Overview
For many women, holidays or weddings prompt a desire to adjust their menstrual cycle to avoid inconvenience. Menstruation, a natural process, is regulated by hormonal changes, but its timing can vary due to factors like stress and health conditions. While the desire to control menstruation is common, it’s crucial to prioritize health. The menstrual cycle typically lasts 28 days but varies. This article explores methods to adjust the cycle and discusses associated risks and scientific support, empowering informed decisions about menstrual health.
How do you induce a period?
Inducing a period, or menstruation, should be approached cautiously and is best done under the guidance of a healthcare provider. However, some methods that have been suggested to induce a period potentially include:
Prescription medication
Medroxyprogesterone for regulating hormone levels
Medroxyprogesterone, a synthetic hormone akin to the body’s natural progesterone, is often prescribed to address amenorrhea (lack of period) lasting over three months in non-pregnant women with abnormal hormone levels. It can help regulate hormone levels to induce a period but should only be used as prescribed after a thorough gynecological assessment. While it doesn’t act as a contraceptive, it is essential for women seeking to prevent pregnancy to consult a gynecologist for the best contraceptive method.
Primosiston for hormonal regulation
Primosiston, containing norethisterone and ethinylestradiol, inhibits ovulation and hormonal production, making it helpful in inducing or delaying a period and managing dysfunctional uterine bleeding. It should be used strictly as per a gynecologist’s instructions, including pregnancy testing. Despite containing hormones, it is not a form of birth control and should not be relied upon for contraception. Women with certain medical conditions or risk factors, such as a history of blood clots or breast cancer, may not be candidates for Primosiston. Additionally, Primosiston may cause side effects in some individuals, such as nausea, breast tenderness, or mood changes.
Lutein for menstrual regulation
Lutein, a prescription drug, is used to treat secondary amenorrhea, not to advance a period by several days. It is employed when menstrual disorders stem from low progesterone levels. Administered orally or intravaginally for 5 to 7 days, lutein raises progesterone levels, leading to menstruation when discontinued.
Aspirin and drotaverine misconceptions
Many women inquire about using over-the-counter tablets like aspirin to hasten menstruation, but there are no such medically proven methods. Aspirin, despite its blood-thinning effects, does not necessarily affect the menstrual cycle or speed up your period and can be harmful in excessive doses, potentially causing various health issues such as liver function disorders, nephritis (kidney inflammation), and even hemorrhages. While drotaverine is effective for conditions like painful menstruation, it does not induce menstruation.
Hormonal birth control
The most dependable method of controlling your menstrual cycle is to use hormonal birth control. This could include injectables, patches, implants, and oral contraceptives (the pill). Here’s how hormonal birth control can be used to induce a period:
Birth control pills
Combination birth control pills contain both estrogen and progestin hormones. When you take these pills for 21 days, followed by a week of inactive pills (or no pills), the drop in hormone levels during the inactive week triggers a withdrawal bleed, similar to a period. This is not a natural period but a response to the hormone changes in the pill.
Birth control patch
The patch contains estrogen and progestin. You wear the patch on your skin and change it weekly for three weeks, followed by a week without a patch. Similar to combination pills, the drop in hormone levels during the patch-free week triggers a withdrawal bleed.
Birth control vaginal ring
The ring is inserted into the vagina and releases estrogen and progestin. You leave it in for three weeks, then remove it for a week to allow for a withdrawal bleed.
Birth control shot
The shot contains progestin and is administered every three months. Some people may experience irregular bleeding or no bleeding at all while on the shot.
Hormonal IUD
Some hormonal IUDs release progestin, which can lead to lighter periods or no periods at all. However, they are not typically explicitly used to induce a period.
Period-inducing herbs
Herbs, called emmenagogues or period-inducing herbs, are thought to increase blood flow to the uterus and pelvic region, which may aid in initiating a monthly cycle. It’s important to note that while these herbs are commonly used in traditional medicine practices, scientific evidence supporting their effectiveness is limited. Some of these herbs may have side effects or interactions with medications, so it’s essential to consult a doctor before using them. Here are some commonly used period-inducing herbs and their potential effects:
Parsley
Parsley is believed to stimulate the uterus and promote menstruation. It can be consumed as a tea by steeping fresh or dried parsley in hot water. However, large amounts of parsley should be avoided, especially during pregnancy, as it may have uterotonic effects.
Ginger
Warming qualities associated with ginger may help increase blood flow and encourage menstruation. It can be poured over food or drunk as tea.
Cinnamon
Cinnamon is believed to help regulate menstrual cycles and induce periods. It can be used as a tea or added to food.
Dong Quai
Dong Quai is a popular herb in traditional Chinese medicine that controls menstrual periods and eases cramps. It can be taken as a pill or as a tea. Pregnancy is the time when it should be avoided, nevertheless.
Angelica root
Another herb that is frequently used in Traditional Chinese Medicine to control menstrual periods and ease cramping is angelica root. It can be taken as a pill or as a tea.
Yarrow
It is thought that yarrow’s astringent and stimulating qualities help lessen cramping during periods and assist control of menstrual cycles. You can drink it as tea.
It’s important to remember that while these herbs are considered natural remedies, they can still have side effects and interactions with medications. Pregnant women should avoid using emmenagogues, as they can potentially cause uterine contractions and miscarriage.
