Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsBirth Control Pills With NorethisteroneCombination Birth Control Pill Schedule ChangesProgesterone-Only PillsNon-Pill Hormonal Birth ControlsNatural OptionsReasons to Delay Your PeriodWhat’s Safe?
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Birth Control Pills With Norethisterone
Combination Birth Control Pill Schedule Changes
Progesterone-Only Pills
Non-Pill Hormonal Birth Controls
Natural Options
Reasons to Delay Your Period
What’s Safe?
It’s possible to delay yourperiodfor a few days, or weeks, or indefinitely. Methods vary based on how long you want to delay your period, along with other factors.
This article provides various ways to delay your period through medication and natural options, along with how to pick the best option for you.
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Take Birth Control Pills With Norethisterone
Norethisteronewas first derived in the 1950s to treatendometriosis painand menstrual irregularities. In the 1960s, it began being used in oral contraceptives.
To delay your period, you may opt for birth control pills containing norethisterone (norethindrone), a synthetic form of progestin that mimics the body’s naturally occurringprogesterone.If you prefer not to take birth control pills regularly, taking norethisterone alone to delay your period for an event is possible.
Does It Impact Fertility?
A healthcare provider can prescribe norethindrone acetate pills short-term for the specific purpose of delaying your period. It is usually prescribed on or before day 12 of your cycle, in doses of 5 milligrams (mg), three times daily.
Compared to oral contraceptives, norethindrone acetate is less likely to causebreakthrough bleeding.It does not have contraceptive (birth control) benefits when taken in this short-term format, meaning it does not impact your fertility.
Speak to a healthcare provider about norethisterone for delaying your period. Be sure to discuss additional side effects, including more weight gain and a heavier withdrawal bleed than oral contraceptives.
Period vs. Breakthrough BleedingBreakthrough bleeding is bleeding that occurs outside your menstrual period. It is often lighter and for a shorter time than your usual period. Oral contraceptives (particularly changing, starting, or stopping) commonly cause breakthrough bleeding.
Period vs. Breakthrough Bleeding
Breakthrough bleeding is bleeding that occurs outside your menstrual period. It is often lighter and for a shorter time than your usual period. Oral contraceptives (particularly changing, starting, or stopping) commonly cause breakthrough bleeding.
Change Your Combination Birth Control Pill Schedule
A common way to delay your period if you already takecombination birth control pillsis to change the frequency and order with which you take your pills.
To delay your period, skip any placebo or “reminder” pills and continue to your next hormone-containing pill. For example, if you have a packet of 28 capsules, you would likely go straight from day 21 to day 1 of the next pack.
Skipping your period with the pillis generally safe, but speak to the prescribing healthcare provider if you plan to do this.
Continuous Use vs. Extended Use Birth ControlContinuous cycle birth control pillsare designed to be taken continuously and indefinitely, without any hormone break, resulting in either no or fewer periods.Extended-use birth control pills are taken for two or more cycles until a planned break, during which you would likely experience a period due to not ingesting hormones anymore.
Continuous Use vs. Extended Use Birth Control
Continuous cycle birth control pillsare designed to be taken continuously and indefinitely, without any hormone break, resulting in either no or fewer periods.Extended-use birth control pills are taken for two or more cycles until a planned break, during which you would likely experience a period due to not ingesting hormones anymore.
Continuous cycle birth control pillsare designed to be taken continuously and indefinitely, without any hormone break, resulting in either no or fewer periods.
Extended-use birth control pills are taken for two or more cycles until a planned break, during which you would likely experience a period due to not ingesting hormones anymore.
Consider Progesterone-Only Pills
Unlike combination birth control,progesterone-only pillsdo not contain estrogen. As a result, changes in bleeding are the most common side effects of this type of birth control.
People taking progesterone-only pills typically have less or no bleeding.
You will need to take the pill every day, at the same time, to delay your period.Stopping the medication will likely result in withdrawal bleeding.
Explore Non-Pill Hormonal Birth Controls
Other types of hormonal birth control can also delay your period. Keep in mind that results aren’t guaranteed and differ from person to person.
Hormonal Intrauterine Device (IUD)
Intrauterine devices(IUDs) are a type of birth controlinsertedinto the uterus and are effective for up to ten years.
Hormonal IUDs releaselevonorgestrel, which thickens cervical mucus and prevents sperm from entering the uterus. It can also thin the uterus lining, leading to lighter and less frequent periods.
