Menstruation. It’s not a topic that typically comes to mind when you think of adventure travel or even Mongolia, but that’s exactly where this blog post is heading. You might wonder why I’m bringing this up, especially in the context of our work here at Eternal Landscapes Mongolia (EL).
The MMiEEP (Managing Menstruation in Extreme Environments Project) is a long-term UK-based research initiative created by the Women’s Adventure Expo. Its purpose is to identify and explore the challenges women face when managing menstruation in extreme or challenging environments. The project aims to offer practical information for women and guidance for practitioners, making it incredibly relevant for any tourism company working in the adventure market with female clients. And as the founder of a company that works primarily with female trip assistants and hosts a large percentage of female guests, I believe this is something we should be paying attention to.
I’ve always known how menstruation impacts me, but until recently, I hadn’t fully considered its effect on my female team. Despite being a company that emphasizes women’s empowerment, I’ve been ashamed to admit that I didn’t think to include information on handling menstruation in our **Pre-Departure Guidelines**. These guidelines, which our guests receive before traveling, cover everything from what products are available to how to manage sanitary waste in remote areas with limited access to regular showers. After learning about the MMiEEP and its findings, I realized that it was long overdue, and I’ve now made sure to add a section that provides advice on this very subject for both our team and guests.
In Mongolia, I employ eight male drivers, and over the years, I’ve worked closely with them. One of the things that has always struck me is their attitude toward menstruation. While it’s not something we openly discuss, there is no embarrassment or discomfort surrounding it. Perhaps this stems from the traditional Mongolian family structure, where extended families often live together in a **ger** (a traditional felt dwelling). With less emphasis on privacy, there’s a greater sense of openness about bodily functions. However, as far as I am aware, menstruation is not an openly discussed topic within Mongolian culture—especially in more rural areas.
The MMiEEP looks at a variety of factors related to menstruation in extreme environments: the environment itself, the woman’s health status, her contraception use, cultural background, and, importantly, the practicalities of menstruation in the field. For me, the areas that particularly stand out are **environment**, **cultural background**, and **practicalities**.
My female trip assistants often lead our adventure and cultural experiences in remote areas of Mongolia, places where basic facilities like toilets, waste disposal, and showers are not available. Furthermore, in many cases, accommodations are shared between male drivers and female trip assistants, which can be uncomfortable for those on their period. Despite all of this, I had never once asked my female team members if they needed any specific support, advice, or guidance regarding menstruation while on tour. I had simply overlooked it, and in doing so, missed an important opportunity to make their experiences even better.
The ultimate goal of MMiEEP is to promote solidarity among women. Menstruation is a universal experience that connects women across the globe, but it’s often overlooked, especially in the context of challenging environments. With this in mind, it’s time for me to rethink my approach and take menstruation into consideration from the perspective of both my female team and our guests.
Watch this space for more updates as we continue to refine our approach and ensure that we’re addressing the full scope of needs for our female team and guests. Ongoing awareness and action on this issue will ensure that women’s experiences in extreme environments are as comfortable, dignified, and empowering as possible.
