How to delay your period safely & effectively

How does it work?

To understand how to delay your period, you first need to understand how birth control works. Several types of birth control, like the combined pill, patch, or vaginal ring, are designed to be taken in a way that acts like a natural menstrual cycle. That means, if you take the combined pill, you’ll either take the pill for 21 days, followed by a 7-day break where you don’t take any pills, or you’ll take a pill every day — but some of those pills will be dummy pills, that don’t contain any hormones[1]. Whichever type of pill you take, you will typically (but not always) bleed, either during the week you don’t take pills or when taking the dummy pills.

People often refer to this as a period, but it’s not actually a period. When you’re taking hormonal birth control, you don’t technically experience a regular menstrual cycle and period. Instead, this bleeding is known as withdrawal bleeding. It happens as your body adjusts to the lower levels of hormones during the break, or when taking the dummy birth control. There’s no medical benefit to having this withdrawal bleed — it was traditionally done to mimic the natural menstrual cycle[2].

So, if you want to skip a period, you can take your birth control back-to-back, which keeps the hormones at the same level — and means the withdrawal bleed will be delayed[3].

Ways to delay your period using hormonal birth control

We’ve all been there. Sometimes, you’re really looking forward to a long-planned vacation, a camping trip, or a once-in-a-lifetime event like a wedding, only to find out your period is due right smack dab in the middle of your plans.

All is not lost though. There are ways to postpone your period. If you’re already taking the birth control pill or other forms of hormonal contraception, you should be able to easily skip your period. 

Here are some methods of postponing your period to a more convenient time.

Birth control pills

If you already take the combined contraceptive pill, you can delay your period by taking these back to back. Instead of taking a break or taking the sugar pills in your packet, simply start the next course of your pills. You should get your next bleed when you stop taking the pill[3] during your break between pill packs.

So, if you usually take a pill for 21 days followed by 7 days without pills, you can delay your period by skipping the 7-day break. That means you’ll start your new packet of pills straight after you finish the last pill in your 21-day packet.

And if you take a pill every day (21 active pills followed by 7 days of sugar pills), you can skip your period by avoiding the 7 sugar pills and starting a new packet immediately. Make sure to throw away the pills you’re not using so you don’t get mixed up and accidentally take them at a later date.

It’s safe to take the pill continuously, and you can do so for as long as you like. If you take the pill correctly, it’s just as effective to take it in this way as if you were to take it in the ‘normal’ way[4].

Additionally, there are some specific pills that have been designed to increase the amount of time between withdrawal bleeds. Different medication is available in different regions, so if you’re considering using birth control to delay your period, you should have a conversation with your healthcare provider, as they will know what's available and will be a good fit for you. Some of the options available in the US include[5]:

• Jolessa: This pill is designed so that one pink (active) tablet daily for 84 consecutive days, followed by 7 days of white (inert) tablets[6]. That means that you should typically get a withdrawal bleed seven days after stopping the pink active tablets — or about once every three months.
• Amethia, Camrese, and Simpesse (generic versions of Seasonique): With these pills, you take an active pill for 84 days followed by 7 days of a pill that contains a very low dose of estrogen. You should get a withdrawal bleed when taking the low-dose estrogen pills — again, around once every three months[7]. The low dose of estrogen may help to reduce symptoms you might experience during a break from the pill, such as heavy bleeding and bloating.
• Rivelsa: With this brand of pill, you take active pills for 84 days. These pills contain both progestin and estrogen. You then take a low-dose estrogen pill for one week, during which time you’ll usually get your withdrawal bleed[8].
• Amethyst: This pill is designed to be taken every day of the year, with no breaks between pills[9].

There is another type of birth control pill: the progesterone-only pill. It works in a different way to the combined pill. If you’re on this type of pill (also known as the mini pill), you’ll take one pill every day, without a 7-day break. That means you don’t have a week of taking dummy pills, nor do you have a week without taking any pills – you take one pill every day during an ongoing cycle.

The mini pill can make your periods irregular, so it can’t reliably be used to delay your period[10] — but this means that some people may find this type of pill makes their period much lighter or makes it stop altogether[11]. 

