WHAT ARE THE SOLUTIONS FOR A LATE OR DELAYED PERIOD?

Various things can cause a late period other than pregnancy. Therefore, it is always a good idea to see your doctor if you have concerns about a late or missed period. It can be an indication that you have an underlying health condition. Using a period delay pill for long can also disturb your cycle. However, the following are some common causes of late periods-

• Stress from intense physical activity, emotional stress, or illness
• Polyps or fibroids (benign growths on the uterine wall)
• Ovarian cysts
• Hormonal imbalance
• Medications including birth control pills
• Weight gain or loss
• Abnormalities in the uterus
• Problems with ovulation

The delaying of your cycle not only results in an anxiety situation. However, it also puts you at risk for several medical conditions. It is significant to know the cause and look for proper treatment.

How can you figure out the reason?

Firstly, you should take a pregnancy test if you think that there is a possibility that you may be conceiving. It will clear away any doubt about your issue. Moreover, it helps you to start planning for your immediate next step. You can buy pregnancy tests at chemist stores or medical stores. Additionally, consider if you have used a period delay pill for a long. It can also be a reason.

If you are not pregnant, it is advisable to see your gynecologist. Many menstrual disorders may be the cause of your late menstrual cycle. They can be polycystic ovaries, thyroid problems, or even an underactive pituitary gland that affects the ovaries.

How can you address period problems?

It is always advisable to follow a healthy lifestyle and practice yoga and meditation regularly for good health. For any menstrual problems, you can try home remedies, such as the following-

• Magnesium sulfate

Take warm water in a tub or bucket and add 2 cups of Epsom salts. It is a magnesium sulfate with many medicinal properties. After it, soak yourself in the tub for half an hour daily. Epsom salt is a natural relaxant, which can help you to relieve stress.

• Turmeric powder

You can have a glass of warm milk with one teaspoon of turmeric powder (Haldi or saffron) before going to bed every night. Turmeric is known as a detoxifier and has anti-inflammatory properties.

• Add some foods to your diet

Include whole grains, fresh vegetables, and fruits in your daily diet. However, if you have used a period delay pill, talk with your doctor about suitable foods. Drink plenty of water throughout the day. In addition, exercise regularly to reduce stress and stay fit.

• Keep junk food away

Avoid junk food, including dairy products, as much as possible. They contain hormones that may disturb your menstrual cycle.

• Milk

Take a glass of warm milk before going to bed every night. It will help you to get your periods back on track.

• Get on lentils

Eat a cup of moong daal (lentils) every day. It will regulate the menstrual cycle. Moreover, lentils also help in shedding extra weight.

• Garlic tea

You can have garlic tea before going to bed every night. It will help curtail any underlying hormonal problems resulting in your late periods.

• Green coconut

You can light a candle and put some green coconut pieces. Moreover, add a few drops of camphor and frankincense oil to them. Keep this next to your bedside and meditate with it for 15 minutes daily for a week. It is an effective way to relieve stress and balance your hormones. Furthermore, doing so can induce sleep, which will lead to a normal period cycle.

• Manage your weight

Maintain a healthy weight if you are too thin or overweight. It will enable your body to function properly and regulate menses naturally. Additionally, using a period delay pill can also hinder your menstrual cycle. Therefore, speak to your healthcare provider about the same.

• Try meditation

Meditate daily for 15 minutes to balance your hormones and reduce stress. Moreover, meditation also induces sleep, which will lead to normal menstruation. You can use the candle method mentioned above or light incense sticks near your bedside every night.

• Flaxseeds

Include flaxseeds in your daily diet. It will help regulate your menstrual cycle. In addition, flaxseeds also reduce excess hair growth on the face and body.

• Coriander seeds

Take a bath with half a cup of coriander seeds, 2 teaspoons of fenugreek seeds, 10 curry leaves, and 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder added to it every day for two months. Repeat this process every month to get your periods back on track.

• Try a mixture

Take coriander seeds, cumin seeds, and fennel seeds in a small amount of water overnight. In the morning, grind it with a teaspoon of honey and drink this juice with your meals every day for two months. It will help treat hormonal imbalances and regulate periods. Moreover, these things can also reduce any menstrual discomfort you may be experiencing.

The use of a period delay pill can also be because of late menses. If you have used them, talk to your doctor about suitable foods.

• Ginger juice

Drink a glass of ginger juice with a teaspoon of honey before going to bed every night for a few days. Furthermore, you can also chew raw ginger or drink ginger tea daily. It will help treat any abdominal pain and menstrual cramps. Moreover, ginger and honey are also good at addressing other menstruation-related issues naturally.

• Green tea

Have a cup of green tea every day. It will balance your hormones and induce regularity to your menstrual cycle.

• Honey and cinnamon powder

Take a tablespoon of honey with a pinch of cinnamon powder every night to treat any underlying hormonal imbalance. They may be the cause of your late periods. Additionally, they will also reduce menstrual cramps, abdominal pain, and other menstruation-related issues naturally.

What medications can help regularize your periods?

• Birth control tablets

This type of period delay pill containing only progestin, generally called the mini-pill, can stimulate the uterine lining. Moreover, they can help regularize periods. You can use Mifepristone and Misoprostol for the same purpose.

