Thinking of Delaying Your Period? Here's the 411 On What You Need To Know
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Is it Safe?
There’s rarely a “good” time for your period to arrive, but some are a little more frustrating than others. While it’s obviously a natural occurrence and something we all get used to, for some women, the pain can be unbearable and for others, you may not feel like dealing with the agonizing symptoms that may come with it.
If you are the latter, or just someone who just doesn't want to deal with Mother Nature at the time she may trotting along, delaying your period can be done, BUT it should not be done on a regular basis. There are treatments available which can delay your period for up to 17 days. It can be extremely effective in most cases; however, as with many medications it does come with some risks.
What Are My Options?
Oral contraception is usually a fixed dose via the combined oral contraceptive pill (COCP). Women who choose to use the COCP generally have fairly predictable menstrual cycles, experiencing their period during their 7 day break after their monthly strip of pills ends. If you’re on the COCP you can delay your period simply by moving straight on to your next pack without your normal break. Your cycle will then be delayed until you take a break from taking the pill. This shouldn’t be done regularly, and you should aim to return to normal for a couple of months at least following the break.
For women who don’t use the COCP, a synthetic hormone tablet Norethisterone is usually administered. The prescription for the tablet is generally one 5mg tablet three times a day for the given number of days (with the maximum being thirty days) a woman wishes before her period resumes to normalcy.
Norethisterone should only be used occasionally. It is a progestogen hormone. Progestogens are hormones that sustain the uterus lining. Under normal circumstances, there is usually a fall in the level of progestogen hormone in the body leading to the start of the menstrual cycle. The hormone sustains the uterus until a time when the tablet is stopped. The tablet also plays a vital role in changing the quality of the endometrium wall. The changes prevent any fertilized eggs that have been fertilized from implantation.
The Risks Involved
While Norethisterone is generally the safest method for women who choose to delay their period, there are some risks associated with it for some people. For example, those with deep vein thrombosis (DVT) will have to visit their doctor for medical advice before taking Norethisterone. It’s always a good idea to consult with your doctor before taking any new medication.
Side effects of the pill can include some issues with stomach bloating and discomfort, as well as potential spotting or discharge. There are various other potential side effects which may occur, and although the likelihood is rare, it’s worth checking them out before deciding to go ahead.
In most cases it’s perfectly safe to delay your period under certain circumstances, provided it’s not something you do too often or for an extended length of time. As always, you should consult with your gynecologist or primary care physician to see if any of these options may work for you and your situation.
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