NSW Health's advice for music festival-goers starts with the basics: drink enough water to stay hydrated, wear sun protection, take regular breaks in the shade and have warm clothes ready for when the sun goes down. It also reminds festival-goers that medical services and care spaces are available onsite at NSW music festivals.
Having your period at a festival adds one more thing to that list, but it doesn't have to be the thing that ruins your weekend. Here's how to pack, how to look after a period cup in a paddock, and when to ask for help.
Quick answer: You can handle a festival on your period with three habits: clean hands every time you change, a product you've practised with, and a reminder on your phone. The Lunette period cup can be worn for up to 8 hours, so empty it at least that often and carry Cup Wipes for no-sink toilets.
How do you deal with your period at a festival?
Pick your products before you go, pack extras, and plan changes around your day instead of around the queue. If you'll camp, think about overnight too, since you'll want to empty a cup or change a pad or tampon just before sleeping and again first thing in the morning.
How long can a period cup stay in at a festival?
On Lunette's Australian product page, the cup can be worn for up to 8 hours, then emptied and reinserted. That fits a festival rhythm: empty it in the morning, again in the afternoon, and before bed. Both sizes hold more than 2 to 3 tampons' worth of fluid, and Size 2 is the one Lunette suggests for a heavier flow.
New to cups? Lunette recommends giving yourself at least 2 to 3 menstrual cycles to get used to insertion and removal, so practise at home well before the weekend.
How do I clean my hands when the festival is dusty?
Use soap and water whenever you can find it, because sanitiser has limits. Healthdirect's hand washing guide says to rub your hands with soap for at least 20 seconds and dry them thoroughly. Hand sanitiser is a good option without soap and water: put about half a teaspoon in your palm and keep rubbing until your hands are dry, about 20 to 30 seconds. Healthdirect notes it only works if your hands have no visible dirt on them, so on a dusty or muddy day, look for soap and water first.
How do I empty a period cup with no sink nearby?
- Clean your hands.
- Remove the cup and tip the blood into the toilet.
- Wipe it with a Lunette Cup Wipe and reinsert it.
- When you reach running water, rinse it with cold water, then wash it with warm water and Lunette Cup Wash or a mild, unscented soap.
- Skip perfumed soap; plain tap water is the better choice.
After the festival, once your period ends: Boil 5 minutes before first use and after each completed cycle. Then let it air-dry and store it in its linen pouch.
When to see a doctor
Toxic shock syndrome is a very rare complication of a bacterial infection, and healthdirect says most cases in females happen during menstruation. Seek urgent medical care, or call triple zero (000) and ask for an ambulance, if you think you have symptoms such as:
- a sudden high temperature;
- vomiting or diarrhoea;
- dizziness;
- aching muscles or confusion;
- a red rash that looks like sunburn on the hands and feet.
NSW Health also says to seek help if you feel unwell, and not to be afraid to seek help for a mate who is unwell.
Frequently asked questions
Can I sleep in a tent with my period cup in?
Yes, as long as you stay within the wear time. Lunette's Australian product page says the cup can be worn for up to 8 hours, so empty it right before you go to sleep and again as soon as you wake up. If you usually sleep longer than that, set an alarm on your phone.
Is hand sanitiser enough after using festival toilets?
It helps when there's no soap, but it isn't perfect. Healthdirect says sanitiser is only effective if your hands have no visible dirt on them, which matters on a dusty or muddy site. Wash with soap for at least 20 seconds when you find a tap, and use sanitiser in between.
Do period cups cause toxic shock syndrome?
Healthdirect explains that menstrual TSS is linked to tampons, menstrual cups and diaphragms, but that it's the bacteria, not the product itself, that can lead to it. It also notes that leaving a tampon in for too long can make it easier for bacteria to grow, so follow your product's instructions closely.
What should I do with used pads and tampons at a festival?
Put them in a rubbish bin or sanitary bin and never flush them, as Jean Hailes advises for tampons. Pack a few small bags so you can wrap used products until you reach a bin. A reusable period cup means fewer used products to carry around over the weekend.
Heading to a festival this season? Do a few practice cycles at home with the Lunette period cup first, and keep our period cup cleaning guide handy for the no-sink moments.
General information only, not medical advice. If you feel unwell during or after a festival, seek medical help on site or from your GP, or call 000 in an emergency.
