How To Delay Your period?

There is no guaranteed way to delay your period, however, taking the combined contraceptive pill may help.

Taking the combo tablet on consecutive days

If you use a combined contraceptive pill, you can delay your period by taking the packets consecutively.

The method you use will be determined by the sort of tablet you take.

Here are several examples:

1. When you have a bleed, take a combination tablet for 21 days, then 7 days without medications (period). To delay your menstruation, begin a fresh packet of tablets immediately after finishing the old pill and skip the 7-day gap.
2. daily (ED) tablets, such as Microgynon ED and Lorynon ED – you take a combination pill every day. When you get your period, the first 21 tablets are active pills, and the following 7 are inert or sham pills. To delay your menstruation, skip the fake pills and immediately begin the active tablets in a fresh package.
3. phasic 21-day tablets like Binovium, Qlaira, and Logynon – the hormone mix in each pill varies depending on which phase you’re in. To have effective contraception, you must take these tablets in the exact order. Before taking phasic tablets back-to-back, see your pharmacy, community contraceptive clinic, or GP surgery for further information.

Taking your contraceptive tablets as indicated above has no effect on how they act as contraceptives.

If you’re not sure which pill you’re on, which tablets in the package to skip, or if you need help, go to your pharmacy, community contraceptive clinic, or GP practice.

Taking the combo tablet may result in the following adverse effects:

• feeling ill
• nausea
• headaches
• fluctuations in mood
• breast sensitivity

Contraceptive pill with just progestogens

If you’re using a progestogen-only contraceptive pill, you can’t delay your period by taking two packets at the same time.

However, you may be able to delay your period by switching to the combined contraceptive pill or using another medicine.

If you are unsure about the sort of pill you are using, get help from your pharmacy, community contraceptive clinic, or GP practice.

If you do not use a birth control pill

If you wish to delay your period and are not on the combined contraceptive pill, consult your doctor. They may be able to prescribe norethisterone medicine to delay your menstruation.

Your doctor will tell you when and how long to take norethisterone.

You’ll normally be given three norethisterone pills every day, beginning three to four days before your period is due.

Your menstruation should arrive two to three days after you discontinue the medicine.

However, because norethisterone does not serve as a contraceptive when used in this manner, you might still become pregnant.

You must use another method of contraception, such as a condom. 

Norethisterone is not for everyone, especially if you have breast cancer or a history of blood clots. For further information, see your doctor.

The effectiveness of it in postponing periods varies from woman to woman. Some norethisterone users have experienced the following adverse effects:

• Menstrual cycle irregularities
• breast sensitivity
• Nausea
• Headache
• Mood swings
• Sexual drive abnormalities

Changing to or beginning the combined contraceptive pill

If you are presently using another method of contraception, switching to the combined contraceptive pill will allow you to delay your period. If you do not currently utilize contraception, you may be allowed to begin using the combination pill.

However, you may need to begin taking this tablet many weeks before you wish to delay your period, and it is not ideal for everyone.

If you’re starting or transitioning to the combined contraceptive pill, you may need to utilize supplemental contraception during the first few days.

More information and guidance can be obtained from your pharmacy, community contraceptive clinic, or GP practice.