Fyi: You Definitely Dont Want To Play Around With Progestin
The progestin-only birth control pill doesnt contain estrogen so it really relies on progestin to thicken cervical mucus and thin the uterine lining to prevent pregnancy, according to the Mayo Clinic.
There are two reasons why you shouldnt try to work this period magic with the minipill. First, the minipill comes with 28 active days and no placebos. That means theres not even a placebo week for you to take earlier than scheduled to make your period arrive. Second, since the minipill doesnt have estrogen and also contains a lower dose of progestin than combined pills, you have to be really on top of taking your pills at the same time every day if you want your best odds of avoiding pregnancy, the Mayo Clinic says. That means you definitely shouldnt skip a week just to try to get your period earlieryoud be putting yourself at a huge risk of unintended pregnancy.
What Is The Safest Way To Shorten Your Period
If you’re still interested in hearing about ways to shorten your period safely and are open to learning about hormonal contraceptive methods, Bara suggests reaching out to your doctor. “The only healthy and safe way to shorten the length of menstruation is before it begins and using hormonal contraceptive methods,” she says.
“Hormonal birth control pills won’t only help prevent or delay your period, but lighten it, too,” Bara continues. “If it’s safe for you to use hormonal contraceptives, there are pills that give the option of a two-day period, four-day period, seven-day period, or having it every three months.”
If you’re considering using birth control and want to change the duration or intensity of your period, Bara recommends consulting a licensed health practitioner or a digital health provider like Favor, who can provide insights on how to effectively and safely delay or lighten menstruation.
Bara adds that long-term reversible contraception, like the Mirena IUD or Nexplanon, can also result in a lighter period. In other words, you have tons of options should you choose this path. At the very least, you can always schedule a consultation with a healthcare provider who can offer more insight and literature before making any decisions.
Expert Source:
Jess Bara, a family nurse practitioner, FNP-C
Ask Your Doctor About Hormonal Medication
If you’re not on hormonal birth control, you may be able to delay your period with hormonal medication containing norethindrone, which is a form of the hormone progesterone, the same active ingredient in hormonal birth control.
You need to start taking this medication a few days before the start of your period for it to delay your period. Note that you will probably get your period within a day or two of stopping it.
A small 2019 study found that people who took norethindrone to delay their period were less likely to experience irregular bleeding than those who tried to delay it with birth control pills. However, the study also found that those who took norethindrone were more likely to gain weight.
Visit your doctor for a prescription and check whether this option is suitable for you.
Don’t Miss: When Is It Considered A Missed Period
Before You Cut Off Your Period Follow These Recommendations
It is important to note that interrupting this process goes against nature. Women must expel the blood from ovulation every month, so stopping menstruation immediately is not a healthy procedure.
The truth is that you should only use methods to occasionally stop or reduce the heavy flow of menstruation. You should not abuse these methods.
These methods below should only be used in specific cases and very limited times. You should never use them too much because they could cause long-term health problems.
If your menstruation has come early, we discover the causes of early menstruation in this other article.
How To Make Your Period Go Away
wikiHow is a wiki, similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. To create this article, 17 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time.There are 15 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been viewed 1,403,014 times.Learn more…
Periods are your body’s way of showing you that your reproductive system is working properly, and not getting your period at all is usually a sign of illness or an unhealthy lifestyle. However, there are ways to make a normal, healthy period last a shorter amount of time. To make your period go away faster, you can use heat, exercise, and other habits that speed the flow of blood while also changing your diet to keep yourself hydrated and maximize your vitamin C intake. Certain medications, like birth control, can also change your cycle and shorten your period long-term.
Also Check: How To Remove Period Stains From Jeans
How To Delay Your Period To Have Sex
For those who want to know how to stop your period to have sex, there are a number of ways that have been tried for quite some time and are supposed to delay your period by a couple of days so that you can engage in sexual activities without the hassle of having your period. One such way is by taking 800-1000 mg of ibuprofen continuously every four to six hours, as long as you start taking it at least a day in advance of the arrival date of your period. Another option is by eating plenty of lemons, again one day in advance. However, these options are not actually proven to help delay your period, but are just rumored to help. There are some other, more helpful ways of delaying your period that are commonly used, although they are not absolutely guaranteed to affect all women the same. These methods include:
1. Take the Contraceptive Pill
Some contraceptive pills can really help a lot, you can ask a doctor for how to take them correctly.
2. Ask for Norethisterone Tablets
If you are not taking a contraceptive pill and you want to know how to stop your period to have sex, ask your doctor for the norethisterone, which can delay your period. Normally, you will have three norethisterone tablets per day three days before the start of your period. Your period should then start three days after you stop taking the tablets.
3. Try a Softcup
Also Check: Can You Go Swimming On Your Period With A Pad
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:
Also Check: Why Period Comes 3 Times A Month
How Long Is A Typical Period
Slow Or Stop Your Flow
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Can Exercise Shorten Your Period
Getting regular exercise can have an impact on the length of our period. By staying fit and keeping active you might be able to shorten your periods as well as lightening your flow. Also during your period exercise is a great way to relieve any pain that you may be experiencing, as the body releases its natural painkillers- endorphins.
By doing exercising that stretches your muscles such as yoga, you can help to loosen the muscles in your abdomen, back and thighs which may help to make you feel better while youre on your period.
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.
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What Tests Are Needed Before Starting Menstrual Suppression
There are usually no tests needed before starting menstrual suppression. Your doctor will take a careful medical and gynecologic history before recommending or prescribing treatment. A pelvic exam is not needed before starting menstrual suppression.
