Alright, gals, all of us know that our period is a champ for playing hide-and-seek with us, often arriving uninvited at the most unwanted hours. Think about your brother’s wedding or a vacation you so dedicatedly planned—Aunt Flo can almost ruin everything! When those pesky days coincide with your plans, it’s only natural to wonder: “How do I delay my period?”
Well, delaying menstruation is as common as the monthly cycle itself, and with the right guidance, it can be done safely. This is where period delay medicines come into the picture, which can help you manage your cycle without much fuss. However, if you’re looking to push back your period, you might have concerns about how it will affect your natural rhythm.
While these period delay pills can alleviate the discomfort of an impending period, knowing the possible side effects is important before using them. Hormonal imbalances, nausea, mood swings, and changes in breast tenderness are a few common adverse effects.
Comprehending these adverse effects is essential for making informed choices regarding menstruation health. Let us dive into this blog to learn if taking period delay tablets is safe, how long the pill delays your period, and period delay tablets' side effects in pregnancy.
Table Of Contents
1. What Are Period Delay Medications, And How Do They Work?
2. Is Taking Period Delay Tablets Safe?
3. How Long Does The Pill Delay Your Period?
4. Period Delay Tablets Side Effects In Pregnancy
5. Expert’s Advice
6. The Final Say
7. FAQs
8. References
What Are Period Delay Medications, And How Do They Work?
I know your vacation or festivities are important!
A menstrual delay medicine is a tablet explicitly used to delay menstruation. It contains the active ingredient norethisterone, although it can be labelled under different names, including Utovlan. To delay your period with norethisterone, you will need to take one tablet three times a day. You should start treatment with norethisterone three days before your period starts. After completing the course, you should begin to menstruate within three days. However, any such medicine is suggested to be taken under professional supervision.
Delayed periods can be beneficial for managing medical conditions or situations such as:
- Dysmenorrhea (a condition where you have painful periods)
- Endometriosis
- Heavy menstrual bleeding
- An event or exam is coming up
- You are going on vacation
- You have a developmental or physical disability
- You are an athlete
- You are in a physically challenging profession like the army.
Apart from period delay medicines, birth control pills can also delay your period. If you're already on a combined contraceptive pill, doctors sometimes suggest taking two packets back-to-back to postpone your period for up to three weeks. This method works by maintaining hormone levels in your body, preventing the shedding of the uterine lining.
When using traditional contraceptives like birth control pills, the hormonal levels in your body are manipulated to prevent ovulation and regulate your menstrual cycle. In a typical 28-day pill pack, for example, you take hormone-containing pills for three weeks and then switch to inactive (placebo) pills for the fourth week. During this week, you experience what is known as "withdrawal bleeding," which occurs due to the sudden drop in hormone levels when you stop taking the active pills.
Withdrawal bleeding is not the same as a natural menstrual period because it results from hormonal changes induced by the contraceptive rather than from the natural cycle of ovulation and uterine lining shedding. This bleeding is often lighter and shorter than a regular period because hormonal contraceptives prevent the uterine lining from thickening fully.
Also Read: Diet For Hormonal Imbalance: Fix Your Hormones With These Key Nutrients And 8 Vital Foods
Is Taking Period Delay Tablets Safe?
I wish I could Delete periods.
Yes, period delay tablets are safe. However, not all treatments for missed periods are suitable for all women, so you must talk to your gynaecologist to ensure the treatment is safe for you. The medications containing norethisterone are safe to use occasionally. They should not be used regularly, as they can cause side effects.
Potential Side Effects:
- Hormonal Imbalance: As these tablets affect hormones, they can cause side effects like mood swings, bloating, breast tenderness, and changes in appetite.
- Menstrual Irregularities: Some women may experience irregular periods for a while after stopping the medication.
- Other Side Effects: Headaches, nausea, or skin reactions may occur.
When It's Not Recommended:
- Pre-existing Health Conditions: Women with a history of blood clots, stroke, liver problems, or certain cancers should avoid these medications.
- Uncontrolled Hypertension: High blood pressure can increase the risks.
If you are looking to bring your cycles back on track, try taking Period Care 360 Tablets. One capsule twice a day will regulate your periods and deal with cramps, bloating, mood swings and irregular periods naturally.
How Long Does The Pill Delay Your Period?
Delay will still not fix the period pains. Whyyy!
Progesterone is a hormone involved in regulating a woman's menstrual cycle. Progesterone levels fluctuate throughout the month, and progesterone levels drop at the end of the month. This decrease in progesterone destroys the uterine lining, which is excreted from the body through menstruation. Norethisterone is a synthetic version of progesterone that, together with norethisterone, artificially keeps progesterone levels high, thereby preventing the destruction of the uterine lining. If the uterine lining is not destroyed, it is unnecessary to remove it from the body through menstruation so menstruation does not occur.
Doctors recommend starting the pill 3 days before your period starts and continuing to take it as prescribed by your doctor every day for as long as you want to delay your period. You are more likely to miss your period within 1 week after you stop taking this pill.
