Health

Everything You Need To Know About Period Delay Tablets

Niyati Budhiraja | Jun 13, 2019

You’re all set for your vacation, you’ve planned an outfit for each day, you’re updating your Facebook status but just before the flight is about to take off, you get your period. Can anything be more frustrating? Don’t we hope that our periods sense that we’re in vacay mode and postpone themselves for another ten days or so?

Is It Safe To Delay Periods?
All The Reasons Women Take Tablets To Delay Periods
All You Need To Know About Period Delay Tablets
What’s In A Period Delay Tablet?
Ways To Delay Periods Naturally
How To Reduce The Bleeding During Periods?
Side Effects Of Period Delay Pills
FAQ’s

While we all know that periods are a healthy and normal part of being a woman, there are occasions when you desperately hope that it wouldn’t arrive as due. But have you ever wondered if you can delay them?

Yes, it is possible to postpone your period. This can happen with the help of some natural remedies and of course, period delay tablet which is a medicine to delay periods.

How To Stop Period Flow For Wedding

Is It Safe To Delay Periods?

Trying to stop, skip or delay anything that is natural is going against nature but not necessarily harmful. But if someone overdoes popping of pills, they can affect their body.

Every woman has a different system. Many have irregular periods all the time and some only have such a situation when they’re pregnant or breastfeeding. While it is unnatural to stop your period completely, combined contraceptive pills can help delay it. Combined contraceptive pills are the ones that help delay the period and avoid unwanted pregnancy. The combined oral contraceptive pill is usually taken for 21 days followed by a seven-day ‘pill-free’ time, during which you will experience a bleed. These were designed by doctors in an attempt to replicate a woman’s natural cycle, which is why there is a seven-day break for a bleed to occur. You can take these pills back to back but it is recommended by the doctors that you must have 2-3 bleeds a year to allow your womb lining to shed.

Dr Uma Vaidyanathan, Consultant Gynaecologist and Unit Head at Max Hospital, New Delhi, says that a one-time use of period delaying pills is perfectly fine. However, one should not make it a habit of using these pills quite often as these pills suppress the natural hormonal cycle of the body. One should use it until their purpose is served and get back to their routine as early as possible.

Also Read: About PCOD Problem, Symptoms, Causes & Treatment In Marathi

All The Reasons Women Take Tablets To Delay Periods

Nothing should stop you from achieving your goals. Periods are a natural occurrence and they signify a healthy body. So, don’t hold yourself back because of them – you can do anything when you’re on your period (even have sex). However, if you are in a tricky situation that can be made easier by delaying your period, consult your doctor and find out the options.

You may have your own reasons, but the best solution is to try to plan the important events in your life around it if you feel disconcerted about your menstruation cycle. These are some of the situations when women think about delaying their period.

Also Read About The Best Period Protection You Should Go For

Right Before A Vacation

Who wants to be worrying about their tampon sticking out when they’re out their sunbathing? Women hate to be on their period while they are on a vacation. It spoils the fun, doesn’t it?

Also Read: Best Exercises During Periods

To Avoid Discomfort During A Family Wedding

Weddings are a big deal in India. There’s so much work right from shopping to getting all dressed up. Periods can kill all that excitement. You don’t want to worry about staining your designer lehenga, right?

To Be Unstoppable At A Sports Event

It is true that you can play sports with comfort on your period and many do, but some women hate to be perturbed about their heavy flow if they have a big tournament coming up or they have to participate in a marathon.

Also Read: How to Regulate Your Periods

For A Smooth Date With Your Long Distance Love

Long distance relationships are hard to deal with as it is, we would never want periods to add to our plight. If your long distance lover is paying you a visit after months, you wouldn’t want periods to ruin your date night.

All You Need To Know About Period Delay Tablets

What Are They?

As the name suggests, the tablets are used for delaying periods, for reasons such as not wanting their period to come on important occasions, or during vacations. They are effective in delaying periods for up to 17 days.

Also Read: Cute Period Texts for Girlfriend

How Do They Work?

Period delay tablets contain Norethisterone that belongs to the group of medicines called progestogens. Norethisterone is a man-made version of progesterone, a female sex hormone. It keeps your natural progesterone levels up artificially which helps stop the lining of your womb from shedding and delays your period.

What Are Different Types Of Period Delaying Pills?

Phasic pills

These contain two or three sections of different coloured pills in a pack. Each section contains a different amount of hormones. One pill is taken each day for 21 days and then no pills are taken for the next seven days. Phasic pills need to be taken in the right order.

Mini-pills

The progestin-only or mini-pills contain the only norethindrone. When you finish one pack of progestin-only pills, you start another pack the next day.

How Are They Different From Birth Control Pills?