Menstrual suppression takes time to regulate and stop menstrual bleeding. Unexpected bleeding is most common in the first three months but can continue for longer. At Childrens Hospital Colorado, we will continue to work with you until you are satisfied with your treatment.
How Do I Skip My Period With The Xulane Patch
If youre using Xulane, you can choose to skip a period or stop having periods altogether while youre on the patch. Skipping your period with the Xulane patch is just as effective at preventing pregnancy, and its safe and super easy.
Just start a new pack of patches on week 4, instead of having a patch-free week on week 4. So keep changing your patch every week, and make sure youre always wearing a patch. Thats it!
You may have some bleeding or spotting for the first 6 months when you use the patch to skip your period. Its totally normal and should go away eventually.
Theres nothing dangerous or harmful about using the patch to stop or skip your period. And it comes in really handy if you want a special occasion to be period-free. If you stop using the patch, your period will go back to the way it was before you started using it.
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Try Ibuprofen Or Aleve
If your period has already started, taking Ibuprofen or Aleve can help relieve menstrual cramps and reduce your flow by 20% to 40%.
While these medicines aren’t exactly natural, they work by inhibiting the production of prostaglandins, which are inflammatory compounds that trigger contractions in your uterus.
If you’d like to try this method, you may want to start right before your period begins. A high dose of about 800 milligrams, every six hours could help delay your period.
Keep in mind that there could be negative effects. Always consult with a physician before trying a new dose of medication.
What Home Remedies Should You Be Wary Of
A simple internet search will prove there is no shortage of self-professed remedies for making your period end faster naturally but that doesn’t mean they actually work. You may notice a relief in PMS symptoms like abdominal cramping, but a decrease in blood flow? Not likely. While there are myths that remedies like drinking lemon juice or drinking salt water are all ways to shorten menstruation or lessen your flow, these aren’t scientifically-proven facts, Bara reiterates. In addition to the home remedies stated above, here are misconceptions to be wary of:
- Drinking pineapple juice
- Consuming gelatin
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Tmrw X Todayits Time To Take The Stigma Out Of Menstruation Heres How To Start
The Georgia-based esthetician and makeup artist stumbled across the video on social media and initially thought the trend was funny. Although Jiménez never drank the shot to delay her period, she felt like she had been doing that whole life since the flavor combination wasnt new to her.
Jiménez said, I think a lot of Latinas related to too. We put lemon, salt and chili powder on everything, but usually mix it in with other foods like popcorn or fruit. I do have a friend who does all the time because she loves acidic foods.
The origins of the menstruation trick are still unknown and are not tied to a certain region or belief system. According to Dallas-based gynecologist Dr. Jessica Shepherd, the trend is likely rooted in widespread cultural beliefs that promote natural remedies such as mint tea, chamomile tea, Epsom salts and more.
With over 15 years in practice, Shepherd warns that there is no substantial evidence that lemon juice will impact how hormones trigger your uterus to shed your endometrial lining.
Also Check: Period Blood Stains On Sheets
How To End Your Period
This article was co-authored by Rebecca Levy-Gantt, MPT, DO. Dr. Rebecca Levy-Gantt is a board certified Obstetrician and Gynecologist running a private practice based in Napa, California. Dr. Levy-Gantt specializes in menopause, peri-menopause and hormonal management, including bio-Identical and compounded hormone treatments and alternative treatments. She is also a Nationally Certified Menopause Practitioner and is on the national listing of physicians who specialize in menopausal management. She received a Masters of Physical Therapy from Boston University and a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from the New York College of Osteopathic Medicine.There are 14 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been viewed 668,908 times.
If youre like most people who get periods, you may have thought about trying to stop or delay your period from time to time. Maybe you have a vacation coming up, or your period is just happening at an inconvenient time. You can try a few home treatments to attempt to stop your period. However, using birth control is a more effective way to control your periods. If youre having excessively heavy or long periods, its important to talk to your doctor about the issue, as they may be able to offer relief.
Recommended Reading: Can A Woman Have A Period While Pregnant
Warm Bath And Coverings
One of the most popular methods of mild acceleration of the menstrual cycle. Not only that can relax you and applies part of PMS symptoms, but also, the heat relaxes the abdominal muscles, and thus stimulates the blood flow from the uterus. In the same way, act a warm compress, which is applied to a stomach region.
When Do Periods Stop
Your periods will continue until you reach the menopause, which usually happens when you are in your late 40s to mid-50s. In the UK the average age of menopause is 51.
Your periods may start to become less frequent over a few months or years before stopping altogether. In some cases they can stop suddenly.
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Is It Safe To Reduce Or Stop Periods
According to the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, a common side effect of hormonal birth control is amenorrhea, which is when your period disappears for months at a time. Missing periods is common when youre using hormonal contraceptives.
Theres no science to support claims that skipping periods is dangerous to you or your reproductive health. But if you start skipping periods, talk to your doctor just to make sure everything is still hunky-dory.
Keep in mind, there are some risks to hormonal methods. According to the American Cancer Society, women whove used hormonal birth control methods are slightly more inclined to get breast cancer and five times more likely to get cervical cancer.
Longer usage increases the risk. But the American Cancer Society also notes, hormonal methods can reduce your risk of endometrial cancer, cervical cancer, and colon cancer.
As with anything, family history and other factors play a part. Talk to your doctor about risk factors before starting your treatment of choice.