Get extra vitamin C
Research has indicated a favorable correlation between vitamin C consumption, elevated estrogen levels, and lowered progesterone levels. This can accelerate the onset of your period by inducing uterine contractions. However, additional research is required to validate this result.
Many individuals rely on this method based on anecdotal experiences. Nonpregnant or non-lactating individuals’ recommended daily vitamin C intake is typically 75 milligrams per day (mg/day). However, consuming higher doses of vitamin C is generally considered safe. Despite the lack of scientific backing, some people find that increasing their intake of vitamin C through supplements or dietary sources may potentially affect their menstrual cycle
People with a history of hemochromatosis, renal insufficiency, renal failure, or oxalate kidney stones should not take supplements. In addition, they may result in adverse reactions such as vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, or stomach pain.
Steer clear of intense exercise.
Intense physical activity or overloading the body when lifting weights might alter hormones and result in lower estrogen levels. Amenorrhea, which is more common in professional athletes, may result from this.
Regular exercise without overtaxing the body with resistance or shortening the duration of each session is an excellent strategy to prevent postponing a period.
Engaging in sexual activity
Frequent sexual activity can aid in hormonal balance and stress reduction, both of which can assist in the control of the menstrual cycle.
Furthermore, orgasms can aid in dilating the uterus and boosting blood flow to the pelvis, both of which can induce menstruation. This is especially likely to happen if you have sex a few days before your period.
Weight and diet
A person’s menstrual cycle may fluctuate depending on their body weight. Abnormally low body weight might lead to irregular or nonexistent menstrual cycles. This is because the body requires fat to manufacture menstruation-related hormones.
Inconsistent menstrual cycles can also result from being overweight or an abrupt weight shift.
Some women may see that various foods alter the amount and duration of their menstrual flow and how fast or heavy it is. The proportion of fat, protein, and other nutrients in meals may cause this.
Excessive exercise or severe calorie restriction can affect ovulation and reproductive hormones.
Changing one’s diet
A qualified dietitian’s advice on food modifications is crucial for controlling hormone levels and preserving a regular cycle, particularly for women who have experienced irregular periods in the past as a result of low body weight, obesity, or restricted diets.
Pineapple
Pineapples contain a lot of bromelain, an enzyme that may impact hormones like estrogen.
According to research, bromelain can lessen inflammation, which may be helpful for specific inflammatory reasons of irregular periods.
According to a 2019 study, ginger beverages and pineapple juice can help female teenagers experiencing primary dysmenorrhea feel less pain.
However, there is no evidence to suggest that taking supplements containing pineapple or bromelain may cause menstruation.
What is safe and unsafe for making your period come faster?
Making your period come faster is not always safe and can be harmful if not done correctly. It’s important to note that the menstrual cycle is a natural process regulated by hormones, and trying to force or manipulate it can adversely affect your health. Here’s a breakdown of safe and unsafe methods:
Safe methods
Hormonal birth control
A healthcare provider’s recommendation for hormonal birth control pills can help you manage your menstrual cycle and get your period at a regular time. This is a safe and practical way to deal with irregular menstruation.
Healthy diet and exercise
A balanced diet with regular exercise is essential for a healthy lifestyle to help you naturally manage your menstrual period. Since stress can affect hormone levels, managing it is part of this.
Menstrual cycle tracking
By keeping track of your menstrual cycle, you can better understand your body’s natural rhythm and predict when your period will arrive.
Unsafe methods
Herbal supplements
While some herbs are believed to stimulate menstruation, their safety and effectiveness need to be better studied. It’s essential to consult with a doctor before using any herbal supplements.
Physical methods
Certain physical methods, such as vigorous exercise or using a heating pad on the abdomen, are sometimes thought to induce menstruation. However, these methods are not scientifically proven and can be harmful if done excessively.
Unproven methods
There are many unproven methods and old wives’ tales about how to make your period come faster, such as drinking certain teas or taking hot baths. These methods are not supported by scientific evidence and can be unsafe.
When should I see a doctor?
If you’re experiencing irregular periods, severe pain, abnormal bleeding, or significant impacts on your daily life due to menstrual symptoms, it’s essential to seek medical advice. Similarly, difficulty conceiving after a year of trying (or six months if you’re over 35), suspected pregnancy, or concerns regarding birth control warrant prompt attention from a healthcare provider. These issues can signal underlying health conditions that require evaluation and appropriate management.
FAQs about period problems
The absence of menstrual cycles is known as amenorrhea. Hormone disruption, which can result from severe weight loss, emotional stress, intense exercise, or specific reproductive diseases, is the most frequent reason.
Women usually ovulate every month; however, when anovulation occurs, no egg is released from the ovaries. You won’t be ovulating or bleeding, but you will still feel like you are on your period.
“Normal cycles occur every 28 days, plus or minus one week. On the first day of your period, the cycle begins. It would be deemed late if you had missed more than 35 days of your menstruation. It would be more problematic if someone went several months at a time without having their period.
There are numerous reasons why periods are missed or late. Most of the time, there is nothing to be concerned about, but if you have missed your period three times in a row, your periods have not begun by the time you are sixteen, or you have missed your period and have additional symptoms like fatigue, weight gain or loss, dry or oily skin, or hair growth on your face, you should see a doctor.
