Is It Safe To Try And Stop Your Period
Whether its for a week, a month or even long-term, its possible to stop your period.
Some people want to stop or delay their period because of special events like a wedding or honeymoon. For others, the desire to stop their period stems from a medical reason like:
- Heavy bleeding.
- Uterine fibroids.
While its safe to stop your period, remember that your body is normally on a cycle, which ranges from 21 to 35 days. And it all has to do with hormones.
Estrogen is the hormone that makes tissue build up in your uterus, which provides a nice cushiony lining for a pregnancy to implant, says Dr. Jhaveri. If you dont get pregnant, that tissue needs to shed, and thats your period. After you ovulate, another hormone, progesterone, is released and helps to keep you pregnant. But if you dont get pregnant that cycle, the progesterone goes away and thats when the period comes.
That decrease in progesterone causes your uterus sheds its lining, which results in a period.
If you can prolong the progesterone, thats the most effective way to stop your period, says Dr. Jhaveri. Youre faking your body into thinking youre pregnant.
But Pads And Liners Are A No
Its not that you cant wear pads or liners in the water during your period, but it generally isnt recommended.
These products are built to absorb liquid, so they arent just going to absorb your period. Theyre also going to absorb the water around you.
Translation? Things are probably going to get uncomfortable.
Plus, the adhesive doesnt always stick well to swimsuit fabric, so you also run the risk of losing a pad or a liner in the water.
But if youre in a bind, theres no rule that says you cant wear a pad in the water. Just make sure you take extra steps to secure it, and change it frequently.
Does Starting On Birth Control During Your Period Stop Your Flow Immediately
One question experts get asked a lot is: If I start birth control on my period, will it stop? If taken correctly, there isnt one birth control method that is guaranteed to stop your period at all, let alone immediately. There are some cases where birth control can stop heavy bleeding, though, Lucky Sekhon, MD, ob-gyn and endocrinologist at RMA of New York, Flo Medical Expert, and assistant clinical professor at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, tells SELF, but it must be done under the direction of a doctor.
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What If I Do Bleed In Waterwould People Be Able To See It And Would It Attract Sharks
Nope and nope! Those are only myths. If youre planning to get into the bathtub or go swimming without using a tampon or menstrual cup, rest assured that there will be no red, bloody trail behind you, says Dr. Haughton.
Most women bleed only 60 milliliters over five whole days, says Dr. Haughton. Even if youre free-flowing into the pool for five hours, theres no way that water is going to turn into the Red Sea with the amount of blood coming out of your body. Even a whole pool full of people on their periods wouldnt give the water even the tiniest pink tinge.
And theres absolutely no chance that this tiny amount of menstrual blood will attract every shark in the ocean , so lets put that theory to rest right now. Whenever I hear the shark myth I think, How much do you people think youre bleeding? Its not like youre waving around a bloody arm, says Dr. Haughton.
Stick To A Consistent Exercise Routine
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No Matter What Don’t Let Your Period Stop You From Enjoying A Swim Or A Day At The Beach
Being active can actually help counteract the stuff that makes periods suck, like cramps and bloating.
Basically, a decent sweat session cranks up the production of mood-boosting endorphins, which can actually act as a natural pain reliever for cramps, says Mary Jane Minkin, MD, clinical professor of obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive sciences at Yale School of Medicine. Even better: Exercise can also help prevent period cramps . So swimming on or near your period is totally something you should be doing.
The bottom line: No, your period doesn’t magically stop in the water, but water pressure can prevent your flow from coming out. It’s still wise to use a tampon or menstrual cup to avoid leaks as you come out of the water.
How To Stop Your Period From Coming Using Birth Control
Is your period due during your vacation? Skip the bleed!
The patch, the pill, and the ring are 3 hormonal birth control options that allow you to skip your period entirely if you want a month off or want to enjoy your vacation without the stress of cramps and period upkeep.
If you are taking the birth control pill, patch or ring, there is no medical reason why you need to have a bleed every month, meaning you can skip your monthly bleed if you wish. To skip your bleed, all you need to do is make sure you skip the break/bleed week for the patch, ring, or dont take the sugar pill/placebo week for birth control pills and go straight into the next pack.
