The UIAA (the international body for mountaineering) have produced a definitive series of mountain medicine advice sheets. The ones described here focus on women going to altitude and issues that women going to altitude might wish to be aware of.

Women Going to Altitude

This paper gives advice to women about their risk of altitude illness, the effect of altitude on the menstrual cycle and the use of birth control pills. It also gives advice to pregnant women about the effects high altitudes can have on their health and gives recommendations on how to prevent complications.

The paper also contains a useful bilbliography.

READ: UIAA paper 'Women Going to Altitude'

Contraception and period control at altitude

A large proportion of women do not principally use contraception during their travel for contraceptive reasons but for regulating and controlling their periods.This paper focuses specifically on the use of contraception during altitude sojourns and reflects the official standard recommendation of UIAA MedCom, which is based on current literature. 

The paper contains a useful bibliography.

READ: UIAA paper 'Contraception and period control at altitude'

FURTHER READING: UIAA Paper on 'Children and altitude'

FURTHER READING: List and brief descriptions of all UIAA advice sheets

The BMC TV Women in Adventure Film Competition is back and accepting submissions for 2022. So dive in, if you have a story to tell or a cause to share it's time to do so!

We want to see your adventures captured on film and keep the cycle of inspiration rolling as we head into the eighth year of the competition, supported by Montane.

WATCH: All the entries to the Women in Adventure Film Competition 2021 on BMC TV

FIND OUT MORE AND ENTER: Submit an entry

WATCH: Women in Adventure Film Competition 2022 Trailer on BMC TV

Need inspiration?

WATCH: All the 2021 winners and entries

WATCH: All the 2020 winners and entries

WATCH: All the 2019 winners and entries

WATCH: All the 2018 winners and entries

WATCH: All the 2017 winners and entries

WATCH: All the 2016 winners and entries

WATCH: All the 2015 winners and entries

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