How To Delay Your Period When You Have A Vacation Coming Up
You booked the airfare, the room, and the activities. You took time off from work, bought a great new swimsuit, and are all packed. Everything about your trip is all set, except for one tiny thing your body didnt get the memo and youre going to have your period while on vacation. So many unexpected setbacks can happen even on the most perfectly planned trip, so the last thing you want to do is have to worry about your period. Well, good news, female travelers! If youre using certain contraceptives, you can easily delay your period for a vacation and its doctor-approved.
No matter where your vacation takes you, having your period during it is a pain. If your vacation plans entail activities by the water like snorkeling, kayaking, or sitting poolside youll be much more comfortable in your swimsuit not having to worry about bleeding and cramps. Or if your vacation is more focused on cultural pursuits, who needs to be constantly searching for a bathroom and making sure you have the right amount of sanitary products as you sightsee? And take care knowing that according to obstetrician-gynecologist Dr. Pari Ghodsi, there is no harm if you do choose to use your birth control to skip a period during your trip.
As Dr. Ghodsi explains it, you can only skip your period when you are on a combined hormonal contraceptive, like birth control pills, the ring , or the patch .
/12this Is How You Can Delay Your Periods Naturally
Mother nature can come calling any time of the month, so it is always better that we keep a tab on our monthly cycles. But there are times when we have a special vacation coming up or some festival or maybe some other reason and your period is the last thing you would want to deal with! Periods can wreak havoc on our emotional state and we won’t even begin talking about the physical pain it puts us through! Period cramps and mood swings can ruin a very well planned week. So what can be done to avoid them from surprising us on our special days? Delay them. Yes, but taking pills to delay periods can later make them even worse because of the high hormonal dosage in them. So we thought of bringing to you the top 10 ways that can delay your period naturally. Please note, these remedies are to be followed at least a fortnight before your date for best results.
Why Its Not Possible To Stop A Period That Has Already Started
It isnt possible to stop a period that has already started because the shedding process in the lining of the uterus has already started due to low levels of estrogen and progesterone. Once these hormones decrease, the internal lining of the uterus sheds and leads to the bleeding that occurs during a period.
Recommended Reading: How To Calculate Due Date With Irregular Periods
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.
Stock Up On Tampons And Pads
The last thing you want to be doing on your vacation is running around shops looking for your favorite brand of tampons or pads. Make sure to stock up on your care products ahead of time and take enough to last you the whole trip, plus extra!
Also, many brands now sell pocket-sized travel tampons. Check out the click tampons from U by Kotex or Lolas 100% organic compact tampons. Not only are these tampons typically better for the environment because they dont use as much material, but they also take up less space in your suitcase.
Also Check: Cramps And Lower Back Pain No Period
Lets Face It Mother Nature Doesnt Always Have The Best Timing Whether Youre On Holiday Or At The Pool There Are Ways Of At Least Delaying Your Period
Realising that your period is going to inconveniently coincide with jetting off on your vacation or a swimming competition doesnt necessarily mean youre stuck with it. Once youve sussed out how to regulate your periods occasionally, you get a sense of control over the situation. Well also talk about how you can prevent those night time leaks when your period does come along.
How To Delay Menstruation For Holiday
You are planning your dream holiday. Hotel booked, bikini perfectly matched and then you suddenly realize that your period falls right when your holiday begins. Menstruation can effectively ruin your vacation,
particularly for those women who experience heavy menstrual bleeding and upsetting symptoms, such as stomachache, water retention, or headaches. If you expect your period during holiday, you do not have to wait idly until it comes and ruins your vacation. There are effective methods to delay menstruation which will not have negative effects on your health. Check how to delay menstruation for holiday.
Recommended Reading: What Happens When A Girl Gets Her First Period
Can You Stop Your Period Once Its Started
Can norethisterone stop a period once itâs started? Unfortunately, it is not possible to stop your period once it starts. This is because the shedding process of your uterus lining has already started due to a drop in progesterone levels. This leads to the bleeding that occurs during a period.
So, norethisterone cannot stop your period once it starts. Similarly, taking your combined contraceptive pills once you begin bleeding wonât stop your period once itâs started. In fact, there are no pills to stop menstruation immediately.
