Solutions for Delaying Your Period – How to Postpone Menstruation

The menstrual cycle prepares your body month after month for a possible pregnancy, and menstruation is a natural part of that process. Monthly bleeding occurs regularly, roughly every 21 to 35 days, and usually doesn't throw you off too much. It shouldn't get in the way of your daily activities either — especially not if you're using safe, healthy organic period products.

Even so, we know there are times when you'd love to simply put your cycle on pause: on holiday, at your own wedding, or during other important occasions when feeling irritable and dealing with cramps, bloating and bleeding is simply inconvenient.

Although it isn't advisable to interfere with nature's work and the regularity of menstruation, occasionally postponing your period is certainly possible. There are a few methods that are safe for your health and allow you to delay menstruation. Read on to find out what they are, which natural remedies women use and whether they actually work — and what risks you should be aware of.

Is it safe to postpone menstruation?

When the delay isn't deliberately brought about, a period that is repeatedly and unpredictably absent is considered irregular menstruation and may be a sign of a hormonal imbalance or other health problems. For women with cycle disorders, we have a separate article on solutions for regulating menstruation.

An occasional, time-limited and deliberately induced delay of menstruation, on the other hand, can be managed safely without putting your health at risk — particularly if you have a regular cycle.

In other words: if you occasionally use certain safe methods to postpone your period for a short while — say, before a long-awaited holiday or a sporting competition — this generally won't cause you problems later on. Even so, it's important to seek advice from a specialist.

Risks of postponing menstruation

On the other hand, postponing your period means interfering with the hormonal fluctuations your body normally goes through. It stands to reason that these changes come with certain risks. Possible risks of delaying menstruation include:

• Irregular bleeding or spotting
• Complications from fluctuations in oestrogen levels, such as high blood pressure or heart problems in people with cardiovascular disease
• Complications from fluctuations in progesterone levels, such as a decrease in bone density

How can you stop/postpone menstruation?

Once menstruation has begun, it can't be stopped — to date, there are no known methods for ending bleeding that has already started.

If you plan ahead, however, you can safely delay or skip your period — usually with the help of hormonal contraception.

The contraceptive pill

Postponing your period with the contraceptive pill is a safe method for women who already use this form of hormonal contraception. You can delay menstruation by starting the next blister pack immediately after finishing the previous one (in other words, skipping the seven-day break or the seven placebo pills).

It's important not to overuse this method, as it can cause hormonal disruption in the long run. You may also experience spotting or light bleeding after starting the new pack.

Orgametril

Orgametril is a medicine containing the active ingredient lynestrenol, a hormone similar to natural progesterone, used to treat certain cycle disorders such as dysmenorrhoea or menorrhagia. It can, however, also be an effective way to postpone menstruation if you start taking it two weeks before your period is actually due. To let the bleeding resume, you simply stop taking it.

Because it can have numerous side effects — including bloating, breast pain, migraine, fluid retention and hormonal disruption — Orgametril is available on prescription only. In addition, bleeding may initially be irregular after taking Orgametril.

Vitamin K 

Vitamin K doesn't stop menstruation, but it does help reduce bleeding and supports blood clotting. While you can't say that it postpones your period, it may reduce the amount of bleeding — especially in women with very heavy periods.

Always ask your doctor whether taking vitamin K is suitable for you and at what dose.

Are natural methods for postponing menstruation effective? 

Alongside the safe, tried-and-tested methods described above, women have over time also used other natural remedies to delay their period. Every body responds differently, and some methods may not work as well for you — not least because their effectiveness isn't scientifically proven.

Here are some of the most popular natural methods for postponing menstruation:

Apple cider vinegar 

There are no studies showing that apple cider vinegar delays menstruation. Some research does, however, point to an effect on the cycle in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). According to this, apple cider vinegar might trigger bleeding in patients whose cycle is irregular due to hormonal disturbances and fluctuations in blood sugar levels.