If you are using the combined birth control pill, simply skip the row of placebo pills or the week off after you finish three rows of active pills and go straight into the next pack. With the ring, change it after 28-30 days, rather than the usual 21, as it has 35 days of hormone in it. Similarly with the patch, just switch to a new patch after week three, rather than having a free week.
When skipping your period with the patch, you should NOT use it for more than 12 weeks in a row without having a bleed. Make sure to have a bleed at least every 12 weeks, otherwise, you will experience a build-up of estrogen and risk blood clots, which can lead to complications and even death.
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Norethisterone Tablets To Stop Periods
These tablets contain a manufactured version of the female hormone called progesterone, which is involved in regulating a womanâs menstrual cycle. It is more commonly known as Utovlan.
During the month, a womanâs progesterone levels change. They drop towards the end of her cycle. When progesterone levels drop, the womb lining breaks down and is released by the body. This causes a period.
Norethisterone works by keeping your progesterone levels topped up.This prevents the lining of the womb from breaking down, stopping periods from occurring. You can stop your period for up to 17 days by using norethisterone. To stop your period, take norethisterone 3 days before your expected period date. The dose is one tablet to be taken three times a day, for as long as you want to be without your period, for a maximum of 20 days. .
You can get norethisterone on prescription from your GP. You can also conveniently buy norethisterone tablets from online pharmacies including Chemist Click. You simply complete a medical questionnaire that is reviewed by our medical team to determine your suitability.
Norethisterone is not suitable for everyone. You cannot take it if you have liver problems, certain heart conditions, or if you have a personal or family history of blood clots. It cannot be taken alongside the contraceptive pill and other medications, such as some antivirals and antiepileptics.
Exercise The Right Way
Exercising regularly can help reduce the intensity of cramps and other symptoms of premenstrual syndrome, says Ross. Exercise may even reduce the frequency or length of your period.
However, it’s also important to note that exercising too much or suddenly starting an intense new exercise routine can cause your period to stop or become more irregular.
Some studies show that aerobic exercise can help reduce menstrual pain in some women. A few examples of aerobic exercise include:
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Phases Of The Menstrual Cycle
Understanding your menstrual cycle, and where your period falls within it, can help you better anticipate and prepare for your monthly cycle.
The menstrual cycle has four phases, beginning with the menstrual phase, when your period occurs. The four phases are as follows:
- menstrual phase
Tracking your period can help you follow your cycle more closely.
Will Taking A Nsaid Help
Exercise and dieting won’t stop Mother Nature from doing its thing, but there is one natural and safe way to lighten the flow of your period. “According to USC Fertility, taking an NSAID like Ibuprofen can reduce menstrual bleeding as much as 20 to 40%,” Bara says.
“These drugs work by reducing your body’s production of inflammatory elements called prostaglandins,” per USC Fertility’s website. “Prostaglandins have important actions on the blood vessels in the inner lining of the uterus, thereby affecting the amount of bleeding that occurs during a menstrual period.”
Be sure to familiarize yourself with the drug’s labeled instructions so that you know how often and how many NSAIDs you can safely consume. It might be beneficial to keep a time log as well.
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Pills To Stop Your Period
The good news is that there are pills that can safely stop your periods temporarily. There are two ways of doing this. You can use the period delay tablet called norethisterone, or you can take 2 packets of the combined pill back-to-back. These methods do not guarantee to delay your period but they do have a high success rate for suppressing menstrual cycles. How well they work in delaying periods varies from woman to woman.
Letâs take a look at these 2 options in more detail.
How Long After Stopping Birth Control Will You Get Your Period
Okay, so youre on birth control that has stopped your period, but now youre ready to leave that contraceptive method behind. While the exact timeline of when your period will return depends on a variety of factors, the Mayo Clinic says menstrual periods generally resume within three months after stopping birth control pills. This is also true of other types of birth control, with the exception of the shot, which can take much longersometimes between 6 and 18 months, according to the Center for Young Womens Health.