Beans Beans Are They Good For More Than Your Heart
Another alleged way to delay bleeding is by consuming gram lentils 24 hours before Aunt Flos scheduled arrival. While theres no scientific proof for this, these claims indicate that you should fry the lentils until theyre soft and crush them into a fine powder.
You can also purchase gram lentil flour and save yourself from the business of frying. The powder is meant to be consumed in a soup or a smoothie.
While eating lentil powder is perfectly safe, the gastrointestinal effects of the extra fiber may not be so flattering. You may experience extra flatulence, stomach distress, and bloating all for a so-called remedy that has zero science to support it.
Also Check: Very Early Signs Of Pregnancy Before Missed Period Bloating
Watermelon For The Win
Like cucumber, watermelon is believed by some to possess cooling properties that can keep bleeding at bay. As far as science is concerned, the jury is still out on this remedy.
However, there is evidence to support the diuretic effects of watermelon. So add watermelon to your menu if its bloating you want to escape rather than bleeding.
While science cant confirm the aforementioned natural remedies to put off your period, you can rely on good old Western medicine for proven results.
How To Stop Your Period For A Week
Women often want to stop their monthly period for a number of reasons. If this is something that you are thinking about doing, then you might be someone who wants to avoid the inconvenience of a heavy period on a special occasion such as an upcoming wedding. On the other hand, like some women, you might have certain medical conditions that cause you to have frequent and painful periods.
It is generally safe for most women to delay their period for a few weeks or days, but it is always best to seek professional medical advice beforehand. If you want some information before going to your doctor, then read on below as this article highlights some natural and medical tips on how to stop your period for a week.
Read Also: Can I Still Be Pregnant After My Period
Delaying Your Period If You’re On The Pill
If you’re taking the combined contraceptive pill, you should be able to take 2 packets back-to-back to delay your period . For more information, see the contraceptive pill and period delay.
You can delay your period in this way if you take most brands of the combined contraceptive pill, including Microgynon, Rigevidon, Cilest and Yasmin. However, some types of combined contraceptive pill contain a different mix of hormones in each pill . If you are taking a phasic pill brand you should consult with your doctor before attempting to delay your period.
If you take Cerazette, or another brand of the the mini pill , you will be taking a pill every day anyway, so there is no way to delay your period by skipping the 7-day break.
How does taking back-to-back packets delay my period?
You normally get your period when the lining of your womb sheds. The hormones in the combined contraceptive pill help to sustain the womb lining, and so taking back-to-back packets sustains it for longer.
Is it safe to take packets back-to-back?
Yes, this is common practice.
Can I take more than two packets back-to-back?
Yes, you can take up to three packets of the combined contraceptive pill back-to-back to delay your period for longer. However, this will cause the lining of your womb to build up extensively, and your chances of spotting or breakthrough bleeding increase. You will also be more likely to feel bloated.
Light To Moderate Exercise
Light to moderate exercise can help alleviate period cramps by causing the body to release natural pain-suppressing chemicals known as endorphins.
The Office on Womens Health suggest that exercise during menstruation may have many benefits, including reducing cramps. They add that doing light exercise, such as walking, will make a person feel much better during their period.
They also warn, however, that too much exercise can cause periods to stop. If this happens, talk with a doctor or another health professional, as this can lead to other health issues.
Also Check: How Do You Count Your Period Days
If Your Periods About To Get In The Way Of A Big Event Or Occasion Find Out What You Can Do To Help Delay It
Having a period can be annoying for some women, especially if theyve got something exciting around the corner such as a wedding, a long-haul flight to an exotic destination or a music festival. Its times like these when some women choose to delay their period for a short time.
What can I take to delay my period?
It’s possible to delay your period by taking a medicine that contains the synthetic hormone, norethisterone. Norethisterone is a prescription-only medicine available as a generic or as a branded medicine.
One of the branded versions of norethisterone is called Utovlan. You can access Utovlan through the Boots Period Delay Online Clinic* if youre aged between 16 and 54 and arent currently taking the contraceptive pill or any other form of hormonal contraception .
Youll need to have an online consultation and answer a few questions. One of our clinicians will review your answers and, if the medicines suitable for you, youll be able to choose from a range of delivery options.
