While most of us prefer to curl up on the couch and relax with our heating pad when it’s that time of the month, the holiday season often makes that impossible. Whether you’ve got parties to attend, family to visit, or gatherings to host, you likely won’t have the chance to stop simply because of your period.

Knowing how to manage your period during the holiday season is crucial so that you’re prepared and able to attend your engagements. We’ve compiled a list of the top tips for taking control of your period during the busy holiday season.

Know When Your Period is Coming

The first line of defense for holiday season periods is to know when to expect them. Fortunately, it’s increasingly easy in the digital age to stay in the know with your cycle. Having an app on your smartphone can help with this.

Period tracking apps get to know your cycle and will send you notifications when your period is expected to start. These apps aren’t always exact, but the more you use them, the better they get at predicting when your period will happen.

Knowing when your period will show up can help you plan events around those dates or know if you need supplies on hand during a holiday gathering. This prep work can help avoid a period-related disaster during holiday festivities.

Have Your Supplies Stocked

You know what you need for your period, but it’s easy to forget to stock up until Aunt Flo arrives. While you may not think this is the end of the world on a typical day, it may be hard to find an open store if your period starts on Thanksgiving or Christmas Day.

Ensure you have all your supplies on hand if your period is expected during a major holiday to avoid running out. This is also a good idea if you have guests staying with you while you’re on your period. You probably don’t want to have to run out to get tampons while your in-laws are staying at your house!

Navigating Traveling on Your Period

You'll likely feel overwhelmed if your period lands when you must travel. With all the prep it takes to travel normally, ensuring you pack your period essentials adds even more to your list. However, there are some tips specific to traveling while on your period and some must-have products to bring.

Bring the Best Supplies

Whether you're a fan of tampons or menstrual cups in your everyday routine, some women like to have pads as a reliable backup, especially during travels. That's where Maeves Pads come in! They've been carefully crafted with your comfort and absorption needs in mind, making them the perfect choice for those on-the-go days. These pads were born out of a less-than-pleasant airplane experience when another period product didn't quite cut it for travel. With their contoured shape and super absorbency, Maeves Pads ensure a comfy and worry-free road trip or flight, no matter your flow.

Pack a Survival Kit

Let’s face it: you aren’t going to feel your best if you’re traveling while on your period. However, there are some travel-friendly products out there that can help ease your struggles while you’re away from home. Consider adding these items to your packing list:

• Single-Use Heating Patches: if you love using your heating pad during your period, purchase some heating patches for your trip. These are single-use patches that you stick on your body under clothes, and they can give relief for up to eight hours.
• Individual Flushable Wipes: Consider grabbing a pack of these wipes and stuff them in your purse, suitcase, and carry-on. Having individually wrapped wipes makes it easy to use them while traveling, and you don’t have to worry about them drying out if you don’t use them all on your trip.
• Travel Doses of Medication: Pain relievers like Midol and Tylenol often come in single-dose packages. Getting some of these is a great way to ensure you have pain relief on hand for your trip without having to lug a whole bottle.

Take it Slow

Don’t be afraid to take a few extra stops if you’re on the road during your period. It’s okay not to reach your destination as fast as possible if you’re not feeling up to it. Take breaks to allow yourself to get out and stretch or even grab a quick nap if you need it. If you factor these stops into your travel plans, you can arrive at your destination on time while taking the time you need to get there comfortably.

Summary

Getting your period during the holiday season can be frustrating, but it’s possible to make it less complicated if you’re ready for it. Do all you can to be prepared ahead of time and tailor your events to meet your needs as much as you can. It’s possible to be on your period and still enjoy your holiday celebrations.

Happy Thanksgiving from your Maeves’ family!