Here are ten tried-and-true methods for preventing or postponing your period.

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One or both of your periods may be something you'd like to postpone or even completely halt for a variety of reasons. Maybe there's something noteworthy happening soon. The pain of your periods may be due to being pregnant or something else entirely.  

Whatever the case may be, there are effective methods for reducing or stopping menstruation. It just requires a little forethought.

In the medical field, the practice of preventing menstruation is known as menstruation suppression, and it can be accomplished through a variety of hormonal birth control options.

Methods for putting a stop to your period in a healthy way

There are options available to you if you're interested in permanently halting your periods. Birth control can reduce the number of menstrual cycles a woman has each year.  

Here are some tried-and-true methods for preventing your period:

IUDs are devices that are placed inside the uterus.

A doctor can insert a tiny "T"-shaped device called an IUD into the uterus to prevent pregnancy.  

Both hormonal and non-hormonal intrauterine devices (IUDs) serve the same purpose, which is to stop pregnancy. Hormones like progesterone contained in an IUD can reduce the severity of your period or even put an end to it altogether.   

It may take three to six months for the pill to completely stop your period, but after that, depending on the type, it may last anywhere from three to ten years.  

Implantable contraceptive devices

Nexplanon and other similar birth control implants are small plastic rods that are implanted under the skin of the upper arm. The process is quick and usually painless, and the effects should last for up to three years.  

These implants aren't designed to end your period, but they may make them more manageable. Depending on the individual, these implants may even eliminate menstruation.  

Ablation of the uterus (endometrium)

You shouldn't consider this if you want to get pregnant in the near future, and it's only recommended for people with very heavy, prolonged periods who are at risk of anemia.

During this operation, some of the uterine lining is removed. It's commonly used for people who experience extremely heavy menstrual bleeding, and it only requires a small incision.  

Shots

Hormones in the birth control shot (marketed under the name Depo-Provera) aid in preventing pregnancy. The progestin in the shot prevents the ovaries from releasing eggs during ovulation.  

The mucus lining the cervix becomes thicker after receiving this shot, further obstructing the path for sperm to the eggs. The shot isn't meant to put an end to your period, but it may make it easier to bear, though the degree to which it does so varies from person to person.  

Patches

Hormonal contraception such as a birth control patch is worn on the skin. Many brands are available, and most patches are both covert and simple to use.  

By applying a fourth patch each month instead of skipping the application, you can avoid getting your period for an entire month.  

Body jewelry involving the genitalia

In some countries, women can use a vaginal ring, a form of hormonal birth control, to prevent pregnancy. It's usually quite tiny and made of plastic; its primary function is to inject hormones directly into the bloodstream.  

Similar to other forms of contraception, you'll need to take the ring off around the fourth week in order to start your period. Wearing a vaginal ring past the fourth week of your period can help you avoid bleeding if that is your preference.  

Preventing your period from starting too early

Do not expect relief from regularly consuming apple cider vinegar or lemon juice. Sherry Ross, MD, an OB-GYN in private practice, says, "None of these DIY home remedies will delay your period."  

It's possible that the following will work:

When taking oral contraceptives, don't take a placebo during week 1.

Some birth control pills cycle through three weeks of active pills and one week of placebo pills. The hormones in the active pills will keep you from bleeding for a full week if you skip the placebo pills and start a new pack of them instead.  

There is a chance of irregular bleeding or light spotting if this is your first time skipping a placebo week.

You should see almost no spotting after the first three months if you skip your placebo week. Because of this, if your period is coming up around the time of an important event, Ross suggests preparing for it several months in advance.

You can buy birth control pills in packs that last for 28, 90, or 365 days. You read that correctly; one year on the pill can prevent menstruation.

According to Ross, "one of the most beneficial side effects associated with the pill is the ability to completely stop your period," and this benefit is "completely safe."  

Discuss hormonal replacement therapy with your doctor.

Hormonal medication containing norethindrone, a form of the hormone progesterone, the same active ingredient in hormonal birth control, may help you delay your period if you aren't already using hormonal birth control.

To prevent your period from starting too early, you should take this medication starting a few days before it is due to begin. Keep in mind that you will likely start menstruating again a day or two after you stop taking the pill.  

Norethindrone users who delayed their periods were less likely to experience irregular bleeding than birth control pill users, according to a small study conducted in 2019. Those who took norethindrone, the study also found, were more likely to put on weight.  

If you're curious about whether or not this course of action is right for you, see your doctor for a prescription.  

Natural methods to regulate or postpone menstruation

There is no quick fix if your period has already started.  

However, you can take steps to lessen the flow, alleviate any pain, and even shorten the duration of your period.

Ibuprofen or Aleve may help.

If your period has already begun, you can alleviate cramps and slow bleeding by 20-40% with the help of Ibuprofen or Aleve.  

These synthetic drugs are effective because they prevent the body from making prostaglandins. These are the inflammatory compounds responsible for uterine contractions.  

Start this method before your period starts if you want to give it a try. To put off your period, take 800 milligrams every six hours.  

You should be aware that there might be consequences if A doctor should be consulted before adjusting the dosage of any medication.  

Maintaining proper form during exercise

Ross says that regular exercise can help lessen the severity of cramps and other PMS symptoms. Regular exercise has been linked to a decrease in menstrual symptoms and duration.  

It's important to note, however, that excessive exercise or the sudden initiation of an intense exercise routine can disrupt your period or cause it to stop altogether.

The menstrual pain experienced by some women can be alleviated through aerobic exercise, according to some research. The following are some types of aerobic exercise:

• Walking
• Swimming
• Cycling
• Jogging
• Elliptical
• Kickboxing

Low-intensity exercise, such as stretching and yoga, has been shown to help reduce menstrual pain in other studies.  

FAQs

Should you stop having your period?

Methods of birth control, such as the pill, the ring, and the patch, can safely halt bleeding in some women. If you want to stop your period, you should always talk to a doctor first.

Is there a way to stop your period and for how long

Many forms of contraception make it possible to delay menstruation for as long as desired or necessary. However, before skipping your period for an extended time, you should talk to your doctor about the risks involved. Whether or not it's safe to do so depends on the person doing it.  

When can you expect your period to end?

Once your period has begun, it is not possible to immediately stop it. Exercising and taking pain relievers like Ibuprofen may temporarily reduce menstrual bleeding. But birth control may be necessary to permanently stop your periods in a short amount of time.  

Is there a natural way to stop my period?

Depending on the type of exercise you do, it may help you to naturally stop your period. However, that would only be a stopgap measure. The majority of menstruation-stopping methods are hormonal contraceptives, which are not natural.  

The takeaway for those in the know

A few days before your period is due, talk to your doctor about getting a prescription medication containing the hormone norethindrone that you can start taking to delay your period for a day or two.

It is possible to delay your period by skipping your placebo pills if you are already taking the pill, but this strategy may not work unless you take active hormonal birth control pills consistently for a few months.  

Hormonal forms of contraception such as the combined pill, the implant, and the intrauterine device (IUD) can effectively eliminate menstruation. It could take a few months for these strategies to bear fruit.  

Ross suggests that exercise, drinking hot water, and eating calcium-rich foods may help alleviate some of the pain of a period if you are unable to delay your period. To lessen bleeding and cramping, pain relievers like Ibuprofen and Aleve can be helpful.