Travelling Tips for Women (Women's Health Matters article) (Web resource; WHM resource) Author: Poonam Khanna Organization: Women's College Hospital, Women's Health Matters Many of us dream of being on a beach in some exotic locale rather than slogging our way through snow banks in winter. But travelling is not a completely carefree exercise. In fact, women especially should not forget that they have specific needs when it comes to taking precautions in order to protect their health and wellbeing when travelling abroad, Dr. Dominique Tessier firmly believes. Tessier, a medical director at Medisys Travel Health Clinic in Montreal, who works in travel medicine and has a particular interest in women who are travelling, spoke at the 2003 Women's Health Matters Forum & Expo in Toronto. Women who are pregnant should get an ultrasound before they travel, especially if they are going overseas — even if they are in their first trimester, Tessier advised. If it turns out to be an ectopic pregnancy (when implantation occurs outside the womb, such as in the ovary) and something happens when the woman is travelling over the ocean — hours from any hospital — the consequences could be dire. One popular reason for Canadian women to travel is to return to their country of birth in order to show and introduce children to their relatives back home. It’s usually the women who undertake this mission, and they often think because they were born and raised in the country, that they don’t have to worry about the conditions there. This isn’t true, Tessier said. These women have become 'Canadianized' and should — as other tourists do — avoid drinking the water. Those travelling abroad need to go to their doctors in order to assess what types of immunization, if any, they will need. They should not rely on travel agents to provide the information, Tessier warned. Travel agents are only obliged to tell travellers about immunizations that are required and not those that are simply recommended. In general, women who are pregnant should avoid exposure to live vaccines. These can raise body temperature, which is not a good idea for a developing fetus, she said. 'We don’t like to raise temperatures in pregnant women.' Pregnant women should, whenever possible, avoid going to areas where the yellow fever vaccine is required. But if for some reason they absolutely need to go, then the vaccine may be necessary, as the disease can be transmitted to the baby. Hepatitis A and B are also a concern, and Tessier strongly recommends immunization. Hep A can be transmitted through food and water, and that’s why boiled water is safest. Before drinking bottled water, make sure that you know where it was bottled. Those travelling abroad should also avoid eating salads. If it can’t be boiled, cooked or peeled, don’t eat it, she said. Women travelling abroad for a special occasion, such as a honeymoon, can delay getting their period by taking certain medications. However, they would need to go to their doctors at least two months in advance for this to take effect properly. If they wait and go a week before their trip, nothing can be done, Tessier cautioned. Also, really hot and humid climates can increase menstrual flow, so women travelling to warm locations may need to bring more protection with them than they may usually need. A final precaution that seems obvious — but may be overlooked — is a woman's physical safety. Even a simple situation such as finding one's way to a restaurant or a museum needs extra care if there are language or cultural barriers in place. If Tessier is in a foreign country where she doesn’t speak the language, she always asks the hotel concierge to write down the destinations that she plans to visit for the day. That way, if she is lost, she can just point to the place written on the paper in order to get directions. Editor’s Note: Written by Poonam Khanna, a Toronto-based freelance writer specializing in science, health and technology issues. Coverage of a session at the 2003 Women’s Health Matters Forum & Expo. Related Resources: More coverage of the 2003 Women’s Health Matters Forum & Expo can be found here. Version française :  Cliquez ici pour voir la description en français Purpose:  Consumer information/support; Health information Information Source:  Hospital/Clinic Geographic Origin:  Canada Language of Resource:  English Groups:  Adult women Last Reviewed by Women's Health Matters:  May 08, 2007