Intrauterine device (IUD)
About 20% of people stop having a period entirely after one year of using the Mirena IUD, and about 12% after one year of using the Kyleena IUD.
Vaginal Ring
You can continuously use the Nuvaring (thecombined intravaginal contraceptive ring) to suppress periods. This is because the ring releases hormones that prevent the endometrium (uterine lining) from building up.
To stop your period, replace the ring every four weeks with no hormone-free days. Most (89%) of people using a vaginal ring for over six months have minimal bleeding.
Injections
Depo-Provera(Depo shot or DMPA) is a type of injectable birth control typically administered every three months. The most common side effect of Depo-Provera is irregular or lighter periods. About 55% have no periods after one year of use, and 68% after two years.
Implant
Nexplanonis a progestin-only contraceptive implant inserted into the arm and effective for three years. About 33.6% of people experience infrequent bleeding, and 22.2% experience no periods when on the implant.
However, some people bleed more frequently or even constantly with the implant. Ultimately, the implant has unpredictable bleeding effects that may or may not result in a delayed period.
How to Delay Your Period Naturally
You may be wondering how to delay your period naturally, without pills. No scientific evidence supports any natural method of delaying or stopping your period.
Some natural methods that you might have heard about include:
There are legitimate reasons to want to delay your period (orget your period sooner).
Between period-related symptoms (like bloating, cramps, mood swings, and breast tenderness) to managing period supplies (like pads, tampons, cups, or period underwear) to the possibility of bleeding through your clothes, the experience can range from inconvenient to painful to get your period.
Add in a special event — like a vacation, wedding, or camping trip — and there are specific reasons you may be interested in delaying your period.
Possible reasons to delay your period include:
Delaying Your Period: What’s Safe?
Some methods of delaying your period are safe for some people but not others. For example, birth control pills can reduce period bleeding as a standard and safe side effect. However, other side effects associated with birth control pills can be dangerous, particularly for people predisposed toblood clots.
Always consult with a healthcare provider before starting a new medication or changing the frequency of an already-prescribed medication.
Additionally, there are reasons yourperiod might be delayedthat can be bad for your health. Extreme stress, being underweight, and over-exercising can all cause you tomiss your period. Don’t try to lose weight to lose your period; safer and healthier alternatives exist.
Can Medication Affect Your Period?
Summary
14 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Library of Medicine.Norethindrone.Dean J, Kramer KJ, Akbary F, et al.Norethindrone is superior to combined oral contraceptive pills in short-term delay of menses and onset of breakthrough bleeding: a randomized trial.BMC Womens Health. 2019;19:70. doi:10.1186%2Fs12905-019-0766-6Villavicencio J, Allen RH.Unscheduled bleeding and contraceptive choice: increasing satisfaction and continuation rates.Open Access J Contracept. 2016;7:43-52. doi:10.2147/OAJC.S85565.The Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne.Oral contraceptives - skipping periods when taking the Pill.American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Progestin-only hormonal birth control: pill and injection.Planned Parenthood.What are hormonal IUDs?.Mirena.Frequently asked questions about Mirena.Kyleena.Kyleena IUD placement.Buck E, McNally L, Jenkins SM.Menstrual suppression. In:StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing; 2023.Pfizer.Depo-provera CI medication guide.American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Long-acting reversible contraception: implants and intrauterine devices.Wu D, Kimura F, Takashima A, et al.Intake of vinegar beverage is associated with restoration of ovulatory function in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.Tohoku J Exp Med. 2013;230(1):17-23. doi:10.1620/tjem.230.17Huhmann K.Menses requires energy: a review of how disordered eating, excessive exercise, and high stress lead to menstrual irregularities.Clinical Therapeutics. 2020;42(3):401-407. doi: 10.1016/j.clinthera.2020.01.016Keenan L, Kerr T, Duane M, Van Gundy K.Systematic review of hormonal contraception and risk of venous thrombosis.Linacre Q. 2018;85(4):470-477. doi:10.1177/0024363918816683
