Medically reviewed by Sophia Yen, MD, MPH – Written by Pandia Health Editorial Team

Fall is in full swing with winter right around the corner! This coming which means ice skating, cuddling up by the fire, making snow angels and wearing layers upon layers of clothing. Despite these pleasantries, the menstrual cycle continues, and even though it would make life easier, bundling up does not provide full protection from most accidental leaks.

Whether you are a beginner or an experienced user of tampons, pads, or menstrual cups, there is always the possibility that your body will grace you with an unexpected surprise. Most women are familiar with the gutting realization that they have bled through their clothes and immediately start looking for the fastest exit before matters get worse. This fear that hides in the back of women's minds often leads to them choosing items of clothing or outfits that are deemed "period-friendly."

Dressing "period-friendly" typically means wearing darker colors and loose-fitting garments to avoid the humiliation and discomfort of an exposed leakage. While it is acceptable to wear whatever makes them comfortable, women should not feel obligated to hide the all-natural process of menstruation nor should they put away half of their wardrobe for a week just because Aunt Flo is visiting!

Now, dear reader, you probably feel dreary enough on your period – so why settle for an outfit just because it is "period-friendly" if it doesn't bring out the best in you? Luckily, there are many ways to rock light colors, tight clothing, or any other garments that you love while on your period.

6 Tips to Make Aunt Flo a No-Show

#1 Wear spandex over your panties.
This will keep your pad in place, thus minimizing leakage risks. Spandex will also act as a body-sculptor so you can accentuate those curves! Furthermore, wearing shapewear under skirts and dresses is extremely common and they're sold in most lingerie stores. So, be confident in your miniskirt and leave all your worries behind!

#2 Wear panty liners with your tampons.
These will soak up anything your tampon misses; this is especially useful to wear on days with a heavy flow for extra protection! Feel free to wear those white jeans to your 9 A.M. history course before hitting that 11 A.M. spin class!

#3 Invest in the recent invention of reusable period proof panties.
Not only do these period undies feel like regular underwear, they are odor-fighting, moisture-wicking, leak-resistant, and absorbent. They can be worn with traditional feminine hygiene products or act as a substitute or supplement to them. As they are washable and reusable, they help save the environment from additional feminine hygiene waste that comes from pads and tampons – shout out to cost-effective and sustainable outfits!

#4 Download a period tracking app or calendar.
Knowing when your time of the month is will help you plan your days and outfits accordingly so you are more prepared when the menstrual fairy comes around! Enabling tracking in your life also means you can avoid bloody mishaps.

#5 Always carry extra supplies wherever you go.
Although it's a hassle to bring extra products with you, you'll be better prepared for any accidental leakages caused by overfilled tampons, pads getting pushed out of place, or early surprise visits (ahem, Aunt Flo). When this happens, an extra tampon, panty liner, pad or a feminine cleansing wipe will be your best friend.

Feminine wipes are pH-balancing and help to naturally and gently eliminate odor by supporting a healthy vaginal ecosystem; plus, they are a nice change from using rough toilet paper or napkins. However, if you want to avoid leaky accidents all together and don't feel like lugging around extra remedies, switch to a birth control method that allows you to stop your period!

#6 Use birth control.
Birth control is the most diverse and effective reproductive health strategy to reduce acne, prevent pregnancy, and regulate or turn off periods. Pandia Health carries both generic and brand-name birth control pills, rings, and patches. You can use any combined (estrogen and progesterone) birth control pill to skip periods by simply avoiding the last week of placebo pills (sugar pills) and moving straight along to the next pack.

With the ring, all you have to do is go ring-free for a week. For longer-lasting methods, consider the IUD or the implant; both of these forms of contraception, which Pandia Health can write prescriptions for, should be covered under the Affordable Care Act.

If you are unsure about which birth control method to use, feel free to peruse our blog and social media platforms for everything from resources for choosing the best birth control to information on reproductive health and justice! You can also chat with one of the expert doctors at Pandia Health to discover which contraceptive method is right for you.

Skipping Your Period

Pandia Health is an advocate for making #PeriodsOptional for women, and birth control is the hero in this pursuit. Pausing your menstrual cycle can have many benefits such as decreased risk of endometrial and ovarian cancer as well as diabetes, seizure disorders, anemia etc.

Skipping one's period can also help relieve the dreaded menstrual symptoms that include cramps, migraines, mood swings, and sanitary emergencies. Furthermore, avoiding periods saves you money on tampons, pads and other feminine hygiene products, which women shouldn't be paying for anyway; it also eases pressure off of Mother Earth by reducing the amount of waste that is continuously dumped into the landfill.

If you're hesitant, know that it is perfectly safe for women to take active birth control pills to prevent bleeding; in fact, there is NO medically necessary reason for women to get a period every single month.

With the help of birth control, you can now face your closet with confidence – no more shame or fear about what you can and cannot wear due to Aunt Flo. Continue throughout your day stress-free of leakage by making your #PeriodsOptional and enjoy those holiday outfits and activities with comfort and ease!

Create a profile on our site and we'll have one of our knowledgeable birth control doctors help you get the best care possible. We can write you a new prescription if you live in AZ, CA, CO, FL, GA, NV, TX, WA, or WY; if you already carry an active prescription, we can easily transfer it for you.

Happy holidays and remember – stay on birth control!