Most people often get confused between the two and think that they have the same purpose. But contrary to popular belief, the functions of both the pills are very different.

Birth control pills do have a dual function, they delay your period and also stop fertilization which means you cannot get pregnant if you take them. But period delay tablets only delay your period for 17 days and do not provide any form of birth control. They are not contraceptive pills.

How And When Should You Take The Pills?

You must talk to your doctor and get advice about how to take them.

It is recommended that you take your first pill three days before the expected start of your period, and it is common to take one pill three times a day around the same time. These pills are heavy and you must never overdose. If you’ve taken a pill in the morning and forget to take the second one in the afternoon, skip it. Take one during the night. Never take two doses together.

What Happens When You Stop Taking The Pills?

Your body takes some time to readjust its hormone levels back to normal after you stop taking the pills. Hence, you may get your period 3 to 4 days after you stop. Since everyone’s body has different biology, this duration of time may differ from person to person. Just in case you don’t get your period for more than one week of stopping the pills, you should take a natural pregnancy test or visit the doctor to rule out that possibility.

How Effective Are These Pills? Are These Safe?

In most cases, these pills have been found to delay your period as per your will without any complications. No cases have been reported on the inefficiency of period delaying pills. But you must read about the side effects of these pills and always consult your gynecologist before taking these pills to know when to stop taking these pills to avoid complications.

Where Can You Buy These Tablets?

Most of the pills are prescription-only pills and aren’t available over the counter. You should consult a doctor and then get these pills from the pharmacy.

What’s In A Period Delay Tablet?

Period delaying pills contain the hormone progesterone, which when taken around three to four days prior to your expected date helps in postponing the periods. These tablets keep progesterone levels artificially high, hence delaying your period.

Things You Should Consider Before Taking A Period Delay Tablet?

1. Delaying your period every now and again using progesterone tablets is quite safe. However, if you do it too often, you may find that you get some unpredictable and erratic bleeding.

2. Period delay tablets work well for some women, but there can be side-effects. So, it may be worth trying it out during a not so important week first to check how it’ll affect you.

3. Postponing your period, again and again, is harmful to the body. Try to avoid postponing your period unless and until it is very urgent.

4. Don’t buy pills online without a prescription. Don’t assume something that works for your friends will work for you, and make sure you get help from a health expert when you plan to put off your period.

Ways To Delay Periods Naturally

It is not a great idea to pop pills every time you need to delay your period. The continuous popping of pills can lead to a hormonal imbalance in the body and disrupt your menstrual cycle immensely. However, there are some ways you can postpone your period without any medications. Again, you should only do this if there is an emergency and not make it a practice. Let your body be healthy and let it go through its natural processes. Here are some home remedies that can help you delay your period naturally.

Apple Cider Vinegar

We know about the various benefits of apple cider vinegar. It helps to get rid of dandruff, reduces weight and also helps diabetic patients. Moreover, it works wonders for someone trying to delay their upcoming period. It can not only postpone your dates but can decrease the symptoms and blood flow once you go through the menstrual phase post delay. Take about 5 ml of apple cider vinegar and mix it with 150 ml of water. Drink this mixture thrice a day for about a week. This can help delay your period for almost ten days.

Mustard Seeds

Mustard seeds have proven to be a great remedy for irregular periods as well as infertility. But it’s important to know that mustard seeds must always be consumed with another ingredient. One healthful concoction of olive oil and honey fermented mustard seeds can help delay your period. You can try them with milk too. Mix two teaspoons of mustard seeds powder in a glass of warm milk. Drink this 5 to 6 days before your menstrual cycle.

Gram Lentils

Gram lentil is one of the traditional methods to delay period naturally. High in minerals, potassium and fiber, lentils disrupt the menstruation and are an effective remedy to fix other period related problems. In order for this to work, grind the lentils until you have them in a powder form. Take three cups of water and boil it. Add the lentil powder to the water and stir it thoroughly to avoid lumps. This soup needs to be consumed preferably in the morning on empty stomach for about a week before your expected date.

Cucumber

Cold foods are said to delay periods. Cucumber’s cooling effects can help you postpone it if you have some important event coming up. In order for cucumber to delay your period, make sure to consume it for about a week before your dates. You’ll notice that it has pushed your date a little.

Gelatin

Gelatin is known for its quick relief. It slows down the entire process of menstruation hence suspending your periods for some time. This can delay your period from five hours to one entire week. Add one packet of gelatin to a glass of warm water. Keep it for 5 minutes and then drink it. Drink 3 cups of this mixture daily around two times a day for a week.

Watermelon

Don’t we all love watermelon anyway? It is the best way to beat the heat in summers, isn’t it? But did you know that having watermelon before your menstruation cycle can help delay it? The cooling effects of watermelon control the generation of excess heat in the body. Start consuming a good amount of watermelon a few days before your period for best results.