If youre 55 or over, are still having your periods and want to delay them, speak to your GP. You should also speak to your GP if youre currently taking the contraceptive pill and are considering postponing your period.
How should I take Utovlan?
Be aware that Utovlan is not a contraceptive, so youll need to use some form of contraception, such as a condom.
Utovlan works better for some women in delaying periods than others.
How does Utovlan work?
Who is Utovlan suitable for?
Can Other Hormonal Methods Delay Your Period
So, the pill is the most effective way to safely delay your period, according to experts. But there are some other methods that may work, as well.
One of those methods, according to Dr. Kelly-Jones, is the vaginal ring . This hormonal contraception method is FDA approved for use through the same 21 days on, seven days off cycle as the pill. But Annovera has enough hormones to be left in for a full year without changing it, said Dr. Kelly-Jones. The NuvaRing, meanwhile, only has 28 days’ worth of hormones before it has to be replaced with a new one.
Keep in mind, though, this is not the FDA-approved use for these methods. “While it’s safe to do this, neither ring is FDA approved for this method,” said Dr. Kelly-Jones.
Along the same lines, the birth control patch could technically be used in this way, as well. “Similarly, you can also use the birth control patch continuously by using a new patch every week, and on week four, place a new patch on your body to skip your period,” said Dr. Horton. However, it’s a great idea to keep your healthcare provider in the loop if you plan to try any of these methodsnot only to get their go-ahead, but to make them aware of any changes happening in your body.
Recommended Reading: How To Stop Your Period Pain
Massage With Essential Oil
Simply massaging your abdominal muscles relaxes the uterine contractions. This may help divert blood away from the uterus. Doing this repeatedly may help stop your flow early and fast. This procedure will also help relieve some of the symptoms accompanying your period, such as cramps and bloating.
This is what you need to do:
- Mix some amounts of lavender oil and sage oil
- Into the mixture, add three some amount of warm almond oil
- Use the oil to massage the abdominal and pelvic area
- Do this twice or thrice to stop your period
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.
Read Also: Do You Get Cramps Before Your Period
Is It Safe To Stop My Period
The answer is not a simple yes or no because its too soon to tell. The drugs to stop a period have not been on the market long enough to observe long-term repercussions or side-effects.
Basically, you should not be messing with your bodys natural system. Ideally, you should leave it alone to do its job because it knows better than you do. However, it is understandable that you may feel like you have to stop your period to make life a little easier from time to time. But make sure that you know the risks involved.
On a practical front, once the effect of the medication wears off, your period will go back to its normal schedule. But there have been rare cases where this does not happen. So thats the first risk you will be taking.
Studies have shown that women who stop their periods for a long period of time are at a risk of lower fertility. This makes it either very difficult or downright impossible for them to have a baby. Women who did get pregnant were very likely to miscarry.
If you stop your period, you are also at a greater risk for developing osteoporosis later in life.
Make sure you stop your period only if you absolutely have to and only for as long as is necessary.
How To Delay Your Period
You can delay your period with certain forms of hormonal birth control. But that’s about all that will work.
Don’t be fooled into thinking home remedies like drinking apple cider vinegar or lemon juice every day will help. “None of these DIY home remedies will delay your period,” says Sherry Ross, MD, an OB-GYN with her own private practice.
Therefore, if you’ve just noticed that you have a big day coming up that happens to fall on the same day as your period, here are two forms of hormonal medication that may help you.
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How Can You Slow Down Your Cycle
How to stop your period with ibuprofen: Three Ibuprofen every six hours on a full stomach will help stop your period for one day without your period by reducing your flow about 50%. Stay under the maximum dosage for a day and dont take it every day. Ask your doctor before you start taking so much Ibuprofen to stop your period. There are other things you should know about taking Ibuprofen to stop your period, read Does Ibuprofen Stop Your Period?
The natural way: You wont be able to stop your period completely this way, but it will be very light. First, drink a lot of water, take a bath and drink a few more glasses of juice. Most importantly, eat healthy foods and exercise. Your body needs vitamins so eat a lot of fruit too. A secret tip is to eat green beans. All these ingredients will give you a very light period.
The party solution: Alcohol has been known to stop your period for a brief time like a few hours, but you cant drink every time you want to stop your menstrual cycle, so this method has very limited use.