Not all travel books deal with uniquely female health needs. You can augment what you read with the experienced advice of other women travelers.

It's a good idea to carry your doctor's phone and fax numbers, as well as copies of prescriptions for medication you might require along the way.

You won't always be able to eat properly. Consider carrying multivitamins to supplement your diet.

When travelling in Asia, it's a good idea to carry a supply of disposable chopsticks. Dishwashing facilities are not always adequate to kill bacteria.

Your regular brand of contraceptive pill may not be available at your destination. Take enough with you to last the whole trip.

Major stomach upsets (diarrhea or vomiting) cause your body to lose its ability to absorb the contraceptive pill. It's wise to use condoms to guard against unwanted pregnancy. You may want to pack a supply of condoms to protect yourself against sexually transmitted diseases too.

When travelling to developing countries, carry a supply of tampons and sanitary napkins. They tend to be difficult to find and may be expensive.

It's not unusual for women to stop menstruating when they're travelling for a long time. If there are no other symptoms and you're not concerned that you might be pregnant, don't worry.

If you're prone to yeast infections, they're more likely to recur in warm, moist climates. Wearing loose-fitting cotton underwear and skirts rather than pants may help. Carry appropriate medication in your first-aid kit; it might not be available where you're travelling.

Cystitis is an infection of the urinary tract and bladder. Drinking a lot of purified water, especially in hotter climates, may help to reduce your chances of suffering from this problem.

If you wear contact lenses, consider using disposables. Storing and cleaning your lenses can become a nuisance if you're going to be on an extended journey.

It's definitely inadvisable to have ear-piercing, acupuncture, tattooing or manicures while you're on the road. Instruments that are not properly sterilized can carry hepatitis B or AIDS.

If you absolutely must have dental work, injections or an internal examination, contact your nearest embassy or consulate. Officials there can often recommend appropriate local medical practitioners.

Make sure that you don't leave home without adequate health insurance for travelers. Review your policy thoroughly so that you know exactly what your coverage entails. For example, does your policy have an in-house worldwide emergency hot-line that you can call if you're in trouble? Does the policy pay foreign hospital and related medical costs and, if so, does it pay up-front or expect you to pay and be reimbursed later? Carry proof of your coverage with you.