Maintaining A Healthy Weight
Fluctuating weight equally affects your periods as there is a high likelihood of your menstrual cycle being inconsistent. There are high chances of people with low body fat to miss their periods, while those who are obese are more likely to have heavier flows and irregular periods.
Overweight women have excess fat cells that are converted into estrogen and estrone. The excess estrogen that they produce causes menstrual disorders like going for months without ovulating. The failure to ovulate means that the uterine wall is still accumulating to the point where it is unstable thus causing very heavy bleeding. The heavy bleeding might last longer than usual.
Underweight women are equally susceptible to irregular periods. Being underweight means that the body does not have enough fat cells to convert into estrogen hence interfering with ovulation. As a result, underweight women might go for months without bleeding.
What Are Irregular Periods
Even though girls get their periods on a cycle, that cycle can take different amounts of time each month. For example, a girl might get her period after 24 days one month and after 42 days the next. These are called irregular periods.
Irregular periods are very common, especially in a girl’s first few years of getting her period.
How To Shorten Your Period
There are many ways that you can shorten your periods, and as you age you may notice that your periods naturally shorten in length.
If you want a short period you can try:
- Taking hormonal birth control these pills can help to regulate your cycle as well as shortening the amount of days your period lasts for.
- Having sex or masturbating this can help to reduce cramping and lighten your menstrual flow, as orgasms cause the uterine muscles to contract, helping to move blood out of your uterus.
- Not using tampons tampons can stop the internal flow of your menstrual blood which can make your period last longer. Try sanitary towels instead.
- Taking over the counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen can help to reduce period pains while lightening your menstrual flow.
- Exercising regularly – read our exercise guide for ideas.
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Reducing Or Stopping Your Period
Youve already had a rundown on birth control. Now its time to talk about menstrual suppression. Hormonal options may reduce menstrual bleeding or stop it completely.
This may be particularly important if youre living with bleeding disorders such asvon Willebrand disease and thrombocytopenia. Hormonal options are also a common intervention for those with uterine fibroids,endometriosis, or naturally heavy menstrual flows.
Heres what you need to know.
Is It Safe To Stop Periods Long Term
Certain forms of birth control cause periods to stop for months at a time.
Most doctors and health professionals consider it safe for a person to stop their period for one or more months by using birth control.
An older study found that using oral contraceptives continuously had no adverse long-term effects.
The only noted side effect from the study was mid-cycle bleeding or spotting, which faded or reduced over time.
Otherwise, people could choose to use oral contraceptives continuously to prevent their period for many months.
A 2014 study found similar results. Study participants experienced unwanted mid-cycle bleeding or spotting as a side effect of stopping a period.
The study found that stopping periods from occurring may have potential health benefits in certain populations, such as in people living with diabetes.
People should talk with their doctor about why they want to stop their period to determine the best method for them.
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Drink Plenty Of Water
Drinking a lot of water and other healthy fluids will help shorten your period as well as reduce discomforts, such as bloating and cramps. Water intake helps the fluids run faster through your body.
Also, drinking sufficient water improves the bodys metabolism and keeps you hydrated.
To help you figure out how much water you should be drinking, simply divide your current body weight by two. Thats how many ounces of water you should drink a day. For example, if you weigh 140 pounds, you should try to drink 70 ounces of water on a daily basis.
Drinking green tea, fresh fruit and vegetable juices, and coconut water are also good options to increase your fluid intake.
Stay away from caffeine, alcohol and carbonated drinks, which can be dehydrating and can cause menstrual problems.
Additional Tips
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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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Who Shouldnt Stop A Period
Girls under the age of 15 should not stop their periods as it is important to observe cycle characteristics such as cycle length, the quantity of blood, and associated symptoms in the first years of menstruation.
Observing the duration and symptoms of a girls cycle will help to evaluate and assess for any concerns related to the reproductive system.
Will Birth Control Make My Period Stop
if I get on birth control will i stop getting my period?
It depends on what kind of birth control you use and how you use it. In general, women who use the IUD, patch, pill, or ring will have menstrual periods every month. Women who take the shot may not have periods often or at all while they use the method. Some women use combined-hormone methods the pill and the vaginal ring to skip periods.
Combination pills, for example, usually come in 28-day packs and are taken without interruption. The first 21 pills in the pack are called active they contain hormones that prevent pregnancy. The last seven pills in the pack are called reminder pills. Theyre inactive placebos that do not contain hormones. Theyre taken during the fourth week to let a woman have her period and to help her keep the habit of taking a pill on a regular basis.
Some women choose to skip placebo pills and go right into the next pack to avoid having a period continuously or during certain events like their vacations, for example. They may still experience some spotting light bleeding when they do this.
