Many women wish they could take a break from their monthly periods. Some have health conditions like endometriosis that make menstrual cramps particularly painful. Others want to avoid an inconvenience or discomfort during important events. Some religions and cultures even have traditional rituals around menstruation that require avoidance of daily activities.
While there is no guaranteed way to completely skip or stop your period naturally, there are some methods you can try that may make it lighter, shorter, or more irregular. Understanding how the menstrual cycle works is key to knowing how to potentially delay or skip a period using natural remedies.
How the Menstrual Cycle Works
The menstrual cycle is usually around 28 days on average, but can range from 21 to 35 days. It is controlled by a complex balance of hormones.
Here are the main phases:
Follicular Phase – The first day of your period marks the beginning of a new cycle. During the follicular phase, estrogen levels begin to rise and mature an egg in one of your ovaries. This phase usually lasts 16 days, but can vary from 10 to 22 days.
Ovulation – In the middle of your cycle, a surge of luteinizing hormone triggers ovulation. This is when your ovary releases a mature egg for potential fertilization. Ovulation occurs around day 14 in a 28-day cycle.
Luteal Phase – After ovulation, the empty follicle left behind becomes a corpus luteum that secretes progesterone. Progesterone prepares your uterus lining for implantation of a fertilized egg. This phase lasts about 12-16 days.
Menstruation – If an egg is not fertilized, your progesterone and estrogen levels drop at the end of the luteal phase. This triggers your uterus to shed its lining as your next menstrual period.
Natural Ways to Potentially Delay or Skip Your Period
Since ovulation is necessary to start the sequence of events leading to your period, anything that suppresses ovulation can potentially delay or skip your period. Natural ways to do this include:
– Taking vitamin C – Vitamin C has been shown to lengthen the follicular phase, potentially delaying ovulation. Take 1,000 mg daily.
– Reduce stress – High stress levels can affect hormone balance and potentially delay ovulation. Try yoga, meditation, massage, or other relaxation techniques.
– Avoid intense exercise – Strenuous exercise can sometimes disrupt ovulation, especially when body fat is very low. Moderate your workouts.
– Adjust your diet – Very high or low body fat levels can impact ovulation. Eat a balanced diet to maintain a healthy weight.
– Consider natural progesterone creams – Applying natural progesterone cream from days 14-28 of your cycle could induce a withdrawal bleed and reset your cycle. Use cautiously and under a doctor’s guidance.
– Take anti-inflammatory supplements – Turmeric, omega-3s, and anti-inflammatory teas may help minimize period cramps and discomfort.
– Use heating pads – Applying heat can help reduce period pain and muscle cramps in the uterus.
When Skipping a Period May Be a Concern
While skipping your period once in a while is not necessarily a major concern, frequently delaying your period long-term could be a sign of an underlying health condition. See your doctor if you:
– Miss more than three periods in a row
– Have signs of pregnancy like nausea or breast soreness
– Have extreme weight loss or gain
– Notice excess hair growth, acne, or other masculinizing signs
– Have severe pelvic pain or headaches
These could be symptoms of conditions like pregnancy, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), eating disorders, ovarian insufficiency, thyroid disorders, or ovarian cancer. Your doctor can run tests to determine if you have a health condition that requires treatment.
Using Birth Control to Skip Periods
One of the most common medical ways to delay or eliminate monthly periods is by using certain types of hormonal birth control. Here are some options:
The Birth Control Pill
Most birth control pill packs contain 21 days of hormone pills and 7 placebo pills during which you get your period. However, you can:
– Skip the placebo pills and start a new pack right away. This usually delays your period until you take a break.
– Take pills continuously without a break. After a few months, you may not get a period at all.
Talk to your doctor about the risks. Some allow pill cycling for up to three months at a time. Taking pills long-term without any breaks can increase side effects like spotting and breast tenderness in some women.
Other Hormonal Birth Control
Methods like the vaginal ring, patch, shot, or hormonal IUD can also sometimes eliminate monthly periods after several months of use. The hormones stop the uterine lining from thickening enough to shed. Discuss the pros and cons with your healthcare provider.
Lifestyle Changes to Minimize Period Issues
Making certain lifestyle adjustments can help minimize common period discomforts, even if it does not actually stop your flow. Try:
Stay Hydrated
Drinking plenty of water can help:
– Reduce bloating
– Prevent cramps
– Avoid dizziness, fatigue, and headaches
Aim for around eight 8-ounce glasses daily. Avoid excess caffeine and soda which act as diuretics.
Exercise Regularly
Exercise can:
– Release endorphins that improve mood
– Reduce prostaglandins that cause cramping
– Boost circulation to dispel bloating
Aim for 30 minutes per day of light activity like walking, yoga, or cycling during your period.
Apply Heat
A hot water bottle, heating pad, or warm bath can:
– Soothe menstrual cramps
– Relax the contracting uterus muscles
– Improve blood flow
Use a hot pack on your lower abdomen or soak in a tub for 15-20 minutes to relieve pain.
Take Anti-Inflammatory Foods and Supplements
Anti-inflammatory foods and supplements can help minimize period discomfort. Try:
– Ginger, chamomile, peppermint, or green tea
– Turmeric or omega-3 supplements
– Tart cherry juice
– Calcium and magnesium supplements
These can reduce inflammation and relax uterine muscles.
Get Enough Rest
Be sure to get 7-9 hours of sleep per night during your period. Fatigue can magnify cramps, migraines, and mood swings. Try to go to bed earlier and nap if needed.
When to See a Doctor
See your gynecologist if:
– Your periods suddenly stop for over 3 months
– You miss periods and have signs of pregnancy
– You regularly skip periods and struggle with weight issues
– Your periods are extremely heavy or painful
There may be an underlying health condition causing your period problems that requires treatment. Don’t hesitate to see your doctor for any concerns.
The Takeaway
While you cannot always prevent your period from coming, making some natural lifestyle tweaks can potentially delay it slightly. Be cautious about doing this frequently without a doctor’s supervision. If you want to take a medically-supervised break from monthly periods, discuss birth control options like extended cycle pills. Overall, it is normal to get a monthly period, but there are many ways to reduce associated headaches, cramps, and fatigue through diet, exercise, stress reduction, and other lifestyle measures. See your doctor if you have any concerns about missing or altering your menstrual cycle.