Norethisterone or norethindrone

Your doctor or pharmacist may be able to prescribe a drug called norethisterone or norethindrone. You can start taking these pills a few days before you expect to get your period, and typically you should get your period back a day or two after you stop taking them. Keep in mind that, depending on your medical history, this isn’t an option for everyone. 

Norethisterone/norethindrone is typically used to treat endometriosis and abnormal periods or bleeding, as well as delaying periods[12]. It’s not a birth control method, so be aware that if you want to prevent pregnancy, it’s important to use contraception too. It’s also important to bear in mind that norethisterone/norethindrone can affect the pattern of your menstrual cycle and might not be suitable for those using natural birth control. We have certain guidelines for using norethisterone with Natural Cycles birth control, such as excluding your temperature while taking these pills.

Keep in mind that there are some negative side effects associated with norethisterone, such as nausea, tiredness, and bloating, so it’s worth weighing up if you feel the risk of experiencing these side effects still makes it worth delaying your period.

Vaginal ring

If you’re using the vaginal ring, also known as the NuvaRing, you can delay your period in a similar way to the combined birth control pill. Usually, the birth control ring is used for three weeks and then removed during the fourth week, which triggers your period

Should you choose to, you can delay your period by simply inserting the new ring and not taking a break in between[13] — this is known as continuous use. One trial found that 89% of people who used the contraceptive ring continuously for six months had no bleeding or minimal bleeding[14].

Birth control patches

The birth control patch also works in a similar way to the combined birth control pill. It suppresses ovulation and thickens the cervical mucus to prevent you from getting pregnant. Typically, you wear a patch for three weeks before having one patch-free week, during which you’d have your period.

To delay your period, you can skip the patch-free week and apply a new patch straight away. This will delay your period until you remove your patch, prompting a withdrawal bleed[15].

Hormonal IUD (Mirena, Liletta, Kyleena, etc)

A hormonal IUD is a form of long-lasting birth control. The hormonal IUD contains a synthetic version of the hormone progesterone, which is released into your body to prevent pregnancy, and can last for up to eight years depending on the brand.

For many people, the hormonal IUD makes their bleed lighter — or stops it completely. Research has found that about 20% of people using a levonorgestrel IUD stop having periods for at least one 90-day period within the first year after it’s inserted[16].

DMPA injection (Depo-Provera)

Depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) – more commonly known by the brand name Depo-Provera, or as the birth control shot — is a medium-term hormonal birth control. You get a shot of progestin every 90 days, but it’s recommended that you don’t get the shot for more than two years at a time[17].

One of the common side effects of the birth control shot is that it significantly lightens, or even stops, your bleeding. This is because your hormone levels are low and stable throughout the time you take the shot, so the lining of the uterus doesn’t thicken as it usually would — so there’s less to shed during your withdrawal bleed. That means it’s common to get no period at all after two to three injections[18].

How to delay your period naturally

From lime juice to lentils, you don’t have to look far to find anecdotal accounts of natural ways to delay your period. Some people claim that drinking vinegar is a solution to a badly-timed bleed, while others say papaya or parsley works. 

Unfortunately, there is no clinical evidence to suggest that these foods can actually cause your period to be delayed or skipped, and while there may be no harm in trying these methods in moderation, they are not medically recommended.

Rather than delaying your period, you can use a natural birth control method and learn the pattern of your cycle. This way instead of trying to banish your bleeding, you can predict and plan around your period, so you know when to expect it and aren’t caught off guard on your big day.

Is it safe to delay your period?

For most people, it’s completely safe to delay your period for a short duration[2]. It’s not bad for you to skip your period when you’re on the pill — because it’s not a real period. It doesn’t have any medical impact and won’t affect your fertility[3].

Of course, all the same risks and side effects of hormonal birth control apply to delaying your period with these methods, so if you’re considering using the pill, shot, patch, hormonal IUD, or vaginal ring, always speak to your healthcare provider first to confirm that it’s safe for you to do so.

Norethisterone/norethindrone isn’t safe for everyone[19], so it’s important to check with your doctor before you use it. It’s also not recommended for long-term use, so consult your healthcare provider before using it.