Papaya

Papaya is one great remedy to bring changes in the uterine blood flow. The carotene present in the fruit stimulates and triggers the estrogen level of hormones in your body. This is also the reason why pregnant ladies are asked to avoid papayas. But you can have it as you require to push your period date further.

Lime Juice

Loaded with acidic properties and vitamins, lemon is a good source of citric acid that can have a great impact on delaying your period cycle. Not only just lemon postpone your period, but also makes the flow lighter. And that’s not all, it also soothes body ache that we have during periods. Take 100 ml of water and mix the juices of 3 lemons to it. Drink this lemonade thrice a day to postpone period naturally. Start drinking this lemon juice 3 days before your presumed chumming date.

Parsley Leaves

Parley herbs are known to balance hormones in the body. Rich in vitamin B12, K, A and C, parsley leaves help to postpone your period too. Take a few parsley leaves and three cups of water. Boil the leaves in water until the water evaporates enough. Cool it and consume it around twice a day in order to achieve late periods.

Raspberry Leaves

Raspberry is the perfect summer fruit. It adds the perfect flavour to our ice creams, cakes and even yoghurts. But did you know that its leaves help you to delay your period for a few days? Take 5-6 sun-dried raspberry leaves and prepare tea from it. Start drinking this a week before your menstrual date.

French Beans

It is observed that women who eat a lot of French beans tend to have lighter bleeding during their period and also this helps postpone it for a few days. Boil a cup of french beans in 100 ml water for 3-4 minutes. Strain the solution and add lemon juice to the water. Taking this solution 5 days before your menstrual date can give you effective results.

Cinnamon

Cinnamon is known to have astringent properties that offer a relaxing effect on your body. Take 1 cup of water in a saucepan and add the cinnamon stick to it. Steep it in low heat for 15 minutes. Strain this cinnamon tea and drink. Use this cinnamon tea a few days before your period to postpone it naturally.

Chia Seeds

Chia seeds are loaded with antioxidants, high in quality protein, fibre and protein content. They have many health benefits. Apart from that, it is helpful to postpone your periods naturally. Soak overnight one tbsp of chia seeds in a bowl of water. Drink this water in the morning on an empty stomach. Start drinking this solution 6-7 days before your actual period date.

Exercises

Sometimes, periods arrive early because of stress. If you relieve that stress, not only can you delay your period but also make your flow lighter. Rigorous working out sessions has been proven to push your periods for a few days. Go for high-intensity exercises like uphill cycling, aerobics, swimming and stretching exercises.

Avoid Spicy Food

Many people are addicted to spicy food. But it’s not good for women when it comes to periods. Spicy food triggers an early period. So in this scenario, avoiding spicy food can help you to push back your expected period date for some more days.

Drink Lots of Water

Water hydrates your body, makes your skin glow, keeps you healthy and much more. Many don’t know that drinking a lot of water may help you to push your period date for a few days. Even if you are not successful after drinking a lot of water, it will help to make your period lighter.

How To Reduce The Bleeding During Periods?

Flexible Menstrual Cup

Using a flexible menstrual cup, a small plastic cup that sits inside your vagina and acts as a barrier, collecting the products of your period can help reduce the amount of bleeding.

Medication

It is possible to reduce the amount of blood lost during a period by using medication such as ibuprofen and tranexamic acid.

Side Effects Of Period Delay Pills

While period delay pills are safe to take, every woman’s body is different. It can suit some women and some can face problems. There are many common side effects of taking these tablets. Some are listed below.

1. Rashes on the body

2. Dizziness

3. Headaches

4. Fluid retention

5. Hormone imbalances

6. Jaundice

7. Weight gain

8. Bloating

9. Breast tenderness

10. Acne

11. Nausea

12. Disturbances in mood and sex drive

13. Asthma

14. High blood pressure

15. Migraines

16. Heavier flow when on pill-free week

FAQ’s

Question 1: Which is the tablet to postpone periods?

Norethisterone 5mg can be taken three times daily to delay periods. However, it is always advised to consult a doctor before taking these tablets to avoid any side effects that might happen to you.

Question 2: When should you consult a gynaecologist regarding delaying your periods?

Ten days before your periods and if after stopping these pills you don’t get your periods in 3-4 days.

Question 3: Do period delay tablets always work?

It depends upon person to person so there is no definite guarantee for this. However, your gynaecologist can tell you the reasons clearly according to your case.

Question 4: Can taking a bath stop your period?

Periods doesn’t stop after taking a bath. However, while taking a bath or swimming the blood may not flow outside the vagina because of the counter pressure of water.