Postponing your period – is it possible and how healthy is it really?

Once a month the time comes: your period starts. But sometimes it arrives exactly when things are particularly inconvenient. In such situations, however, there are ways to specifically postpone menstrual bleeding.

Table of contents

Periods are an integral part of our lives as women, but sometimes they come when we least need them. Whether it's just before a vacation, on your wedding day or at an important event - there are moments when menstruation is simply inappropriate.

Changing tampons regularly can be annoying enough, but many women also have to deal with side effects such as headaches, cramps, mood swings or general malaise - both before and during their period. Luckily, there are ways to delay menstruation. You can find out here how this works, whether it is safe for your health and what you should pay attention to.

Reading tip:

Postponing your period with the pill

The easiest way to influence your period is with the birth control pill. With it you can either postpone your period or even stop it completely. Instead of taking a seven-day break from taking pills after the usual 21 days of taking them, you start straight away with a new blister. Your period will only start again when you have used up the second blister or you stop taking it beforehand.

Long-term cycle: comfortable but also healthy?

Some women choose to take the pill on a long-cycle basis, meaning three to six months without a break. This suppresses bleeding for several weeks or even months. Especially with severe menstrual cramps like, mood swings or breast tenderness, it may make sense to no longer allow periods every month, but only every few months.

Not only does the contraception remain safe, but the protective effect of the pill is even increased. There are also no medical reasons against taking the pill for longer than 21 days at a time. According to thegynecologists onlinehas the “Long cycle - just like 'normal' pill use - has no effect on subsequent fertility.„

Since not all preparations are equally suitable for the long-term cycle, only single-phase products in which each tablet contains the same combination of active ingredients, it is important to clarify this option with your gynecologist beforehand.

Take the pill? Is the long-term cycle bad?Credit:iStock

Also read:

Postpone your period without the pill

If you don't take the pill but still want to postpone or stop your period, you can use hormone tablets containing gestagen. There are preparations that contain the active ingredient norethisterone. These tablets require a prescription and are only prescribed in consultation with your gynecologist.

The preparation is taken three times a day a few days before the expected menstruation and can delay the period by around two weeks - although there is no guarantee. Since such hormone tablets have a strong influence on the natural hormone balance, they should only be used in exceptional cases.

Postpone your period with natural home remedies

You can influence your cycle even without hormones. Women's herbs such as monk's pepper or yarrow are particularly suitable for this. If taken regularly - for example as a tea or in tablet form - you can delay your period by a few days.

Reading tip:

How harmful is postponing your period for the body?

With the pill you can postpone your period very flexibly without harming your body. In fact, the bleeding that occurs during the break is not a real menstruation, but rather a so-called withdrawal bleeding, which is caused by the sudden withdrawal of hormones.

Scientists and doctors have been discussing for years whether postponing or permanently stopping periods is harmful. Many researchers are of the opinion that regular menstruation and withdrawal bleeding after 21 days of taking the pill is a modern concept that the female body was not originally designed for. Our ancestors were either pregnant or breastfeeding for much of their lives and therefore did not menstruate. In this context, some argue that the pill's hormones even restore this natural state.

How often can you postpone your period?

Women who choose the long-term cycle have the option of permanently stopping their periods and controlling the timing of their periods individually. However, if you only want to postpone your period once, perhaps because the timing is inappropriate, you can do this easily by simply continuing with another blister of pills.

However, many doctors recommend not taking more than three blisters in a row to avoid withdrawal bleeding. While taking the pill, spotting or breakthrough bleeding may occur - a completely normal phenomenon, especially with low-dose preparations. Side effects such as dizziness, headaches, nausea or vomiting are also possible.

However, tablets containing hormones such as Norethisterone should not be used regularly to postpone your period. Basically, it's best to let your body follow its natural rhythm. Therefore, always speak to your gynecologist to find the right option for you.

Important NOTE:This article is for informational purposes only and does not replace a medical diagnosis. If you have any uncertainties, urgent questions or acute symptoms, you should contact your doctor or ask for advice at the pharmacy. The medical on-call service can be reached via the nationwide number 116117.