Sleigh the holidays: Your vaginal care checklist

While the holidays bring joy, they can also bring stress—and stress can have a big impact on your physical and mental health. And that includes your reproductive and sexual health.

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Whether you’re worrying about gift shopping, navigating family dynamics, or juggling a packed social calendar, high stress levels can weaken your immune system, making you more susceptible to vaginal infections like yeast infections or bacterial vaginosis. Stress can even cause irregularities in your menstrual cycle.

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With a little planning and self care, you can keep your health in check this holiday season.  Here are some simple steps you can take to keep things running smoothly.

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1. Refill your birth control before holiday travel

Planning on heading out of town for the holidays? Don’t forget to refill your birth control before the festivities begin. Between holiday closures and travel schedules, you don’t want to get caught without your protection. You can get a prescription online through Hey Jane for over 100 options, including the pill, the patch, the ring, and non-hormonal methods. Start intake here.

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While you’re on-the-go, pack your birth control somewhere you won’t forget, and set a daily reminder to stay on track, no matter what the holidays bring. 

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2. Stock up on emergency contraception

Consider purchasing some emergency contraception to have on hand so that in the event you need it, you don’t have to add running out to the pharmacy to your already long to-do list. Emergency contraception has a long shelf life—3 years for Ella and 4 years for Plan B—so you can hold onto it well past the holidays.

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Hey Jane offers both prescriptions for Ella and Plan B, and can ever deliver them to your door. Skip the long pharmacy wait and request emergency contraception here.

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3. Test for STIs after holiday hookups 

Maybe you’re living your own Hallmark movie fantasy with a hometown hottie—who are we to judge? Holiday romance is great, but don’t get so swept up in the romance that you forget to take care of your sexual health afterward. If you have any new partners during the festive season, make it a priority to test for STIs when the holiday fun is over. Testing is quick, easy, and helps keep you and your partners safe. Don’t wait until the new year–your sexual health is a gift worth giving to yourself now.

4. Say no to polyester long johns

Cozy clothes are a must during the colder months, but be mindful of what’s going on underneath all those layers. Tight, non-breathable clothing can trap moisture and heat, creating the perfect environment for infections like yeast infections to thrive. Opt for cotton underwear that allows your body to breathe, especially if you’re wearing thick, insulated clothing to stay warm. Your body will thank you!

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5. Avoid scented bath products

There’s nothing better than sinking into a warm bath after a long day of holiday prep. But while you may be tempted to toss in a cute candy cane-scented bath bomb, think twice. Scented bath products can cause irritation and disrupt the natural balance of your genital area. The vagina is self cleaning, so stick to fragrance-free bath products. You can still enjoy a relaxing soak—just skip the scents.

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6. Know how to get care wherever you are 

Since you can’t pack your OB-GYN or primary care doctor, it’s important to know what options you have if you’re planning on traveling for the holidays—whether that’s to visit family or just take a much-needed vacation. The good news is that there are many trusted telehealth options available (including Hey Jane) that make it easy to quickly get care wherever you are. For example,  if you find yourself dealing with a UTI, yeast infection, or BV while out of town, Hey Jane can help you get care fast (and make it easy to pick up your prescription from a local pharmacy). Best of all, you can connect with our providers discreetly from your phone, without worrying about nosey parents or siblings learning your personal business. 

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The holidays are a time for celebration, but for many, the season isn’t without stress—your vaginal health shouldn’t add to that. By following these tips, you can stay healthy while enjoying all that the holidays have to offer. 

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