty the contents into the toilet
• rinse with clean water inside the cubicle if you have it and your product instructions allow this
• if rinsing is not practical, follow the temporary-cleaning instructions supplied by your manufacturer
• if your product allows careful wiping, check that no tissue fibres remain before reinserting
• only use wipes or cleaning products that the manufacturer says are suitable
• clean the product properly when you next have suitable running water

Never rinse a menstrual product using water from the toilet bowl.

If you cannot clean or handle your cup or disc appropriately, use your backup product instead.

Our public bathroom guide for menstrual cup and disc users has more detailed tips.

Menstrual sponges

If you use a menstrual sponge, follow its product-specific instructions for removal, cleaning and replacement.

If washing a reusable sponge properly is not practical at the festival, carrying a clean spare may be easier than trying to clean and reinsert the same sponge in a portable toilet.

Disposable products

Wash or sanitise your hands before and after changing where practical. Wrap used tampons and pads and place them in a bin. Do not flush them down the toilet.

Reusable pads and period underwear

Keep used reusable textiles separate from clean products in a wet bag or other suitable bag and wash them as soon as practical according to their care instructions.

5. Know when to empty or change your product

Do not stretch wear times simply because the toilet queue is long or your favourite act is about to start.

Empty or change your product sooner if it is full, leaking or uncomfortable.

For cups and discs, our guide to how long you can wear a menstrual cup or disc explains why the manufacturer's maximum is not necessarily how long your flow will allow you to wear it.

The same principle applies to other products. Your flow, absorbency or capacity can mean changing sooner than the maximum time allowed.

6. Stay comfortable

Festival days can mean heat, dust, walking, dancing and long hours away from your accommodation.

Wear clothes you can comfortably manage in a toilet cubicle and carry spare underwear if leaks are something you worry about. Some people prefer darker bottoms or an external backup, while others do not find this necessary.

Drink water regularly, take breaks when you need them and eat normally where possible.

If you experience cramps, use the strategies that normally help you. This might include rest, gentle movement, a heat pack at your campsite or your usual pain relief.

Follow the directions on any medicine you take. Ask a pharmacist if you are unsure whether a medicine is suitable for you or compatible with other medicines or alcohol.

7. Know when to get medical help

Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is rare but serious.

Menstrual TSS has been associated with internal menstrual products including tampons and menstrual cups.

Possible symptoms include:

• sudden high temperature
• vomiting or diarrhoea
• dizziness or faintness
• aching muscles
• confusion
• a widespread red rash that may look like sunburn
• suddenly feeling very unwell

If you think you may have TSS, remove the internal product if you can do so easily and seek urgent medical help.

At an Australian festival, call triple zero (000) if it is an emergency or go straight to the festival medical tent.

Heat illness can also cause symptoms such as dizziness, weakness or feeling very unwell. If you develop sudden severe symptoms while using an internal menstrual product, do not assume they are simply due to the heat. Get assessed by the festival medical team.

Read more in our guide to toxic shock syndrome.

Seek medical advice if your bleeding is suddenly much heavier than usual, period pain is severe or you feel faint or unwell.

8. Make a backup plan

Festival plans change. Your period may start earlier than expected, your flow may be heavier than usual or a product that normally works well may leak.

A simple backup plan might include:

• keeping a spare product in a separate pocket or bag
• knowing where the nearest toilets and water points are
• knowing where the medical tent or first aid area is
• deciding how you will store used reusable products
• carrying spare underwear
• telling a friend if you would like help finding supplies or getting back to your campsite

Using a backup does not mean your preferred reusable product has failed. It simply gives you another option when circumstances change.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use a menstrual cup at a music festival?

Yes. If a menstrual cup already works well for you, it can be a practical festival option. Practise insertion and removal beforehand, know when you usually need to empty it and carry a backup in case facilities are difficult to access.

Can I use a menstrual disc at a festival?

Yes. A menstrual disc can work well if it suits your anatomy and you are comfortable inserting and removing it. Follow the wear-time and cleaning instructions for your particular disc rather than assuming every disc has the same limits.

Can I use a menstrual sponge at a festival?

Yes. Menstrual sponges are compact and can be convenient for active days. Follow the wear-time and cleaning instructions for your specific sponge and consider carrying a clean spare if washing facilities are limited.

How often should I change or empty my period product?

It depends on the product and your flow. Follow the manufacturer's instructions and change or empty sooner if the product is full, leaking or uncomfortable. Never exceed the stated maximum wear time.

What if there is no water inside the toilet cubicle?

If you use a cup or disc, carrying a small bottle of clean water can be useful if the festival allows it. If rinsing is not possible, follow the temporary-cleaning method permitted by your product manufacturer and clean the product properly when suitable facilities are available.

What if my period starts unexpectedly?

Use your backup product if you have one and find the nearest toilet when practical. If you have no supplies, ask a friend, festival staff member or first aid team whether period products are available.

What is the easiest period product for a festival?

There is no single easiest option. A product you already know how to use and that reliably suits your flow is usually a better choice than trying something completely new for the festival.

What should I do with used pads or tampons?

Wrap them and place them in a bin. Do not flush tampons, pads, wipes or other period products down festival toilets.

The bottom line

Having your period does not have to derail your festival plans.

Use a product you already feel comfortable with, know its wear-time and cleaning instructions, plan for busy toilets and pack a backup.

Cups, discs, menstrual sponges, tampons, disposable pads, cloth pads and period underwear can all have a place depending on your body, flow and preferences. There is no need to choose an internal product simply because you are going to a festival.

If you are still deciding which period product may suit you, start with our Menstrual Products Comparison Hub or take our Find Your Best Fit Quiz.

Related reading

• Travelling With Reusable Period Products: A Practical Guide
• Swimming on Your Period: Products, Tips & What to Know
• Public Bathroom Hacks for Menstrual Cup & Disc Users
• Period Sponges: Types, Safety, Use & Cleaning
• The Ultimate Guide to Period Care Kits

Sources

• Healthdirect Australia, Menstruation
• Healthdirect Australia, Toxic shock syndrome
• Therapeutic Goods Administration, Meeting regulatory requirements for menstrual cups in Australia
• Jean Hailes for Women's Health, Period products

This article provides general information and is not a substitute for personalised medical advice. Follow the instructions supplied with your period products and seek medical care if you experience severe or unusual symptoms.