For many women, periods can be a nuisance and strike at the most inopportune times. For those afflicted with heavy periods, it can be particularly stressful when gearing up for that all-important career event or about to embark on a flight abroad.
Period delay pills are a simple and effective way to delay your period for those moments you need to be at your best. In this blog, we’ll explain why period delay pills are the best new solution for women who want to postpone their time of the month until a time that suits them.
How period delay pills work?
Periods occur when levels of the hormone progesterone (which normally maintains the lining of the womb in preparation for another egg) drop rapidly, causing the womb to shed its lining and the period to begin. For women wishing to delay their periods, the best option is the common period delay pill, which keeps progesterone levels artificially higher in the body and ultimately delays the arrival of the period. (The period should return approximately 2-3 days after you stop taking this medication.)
It’s important to note that period delay pills do not act as a contraceptive, so other measures must be taken to maintain contraceptive effect for as long as the period delay pills are taken.
Common reasons for using period delay pills
The most common reason women take period delay pills is to avoid a period landing at an awkward time - whether for work or leisure.
If you are already taking the combined oral contraceptive pill, then you should not take period delay pills at the same time. To delay your period when using this form of contraception, simply start your next pack instantly once your normal run is complete. This is safe if done from time to time, but it is not advisable to link more than two packs without allowing for the period to resume again in between.
Effectiveness of period delay pills
As everyone’s cycle is different, the timing of the delayed period can vary from person to person - but, in general, period delay pills are a very effective method for deferring the period until a more suitable time.
Period delay pills have been proven to work without exception for most women. But for those taking certain medications it’s important to consult with your GP before proceeding with your first period delay pill, as these tablets might have an adverse effect when interacting with some medications - particularly those associated with high blood pressure, epilepsy, and some antibiotics.
Potential side effects
Like most medications, some minor side effects have been known to appear when taking a pill to delay your period. The most common side effects are:
- Acne
- Low mood
- Mild breast pain
- Nausea
Period delay pills are also not suitable for women who are pregnant or are breastfeeding. Certain factors can make it more likely for one to experience venous thromboembolism such as personal or family history of VTE, smoking, raised Body mass index (BMI), immobilisation, surgery or long haul flights. .
When to use period delay pills
If you choose to take period delay pills, a doctor will normally prescribe tablets to be taken 3 times per day for up to two weeks.
Period delay pills should be taken 3 days before you expect your period to begin. While it depends on the individual’s cycle, normally you will see the period return in roughly 2-3 days after you stop taking the period delay pill. It’s also important to note that this medication is strictly for occasional use, so it’s advised not to use it more than once every four months.
Alternatives to period delay pills
As mentioned above, if you are on the combined oral contraceptive pill, it’s possible to delay your period by linking packs without taking the scheduled break that the hormones expect. If you are about to start taking the oral pill as a contraceptive method, then you will need to start it a few weeks before the time you want to delay your period.
It’s also possible to delay your period when using other alternative forms of birth control. If you are using the contraceptive patch, you can achieve this by skipping your hormone-free week and applying a new patch. For the birth control ring, simply leave it in place for the 4th week without taking a break, before inserting a new ring. In both cases, the effectiveness of these methods as contraceptives is not reduced.
The morning after pill generally does not affect your period overall, but in some cases, it can cause the timing of its arrival to change, or cause bleeding to be heavier or lighter than usual. It is not to be used as a method for delaying one’s period.
Conclusion
Whether you’re attending a special event or about to embark on that dream holiday, it’s never ideal to have the potential of a heavy period looming over you. This is why more and more women are occasionally taking period delay pills as an effective way to take back control of their menstrual cycle, and enjoy their life instead of facing that time of the month.
How HealthHero can support you
If you have an important life event on the horizon or simply want to travel to your dream destination without the hassle of an awkward period, HealthHero’s experienced team of Irish-registered clinicians are available to provide advice to delay your period. To learn more, visit our our medical service page.
