The period is a biological phenomenon crucial in women from a health and reproduction perspective. It is an essential course that a woman needs every month, but it gets on their nerves when it clashes with crucial events, occasions, or meetings. The scenario in office, board meetings, and family gatherings often gets awkward and may lead to period-shaming. Likewise, using sanitary pads and being extra cautious leads to frustration and distress. All this makes the women feel like putting an end to their periods for a while. So, all those who wish to take a break from this monthly occurrence can look up these home remedies.
What is Menstruation?
Menstruation occurs in women of reproductive age, typically between 14 and 45 years. It involves the shedding of the uterine lining when not fertilized by a male’s sperm. This monthly routine prepares the body for pregnancy. In the absence of fertilization, the thick lining comprising tissues, blood, and nutrients breaks down, flowing out through the vagina. In essence, menstruation is the monthly rupture of the uterus lining necessary for pregnancy, resulting in the discharge of blood.
A woman would have about 480 cycles between the ages of 12 to 52, or less if she’s had any pregnancies (1)
How To Keep Track Of Your Periods?
It’s a straightforward process. Log the first day of your period on a calendar for several months to determine the average duration of your menstrual cycle more effectively. The last date of the previous period serves as the starting point for the next cycle. While a 28-day cycle is typical, menstrual cycles can range from 21 to 40 days, leading to variations in the timing of women’s period days. (2)
Side Effects Of Periods
Periods are a natural and unavoidable phenomenon. These days, the majority of the women feel uncomfortable. Common symptoms are tender breasts, muscle aches, joint pain, headaches, acne, abdominal cramps, bloating, diarrhea, or constipation.
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Health And Hygiene During Periods
Here are some essential and easy hygiene tips every woman must follow during their periods.
1. Avoid Pads And Tampon For Long
Almost 70% of women carry tampons and sanitary pads for an extended period, compromising their hygiene. Such practices should be immediately stopped as the period blood decomposes slowly until it leaves the uterus. Prolonged use of the same pad around the vaginal area may expose skin to itching and bacterial infections. Therefore, It is advisable not to use the same sanitary pads for longer than 3 hours. (3)
2. Clean The Pubic Area
Keeping the vaginal area clean is extremely important, especially in those days, as there are the highest chances of getting vaginal infections. In addition, the pubic area must be washed every time you change the sanitary pads.
3. Say ‘No’ To Vaginal Cleansers
Interestingly, the vagina is the only part of our body that is ‘self-cleaning.’ It is meant to clean itself with natural discharge (secretions). Therefore, learn to say big ‘NO’ to all branded douche, soap, daily ‘special’ wash, wipes, perfume, or deodorant around your vagina. However, clean water is always recommended for washing the vaginal area.
4. Proper Disposal Of Pads
Proper disposal of used sanitary pads is a vital part. Always wrap it in paper and pack it in a plastic pouch before disposing it. It is done to avoid the germs and bacteria developed on the used pads, which, if left open, can emit foul odor and attract insects. Never flush it, as it may block the water and release bacteria. Always wash your hands with soap after changing.
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5. Take Adequate Rest
Take sufficient rest during your periods, and do not stress yourself.
6. Follow Healthy Diet
Try to follow a strict diet to avoid cramping as well as stress during the menstruation cycle. Cut down entirely on carbonated drinks, fatty foods, caffeine, alcohol, salty foods, etc., as they may make you uncomfortable. Instead, try to have herbal tea, dark chocolate, green leafy vegetables, fish, ginger, fruits rich in water and vitamin C, yogurt, nuts, etc., which are highly recommended during periods. (4)
Is It Possible To Control The Menstrual Cycle?
It is one of the most common questions that every woman looks out for. And the answer is yes. There are medications and home remedies that are proven to be successful in suppressing the menstruation cycle.
If you think you are lucky because your periods come up every time, just like clockwork, it doesn’t mean it will always work the same way. From cramps to irritability and mood swings, it might be inconvenient to have periods on special occasions.
Proven Home Remedies To Stop Your Period Naturally?
If you research the internet, many options are available to eliminate your periods temporarily. This article has come to your rescue to release you from confusing and difficult choices. Yes, here you will get the proven and effective remedies to suppress your menstruation. There are two main options available to postpone menstruation: medications and home remedies.
Women usually prefer to delay their periods because of inconvenient times like holidays or special events. Well, in medical practice, it is known as menstrual suppression and menstrual manipulation. There are different types of hormonal drugs available which help delay periods (5). These include
- Oral contraceptive pill
- Medroxyprogesterone injection
- Contraceptive vaginal ring
- Contraceptive patch
- Drug-releasing intrauterine device (IUD)
- Etonogestrel contraceptive implant
However, continuous intake of pills may cause hormonal imbalance in your body and disrupt the menstrual cycle, leading to many gynecological problems in the future. Some of the common side effects of hormonal drugs are
- Irregular bleeding
- Abdominal discomfort
- Nausea
- Mood swings
On the other hand, several home remedies are successfully proven to be effective in postponing your period naturally. They are listed below.
