You might wonder if it is possible to delay your period if there’s an event that you are attending where you do not want to be on your period. It is possible to delay your period by several days, one month or even more. What you need to understand about naturally delaying your period and whether it is recommended.
Takeaways:
- As long as you tell your doctor, it’s safe to skip your cycle
- No proven methods exist to delay your period.
- Under the supervision of your doctor, you can safely delay your period by using hormone birth control.
You need to adjust your hormone levels estrogen and progesterone when you delay your period. Estrogen builds up the uterine lining to prepare for pregnancy, and progesterone levels increase after ovulation. Both hormones are elevated during pregnancy.
The uterine lining will shed if there is no pregnancy. You’ll get your period. It is the decrease in progesterone that tells your uterine lining to shed. It is possible to trick your body into believing it’s pregnant by maintaining higher levels of progesterone.
Is it safe to delay your period?
Some people may wish to delay their period due to health reasons, such as:
- Severe period pain.
- Heavy menstrual bleeding
- Endometriosis.
- Migraines.
- Uterine fibroids.
The risk is minimal if you wish to delay your period in the short-term. According to a study from 2015, reducing your period frequency does not seem to have any harm.
Can natural remedies help me to delay my period naturally?
There are no foods or supplements that can delay your period. Internet users are promoting some natural remedies that can cause unwanted side effects, such as digestive upset and tissue irritation. Here are a few common ones.
Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV). ACV is a health-promoting vinegar that has been scientifically proven to have some benefits. there is no evidence that it can manage your menstrual cycle. In one study, the role of ACV on menstruation was examined in women with PCOS. This study showed that ACV could cause a period for those with PCOS, even if they have never had a normal cycle. AVC cannot delay your period.
Citrus Juice You may have read online that lemon or lime can delay your period. There is no evidence to suggest that citrus juices can affect your period. Citrus juice’s acidity can harm tooth enamel as well as tissue in the throat and stomach lining.
Lentils — There are anecdotal accounts that gram lentils delay periods. The lentils can be fried, ground up into flour, or blended to make a drinkable smoothie. There is not scientific evidence to suggest that lentils will stop your period.
Gelatin- This is marketed to delay your period by four hours. Simply dissolve a packet in warm water, and drink it immediately. You can prolong the delay by repeating this treatment. There is no proof that this treatment works. too much gelatin can actually cause digestive issues.
Hormonal methods that delay your period
You can only delay your period by adjusting the levels of hormones.
Birth Control Pills – BCPs are available in 28-day packs that include three weeks of hormone-containing active pills and a placebo pill for the fourth week.
Skip this placebo week if you want to stop getting your period. You can then go directly into the new active pill pack. This will keep your progesterone levels high, so that your lining won’t shed, and you wont have your period.
Vaginal Rings and Patches– These work similar to BCPs, in that they deliver 21 days or three weeks worth of hormones. The ring will be placed in the vaginal canal for three weeks, and then it is removed for one week to allow you to get your period.
You can also apply a patch to your stomach, and change it every week. You can delay your period by using a new patch or ring after 21 days, instead of waiting a week.
Long-term methods
Intrauterine devices (IUDs), injections and implants are all long-term ways to delay your period.
It is a long-term hormonal birth control that does not require you to remember to take pills every day. People with hormonal IUDs often have lighter periods or no periods.
Progesterone is also available in a progesterone-containing injection that can be taken every three months. It is more likely to cause side effects than any other form of long-term contraception.
The implants are placed under your skin in the upper arm. They can last for up to three year. After the implant is removed, you are able to get pregnant immediately.
These options are not good if you want to simply delay your period by a few days.
It’s possible to delay your period for many reasons. However, hormones are responsible for the onset and end of periods. You can delay your period by talking to your doctor about hormonal methods.
Resources
