End Your Period

From the moment we get our periods, we take the monthly cramps, bloating and other inconveniences in stride - after all, having a period is just a fact of life. But periods can get in the way of romantic getaways, trips to the beach and other experiences that call for carefree physical activity. While there's no way to stop your period on a dime once it's started, there are a few things you can try to lighten the flow. And for those times when having your period just won't do, there are medications available to prevent it from coming. See Step 1 for more information.

Steps

Delaying Your Period

1. Get a prescription for birth control pills. If you're on birth control pill or are interested in getting a birth control pill subscription, it's possible to use them to delay your period so that it won't come during an inconvenient time. According to the Mayo Clinic, it's safe to delay your period using this method as long as your doctor has determined that it's safe for you to take birth control pills.
   • Talk with your doctor about whether birth control pills are a good option for you, given your health profile.
   • Birth control pills have side effects for some women, including increased risk of blood clots and other health problems. Do research before deciding to go on the Pill.
2. Skip the inactive pills in your pill pack. A set of regular birth control pills is designed to be similar to the menstrual cycle. There are normally 21 hormone pills (composed of the hormones that control your cycle) and 7 placebo pills that don't contain hormones. In a normal pill cycle, when you take the placebo pills, you bleed. If you skip the placebos and go straight to the next pack of hormone pills, that bleeding won't occur.
   • The bleeding that occurs when you take the placebo pills is not the same as the bleeding that happens when you menstruate. It's just a reaction to stopping your hormone intake.
   • Some women experience spotting when they skip the placebos. However, this should go away once your body gets used to the steady hormone supply.
3. Go back to your regular pill pattern when you're ready for your period to return. After the big event has occurred, you should go back to taking your pills as normal. If you don't wish to do so, and you'd rather stop your period altogether, consider getting a prescription for continuous birth control pills.

Stopping Your Period

1. Decide if you want to stop your period altogether. The only way you can really control your menstrual flow is by taking menstrual suppression medication, which is a type of birth control that either limits your flow to a few times a year or stops it altogether. If you simply want your period to go away in time for a big event, then going on medication might not be the best option for you. However, menstrual suppression drugs are a viable option for women who simply don't want to have their period any more.
   • This might be a good option for women with periods that are long and painful, routinely causing them to miss school and work.
   • Other women simply detest having their period, and turn to menstrual suppression as a way to put a stop to their dreaded monthly flow.
2. Talk to your doctor about your options. Menstrual suppression drugs, also called continuous birth control, are available by prescription only. If you're interested in learning more, you should talk with your doctor to find out whether you're a good candidate for this type of medication.
   • Some forms of continuous birth control allow you to have your period every three or four months, while others stop it entirely for years on end.
   • Some continuous birth control is administered in the form of pills, but you can also get shots or use other methods.
3. Understand there's risk involved. Menstrual suppression is a relatively new phenomenon, and it hasn't been around enough for scientists and doctors to know exactly how it might affect the body long term. Since it interferes with your body's natural processes, it's not something you should take lightly. Before you choose to go on continuous birth control, do plenty of research and be sure to read through all the potential risks.

Trying Natural Methods to Curb the Flow

1. Use pads instead of tampons. Some women find that using pads instead of tampons helps to make the period flow, and end, more quickly. Try using either synthetic or cotton pads next time. The difference may be minimal, but your period should be a little shorter.
2. Try consuming nettles. Believe it or not, nettles have long been thought to help make periods lighter and shorter. Stinging nettles can be made into soup, but if you'd prefer not to worry about cooking with them, you can also take them in the form of supplements.
3. Take shepherd's purse. This is another natural remedy that has been said to help curb menstrual flow. It's a plant that has traditionally been used to treat long periods and menstrual cramps. Look for shepherd's purse supplements in your health food store.
4. Avoid eating processed foods. Menstrual issues can be made worse when you eat a diet high in refined sugar, refined flour, and other processed foods and ingredients. Try to avoid these foods all month long, but especially in the week leading up to your period.
   • Eating a diet high in fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, olive oil, and whole grains will promote good health, and some women have found that it also results in shorter periods.
5. Get lots of exercise. Women who exercise have been shown to have lighter periods than those who don't. Throughout the month and during your period, get plenty of cardio exercise, and incorporate some strength training as well.
   • Some female athletes stop getting their periods as a result of exercising so much. This should not be considered a viable option for ending your period. Stopping your period as a result of exercise is considered to be an unfavorable medical condition.

Related Articles

• Make a Woman Feel Better While She's on Her Period
• Feel Nice and Clean Whilst on Your Period
• Stay Calm During Your Menstrual Cycle
• Treat Bloating During Your Period

Sources and Citations

See also

• Determine Why Your Period Is Late
• Manage Your Period
• Delay Your Period
• Enjoy Periods
• Tell a Friend You Have Started Your Period
• Have Sex During Your Period
• Stop Your Period Early
• Cope With Periods
• Get Rid of Menstrual Cramps
• Deal With Your Period

Read more ...

What links here

• Enjoy Periods