This is too personal to mention, but any ladies out there know any method of delaying the monthly period? I can't be on oral contraceptive due to medical condition. I want to enjoy my Greek vacation, swimming and snorkeling etc, but I am afraid its ruined.

It would seem to be more appropriate to ask your MD than to ask this question on a travel board.

I think the contraceptive pill is the only way. I can't take it on a long term basis either, because it raises my blood pressure. However, since you only need to take it from about three days before your period is due to start until a couple of days before you actually want it to start, I have taken it (with my GP's approval)for up to 3 weeks at a time whilst on holiday. My only problem was water retention and if I were to do it again, I'd try and plan ahead in order to schedule my period before I went away and avoid looking like a bloated whale by the last week of my holiday! It does depend on your own medical condition though, so do as the previous poster says and see your doctor!

An alternative to delaying the natural event is to deal with its interfering with your water sports. Why not use a tampon or a diaphragm?

Suzy, that's all very well if there happens to be a toilet close by, or you don't mind constantly trekking back and forth to your villa/hotel room, but on most Greek beaches I've been to, the only option for "dealing with it" would be by finding a handy bush to squat behind! Apologies btw to xxx and anyone else who might find this thread either embarrassing or distasteful, but since it concerns most female travellers between the ages of 12 and 55, I think it deserves addressing.

Yikes, Elaine, if Suzy's suggestion can't get you thru a few hours, I think you've got a, er, bigger situation to deal with than most women.

This is a travel site, not an Ob-Gyn site! Please, take your questions to your doctor as previously suggested.

To shh - like I said in my previous post, this is a perfectly valid travel question, which affects a lot of women travellers and I think that finding alternative ways of how other women cope with the situation is far more useful than visiting a doctor, who will probably just say that you either can or can't take a contraceptive pill.<BR>To Jen - I'm not aware that my situation as you put it is any bigger than most, but ime, when using a tampon to swim in, I've found that the cord acts like a wick, soaking water into the tampon and causing it to need changing far more frequently than usual. I'm also a little concerned about the effectiveness of a diaphragm, because when it's used for its original purpose, you're supposed to smother it in spermicide to kill off any that leak in. So surely (unless it's a perfect fit) if it can leak one way, surely it can leak the other way too? Or am I being over cautious? Would it be a fool-proof solution for somebody like me, who likes to take a packed lunch to the beach and stay there from 9 in the morning until 5 in the afternoon? If so, I'm willing to give it a try!

Sorry, "shhh," this IS a travel issue, not primarily a medical one (unless it's specifically about BC pills). <BR><BR>OK, girls, the secret to wearing a tampon while swimming is to tuck in the string, so it's not hanging out, but is still, um, retrievable. For diaphragms, a well-fitted one won't "leak" enough to matter to a swimmer, though it might matter for contraception. (Gee, I sure hope the guys have abandoned this thread before now!)<BR><BR>

Suzy is correct - if the sting is not exposed it does not act as a wick, Another trick my GYN gave me years ago was to use 2 tampons. Take two regular tampons and squeeze them together and insert them - this is much more absorbant than a super heavy duty one. Unless you are on the beach for 10 hours straight this should work for you.

I believe your doctor can give you a shot to bring it on sooner (as in within a day or two), rather than delay it. It's the "honeymoon" shot, for brides who realize they didn't count correctly.

Isn't this little discussion special!<BR><BR>US

Suzy & Janis - Thanks for the tip about "tucking in" - I shall certainly give that one a go next time I need to!<BR>Elaine - the shot you mentioned sounds extremely useful, but I'm not sure if it's available in the UK - I got married last year and as it was virtually four weeks between our wedding day and our return from honeymoon, I needed a little help, but the only thing my doctor suggested was the contraceptive pill.

2 words: Navajo hair.

Uncle Sam,<BR>How nice that you found this "special" discussion fascinating enough to follow along this far, and aren't self-conscious about being the only male who makes a point of letting us know.

OK, I'm absolutely intrigued by the Navajo hair, even though I've no idea how I'd get hold of it over here. But what on earth are you supposed to do with it? Eat it? Make tea from it? Smoke it? Or roll it into a ball and (ahem) "tuck it in"? Please elaborate, Stan's Mom.

If you use 2 tampons, you better remember that because I once removed one and forgot about the other one. The obs-gyn ended up removing it.

Have you considered postposing your trip until after menopause of getting pregnant before you go - either will work.

...or have your uterus removed. For me it's been 12 carefree heavenly years.

If you use two tampons, insert one first, the second one will rest directly against the first one. (Think of two spoons, one sits inside the other.) Tie the strings of both together, which takes a minor degree of dexterity & a little patience. Tuck the strings in. When you go to remove them, locate the string & pull down on ONE string only! One will come out before the other, which will be much more comfortable for you.