With summer upon us at Surecheck, we look at a topic that usually preoccupies women at this time of year – how to plan things so that our cycle doesn’t get in the way of our summer plans? Every woman has had her period come at an inconvenient time of the month. However, occasions such as an upcoming wedding, an important presentation, a holiday or a sports competition make many ladies want to deliberately delay or skip the onset of their period. The question is, is this possible and more importantly, is it safe? In this article, we will look at the reasons for deliberately delaying menstruation, the methods that can be used, and the potential health risks.
Why change your natural cycle?
There are multiple reasons why a woman may wish to delay her menstrual cycle. Some of the most common include:
- Sports competitions: For athletes, especially during important events, menstruation can be a serious inconvenience.
- Travel and vacations: Тhe inconvenience caused by menstruation is doubled during a vacation, especially at the seaside or at a spa. This can disrupt plans and enjoyment of the holiday.
- Special events: Weddings, proms and other important personal events are among the occasions that may cause women to consider delaying their cycle.
- Work commitments: For women with endometriosis or severe menstrual pain, serious work commitments such as presentations, important meetings and professional events sometimes prove almost impossible.
How can we delay menstruation?
To change your natural cycle, this should be planned at least a month before the onset of menstruation. There are two approaches: through hormonal intervention or naturally.
When using hormonal methods, the main goal is to maintain stable levels of estrogen and progesterone in the body. This prevents ovulation and keeps the lining of the uterus thin, making implantation of an egg impossible. Without changes in hormone levels, which usually occur during the last week of the cycle, the body does not get the signal to start menstruating.
With natural methods, the idea is again to influence hormone levels or other physiological processes in the body. However, it is important to bear in mind that natural methods of delaying menstruation are often unreliable and ineffective, as there is insufficient research and data on them.
● Hormonal methods
➔ Combined birth control pills
Combined birth control pills contain two main hormones – estrogen and progesterone. These hormones work by preventing ovulation (the release of an egg from the ovary) and keeping the lining of the uterus thin, which prevents implantation of the fertilized egg.
The pills usually come in 28-day packs, of which 21 are active pills and 7 are placebo pills. Active pills contain the hormones needed to suppress ovulation and maintain hormonal balance. Placebo pills contain no hormones and are taken during the last week of the cycle. During this week, bleeding resembling menstruation usually occurs as the body’s reaction to falling hormone levels.
Taking the active pills without interruption (i.e. without taking the placebo pills) maintains hormone levels throughout the month and prevents bleeding from occurring.
➔ Contraceptive patches
Contraceptive patches also contain estrogen and progesterone and act in a similar way to the combined pill. The patch is worn on the skin and the hormones are absorbed directly into the bloodstream. The patch is usually changed every week for three weeks, after which a week’s rest is taken. To delay the cycle, a new patch is also put on in the fourth week without taking a break after the third. This affects the hormone levels so as to avoid bleeding in the last week.
➔ Vaginal rings
Vaginal rings contain a combination of estrogen and progesterone. The ring is inserted into the vagina and stays there for three weeks, releasing hormones daily. After the third week, the ring is removed and again a one-week break is taken, during which bleeding occurs. To delay the cycle, a new ring is inserted immediately after the old one is removed, without taking a break. This, in the same way as the above two methods, also maintains hormone levels and prevents bleeding.
● Natural methods
➔ Vitamin C
It is possible that high doses of vitamin C may affect estrogen and progesterone levels in the body, which could potentially delay menstruation. However, there is not enough scientific evidence to support this theory. Excess vitamin C is usually expelled from the body through urine, making this method unreliable and potentially ineffective.
Consumption of certain foods
In alternative (or folk) medicine, it is believed that certain foods and herbs can have an effect on the menstrual cycle. For example, lemon, papaya, parsley decoction, apple cider vinegar, and gelatin work for some women and are often recommended for slowing the cycle. The idea is that these foods can affect hormone levels or change the body’s pH. Again, however, there is no concrete scientific evidence to support these claims, so the effectiveness of these methods is questionable.
Potential risks
● Is it safe to delay your cycle?
Hormonal methods to delay menstruation are considered safe when used correctly and under a doctor’s supervision. However, they can potentially have some side effects:
➔ Bleeding outside menstruation
Light bleeding at an unexpected time of the month (outside of menstruation), also known as breakthrough bleeding, is common with the use of hormonal contraceptives. This happens because, as mentioned, the hormones in contraceptives keep the lining of the uterus thin. However, when hormone levels are not completely stable, light bleeding or spotting between cycles can occur. The body adapts to the constant flow of hormones, and sometimes this adaptation can lead to similar bleeding.
➔ Hormonal changes
Prolonged use of hormonal contraceptives can cause significant changes in a woman’s natural fertility as well as other hormonal imbalances. The estrogen and progesterone contained in contraceptives can suppress the body’s natural production of these hormones. This may lead to a temporary reduction in fertility after discontinuing the use of contraceptives. This may also manifest as amenorrhoea (absence of menstruation) after stopping contraceptives. This is due to suppression of the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis. In some cases, especially with prolonged use, some thinning of the bones may also occur, increasing the risk of osteoporosis.
Other risks
For women with certain health problems, such as heart disease or high blood pressure, the use of hormonal contraceptives can be dangerous. Estrogen can increase the risk of thromboses and cardiovascular events, such as stroke or heart attack, especially in women who smoke or have a genetic predisposition for these diseases. Progesterone, on the other hand, can cause changes in glucose and lipid metabolism, which can increase the risk of diabetes and hyperlipidemia.
When to consult a doctor?
Before taking any steps to delay your menstrual cycle, it is important to consult a doctor who can assess your health condition and recommend the most appropriate method for you.
In conclusion, delaying the monthly cycle is possible and safe with the right approach and medical supervision. Hormonal methods are the most effective and are used by many women, but options should be considered carefully and a specialist consulted before a decision is made.
