Pills to Stop Menstruation Immediately

Period delay pills are an effective way to temporarily delay your period. They contain medications that mimic the effects of the hormone progesterone and stop the uterine lining from breaking down. If you start taking them 3 days before your period is due, you won’t bleed until you stop taking the pills. However, you can’t take period delay pills indefinitely.

What Are Period Delay Pills?

Period delay pills are medications you can use to delay your period. They can be a lifesaver when you don’t want to deal with your period during an important event, and many people use them ahead of:

• Weddings
• Holidays
• Dates or romantic trips
• Sporting events
• Other important events

Period delay pills can also be used to manage certain medical conditions, such as:

• Heavy periods
• Painful periods
• Irregular periods
• Premenstrual tension (PMT)
• Endometriosis
• Breast cancer

How Does Period Delay Pills Work?

The events of a typical menstrual cycle are controlled by two hormones; oestrogen, and progesterone. During the first half of the menstrual cycle (the follicular phase), high levels of oestrogen cause the uterine lining to thicken. Another hormone, called progesterone, maintains the uterine lining during the second half of the menstrual cycle (the luteal phase).

Together, oestrogen and progesterone prepare the uterus for pregnancy. If you don’t get pregnant, oestrogen and progesterone levels drop dramatically. This triggers the uterine lining to break down, which causes bleeding (i.e., a period).

Period delay pills contain progestogens, which are molecules with similar effects to progesterone. If you take them a few days before your period is due, they artificially maintain your progesterone levels instead of allowing them to fall. This stops your body from initiating the breakdown of your womb lining and allows you to delay your period.

Types of Period Delay Pills

There are two types of progestogens used in period delay pills; norethisterone, and medroxyprogesterone. Both types mimic the effects of progesterone and stop the womb lining from breaking down, which prevents menstrual bleeding.

Examples of norethisterone-containing period delay pills include:

• Norethisterone (5mg)
• Primolut N
• Utovlan

Provera is a brand name for medroxyprogesterone period delay pills.

Contraceptive Pills vs. Period Delay Pills

Many people use contraceptive pills, like Rigevidon, to delay their periods. If you take these pills without a break, you can avoid having a period for as long as you like. However, not everyone can use contraceptive pills. They may be unsuitable for people with certain medical conditions, such as:

• Blood clots
• Migraines
• Narrowed or blocked arteries
• Heart problems
• Breast cancer
• Gallbladder problems
• Liver cancer
• Severe cirrhosis of the liver
• Complications due to diabetes

Others may want to avoid using contraceptive pills because of their side effects, which may include:

• Headaches
• Nausea
• Breast tenderness
• Increased blood pressure
• Changes in mood

If you want to postpone your period but can’t or don’t want to take contraceptive pills, period delay pills may be a suitable alternative. If you have any questions or concerns regarding contraceptive pills or period delay pills, it’s always best to speak with your doctor before starting a new medication.

When To Take a Period Delay Pill

If you want to delay your period with norethisterone, you should take a 5mg dose 3 times a day, starting 3 days before your period is due. Your period should come within 2 - 3 days of stopping the medication.

Pills that contain medroxyprogesterone (like Provera) should be taken at a dose of 10mg, 3 times per day. You should start taking the pills 3 days before your period is due, and your period will start around 3 days after stopping.

How Long Can You Delay Your Period?

The practice of delaying or preventing periods is called menstrual suppression, and it is widely considered safe by medical professionals. You can delay your period indefinitely using a combined contraceptive pill, though many people using this method still experience breakthrough bleeding (i.e., bleeding between periods).

Period delay pills are more suitable for temporarily delaying periods. For example, norethisterone can be used to postpone your period for up to 4 weeks. However, they are less effective for long-term menstrual suppression than contraceptive pills. Norethisterone needs to be taken regularly, usually three times a day, to effectively delay menstruation.

Norethisterone may also cause side effects such as bloating, irregular bleeding, breast tenderness, and headaches. It’s important to note that norethisterone and medroxyprogesterone period delay pills don’t work as contraceptives and won’t prevent pregnancy.

Are Period Delay Pills Safe To Use?

For most people, period delay pills are safe to use. However, they may not be suitable for everyone. For example, norethisterone medications are not recommended for people with certain health conditions, such as:

• Epilepsy
• Migraines
• Asthma
• Heart problems
• Kidney problems
• Conditions that increase the risk of blood clots

Medroxyprogesterone medications (like Provera) may not be suitable for people with:

• Epilepsy
• Migraines
• Asthma
• Heart problems
• Kidney problems
• Liver problems
• Hearing problems
• Diabetes
• Depression
• High blood pressure
• Gallstones
• Lupus
• Risk of blood clots

Like all medications, period delay pills may cause side effects. If you aren’t sure whether period delay pills are a suitable option for you, consult your doctor for more information.

Authored By

Yasmin Ahmed

BPharm - Clinical Lead

Musarat Yasmin Ahmed currently serves as the clinical lead at Prescription Doctor, bringing with her a wealth of experience.

Published on: 09/08/2024

Reviewed By

Mohamed Imran Lakhi

MPharm - Lead Pharmacist

Imran Lakhi is the superintendent pharmacist and founder at Prescription Doctor. He has been at the core of our team.

Reviewed on: 09/08/2024