Other medications, such as norethisterone, can delay your period for up to 17 days. You should take it 3 days before your expected period and for up to 20 days. Your period will start 2 to 3 days after you stop taking norethisterone. Norethisterone is safe for most women when taken in the short term. However, there are some women for whom norethisterone is not suitable. For example, some women are prone to blood clots, and some women have high blood pressure or diabetes. It is essential to talk to your doctor to find out if norethisterone is right for you.
Also Read: Try These Targeted 5 Exercises To Relieve Menstrual Cramps With Immediate Relief Tips!
Period Delay Tablets Side Effects In Pregnancy
Why does every good thing come with side effects?
It is usually not advised to use period delay medications when pregnant as they carry a number of serious dangers. The following provides a thorough analysis of the possible adverse effects and issues related to their use during pregnancy:
1. Hormonal Imbalance
Progesterone and estrogen are common hormones in period delay tablets that affect the menstrual cycle. If these hormones are introduced during pregnancy, it may upset the delicate hormonal balance that keeps a pregnancy healthy.
2. Vomiting And Nausea
Gastrointestinal distress is a common side effect of many period delay tablets. Hormonal interference during pregnancy can worsen morning sickness, which pregnant women already experience.
3. Migraines And Headaches
Changes in hormones frequently cause headaches. Hormonal tablets may cause increased pregnancy-related headaches or migraines. Try yoga poses for migraines to find effective relief.
4. Increased Mood Swings
Hormonal medications that contain norethisterone can impact neurotransmitter levels.
The additional hormone fluctuations brought on by these tablets may cause mood swings, anxiety, or sadness in pregnant people.
5. Breast Tenderness
Hormones can cause the breast tissue to become more sensitive. Breast discomfort is already frequent during pregnancy, so this can be even worse.
6. Risk Of Blood Clots
Certain hormone drugs elevate the risk of venous thromboembolism or blood clots. Blood clots are already associated with an increased risk of pregnancy; using hormone-affecting tablets on top of this increased risk can make the situation much more dangerous.
7. Miscarriage Risk
Some studies suggest that the use of hormonal medications early in pregnancy can be linked to an increased risk of miscarriage. The natural duration of the pregnancy may be hampered by the introduction of foreign hormones that period delay tablets contain.
8. Hampers Fetal Development
Hormones have an impact on fetal development. If the period delay tablets are taken during crucial stages of embryo development, there may be worries about congenital defects or developmental problems.
Anyone who knows or suspects they are pregnant must see a doctor and refrain from taking period-delay tablets.
Expert’s Advice
When considering period delay tablets, it's crucial to keep an eye on potential side effects. You might experience breakthrough bleeding, which can be a bit of a surprise. Other common issues include nausea, headaches, and mood swings—so don’t say we didn’t warn you!
Always consult with your healthcare provider before starting any medication to ensure it’s the right fit for you. And remember, while delaying your period can be handy for special occasions, it’s not something you should make a habit of. Your body has its own rhythm, so listen to it!
Health Expert
Lavina Chauhan
The Final Say
While period delay medicines like norethisterone can be effective for postponing your period, they come with potential side effects that you should consider. Common issues include nausea, headaches, and mood swings. Remember, these pills are best used occasionally and not as a long-term solution. Always prioritise your health and well-being when making decisions about your menstrual cycle!
FAQs
1. Are there any period delay pill side effects?
Period delay pill side effects can be:
- Irregular period
- Changes in period cycle
- Abdominal discomfort
- Mood swings
2. Is it safe to delay your period for a long time?
Norethisterone can be used occasionally but should not be used regularly as it can cause side effects. Combination pills are safe to delay your period for a long time if they are right for you and you have been taking them for several weeks already.
3. How long can you safely delay your period?
Unless your doctor tells you that a long-term delay is possible, you should only use period delay pills once to delay your period. You can delay your period for as long as you want by using a combination pill, but the longer you go without taking the pill, the more likely you are to experience breakthrough bleeding.
References
- https://www.pharmacyplanet.com/blog/post/period-delay-medication-and-pregnancy
- https://onlinedoctor.superdrug.com/how-to-delay-your-period.html
- https://onlinedoctor.lloydspharmacy.com/uk/period-delay/is-it-safe-to-delay-your-period
- https://onlinedoctor.lloydspharmacy.com/uk/period-delay/is-it-safe-to-delay-your-period
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/birth-control/in-depth/womens-health/art-20044044
- https://www.theindependentpharmacy.co.uk/period-delay/guides/how-to-delay-your-periods
- https://www.chemistclick.co.uk/news/is-it-dangerous-to-delay-your-period
- https://www.pristyncare.com/blog/pills-to-delay-periods/
- https://onlinedoctor.lloydspharmacy.com/uk/period-delay/is-it-safe-to-delay-your-period#:~:text=This%20medication%20is%20safe%20to,experience%20breakthrough%20bleeding%20or%20spotting.
- https://www.health.com/condition/reproductive-health/how-to-delay-your-period
About ToneOp Fit
ToneOp Fit is a platform dedicated to improving and maintaining good health through a comprehensive range of goal-oriented health plans with up to 3 Coach support. With a range of Weight Management, Medical Condition, Detox Plans, and Face Yoga Plans, the app also provides premium health trackers, recipes and health content. Get customised diet, fitness, naturopathy & yoga plans and transform yourself with ToneOp.
