View Full Version : Periods and bears
Gorgiewave
04-30-2013, 16:20
Hello ladies,
I'm writing on behalf of my girlfriend, who doesn't speak English.
We are going this August to the AT and she is worried about bears being attracted to the blood she loses on her period. I don't want to reach for melodrama, but I know bears are predators with an extremely strong sense of smell, so the idea of them detecting her blood and investigating is maybe not crazy.
If anybody can tell me it's not a problem, or how to solve it, I, and she, would be very grateful.
I am not a lady ,sorry but there has not been a worthy documentary about the bears that I have not watched.
The bears sense of smell is 7 times better than blood hound but this extra ordinary sense is not limited just to detecting the smell but they are extra ordinary in differentiating the source of smell. The smell of period blood is absolutely different from the fresh blood (actually it is not just blood in period but mostly blood tissue and debris) . Bears are not attracted to that smell. There has never been a report about bears being attracted to it.
Gorgiewave
04-30-2013, 16:44
I am not a lady ,sorry but there has not been a worthy documentary about the bears that I have not watched.
The bears sense of smell is 7 times better than blood hound but this extra ordinary sense is not limited just to detecting the smell but they are extra ordinary in differentiating the source of smell. The smell of period blood is absolutely different from the fresh blood (actually it is not just blood in period but mostly blood tissue and debris) . Bears are not attracted to that smell. There has never been a report about bears being attracted to it.
Thanks, that's very reassuring. I really hope I encounter a bear (from a safe distance), because of what you describe and other things. They really are extraordinary animals.
imscotty
04-30-2013, 17:15
Gorglewave, I would not worry about the Black Bears on the AT in this regards. They will be more interested in your food bag than you or your girlfriend. Hope you get to see one.
Not to worry, the bears won't bother her. Now if there were sharks........
doritotex
04-30-2013, 18:24
As the only female in the women only thread to respond, I would. . say there is absolutely nothing to worry about. Don't listen to wivestales or men!
doritotex
04-30-2013, 18:29
Now..can you give this forum back to the women so we can discuss low T and the benefits of saw palmetto.
As the only female in the women only thread to respond, I would. . say there is absolutely nothing to worry about. Don't listen to wivestales or men!
Now..can you give this forum back to the women so we can discuss low T and the benefits of saw palmetto.
PLEASE, easy does it! Don't be the opposite of a male chauvinist! It's a forum strictly related to female issues but males, when they have something WORTHWHILE to offer and offer it in a non bigoted non male chauvinistic respectful way, as KooKork has, the mods typically let that stand.
Somebody watched Anchorman way too many times!
Gray Blazer
05-01-2013, 07:14
The one time the bear tried to get in our tent was when my wife was on her period. We had never brought food in the tent (not even gum). The bear took off when I hit it (luckily for us). I'm outa here.
HooKooDooKu
05-01-2013, 14:12
Check out this new story to dispell the myth:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/14/women-period-attract-bears_n_1776474.html
As mentioned in the article, the whole myth that bears are attracted to menstrating women started when some women were attacked and killed by grizzly bears. With a lack of any obvious evidence why the bear attacked these women, it was speculated that it might be their menstration. That speculation eventually became myth.
Feral Bill
05-01-2013, 15:55
Check out this new story to dispell the myth:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/14/women-period-attract-bears_n_1776474.html
As mentioned in the article, the whole myth that bears are attracted to menstrating women started when some women were attacked and killed by grizzly bears. With a lack of any obvious evidence why the bear attacked these women, it was speculated that it might be their menstration. That speculation eventually became myth. Worse yet, it became NOS dogma. It took not just actual facts but the voices of many women park employees to put an end to warnings of this "hazard".
Spirit Walker
05-01-2013, 16:58
I've done a lot of backpacking in bear country, around both black bears and grizzlies, and have never had a problem because of being female. I have had bears go after my food (AT and JMT) but they had no interest in me.
Kentlady
05-30-2013, 20:45
What should be kept in mind, something that many men do not understand is that the female vagina does actually excrete substances that are very odiferous and that scent driven animals are affected by. I would be concerned that leaving menstruous pads or other various hygienic disposables in areas where animals would smell them and then attack, would be highly irresponsible.
What should be kept in mind, something that many men do not understand is that the female vagina does actually excrete substances that are very odiferous and that scent driven animals are affected by. I would be concerned that leaving menstruous pads or other various hygienic disposables in areas where animals would smell them and then attack, would be highly irresponsible.
There has been a few limited expereinces about the effects of menstruation on bears attraction but none was proven but still not dismissed in some occasions but there is difference between a hungry bear who comes for food and may attack and a curious bear who comes to investigate the source of the smell if you know what I mean? Just curious not hungry.
I don't know how long you plan to be hiking, but many women find they don't have periods while long distance backpacking.
Have her get a "Diva Cup." They can be purchased online or at health food stores in the U.S.
My hiking friend bought one last year after reading up on it, and expecting her period during our 2 week hike. Well, she didn't get it....meaning the period. She did get the Diva Cup. She experimented with it for 2 months prior to our hike.
Actually, from July 2012 until now, she has ONLY used the Diva Cup - no tampax - no pads, no liners! Plus - she was a heavier bleeder....but the Diva Cup is still fine.
