Please suggest: menses period on diving?

[Blackeye]

Hi Ladies,
I have plan diving trips to Phuket 3 months ago.
Now, looking at the calender, that day most likely
my first day of menses. Should I take medicine to stop coming or use tempon. No ex. before. Please advise.

 

[love2godeep]

Hi Ladies,
I have plan diving trips to Phuket 3 months ago.
Now, looking at the calender, that day most likely
my first day of menses. Should I take medicine to stop coming or use tempon. No ex. before. Please advise.

Are you worried about the sharks? If so, I hear that it isn't really a problem. Experts on the board, correct me if I'm wrong!

The more important question, as I see it, is how your menses affect you. Do you get cramps/cranky/etc.? Do you have an extra-heavy flow? If so, you might want to get a pill to delay it or speed it up. I've done that in the past just so I wouldn't have to deal with it when I wanted to have fun.

First and foremost, make sure you enjoy your dives!

 

[Blackeye]

Thanks for the reply.
I do have cramps and feel moody.
How many days before I need to take the pills?
Well, I guess I should visit a doctor tomorrow.
Diving on early April, have you been to Phi Phi Phuket?

 

[dsgobie]

I read on this board a while ago about taking those who take pills, can delay/skip a month by going right to the next months pack instead of waiting. Me being a guy do not compleatly understand this concept... But I few other memembers commented on this working.... Ladies, any ideas?

 

[mania]

That's exactly what you do. Instead of having a 7 days break before taking the next set of pills you simply take them imiediatly after the previous set is finished. That in fact is written on that piece of paper they add to every medicine (where you have all the info needed). At least that what they do in Europe.
Mania

 

[VanGirl]

No judgements here at all..if it works for you..awesome! Truly! I was just wondering if it's fairly common for divin' gals to alter their hormones like this to accomodate a dive or two? Understanding you only have limited time if you're on holiday for sure! Seriously, are sharks a major concern for gals who use tampons? Do dry suits then offer a distinct advantage. Hmmm... this is all a new area for me to consider since having taken up rec. diving... One final thought though...if you get crampy...some good antiinflammatories should help (*some even last 12 hours and are highly effective) and for the moodiness :2ar15smil ... at least speaking for myself...a chance to dive is a pretty good antidote. eace2:
Anyhoo...just another 2 cents.
Cheers and Happy Diving...however ya do it!!!
:scubadive

 

[wreckchick]

Well.... considering that they are now offering 90 pill packs so you only have to worry about your period 4 times a year, I'm not too worried about altering the hormones by a few days. You can actually force it early too by skipping the last week of the orange pills and going to green or delay by going to the next pack instead of the green pills.

For myself, I'd rather not be dealing with my period on a dive trip. I've gone out and done a dive day here and there, but if I had a big vacation planned, I'd "fix" it somehow.

There is VERY limited research done on how menstrual cycle is related to DCS and if I'm remembering correctly there was a thread on here about how it can actually slightly increase risk.

Do a search on sharks... common thoughts are not to worry about it.

Rachel

 

[wreckchick]

http://www.scubaboard.com/t11702.html

Here's the thread I was thinking of.

R

 

[H2Andy]

last November (2004), a study found that there is an increased risk of DCI in women who are (a) taking the pill and (b) in the first week of their period (i.e. menstruating).

overall, the risk is not high, but the study says that since a lot of women don't dive during this time or make easier dives, the figures could be low.

here's the link:

http://www.divernet.com/news/stories/bends101203.shtml

as for sharks, i've read several places that marine carnivores are not attracted to menstrual blood. i'll keep trying to find a link.

I did find the following:

Are women at an increased risk of shark attacks during menstruation? There are few reported shark attacks on women, and there are no data to support the belief that menstruating females are at an increased risk for shark attacks. The average blood lost during menstruation is small and occurs over several days. Also, it is known that many shark species are not attracted to the blood and other debris found in menstrual flow.

here: http://www.diversalertnetwork.org/medical/faq/faq.asp?faqid=109

 

[diver_paula]

No judgements here at all..if it works for you..awesome! Truly! I was just wondering if it's fairly common for divin' gals to alter their hormones like this to accomodate a dive or two? Understanding you only have limited time if you're on holiday for sure! Seriously, are sharks a major concern for gals who use tampons? Do dry suits then offer a distinct advantage. Hmmm... this is all a new area for me to consider since having taken up rec. diving... One final thought though...if you get crampy...some good antiinflammatories should help (*some even last 12 hours and are highly effective) and for the moodiness :2ar15smil ... at least speaking for myself...a chance to dive is a pretty good antidote. eace2:
Anyhoo...just another 2 cents.
Cheers and Happy Diving...however ya do it!!!
:scubadive

Vangirl,

The biggest issue I've had on day trips is making sure the boat has a head. Protection only lasts so long and many times a charter is out for several hours. Just something to consider.

Paula