Your period has a talent for terrible timing. The week of your holiday. The day of a wedding. Right before a festival. So it’s no wonder people are searching for ways to delay it. Known online as “cycle hacking”, the idea of pushing your period back has gone viral – but not everything you see on social media is safe. So can you actually postpone your cycle, and what do doctors say about doing it?
We caught up with Dr. Mahshid Nickkho-Amiry, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at HCA Healthcare UK’s The Portland Hospital Outpatients, Hale, who advises against following methods frequently shared online for cycle hacking. However, there are some safe ways to alter your cycle.
“Periods can be an inconvenience sometimes, particularly if you experience pain or other symptoms, or if you are worried about your period arriving during a special event, which is why many women look to delay or skip their period,” she says. “There are a couple of science-backed methods to do this, which are generally considered safe following medical discussion, while methods you see online, or promoted by non-medical professionals should be treated with caution.”
Is delaying or skipping a period actually safe?
So, is it wise – and safe – to delay your period or skip it altogether? “For most healthy women, period delay medication is generally considered safe to use occasionally under medical supervision. It works by artificially keeping your progestogen levels up, which stops the lining of your womb from shedding and delays your period,” Dr. Nickkho-Amiry says.
“However, women may experience side effects when taking these medications and it is important to have a medical assessment to see if the medication is safe for you.”
Meanwhile, if you take the contraceptive pill, you can also use this to delay or skip your bleed, as the gynaecologist explains. “Using the combined pill under medical supervision is also generally safe, as the bleed that occurs during many contraceptive pill cycles is a withdrawal bleed rather than a natural menstrual period, so it isn’t something the body strictly needs each month. In clinical practice we often use extended or continuous pill regimens to help manage heavy bleeding, endometriosis and migraines linked to menstruation,” she shares.
However, there is a caveat. “That said, both options should be done with the right guidance. Anyone who cannot safely use oestrogen-containing contraception, or who has risk factors such as a history of blood clots, certain cardiovascular conditions, or unexplained bleeding, should speak to a doctor before attempting to delay their cycle via any hormonal method,” the doctor shares. “You should also see a doctor if periods suddenly stop or change significantly without a clear reason.”
Medically‑approved methods for shifting your cycle
If you do want to delay your period for any reason, you should see your GP at the first instance. “The evidence-based ways to delay a period all involve hormonal control. Common options include taking the combined contraceptive pill continuously without the usual break, or prescribing a short course of progesterone tablets to postpone a bleed. Both methods are widely used and supported by clinical guidance, though side effects are possible,” the doctor explains.
“What tends to cause confusion is the amount of misinformation online. Herbal remedies, high-dose vitamins, or internet ‘hacks’ claiming to move a cycle don’t have good scientific evidence behind them or don’t reliably work and can lead to irregular bleeding. You should always seek medical information from a professional.”
© Getty ImagesHow to regulate irregular periods
Dr. Nickkho-Amiry also shared her recommendations for how to regulate your periods if they are often irregular. “As the menstrual cycle is closely linked to ovulation and overall hormonal health, the first step to regulating it is understanding why the cycle is irregular. Common causes include stress, significant weight change, excessive exercise, thyroid disorders, certain medications, and conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome,” she shared.
“Addressing lifestyle factors can sometimes help restore regular ovulation – adequate nutrition, stable weight, sleep, and stress management all play a role in hormonal signalling. However, many women will benefit from medical support, whether that’s treatment for an underlying condition or hormonal options that regulate bleeding patterns. “
The doctor concludes: “Persistent irregular periods shouldn’t be dismissed, particularly if cycles are very far apart, extremely heavy, or associated with other symptoms. If you experience this, you should see a doctor.”
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