June 2013: We hike 80 miles in PA. She had her period. She used her Diva Cup. The ONLY time she had a problem was when she inserted it in the woods. She quickly learned that it was easier to insert it sitting down (due to angle) -meaning in a privy. She also found that she could go up to 24 hours without emptying it. However, NOTE: She did carry hand sanitizer and ant-bacterial wipes to clean it each time she emptied. Plus, she said she planned to boil it for a while once arriving home.
Side Note: Laura feels SO strongly about the benefits of the Diva Cup - she plans to introduce her daughter to it when she gets to age.... no more tampax or pads in that house!!!
Blissful
07-11-2013, 16:05
I don't know how long you plan to be hiking, but many women find they don't have periods while long distance backpacking.
Well that was never true with me. In fact mine was erratic and sometimes hit when I didn't expect it and lasted much longer.
Game Warden
08-03-2013, 00:04
That is not an issue. I deal with black bears a lot, and it always comes down to the food--or food residue--that you bring into your tent. The bears are usually after chocolate, not human flesh. Keep you tent and campsite, clean, use a bear bag, and you will be OK.
T.S.Kobzol
08-03-2013, 06:24
I agree. Sharks on the other hand...
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CCkQtwIwAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D6mU G29hPS4Y&ei=mdj8UZ6TEIXH4AOenICIBg&usg=AFQjCNEBGSn3dxdy6hX_uQYUUh2-ztj8Sw&sig2=UugkNzY28QnT5HCgADw6vw
That is not an issue. I deal with black bears a lot, and it always comes down to the food--or food residue--that you bring into your tent. The bears are usually after chocolate, not human flesh. Keep you tent and campsite, clean, use a bear bag, and you will be OK.
sent from samsonite using tapioca 2
Bluebearee
08-03-2013, 09:22
Check out this new story to dispell the myth:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/14/women-period-attract-bears_n_1776474.html
As mentioned in the article, the whole myth that bears are attracted to menstrating women started when some women were attacked and killed by grizzly bears. With a lack of any obvious evidence why the bear attacked these women, it was speculated that it might be their menstration. That speculation eventually became myth.
Yes, let's continue to try to dispell this unfounded myth. I was led to believe it was from an incident in 1969 and was found not to be connected at all.
Carry-On
08-03-2013, 19:44
Here's another one, with some of the same information as the other link, but also some other information.
http://www.nationalparkguru.com/so-does-a-bear-care-if-you-menstruate-in-the-woods-before-you-take-your-next-hike-read-the-answer/
Rebelgirluk
12-10-2014, 10:16
That can be because of stress, or poor nutrition or by taking the pill continuously, it's not usually a good sign if you're not taking the pill...
I read that article.
My family was warned off Yellowstone National Park, in the 1950's.
The Park Ranger leaned in the open driver's door window, asked Is there anyone on their period? My mother was livid! Fortunately, she was speechless. It was the 1950's. He said, roll up your windows, turn around and leave the park.
We did.
The explanation is that bears are territorial.
Man or woman, bears are territorial. That odor sends a message. The bear wants to run you out of their territory. Bears will "cuff" you, a few times, to teach you a lesson, only we do not have a thick hide. The bear will do that to a man or a woman present at the time.
Other wild animals will also attack. One man bragged about his personal body odor. A mountain goat was ahead on the trail. The man did not go back. The mountain goat gored him, yes, in the groin. The man bled out, and died.
I don't need a "study" or "statistics".
One "incident" is more than enough for me.
As far as I am concerned, male or female sexual odor is provocative where territorial wild animals will drive you off their territory, by hurting or by killing if you do not leave by the way you arrived.
I am careful about all odors: food, garbage.
I also use Sport Wash on my laundered clothing. I use Sea-to-Summit soap leaves for hand washing far away from streams. I do not use hand sanitizer, because it has a strong odor and strong odors announce your presence. Also, Dr. Dean Odell demonstrated handwashing effectiveness on tv news, using petrie-dish bacterial growth. It showed hand sanitizer is not effective. Surfactants, like soap, are effective if there is an all over wash and rinse.
It may be the bears or moose, or whatever, avoid humans. But not all do.
JBandStacy2014
12-14-2014, 19:34
As a female hiker, now hiking the AT currently, are bears a real concern for us? We are about 6 days in, now staying at our first hostel, but I know "that time of the month" will be arriving soon.
Thanks!
Have her get a "Diva Cup." They can be purchased online or at health food stores in the U.S.
I have one of these and have used it for years but you still need to be able to empty it and clean it....how does that fit in with hiking?
Opsak, small.
Odor-proof.
yerbyray
12-21-2014, 20:56
As a female hiker, now hiking the AT currently, are bears a real concern for us? We are about 6 days in, now staying at our first hostel, but I know "that time of the month" will be arriving soon.
Thanks!
Bears are basically a non-issue about being dangerous in the Eastern US. There has been only a handful of reported deaths because of bears east of the Mississippi. Two have been near the AT in the TN/NC area but there is nothing to worry about. That being said, do follow universal precautions with food and toiletry items as they do mess with your stuff when they get a chance.
The only consistent danger on the AT is tree roots and rocks.
strogiyogi
01-30-2015, 14:05
Hi! I understand her concern. My husband and I thru hiked last year and did not see a single bear though I did worry about them. Our experience was not the norm, but still. To calm my nerves about it I made sure to bear bag any used pads/tampons. A good trick is to have a ziploc and a paper bag or opaque plastic bag around the ziploc to hide them.