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Sexual Health for Travelers
Hannah Spector, 07.15.08
It's important to check in with your health care provider and your insurance company before you go to ensure that you'll have the best health care during your travels. |
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Katie (not her real name) didn't think it would matter if she wore shorts and skirts in Jaipur, India. However, upon arriving, Katie discovered that some of the men would follow her and her friends down the street because they were wearing clothing that was considered overly revealing in that culture.
Soon, she says, "We figured out that we needed to cover ourselves if we wanted to at least walk through the market without creating a scene."
Traveling and studying abroad can change your life. No matter where you go on your adventure, you'll meet amazing people, visit magnificent places, and learn more than you can imagine.
What does travel have to do with sex? Maybe nothing, but maybe a lot — that's why it's important to be prepared. Here are some tips to help you stay sexually healthy abroad.
Consult the Experts
If Katie had talked to someone who had visited Jaipur, she and her friends would have been able to avoid harassment.
It's a good idea to talk to an experienced traveler or study abroad advisor (if you have one) who can give you an insider perspective on the cultural and legal landscapes of where you're traveling.
And although you may have studied the country you're visiting, it's important to check in with your health care provider and your insurance company before you go to ensure that you'll have the best health care during your travels.
Be honest, be open, and ask lots of questions. The more they know about you, the better advice they can give you.
"I wish I had asked my doctor for a copy of my birth control prescription and had it translated into Spanish before I left for Argentina," says Ellen (not her real name). "Fortunately, I didn't lose my medication, but I did decide to purchase a back-up pack from a pharmacy (you don't need a prescription for birth control in Argentina). I showed the pharmacist my pack, and he advised me to purchase a specific brand. After returning to my apartment, I discovered that he had given me the wrong type."
Don't want this to happen to you?
- Inform your health care provider where you are going well in advance, so she can make sure you get the proper vaccinations and have a sufficient supply of whatever prescriptions you'll need.
- Ask for an advance prescription of the morning-after pill, also known as emergency contraception (EC). It may be completely unavailable or difficult to find.
- Write down the prescription formulas of your medications and have them translated (if appropriate) in case you misplace them.
- Leave enough time to have all of your prescriptions filled before you depart.
- Call your insurance company to find out if you're covered abroad. If you're not, consider taking out traveler's insurance or getting insurance in the country where you'll be living or staying for an extended period of time.
- Research the culture, customs, and laws of the area.
- Be aware of any gender, sexual orientation, or appearance-based discrimination and harassment that may exist.
- Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Travelers Health section for health information specific to your destination.
Your Sexual Health Travel Kit
Whether you're packing light or bringing along your entire life, you definitely want to leave room for a sturdy, waterproof sexual health kit.
Even if you think you won't need any of these items, they may come in handy for a friend.
- Condoms, dental dams, and lube
- Emergency contraception
- Prescriptions in their original containers
- Tampons, pads, or menstrual cups
- Wipes
- Pregnancy test
- A whistle on a keychain (to attract attention if you're receiving unwanted advances)
- A book or list of useful phrases if you don't speak the local language
- A laminated sheet of important numbers and addresses, including a local emergency number (it may not be 911)
- Consulate contact info (a consulate is your country's diplomatic center in another country that exists, among other things, to protect the health and well-being of their resident and traveling citizens)
- A recommended hospital
Upon arrival, you'll want to store your health kit in a dry place with a moderate temperature to protect the contents.
Your Trusty Map
Get or make a map of where you're going, and locate
- Your new residence
- School (if applicable)
- Nearest hospitals
- Pharmacy
- Consulate
- Local hotel (hotel concierges can be encyclopedias of knowledge)
Take your map with you everywhere you go. Even once you've learned your way around, it may come in handy.
A Night Out on the Town
When sampling the local nightlife, bring a friend, or at least make sure someone knows where you're going.
And don't forget:
- Your lists of important numbers, addresses, and phrases
- Your ID and enough money to get home in a cab if you need it
- A condom
- Your whistle
If you decide to drink alcohol, always watch the person who is mixing your drink to make sure they do not slip you a drug or pour more alcohol than you want. Do not leave your drink unattended, and listen to your gut — If you want to get out of there, get out of there.
Most importantly: have fun, explore, and make new friends! And don't forget to share your experiences and tips with others, so they can have an amazing, worry-free trip too. |
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