If you are looking for a ‘safe way to delay my menstrual period’, this article has valuable information that can help you to put off your period until a more convenient time. There are a few options to consider, depending on the time left before your next period starts.
If you do a web search for ‘a safe way to delay my menstrual period,’ you will find many of unsafe suggestions. Too much exercise, too few calories and major stress or anxiety can all delay your period, but they aren’t healthy. There are, however, a few safer alternatives to try if you want to postpone your monthly flow for a short amount of time, to keep your period from spoiling your special day.
Visit Your Gynecologist
Medications are the most common, and the safest, way to postpone your menstrual period. Your period is a result of various hormones, including estrogen, working in your body. To prevent menstruation for any length of time, you will need to alter those hormones, usually through taking other hormones. This will require a trip to your gynecologist. Your doctor may be hesitant to prescribe medication without a very good reason, due to possible side effects, but if your doctor agrees, you have two or three options to delay menstruation.
Contraceptives
One of the most common ways to delay your period is with the use of oral contraceptives. If you are already taking birth control pills, delaying your period is as easy as taking the medicated pills through the time of your period, skipping the inactive, or placebo, pills. Check with your gynecologist before skipping the “off” week; although most women will not have see any complications from this, there are some medical conditions that would make doubling up on your birth control pills inadvisable.
If you are not currently taking birth control pills, you still have options. If you know a month or more in advance that you need to delay your menstrual period, you have enough time to get on birth control pills. After the event, finish the cycle of pills you are on and then discontinue their use.
Other Medications
When some doctors are asked “What is a safe way to delay my menstrual period?”, not all of them turn immediately to traditional birth control, especially if you have only a few days before your period is due. Some medications, such as norethisterone, can delay menstruation after only three to four days. Although this is much stronger than regular birth control (it is also sometimes used to prevent pregnancy after unprotected intercourse), it is commonly used to postpone a woman’s menstruation.
This and similar medications can be used for a few days safely by most people, however there is a risk of thrombosis (blood clots) or, more commonly, nausea and vomiting. Also, norethisterone is not a form of birth control; if you plan on engaging in intercourse, have another form of contraception planned.
Options
If you were unable to get a prescription for medication to delay your menstrual cycle, there are still a couple other options. Even though it won’t prevent your period, a diaphragm, a small cup placed near your cervix before intercourse, can stop the flow from your period for a short amount of time. Tampons and feminine cups (which catch the flow and then are emptied and cleaned out when full) can also keep your period from interfering with your plans.
Pain relievers, such as Midol, can reduce cramps and bloating. Drink six to eight glasses of water to stay hydrated, take a multi-vitamin and eat nutritious meals to combat the fatigue associated with menstruation. If you can’t stop your period, you should at least make sure that your period is not able to put an end to your plans.
References
WellSpere: How Can I Delay My Period While On Holiday? From: https://stanford.wellsphere.com/women-s-health-article/how-can-i-delay-my-period-while-on-holiday/34411
Drugs.com: Norethindrone (Norethisterone). From: https://www.drugs.com/cons/norethindrone-norethisterone.html
MayoClinic: Delaying Your Period Through Oral Contraception. From: https://www.mayoclinic.com/health/womens-health/WO00069