• Progesterone

Progestins, such as medroxyprogesterone acetate, norethindrone acetate, and levonorgestrel tablets, can induce withdrawal bleeding. Additionally, they also regulate the menstrual cycle. You can use Mifepristone and Misoprostol with combination oral contraceptive pills to influence menstruation and regularize periods.

• Alternative treatment

Non-hormonal methods like acupuncture and castor oil pack therapy can regulate the cycle in women with menstrual disorders.

What is a regular menstrual cycle?

A menstrual cycle, which occurs every 28 days +/- 7 days, is considered a normal menstrual cycle. However, it is important to note not all women have 28-day cycles. For some women, it may be longer and for others shorter. The average period from one period to the next is 35 days in young women. Nevertheless, it usually gets shorter as you get older.

Is it safe to use a period delay pill to postpone your monthly date?

Delaying your cycle purposely once or twice must not cause any harm to your body. However, if you postpone it repeatedly or more than 15 days, the estrogen level may drop and cause infertility in the long run.

Unwanted pregnancy is a common reason for delaying the menstrual cycle. On the other hand, others may just want to postpone their monthly process or lighten their period. If you are using a pill, your periods will arrive after 20 days of the expected date.

What medications can help delay your period?

Defer your period by taking oral contraceptives to manipulate the rhythmic release of hormones that occur each month as part of a woman’s menstrual cycle. They are available only with a doctor’s prescription, and many different dosages exist. Nevertheless, your doctor may help determine which one is right for you.

If you want to delay or stop your period for an event, you can safely do so by using oral contraceptives. Many different formulations are also available. However, they all work the same way. The hormones in this type of period delay pill suppress your body’s normal menstrual cycle until you stop taking them. Forwarding your monthly date makes it much more convenient if you want to postpone bleeding until after an event like a wedding, a vacation, or a special date.

What are norethisterone tablets?

These pills are hormone medication taken to holdup or stop your period. Norethisterone tablets contain the progestogen hormone called norethisterone. Progestogens are female hormones that help prepare your body each month for pregnancy.

What is the difference between oral contraceptives and norethisterone?

Oral contraceptives are pills containing synthetic versions of the hormones estrogen and progestogen. Doctors prescribe using them orally or by mouth. However, you must continue taking oral contraceptives every day for the period you want to postpone your menstrual cycle. It will not work if you miss doses. Additionally, oral contraceptives are available only by prescription and work well for many people.

Norethisterone is a medication that works like the female hormone progesterone. Doctors prescribe using it as a tablet or capsule. However, you can also find them as topical cream formulations. This period delay pill is not available over-the-counter. For this reason, you must get them from your healthcare provider. They are a good choice if you want to hold up your period for a short time, but not for extended use.

What are the precautions for the delaying period?

• If you have period pains, cramps, and different allergies, you must consult your doctor before taking this tablet.
• If your periods are late for more than 15 days and you did not take any pills, you must consult a gynecologist immediately.
• Avoid grapefruit juice while taking this medication. It can affect the absorption of hormones in the body.
• Your periods might become irregular, and spotting may occur for a few months.
• If you experience any side effects after taking medications to postpone your period, consult a doctor immediately.
• Avoid overdose of this pill, as it may cause nausea, vomiting, and heavy bleeding.
• Do not stop taking medications that postpone menses or alter the dosage without consulting your doctor or pharmacist.
• If you experience severe abdominal pain after using the drug, stop using your period delay pill and consult your doctor immediately.
• If you forget any dose, take it as soon as you recall. Nevertheless, follow the instructions of your doctor.
• You must take the pill at the same time every day to avoid lapses.
• If you experience symptoms that look like early signs of pregnancy, stop taking the medicine and contact your doctor immediately.
• Do not use tablets to postpone your monthly date if you are pregnant, trying to conceive, or breastfeeding. It can cause reproductive problems in some cases.
• You must get yourself checked regularly for any ovarian cysts while using the medicine for postponing menses regularly.
• Your periods might be irregular after you stop taking these pills. Therefore, talk to your doctor about the same before stopping it completely.

Can every woman use these medications?

• Women who are suffering from Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) should consult a gynecologist before using any delayed pills. Postponing their periods can aggravate the condition in some cases.
• Avoid using your period delay pill if you have uterine cancer, uncontrolled high blood pressure, and heart disease.
• Do not take this medicine without consulting your doctor if you have heart disease, high blood pressure, or abnormal vaginal bleeding.
• If you have had kidney or liver diseases for a long time, avoid using medications that postpone the cycle, as it contains lactose and estrogen. They can affect your kidneys.

These medications do not protect against sexually transmitted diseases or HIV.

Some medications that postpone menses contain hormones that help stop your periods temporarily. If you are trying to reduce the number of days or lighten up on your menstrual flow, the risk of impeding the period is lower than not taking any pill. However, some women may experience irregular bleeding even if they don’t intend to carry out an unsafe act.

To forward your date, you can take a period delay pill. Furthermore, you can also try out natural methods such as interval training and yoga. Avoid the combination of both the techniques used for postponing periods at once. Doing so can cause harmful impacts on your body.