If you'd like to try this method, don't drink the vinegar neat — dilute it in water or another liquid. Bear in mind, too, that large amounts of apple cider vinegar taken frequently can damage tooth enamel and the delicate mucous membranes of the mouth and throat because of its acidity.

Lentils 

Some research suggests that lentils eaten in the days before your period starts can hold it off. This involves consuming lentils in soups or smoothies after roasting them and grinding them into a fine powder.

You can prepare them this way or simply buy lentil flour. Do note, though, that there are no studies confirming the effectiveness of this method, and that side effects may include bloating and flatulence due to the high fibre content of lentils.

Lemon juice 

Lemon juice also features on the list of foods said to hold off menstruation — although why or how it might work is unclear. Here, too, there are no studies to support these claims.

Like apple cider vinegar, lemon juice is acidic and should be diluted in other liquids such as water or tea to avoid irritating the gastrointestinal tract.

Valerian and chamomile tea

Valerian and chamomile tea can be used as a natural remedy for irregular menstruation, as they aid relaxation and reduce stress, which can trigger cycle disorders. Generally, though, this concerns the opposite effect — treating a late period — rather than delaying one.

Even so, there are no studies confirming their effect on the menstrual cycle. Research has been carried out into what happens when women drink such teas during their fertile window, but the results vary and aren't conclusive.

Raspberry leaf tea

Because raspberry leaves contain compounds that may influence uterine contractions, raspberry leaf tea is thought to ease period cramps while also helping to delay your period.

If you'd like to test how effective raspberry leaf tea is in this respect, boil 5 to 6 raspberry leaves in a cup of water and drink the tea for a week before your period is due to start.

Physical activity 

Women who take part in intense physical activity or excessive training — particularly shortly before their period is due — sometimes find that their menstruation is delayed, becomes irregular or stops altogether. This is down to exhaustion and very low energy levels, when the body no longer has sufficient reserves to recover and maintain the cycle.

However, there's no research or evidence to suggest that this would be an effective way to postpone menstruation in a controlled manner. A delay caused by intense exercise is more of an uncontrolled, unpredictable consequence that often goes hand in hand with hormonal disruption or other health problems.

Frequently asked questions about postponing menstruation 

If you'd like to know more about how to delay your period or how safe the methods described above are, do read the information in this section. We've answered the most common questions on these topics:

Can I postpone my period without medication?

There are a few natural remedies said to help delay menstruation. These include apple cider vinegar, lentils, lemon juice, gelatine and raspberry leaf tea. Their effectiveness isn't scientifically proven, however, so you can't be sure that any of these methods will actually hold off your period.

Is it dangerous to skip menstruation altogether?

Postponing your period for a short time with the contraceptive pill or other hormonal methods recommended by your doctor is generally safe and poses no health risk.

If, however, you try to skip your period over the long term or misuse contraceptives for this purpose, side effects such as hormonal disruption, reduced bone density, high blood pressure or heart problems may occur. It's best to plan any such delays together with your doctor and follow their advice.

Can stress delay menstruation?

Yes, stress can be one of the causes of a late period. How it affects your cycle is unpredictable and can't be controlled, though. Deliberately putting yourself in stressful situations is therefore not an effective or reliable way to postpone menstruation.

Can coffee delay menstruation?

Most studies on the influence of caffeine consumption on the menstrual cycle have found no link with significant cycle disorders. There is, however, some research suggesting that regularly consumed caffeine may be a risk factor both for heavy or prolonged bleeding and for very light or infrequent bleeding.

How long can I postpone my period?

How long you can delay your period depends on the method used and how long you take it for. With the contraceptive pill, you can safely postpone menstruation by 7 to 14 days. There are also medicines that make a delay of up to 17 days possible. It's best to seek advice from your doctor or pharmacist to get reliable information.

How often can I postpone my period?

Every body is different, and your doctor is best placed to judge how often you can postpone your period without it affecting your fertility or your health.

It's safe to delay menstruation once when an important event is coming up. In general, however, it's recommended that you let your cycle run its natural course. Bear in mind that overusing methods to postpone your period can cause cycle disorders and hormonal imbalances.