Women only – What no one talks about before an overseas mission
Men – you have been warned – we’ll cover tampons, make-up, hair, and other practical realities.
Menstruation
In many rural and remote areas, pads and tampons are unavailable — and in city centres, they can be prohibitively expensive. In some cultures, tampons are even taboo.
Pack all the supplies you’ll need, plus extras, or give a reusable menstrual cup and period pants a try. Then plan for disposal, because here is another thing no-one told me about – sanitary bins and waste-management services are often non-existent. You may want to save and reuse old plastic wrappers or paper bags to use as makeshift bins to dispose discreetly.
Pregnancy Tests
A pregnancy test can become headline news in a small community. If you’re perimenopausal or simply anxious about a missed period, bring a few tests with you.
Cervical smears, breast exams, and contraception refills
They may not be available or reliable in your mission field. Before you go, get everything up to date and plan for when you are next home.
Make-up and hair
In hot climates, foundation melts off your face. With limited electricity, a blow-dryer can trip the entire grid. Local salons may be unfamiliar with your hair texture, so you might DIY trims or wait until you return home. Choose a simple, low-maintenance style, e.g. a one-length bob or natural wash-and-go, that stays put without daily styling products or salon visits.
If you are able, learning some basic haircutting before you leave will be a huge blessing for your family and mission team. To make at-home trims as tidy as possible, pack a lightweight, foldable hair-cutting umbrella cape. It wraps around your shoulders like an inverted umbrella and catches every stray lock — no sweeping required!
As we already talked about in the blog post Not essential, but definitely worth it: Travel extras that make a difference when travelling in resource-limited settings, shampoo bars are great — they are compact and better for the environment too!
Mini Pampering Rituals
Spa facials may be a luxury, but self-care never is: How about bringing some single-use sheet masks for face and eyes, and host a “girly” night or carve out solo me-time. And next time there is a power cut, light a candle, slap on a mask, and enjoy your spa!