If you use the combined pill, it is safe to take packets back-to-back. Some women regularly take multiple packets in a row and then take a break. However, you may find that you still experience some breakthrough bleeding if you use multiple packets without a break[20]. This unexpected bleeding can cause its own inconveniences.

Considerations for delaying periods

As well as being more convenient, delaying your period through continuous use of hormonal birth control may help to reduce the premenstrual syndrome (PMS) symptoms like period pain and headaches[2].

Whatever the reason for delaying your period, there are a few things you might want to keep in mind when deciding whether to delay your period and which methods to use:

• Method: What methods are available to you? Medication like Norethisterone isn’t suitable for everyone, and not every woman can use the combined pill, so it’s important to understand what your options are.
• Side effects: Be aware of the potential side effects of whichever method you choose, such as breakthrough bleeding and hormonal changes.
• Frequency: How often do you want to delay your period? Is it a one-off thing, or will you want to do so regularly? This may affect which method you choose to use.
• Additional birth control: Remember that some methods for delaying periods don’t double up as birth control – so if you’re using medication to delay your period, then you may also want to use another method of birth control to prevent pregnancy.

It’s always a good idea to consult your healthcare provider before delaying your period. They’ll assess your specific medical needs and will be able to provide guidance on the most suitable method for you.

What can be done about breakthrough bleeding?

Breakthrough bleeding is a common side effect of hormonal birth control, especially in the first few months after you start taking a new form of birth control like the pill[21]. It’s an unexpected bleed that can occur on any type of hormonal birth control. This can happen when you run pill packets together but is also a common side effect of certain contraception, particularly some long-term birth control methods, like the hormonal IUD and implant.

If you’ve just had an implant or IUD inserted or just started on the pill or patch, then you may find that you regularly have breakthrough bleeding for the first three to six months, until your body adjusts to the new hormone levels.

In the meantime, it’s understandable that you may want to see whether there’s anything that can be done to improve breakthrough bleeding. You can try:

• Stop smoking, if you’re a smoker – this can reduce the risk of breakthrough bleeding.
• Taking the pill at the same time every day.
• Staying on schedule with changing your patch or getting a new shot.
• Take your birth control as prescribed. Breakthrough bleeding is more common in people who take birth control continuously, so you may not experience this symptom if you take the contraception as intended[22]

While breakthrough bleeding can be a nuisance, it generally shouldn’t be a health concern. However, if you spot any changes, are worried about breakthrough bleeding, or have any other questions about topics in this article, it’s always a good idea to talk to a healthcare professional to learn more

Potential risks of delaying a period

The main side effect of delaying your period is breakthrough bleeding. The chances of breakthrough bleeding are increased if you:

• Miss a pill
• Have vomiting or diarrhea
• Start taking a new medication that interferes with the pill, or supplements like St John’s Wort[23]

If you do experience breakthrough bleeding when taking the pill continuously, it’s important that you don’t just stop taking it, as this could mean you’re not protected from pregnancy. Continue to take the pill, and speak to your healthcare provider if you keep experiencing breakthrough bleeding. 

Otherwise, as long as your doctor has said it’s safe for you to take birth control, it’s generally safe for you to use it to delay your period. One review of trials compared continuous use of combined hormonal contraceptives with traditional use and found that continuous use is just as safe and effective but offers better outcomes, such as fewer withdrawal bleeds[24].

Get to know your cycle better

Thanks for reading up on how to delay your period! There are many reasons you might want to delay your period – but there’s also another option. Learning about the pattern of your menstrual cycle through an app like Natural Cycles can be a great way of getting to know your body better, making it easier to plan around your period.

From menstruation to menopause and more — at Natural Cycles, we are passionate about understanding our bodies. Our app is the first of its kind to be cleared by the FDA for use as birth control in the US, and we’re certified in Europe too. 

As well as preventing pregnancy, Natural Cycles is a useful tool for learning the ins and outs of your cycle with period predictions, PMS alerts, and much more — so you can get to know your body better and plan around the pattern of your cycle. On top of these useful insights, if and when you’re ready to start a family you can use the app to plan a pregnancy too! Why not find out if Natural Cycles could work for you today?