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What Are Regular Periods
Most girls get their first period between the ages of 10 and 15, but some get it earlier and some later. The first period is known as menarche .
A girl’s monthly cycle is the number of days from the start of her period to the start of the next time she gets her period. You often hear this is a 28-day cycle. But 28 is just an average figure that doctors use. Cycle lengths vary some are 24 days, some are 34 days. And a girl may notice that her cycles are different lengths each month especially for the few years after she first starts getting her period.
Early in a girl’s cycle, her ovaries start preparing one egg. At the same time, the lining of the uterus becomes thick to prepare a nesting place for a fertilized egg in the event that the girl becomes pregnant.
About 2 weeks before a girl gets her period, the egg is released from the ovary . The egg travels through the fallopian tube into the uterus. If the egg isn’t fertilized by sperm, it starts to fall apart. Then the lining and egg leave a girl’s body as her period and the whole thing starts all over again that’s why we use the word “cycle.” The first day a girl’s period comes is Day 1 of her cycle.
It’s also normal for the number of days a girl has her period to vary. Sometimes a girl may bleed for 2 days, sometimes it may last a week. That’s because the level of hormones the body makes can be different from one cycle to the next, and this affects the amount and length of bleeding.
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.
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How Can I Stop Prolonged Periods Naturally
Heavy periods may be a sign of some underlying health condition. You must consult your doctor if you get prolonged or heavy periods or if there is a sudden increase in blood loss during your periods. Quite often, heavy and prolonged periods may be a result of nutritional deficiencies. There are a few home remedies for a heavy period. However, you should consult with your doctor before trying any of these remedies. Most of these remedies lack medical or scientific evidence. Some home remedies for managing prolonged periods include
Can You Stop Your Period Once Its Started
As for stopping a period once it starts, no ones worked out how to do this yet. But once you begin bleeding, if you start taking your combined contraceptive pills immediately this should make your period shorter and lighter . Taking over-the-counter painkillers according to dosage instructions will also reduce swelling of the uterine walls, which will in turn reduce bleeding and the pain that comes with it.
There are a few natural ways you can try too . These include regular exercise, which helps relax the uterine muscles to reduce period flow. Meanwhile, many women swear by herbal teas containing valerian root and chamomile, while raspberry and nettle leaf tea are also thought to slow down menstrual bleeding. Just remember to always consult a doctor before trying herbal methods.
In all cases, while its fine to delay your period on occasion, science has not yet worked out whether its safe to do so in the long-term. So dont put your health at risk its not worth it for the sake of a period.
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The Need For A Balanced Accurate Discussion Of What’s Normal And What’s Healthy
The National Women’s Health Network supports the availability of menstrual suppression products as an option for women. Our concerns about this method lie with the way these products are being marketed to women by manufacturers and health care providers.
Below are some examples of problematic marketing:
- One doctor brought to a media briefing by the makers of Seasonale asserted that using Seasonale could improve high school girls’ test scores because, she said, girls score lower on the SATs when they are menstruating, although she provided no evidence for this claim.
- Several physicians have referred to the experience of women in earlier eras who menstruated less than women today due to more frequent pregnancies and longer periods of amenorrhea associated with breastfeeding to support the claim that women weren’t intended to menstruate as much as they do today. One gynecologist who conducted research on menstrual suppression said “It’s having seven or 10 kids that are natural,” explaining that menstrual suppression “gets women to a more natural state.” It is accurate to say that women menstruate more today than they have at other times, but the assertion that monthly menstruation is unnatural is unfounded.
The NWHN calls for young women to have accurate, comprehensive information about menstrual health.
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.
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Slow Or Stop Your Flow
Can You Stop Your Period Once It Starts
Takeaway. Once a period has started, it is not possible to stop it. Some home methods may help reduce the amount of bleeding that occurs for a short time, but they will not stop the period altogether. People who are interested in preventing their period for medical or personal reasons should talk with their doctor.
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Skip Your Placebo Week Of Oral Contraceptives
Some types of birth control pills come with three weeks of active pills and one week of placebo pills. If you skip the week of placebo pills and start a new pack of active pills, instead, then the hormones in the active pills will prevent you from bleeding that week.
However, it’s important to note that if this is your first time skipping a placebo week you may experience some irregular bleeding or light spotting, says Ross.
After two to three months of skipping your placebo week, you should see little to no spotting. Therefore, Ross recommends planning several months ahead if you know your period will coincide with a big upcoming occasion.
Moreover, you can get birth control pills in packs that last 28 days, 90 days, and even 365 days. That’s right, you can go a year without your period while on the pill.
“Being able to stop your period completely is one of the most beneficial side effects associated with the pill and it’s completely safe,” says Ross.