14 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Library of Medicine.Norethindrone.Dean J, Kramer KJ, Akbary F, et al.Norethindrone is superior to combined oral contraceptive pills in short-term delay of menses and onset of breakthrough bleeding: a randomized trial.BMC Womens Health. 2019;19:70. doi:10.1186%2Fs12905-019-0766-6Villavicencio J, Allen RH.Unscheduled bleeding and contraceptive choice: increasing satisfaction and continuation rates.Open Access J Contracept. 2016;7:43-52. doi:10.2147/OAJC.S85565.The Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne.Oral contraceptives - skipping periods when taking the Pill.American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Progestin-only hormonal birth control: pill and injection.Planned Parenthood.What are hormonal IUDs?.Mirena.Frequently asked questions about Mirena.Kyleena.Kyleena IUD placement.Buck E, McNally L, Jenkins SM.Menstrual suppression. In:StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing; 2023.Pfizer.Depo-provera CI medication guide.American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Long-acting reversible contraception: implants and intrauterine devices.Wu D, Kimura F, Takashima A, et al.Intake of vinegar beverage is associated with restoration of ovulatory function in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.Tohoku J Exp Med. 2013;230(1):17-23. doi:10.1620/tjem.230.17Huhmann K.Menses requires energy: a review of how disordered eating, excessive exercise, and high stress lead to menstrual irregularities.Clinical Therapeutics. 2020;42(3):401-407. doi: 10.1016/j.clinthera.2020.01.016Keenan L, Kerr T, Duane M, Van Gundy K.Systematic review of hormonal contraception and risk of venous thrombosis.Linacre Q. 2018;85(4):470-477. doi:10.1177/0024363918816683
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
National Library of Medicine.Norethindrone.Dean J, Kramer KJ, Akbary F, et al.Norethindrone is superior to combined oral contraceptive pills in short-term delay of menses and onset of breakthrough bleeding: a randomized trial.BMC Womens Health. 2019;19:70. doi:10.1186%2Fs12905-019-0766-6Villavicencio J, Allen RH.Unscheduled bleeding and contraceptive choice: increasing satisfaction and continuation rates.Open Access J Contracept. 2016;7:43-52. doi:10.2147/OAJC.S85565.The Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne.Oral contraceptives - skipping periods when taking the Pill.American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Progestin-only hormonal birth control: pill and injection.Planned Parenthood.What are hormonal IUDs?.Mirena.Frequently asked questions about Mirena.Kyleena.Kyleena IUD placement.Buck E, McNally L, Jenkins SM.Menstrual suppression. In:StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing; 2023.Pfizer.Depo-provera CI medication guide.American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Long-acting reversible contraception: implants and intrauterine devices.Wu D, Kimura F, Takashima A, et al.Intake of vinegar beverage is associated with restoration of ovulatory function in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.Tohoku J Exp Med. 2013;230(1):17-23. doi:10.1620/tjem.230.17Huhmann K.Menses requires energy: a review of how disordered eating, excessive exercise, and high stress lead to menstrual irregularities.Clinical Therapeutics. 2020;42(3):401-407. doi: 10.1016/j.clinthera.2020.01.016Keenan L, Kerr T, Duane M, Van Gundy K.Systematic review of hormonal contraception and risk of venous thrombosis.Linacre Q. 2018;85(4):470-477. doi:10.1177/0024363918816683
National Library of Medicine.Norethindrone.
Dean J, Kramer KJ, Akbary F, et al.Norethindrone is superior to combined oral contraceptive pills in short-term delay of menses and onset of breakthrough bleeding: a randomized trial.BMC Womens Health. 2019;19:70. doi:10.1186%2Fs12905-019-0766-6
Villavicencio J, Allen RH.Unscheduled bleeding and contraceptive choice: increasing satisfaction and continuation rates.Open Access J Contracept. 2016;7:43-52. doi:10.2147/OAJC.S85565.
The Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne.Oral contraceptives - skipping periods when taking the Pill.
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Progestin-only hormonal birth control: pill and injection.
Planned Parenthood.What are hormonal IUDs?.
Mirena.Frequently asked questions about Mirena.
Kyleena.Kyleena IUD placement.
Buck E, McNally L, Jenkins SM.Menstrual suppression. In:StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing; 2023.
Pfizer.Depo-provera CI medication guide.
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Long-acting reversible contraception: implants and intrauterine devices.
Wu D, Kimura F, Takashima A, et al.Intake of vinegar beverage is associated with restoration of ovulatory function in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.Tohoku J Exp Med. 2013;230(1):17-23. doi:10.1620/tjem.230.17
Huhmann K.Menses requires energy: a review of how disordered eating, excessive exercise, and high stress lead to menstrual irregularities.Clinical Therapeutics. 2020;42(3):401-407. doi: 10.1016/j.clinthera.2020.01.016
Keenan L, Kerr T, Duane M, Van Gundy K.Systematic review of hormonal contraception and risk of venous thrombosis.Linacre Q. 2018;85(4):470-477. doi:10.1177/0024363918816683
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