Last updated on November 26th, 2025
What Is DVT and how can women who travel prevent it?
by Sherry Ott, Ottsworld.com, guest writer
I’ve flown around the world more times than I can count. I’ve dealt with turbulence, lost luggage, suspicious airplane meals, and even the occasional bout of Delhi Belly. But none of those travel mishaps came close to the one that almost took me out completely: blood clots.
Yes, I nearly died because I sat too long on a flight. It changed how I travel forever — and now, I’m on a mission to make sure other women don’t learn this lesson the hard way.
The flight that started it all
It was just another long-haul, red-eye flight from Newark to Delhi. I watched bad movies, had a couple of glasses of wine, and dozed off and drooled on my neck pillow — the glamorous life of an international traveller.
Two weeks in India flew by — temples, rickshaws, markets, and the beautiful chaos I adore. But something felt… off.
A dull ache in my calf appeared out of nowhere. I chalked it up to jet lag, heat, or maybe walking in sandals that were not meant for cobblestones. I even treated myself to one of those cheap Indian massages I love. No luck. The soreness stayed.
Then came the persistent cough, shortness of breath, and nights where lying down felt like I was suffocating – I couldn’t sleep. I blamed pollution, fatigue, maybe age creeping in. Spoiler: it wasn’t pollution.
The moment it got scary
What I didn’t know was that blood clots had formed in the veins of my leg during that flight. At some point in India, three broke loose and lodged in my left lung. That’s when things got dangerous — fast.
Pulmonary embolisms (PE) are no joke. They can cause strokes, organ damage, or death. And yet, I boarded my return flight to Denver — another 20+ hours of travel — with those clots silently lodged in my lung.
When I got home and my symptoms worsened, I finally went to Urgent Care. A CT scan later, the verdict was in: multiple pulmonary embolisms in my left lung. I was rushed onto blood thinners. I was told not to travel for the immediate future, which was a big blow for me, but I was lucky to walk out alive.
What is DVT and why should women who travel care?
DVT — Deep Vein Thrombosis — is a blood clot that forms in a deep vein, usually in your legs, when blood isn’t circulating well. Long-haul flights are prime time for this because you’re sitting still for hours.
The clot itself might not be a problem. But if it breaks free and travels to your lungs, you’re in PE territory — and that can kill you.
Here’s the part no one told me: women have specific risk factors.
- Estrogen-based birth control or hormone therapy (including menopause treatments) can increase clotting risk.
- Risk rises with every decade after 40.
- Long periods of sitting, dehydration (hello, in-flight wine), and a family history of clots all pile on the danger.
I was in my mid-50s, fit, and travelling full-time — and I still got hit. However, I also did everything wrong. I was taking low-dose estrogen for hot flashes (yay peri-menopause), I drank wine, and I didn’t get up and walk around.
The symptoms I brushed off (don’t be me)
- Dull ache or cramp in one calf
- Swelling/tenderness in one leg
- Shortness of breath
- Persistent cough, especially when lying down
These can look like jet lag, dehydration, or even a cold. But if you’ve flown long-haul recently, don’t assume. Get checked.
My new travel rules (a.k.a. how to not end up like I did)
1. Wear compression socks, every time
I now wear the Go Explore sock I co-designed with VIM & VIGR — merino wool, graduated compression, and subtle style (no sad beige hospital socks here). And yes, they say “Go Explore” in the footbed so you remember why you’re keeping your blood flowing.
2. Move every two hours
Walk the aisle, march in place, do ankle circles, stretch. I set a timer on my phone to remind me.
3. Hydrate like it’s your job
Alcohol dehydrates you and thickens your blood. Water is your friend.
4. Talk to your doctor
If you’re at high risk, you may need extra precautions like medication
The sock that came out of all this
After surviving DVT and PE, I didn’t just grab any old compression sock. I wanted something made for us — women who travel with purpose, style, and stamina.
The Go Explore sock is:
- Soft, breathable, odourless merino wool (great for travel and multiple climates)
- Designed with graduated compression to keep blood moving
- Subtly stylish, so you’ll actually wear them
- A little nudge to “Go Explore” stitched into every step
Check out the Go Explore sock here. They even come in multiple calf sizes and compression levels! Get 15% off your order when you use promo code JOURNEYWOMAN.
Final boarding call
Ladies, if you’re over 50 and still chasing adventure (as you should be), take DVT seriously. I never imagined a simple flight could nearly end my story. Now I know better — and I want you to, too.
Adventure doesn’t stop at 50. But it does require a bit more intention — and maybe a great pair of compression socks!
Because the world’s not done showing you things. And you’re not done exploring.
Sherry is a solo traveller, photographer, and founder of Ottsworld.com, where she’s been sharing off-the-beaten-path stories since 2006. When she’s not on a mountain or a motorbike, she’s working to make travel more informed, accessible, and safe — one adventure (and one blood clot scare) at a time.
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