The menstrual cycle, a crucial biological process tied to ovulation, is vital to a woman’s well-being and reproductive health. Despite its natural occurrence, some women seek ways to manipulate it due to its interference with scheduled tasks or cultural beliefs, deeming it ‘inauspicious.’ Whether for convenience or cultural reasons, understanding how to prepare for or postpone periods using available medications in India is valuable. (1) (2)
Medicine(s) To Prepone Or Postpone Periods
However, when it comes to rearranging the dates of menstrual cycles, most women doubt the efficacy of natural remedies and are inclined towards synthetic drugs. As all of these are hormonal medicines, they are sold only against doctors’ prescriptions instead of over-the-counter (OTC). The morning-after pills are often recommended by gynecologists for this purpose to cause a decline in the level of progesterone in our body, which eventually delays the periods from 2 to 7 days. If you are already taking a birth control pill regularly, all you need to do is continue it for three consecutive weeks and skip the iron fillers in the fourth week. Instead, start the cycle back, i.e., keep taking the pills without taking a week off. It will postpone your period until you stop taking the pills and wish to have it.
Here is a list of prescription medicines available in India to prepone or postpone periods:
1. Primolut-N (5 mg.)
Primolut-N is the most widely recommended/prescribed drug in India that is used for preponing or postponing periods. It has norethisterone,’ a “steroidal progestin with additional weak androgenic and estrogenic activity.” Primolut-N is mainly used for treating “dysfunctional uterine bleeding, relief of primary and secondary amenorrhoea, the timing of menstruation, and endometriosis.” To reschedule the menstrual cycle, one must take one tablet thrice daily (swallow with any liquid) at specific times.
Also Read – 9 Proven Home Remedies To Delay Your Period Naturally!
While forwarding the timing of menstruation, the tablet must be taken at least ten days before the expected starting date. Once you stop taking it, you will get your period within three days. On the other hand, to postpone the timing of menstruation, one needs to start taking the medicine at least three days before the expected date of starting. Like the previous case, you will get your period within 2 to 3 days once you stop taking the medicine. However, Primolut-N should not be taken more than 10 to 14 days in one go. Hence, calculate the date of starting the medicine course with enough time beforehand.
However, special precautions should be taken while using Primolut-N in conditions like diabetes mellitus, chloasma, psychic depression, pregnancy, lactation, active thromboembolic processes, hepatic disease, liver tumors, sex hormone-dependent malignancies, hypersensitivity to norethisterone, unexplained vaginal bleeding, angina, pemphigoid gestationis, porphyria, pruritus, etc. The medicine is also known to cause undesired side effects like bloating, stomach problems, changes in libido, irregular bleeding, scanty bleeding, amenorrhoea, visual disturbances, nausea, headache, oedema, dyspnoea, hypersensitivity, migrainous headaches, thrombophlebitis, tightness in the chest, etc.
Tip – Having sex can increase the chances of preponing your periods naturally. However make sure to take pre cautions so that it doesn’t lead to pregnancy.
2. Ibuprofen (800 mg)
The non-steroidal medicine Ibuprofen is known to help forward or delay menstrual cycles effectively. It should be taken five times daily starting a few weeks before the expected date. A double dose of vitamin B6 should accompany Ibuprofen.
3. Ovral-G
Ovral-G combines estrogen and progesterone, which claims to be a more comforting solution than Primolut-N. It needs to be continued until one wishes to have her period again. The best thing about this drug is that it doesn’t make delayed menstruation painful.
Tip – Avoid spicy and junk foods to delay your periods.
Prepone Or Postpone Periods Naturally
Being a monthly natural occurrence, menstruation should never be messed up with. However, there come times when we can’t help but wish to reschedule it to an earlier or a later time to make our life a bit easier. In such dilemmas, sticking to natural remedies is always better as they do not pose the risk of adverse effects. According to experts, consuming foods that warm the body by inducing heat can prepone menstruation, while foods that can cool down the body can postpone it. This process is safe and can be followed without a doctor’s guidance.
Read Also – Simple Ways to Prepone or Postpone Your Periods
Things To Keep in Mind
Getting regular periods is extremely important for the normal functioning of a woman’s body. Tampering with it, especially by using synthetic drugs, might turn out to be fatal in the long run. Hence, it should strictly be done under the supervision of a gynecologist. Also, make sure that you do not ever try to manipulate your menstrual cycle if you are under the age of 16 years.
Are period delaying pills the same as birth control pills?
Birth control pills normally delay periods although these are not period delaying pills. Birth control pills stop ovulation process thus preventing pregnancy. On the other hand, period delaying pills, prevent the discharge of the uterine lining and ovum.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do period-delaying pills cause side effects?
Prolonged use of these pills can cause side effects like dizziness, rashes, fluid retention, headache, and mood swings; however, there are no side effects associated with single or short-term usage. It is recommended to use these pills under medical supervision.
What happens when I stop taking these pills?
Periods typically start in 3-4 days after you stop taking these medicines.
Can Exercising Postpone Your Period?
Challenging core exercises may lead to delayed periods. In extreme cases, it may stop period cycles completely. If body fat goes below a certain level, our body tries to save energy, considering we are starving. Women with low fat often suffer from delayed periods.
How can drinking alcohol impact my cycle?
Although there is no direct relation between the consumption of alcohol and your cycle, it may still impact your periods indirectly. Long-term consumption of alcohol may lead to increased stress levels and unusual dietary habits, which may influence your periods.
Also Read – Vaginal Yeast Infection: Causes, Symptoms, Treatments, and Home Remedies
Summary
The menstrual cycle, crucial for reproductive health, sometimes prompts women to seek ways to manipulate it due to schedule conflicts or cultural beliefs. This article discusses how to prepare for or postpone periods using medications in India. Standard options include Primolut-N, Ibuprofen, and Ovral-G, each with specific usage guidelines and potential side effects. It emphasizes the importance of medical supervision and highlights natural remedies while cautioning against tampering with the menstrual cycle without professional guidance. The FAQs address concerns about side effects, the impact of exercise and alcohol, and the distinction between period-delaying and birth control pills.
