How to Delay Your Period (2025)

You can safely delay your period for days or weeks. How you do it depends partly on why you want to postpone bleeding.

Some methods may be better for those needing relief from severe period pain or gynecological problems. Others are recommended for temporarily delaying bleeding during a special event, like a wedding, vacation, or athletic competition.

Take Norethindrone

Norethindrone contains progestin, a synthetic form of progesterone. This medication is used to treat endometriosis pain and menstrual irregularities. It's also available as an oral contraceptive. Even if you don't want to take birth control pills regularly, you can take norethindrone alone to temporarily delay your period.

How to Take Norethindrone

A healthcare provider can prescribe norethindrone pills short-term for the specific purpose of delaying your period. You typically begin on or before day 12 of your cycle, in doses of 5 milligrams (mg), three times daily.

Compared to oral contraceptives, norethindrone is less likely to cause breakthrough bleeding. It does not prevent pregnancy when taken in this short-term format, meaning it does not impact your fertility.

Consider Other Progestin-Only Pills

While norethindrone is a commonly prescribed progestin-only pill, your healthcare provider may suggest others like norgestrel and drospirenone.

Unlike combination birth control, progestin-only pills do not contain estrogen. As a result, changes in bleeding are the most common side effects of this type of birth control.

People taking progestin-only pills typically have less or no bleeding. You will need to take the pill every day, at the same time, to delay your period. Stopping the medication will likely result in withdrawal bleeding.

Skip Placebo Birth Control Pills

A common way to delay your period if you already take combination birth control pills is to change the frequency and order with which you take your pills.

To delay your period, skip any placebo or "reminder" pills and continue to your next hormone-containing pill. For example, if you have a packet of 28 capsules, you would likely go straight from day 21 to day 1 of the next pack.

Skipping your period with the pill is generally safe, but speak to the prescribing healthcare provider if you plan to do this.

Explore Non-Pill Hormonal Birth Control

Other hormonal birth control methods can delay your period. Keep in mind that results aren't guaranteed and differ from person to person.

Hormonal Intrauterine Device (IUD)

Intrauterine devices (IUDs) are a type of birth control inserted into the uterus. Hormone-containing IUDs are effective for up to eight years, depending on the type.

Hormonal IUDs release progestin, which thickens cervical mucus and prevents sperm from entering the uterus. It can also thin the uterus lining, leading to lighter and less frequent periods.

IUDs that release hormones often reduce heavy bleeding and cramps. About 20% of people stop having a period entirely after one year of using the Mirena IUD, and about 12% after one year of using the Kyleena IUD.

Vaginal Ring

You can continuously use the Nuvaring (the combined intravaginal contraceptive ring) to suppress periods. This is because the ring releases hormones that prevent the endometrium (uterine lining) from building up.

To stop your period, replace the ring every four weeks with no hormone-free days. Most (89%) of people using a vaginal ring for over six months have minimal bleeding.

Injections

Depo-Provera (Depo shot or DMPA) is a type of injectable birth control typically administered every three months. The most common side effect of Depo-Provera is irregular or lighter periods. About 55% have no periods after one year of use, and 68% after two years.

Implant

Nexplanon is a progestin-only contraceptive implant inserted into the arm and effective for three years. About 33.6% of people experience infrequent bleeding, and 22.2% experience no periods when on the implant.

However, some people bleed more frequently or even constantly with the implant. Ultimately, the implant has unpredictable bleeding effects that may or may not result in a delayed period.

Do Natural Methods Work?

You may be wondering how to delay your period naturally without hormonal medications. No scientific evidence supports any natural method of delaying or stopping your period.

Some natural methods that you might have heard about include:

• Apple cider vinegar (ACV): There is no evidence that ACV delays or stops periods, although one study suggests it could start menstruation.
• Lemon: No research supports that eating, drinking, or applying lemon has any effect on menstruation.
• Exercise: There is evidence that excessive exercise can delay or stop periods because your body can't meet its energy demands. This is a side effect in high-level and professional athletes, particularly in ballet, running, gymnastics, and figure skating. Engaging in extreme exercise to "lose" your period is not recommended.

Benefits of Delaying Your Period

Delaying your period may provide medical and personal benefits. Healthcare providers may recommend period suppression to help treat:

• Endometriosis
• Heavy bleeding
• Painful periods (dysmenorrhea)
• Chronic pelvic pain

Hormonal changes during periods may cause health conditions or worsen existing problems. A few examples of problems that may benefit from delaying your period include:

• Acne
• Headaches
• Seizures
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS)

Delaying periods may provide personal benefits for:

• People with cancer or other serious illnesses
• People with developmental or physical disabilities
• People in the military
• Transgender and gender-diverse people who want to manage menstruation

Is It Safe?

Delaying your period (suppressing menstrual bleeding) is safe for most people. However, some methods may carry risks.

Risks

As mentioned above, breakthrough bleeding may occur. Though that's not a risk to your health and should improve, it can continue to be a problem.

Estrogen-containing treatments may be risky for people with liver disease, cardiovascular disease, or a high risk of blood clots or heart disease. Progestin-only treatments may not be a good choice in people with medical conditions like lupus and breast cancer.

Estrogen and progestin can interact with many medications and supplements, possibly reducing the effectiveness of your period-delaying treatment.

When to See a Healthcare Provider

Always consult with a healthcare provider before using an existing birth control prescription to delay your period.

You should also see your healthcare provider if you develop any problems like breast tenderness, pelvic pain, period pain, or heavy bleeding.

Summary

You may want to delay your period for many reasons — from special events and holidays to matters of identity or health conditions. Specific hormonal birth control can delay or stop your period.

While you may have heard of natural methods to stop menstrual bleeding, these options are ineffective and not backed by science. Talk to a healthcare provider about options to delay your period.