Also Read – 7 Most Effective Yoga Poses to Enhance Fertility
1. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple Cider Vinegar helps you lose weight and detoxify your body. According to old theories, this humble liquid is also beneficial in delaying menstruation.
Add one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar in warm water and take it regularly before 10 to 12 days of your expected day. You may also take it as a nutritious solid drink for the body.
Several studies have found that the high acidity in the ACV solution may delay periods to a certain extent. However, it is not a reliable source to delay your menstruation (6). Drinking apple cider vinegar may lead to severe cramps and bloating, making the period uncomfortable without postponing it.
2. Gram Lentils
Consuming gram lentils also helps to control your menstruation temporarily. It is high in vitamins and protein. Some hacks indicate that using baked lentil powder will postpone the cycle of the period. However, overconsumption of lentils may cause digestive problems or flatulence.
3. Gelatin
Gelatin has numerous benefits and has proved to be a boon in many emergencies. Gelatin has been used in Chinese remedies since ancient times. All you need to do is take a spoonful of gelatin powder in warm water and start drinking it regularly before ten days of your period date.
4. Lime Juice
Have you ever wondered if the lemon may help you with the cause? If not, then give it a try. Lime juice, as well as apple cider vinegar, is a highly acidic drink. Hence, they are considered to be menstruation postponement hacks.
Lime juice is enormously helpful in various health issues like BP, nausea, and weakness. It is rich in citric acid and vitamin C. It is full of vitamin C, so it helps you lighten the flow and temporarily postpone periods. Therefore, consuming lime juice regularly before ten days of your expected menstruation date may create magic for you.
5. Parsley Leaves
You may have never imagined that parsley leaves may come to your rescue. Herbal parley has the properties to imbalance the hormones and break down the menstrual process in your body.
Pick some parsley leaves and then boil until the quantity of water is reduced to half. Cool it and drink it about two times daily to delay late periods. Vitamin C, A, and B12 are rich properties of parsley, and these vitamins help clear out the body’s waste and water.
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6. Uterus Massage
Rubbing oil on your belly helps slow the menstrual pain and delays your period. However, the method only succeeds if the massage is carried out correctly. Hence, you may prefer professionals to perform this task.
7. Papaya
Having papaya daily often helps in the contraction of the uterine muscles. In addition, the fruit produces heat in the body and contains carotene. This substance inhibits and controls the body’s estrogen hormone levels. In short, it’s worth trusting papaya for menstruation suppression.
8. Healthy Food
Nutrition, fiber, and water-rich food have effectively suppressed the menstruation cycle. Generally, foods that reduce inflammation in the body may help to ease menstrual cramps. Examples include fruits, berries, nuts, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds. In addition, research has proved that a plant-based and vegetarian diet reduces inflammation significantly.
9. Exercise
Surprisingly, extreme exercise may cause an interruption in the period cycle. Women who indulge in intensive physical exercise days before their expected menstruation might notice that it does not start on time.
This may be due to the availability of low energy. Once the body has consumed significant energy, it will not have the power to complete the menstrual cycle. As a result, professional athletes often experience menstrual irregularities.
Summary:
Delaying periods is not a healthy process but can be used as a temporary option for a specific circumstance to stay free from discomfort. Several home remedies are successfully proven to be effective in postponing your period naturally, and some of them include the usage of apple cider vinegar, lemon, papaya, leaves, etc. Before you try any remedy, always consult the doctor to understand the best probable outcome.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What things can delay the periods?
Internal ups and downs of the body are the main reasons for delayed and missing periods. These include stress, hormonal imbalance, thyroid issues, pregnancy or menopause, etc.
How late can a period be?
Generally, more than 30 days is called “officially late” for the normal menstrual cycle. However, your late periods might be considered missing if you don’t get the bleeding even after six weeks. In such cases, you need to consult a doctor.
Is it normal to skip a period?
It is expected to slow down or have intermittent cycles, particularly during the first two years of a girl’s menstruation cycle. However, illness, sudden changes in weight, or tension will make things unstable too. The reason is that such incidents affect the portion of the brain that controls the menstruation cycles.
Which tablet is the best choice to get menses immediately?
Medroxyprogesterone must be taken orally—you must take one tablet per day on the particular days of your monthly cycle. Consult your medical practitioner to understand the probable outcome.
References –
- “Periods and fertility in the menstrual cycle” – NHS. uk
- “Menstrual cycle” – en.wikipedia.org
- “How Often Should You Change Your Pad?” – healthline.com
- “Treatments and remedies to delay a period” – medicalnewstoday.com
- “Intake of Vinegar Beverage Is Associated with Restoration of Ovulatory Function in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome” – jstage.jst.go.jp
