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- You can stop your period with continuous cycle pills, an IUD, shots, patches, or vaginal rings.
- To delay your period, you can skip your placebo week of birth control and start a new pack.
- You can't stop your period once it starts, but ibuprofen could help reduce your flow.
There are many reasons why you may want to delay or stop your period altogether. Maybe it's a special event coming up. Or perhaps you just have really heavy, painful periods.
Whatever the reason, it is possible to safely stop your period or lighten your flow. It just takes some planning ahead.
How to stop your period safely
If you wish to explore the idea of stopping your period long-term, you have options. At the very least, birth control can minimize the frequency of periods you have a year.
Here are a few ways you can safely stop your period:
Intrauterine devices (IUDs)
An IUD is a small device shaped like a "T" that a physician inserts into the uterus.
There are hormonal IUDs and non-hormonal IUDs, but both are meant to prevent pregnancy. An IUD containing hormones like progesterone can help you lighten up your period or stop it altogether.
It may take three to six months to completely stop your period, but after that, it can remain effective for anywhere from three to 10 years, depending on the type.
Birth control implants
A birth control implant, like Nexplanon, is a small plastic rod that is inserted inside your arm. It's typically a fast and mostly painless procedure that should work for up to three years.
These implants are not necessarily intended to stop your period, but they can make them lighter. In some cases, depending on the person, these implants can even stop periods altogether.
Endometrial ablation procedure
This procedure is usually only recommended for people with very heavy, prolonged periods who are at risk of anemia and shouldn't be considered if you are planning to get pregnant at any point in the future.
This surgical procedure actually destroys some of the tissue in the uterine lining. It's minimally invasive and typically used for people who have very heavy menstrual periods.
Shots
The birth control shot, which has the brand name Depo-Provera, contains hormones to help prevent pregnancy. The shot contains the hormone progestin and works by inhibiting ovulation, which is when the ovaries release eggs.
This shot also thickens the mucus lining the cervix, which makes it harder for sperm to reach the eggs. While the shot is not intended to stop your period, it could help lighten it up, but this varies from person to person.
Patches
A birth control patch is a type of hormonal birth control that a person wears on their skin. There's a variety of brands on the market, but most of the patches available are discrete and easy to apply.
It's possible to skip your period with a patch by putting on a fourth patch each month instead of skipping the application, which would lead to your period.
Vaginal rings
A vaginal ring is a type of hormonal birth control that a person has inserted into their vagina. It's typically small and plastic and releases hormones into the bloodstream.
Like many birth control methods, there is a fourth week during which you would remove the ring to have your period. However, if you'd prefer to stop your period, you can continue wearing a vaginal ring on the fourth week.
How to delay your period
Don't be fooled into thinking home remedies like drinking apple cider vinegar or lemon juice every day will help. "None of these DIY home remedies will delay your period," says Sherry Ross, MD, an OB-GYN with her own private practice.
Here are a couple of options that might:
Skip your placebo week of oral contraceptives
Some types of birth control pills come with three weeks of active pills and one week of placebo pills. If you skip the week of placebo pills and start a new pack of active pills instead, then the hormones in the active pills will prevent you from bleeding that week.
However, it's important to note that if this is your first time skipping a placebo week, you may experience some irregular bleeding or light spotting.
After two to three months of skipping your placebo week, you should see little to no spotting. Therefore, Ross recommends planning several months ahead if you know your period will coincide with a big upcoming occasion.
Moreover, you can get birth control pills in packs that last 28 days, 90 days, and even 365 days. That's right, you can go a year without your period while on the pill.
"Being able to stop your period completely is one of the most beneficial side effects associated with the pill, and it's completely safe," says Ross.
Ask your doctor about hormonal medication
If you're not on hormonal birth control, you may be able to delay your period with hormonal medication containing norethindrone, which is a form of the hormone progesterone, the same active ingredient in hormonal birth control.
You need to start taking this medication a few days before the start of your period for it to delay your period. Note that you will probably get your period within a day or two of stopping it.
A small 2019 study found that people who took norethindrone to delay their period were less likely to experience irregular bleeding than those who tried to delay it with birth control pills. However, the study also found that those who took norethindrone were more likely to gain weight.
Visit your doctor for a prescription and check whether this option is suitable for you.
Natural remedies for stopping or delaying your period
If your period has already started, there isn't a magic bullet that will make it stop immediately.
However, there are some measures you can take that may reduce the flow, help with any pain, and potentially even shorten the number of days you have your period.
Try Ibuprofen or Aleve
If your period has already started, taking Ibuprofen or Aleve can help relieve menstrual cramps and reduce your flow by 20% to 40%.
While these medicines aren't exactly natural, they work by inhibiting the production of prostaglandins, which are inflammatory compounds that trigger contractions in your uterus.
If you'd like to try this method, you may want to start right before your period begins. A high dose of about 800 milligrams, every six hours could help delay your period.
Keep in mind that there could be negative effects. Always consult with a physician before trying a new dose of medication.
Exercise the right way
Exercising regularly can help reduce the intensity of cramps and other symptoms of premenstrual syndrome, says Ross. Exercise may even reduce the frequency or length of your period.
However, it's also important to note that exercising too much or suddenly starting an intense new exercise routine can cause your period to stop or become more irregular.
Some studies show that aerobic exercise can help reduce menstrual pain in some women. A few examples of aerobic exercise include:
Other studies have found that low-intensity exercise like stretching and yoga can help reduce menstrual pain.
FAQs
Is it safe to stop your period?
It can be safe to stop your period using a variety of birth control methods like the pill, the ring, and the patch. Always make sure to consult with a physician before attempting to stop your period.
How long can you stop your period for?
You can technically stop your period for as long as you want or need to, using a variety of birth control methods. However, you should consult with a physician regarding the safety of skipping menstruation for an extended period of time. It may or may not be safe depending on each individual person.
How can you immediately stop your period?
You can't exactly stop your period immediately once it has started. Some types of exercise and medication like Ibuprofen could lighten your period temporarily. However, if you want to quickly stop your period on a long-term basis, you may need birth control for that.
How can I stop my period naturally?
Certain types of exercise could help stop your period naturally. However, it would just be temporary. Birth control is the main way to stop a period, but it's usually hormonal and not natural.
Insider's takeaway
If you want to postpone your period for a day or two because you have an important occasion, you can ask your doctor for a prescription medication containing the hormone norethindrone ahead of time that you can start taking a few days before your period is due.
If you're already on the pill, skipping your placebo pills could delay your period, although this method may not work unless you take active hormonal birth control pills consistently for a few months.
You can stop your period altogether with hormonal birth control like continuous cycle pills, implants, or IUDs. These methods may take a couple of months to be effective.
If you aren't able to delay your period and are going through a painful period, exercise, drinking hot water, and eating calcium-rich foods may help relieve some of the pain, according to Ross. You can also take medications like Ibuprofen and Aleve to curb your flow and reduce your cramps.