Regardless of the type, your body and menstrual cycle will need time to adjust. This could mean you get a typical period within a month, or you could experience spotting or irregular periods for a few months, according to the Cleveland Clinic. But remember, this is often temporary, and your cycle may return to its pre-birth control days in just a matter of time. For others, it may not.
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Science Behind The Length Of Menstrual Bleeding
Everyones periods are different, but on average, they last anywhere from 2 to 7 days, and occur every 21 to 35 days .
The menstrual cycle is controlled by hormones. It all starts in the part of the brain called the hypothalamus, which releases gonadotropin-releasing hormone . This hormone affects the pituitary gland and induces the production of follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone . Despite the fact that these hormones are released in the brain, they are responsible for the normal functioning of the ovaries. If you thought periods were pretty straightforward think again!
Under the influence of FSH and LH, the ovaries produce estrogens and progesterone. All these sex hormones can directly affect the production of each other and affect each other through a feedback mechanism, when a large amount of one of them slows down the production of another.
The menstrual cycle consists of several phases linked to fluctuating hormone levels:
Can Pads Or Tampons Make Your Period End Faster
Some people might feel like their periods end faster when they use tampons, while others say that using pads seemingly shortens their period length because pads do not hamper period flow. However, there is no scientific evidence that either tampons or pads can make your period end faster.
If youre worried about the hassle of having your period during a trip or important event, you could also consider using different period products, such as a menstrual cup. Specific period products wont make your period end faster, but they can help you feel more comfortable during your period and prevent leaks.
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Is It Safe To Stop Your Period In The Long Term
The length of the menstrual cycle may vary from one woman to another. Some factors can also interfere with its onset, such as stress, your weight, and your hormones. While the average cycle usually lasts anywhere between 2 to 7 days, some women may have longer periods. The menstrual cycle is often shortened as a woman ages and if she is on contraceptives.
If the menstrual cycle is too long, it often interferes with travel and other plans. Hence, it is natural for women to look for ways to suppress or end their period faster.
There are both long-term and short-term ways to stop periods. Long-term methods usually involve taking birth control pills, progestin shots, or contraceptive implants. There is no evidence that stopping your periods in the long term may be harmful to you, but the side effects often associated with contraceptives are not a secret.
Hence, it is better to look for options to suppress your periods for a short duration. And what could be better than some natural ways of doing this? Listed below are some easy ways to stop your periods faster, all naturally.
Opt For Raspberry Leaf Tea
Yet another one of the amazing ways to help end your period sooner is by drinking some raspberry tea. Not only does the raspberry tea help with the excessive flow and the cramps, it has been found to help reduce the days of the cycle too.
The active compound in the raspberry tea, fragarine is an alkaloid which has potent benefits in helping tone and strengthens the pelvic muscles for a better period cycle.
Not just that, the antioxidants and the tannins present in the tea also help in boosting the uterine health, further promoting a seamless menstrual cycle without any discomfort.
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Take Ibuprofen To Reduce A Heavy Flow
Start Exercising And Eating Well
A good hormone-free alternative is to try to eat a healthy, balanced diet packed with lots of fruit and veg.
One British study, found exercise is also supposed to help lighten your menstrual flow, and it’s also useful for reducing water retention, bloating and cramps/
Obviously, no bloody experience is the same and exercise isn’t always realistic if you suffer from really heavy, painful periods. But if you can, working out every day might help.
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Temporary Reduction In Fertility
2016 study , this is common. Doctors believe hormone imbalances or structural abnormalities, like benign growths, cause this bleeding.
The study authors analyzed data from the menstrual cycle of 549 females to see whether there was a link between intermenstrual bleeding and infertility. They found that there was a connection people with intermenstrual bleeding were less likely to get pregnant during that menstrual cycle.
However, the bleeding did not affect their chances of becoming pregnant in future cycles. This means that if a person has infrequent intermenstrual bleeding, it likely does not affect their overall fertility. However, if a person frequently has this bleeding, they may want to contact a doctor, as there may be an underlying cause.