Filipinos have a phrase for enduring discomfort in the name of looking good: tiis-ganda. During the holidays, that same mindset can extend beyond uncomfortable shoes or outfits to something much less visible but equally disruptive: period pain.
Between Christmas parties, family reunions, shopping trips and year-end gatherings, it can be tempting to simply push through menstrual cramps and carry on. But painful periods do not have to be treated as something women should automatically endure. Understanding the symptoms, preparing for them and knowing when to seek medical advice can make holiday plans more manageable.
What does “tiis-ganda” have to do with period pain?
Tiis-ganda is a distinctly Filipino expression that describes tolerating discomfort or inconvenience to look good or keep going. It is often used playfully, but the idea of tiis can also shape how women deal with physical discomfort.
Period pain, medically called dysmenorrhea, refers to painful menstrual cramps. It is commonly felt in the lower abdomen and can be accompanied by other symptoms. The pain is associated with substances called prostaglandins, which cause the uterus to contract during menstruation.
The important distinction is that occasional menstrual discomfort and pain that repeatedly disrupts daily life are not necessarily the same thing.
If cramps regularly make it difficult to work, sleep, exercise, attend school or participate in activities, it is worth discussing the symptoms with a healthcare professional.
When should period pain get your attention?
Instead of simply counting the days until the pain passes, pay attention to patterns.
Consider noting:
- When the pain begins in relation to your period
- How severe the pain becomes
- How long it lasts
- Whether the pain is getting worse over time
- Whether it affects work, sleep or normal activities
- Whether your symptoms are different from your usual periods
Keeping track of these details can also make a conversation with a doctor more useful, particularly when symptoms become severe or unusually disruptive.
How can you make holiday plans more period-friendly?
Rethinking tiis-ganda does not mean cancelling every Christmas gathering when your period arrives. It can be as simple as planning for the possibility of discomfort rather than pretending it is not there.
Start with the basics. Eat regularly, stay hydrated and give yourself time to rest between long days of errands, parties and family activities. Keeping period products and other personal essentials nearby can also prevent a small inconvenience from becoming a bigger one.
It also helps to understand the options available for managing menstrual cramps. Any medicine should be used according to its label instructions, taking into account individual health conditions, other medicines and advice from a healthcare professional.
For women considering an over-the-counter option, Buscopan Venus, which contains hyoscine N-butylbromide and paracetamol, is marketed in the Philippines for relief of menstrual cramps. The product information supplied for this campaign states that it may be taken at the indicated dose, but consumers should follow the current product label and consult a healthcare professional when unsure whether it is appropriate for them.
The brand says its formulation can work in as fast as 15 minutes. That is a product claim, rather than a guarantee that every person will experience relief within that timeframe.
Why shouldn't severe period pain simply be ignored?
One reason to move beyond the tiis mindset is that severe or increasingly disruptive period pain can sometimes warrant further evaluation.
Painful periods can have different causes. While cramps are common, persistent or severe symptoms should not automatically be dismissed as something every woman simply has to live with.
The goal is not to turn every uncomfortable period into a medical emergency. It is to recognize when pain has moved beyond an occasional inconvenience and is affecting quality of life.
That distinction is especially important during the holidays, when busy schedules can make it easy to postpone healthcare appointments or ignore symptoms until the season is over.
Can you enjoy holiday ganda without the tiis?
Absolutely.
The idea of holiday ganda does not have to be about looking polished while quietly putting up with discomfort. It can also mean feeling comfortable enough to be present at the moments that matter.
That may mean wearing the shoes you can actually walk in, taking a break between gatherings, carrying the period products you need or planning ahead for menstrual symptoms.
As Micol Cansino, Senior Brand Manager for Hyoscine N-butylbromide (Buscopan), puts it, women should not have to put their needs on the back burner simply because the calendar is full.
There is also a useful lesson beyond the holidays: self-care does not have to mean doing less. Sometimes it means making it easier to do the things that matter without unnecessarily ignoring what your body is telling you.
This Christmas, perhaps tiis-ganda deserves a small rethink. Looking good is one thing. Feeling well enough to enjoy the people, places and moments you showed up for is another.
And that might be the more meaningful kind of holiday ganda.