How To Delay Periods Naturally?

If you are looking for ways to delay periods, then you have landed on the right page.

Delaying your periods using medical drugs is easy but is not at all good for your health. It can cause severe reproductive issues and adverse health symptoms in the future.¹

Nevertheless, there are ways by which you can delay your periods naturally. They are side-effect free and are made to naturally postpone the blood flow.

Down below is a list of effective ways to delay periods naturally.

What Triggers A Delay In Periods?

Many of you are not entirely aware of how external and internal factors can affect a process as natural as menstruation.²

Any change in lifestyle can influence your periods. This includes moving to a new place (different kind of water), a new daily routine (change in a shift at a job and thus, different sleep timing) and tension.

No matter what, you should avoid being stressed out. Mental exhaustion and unhappiness induce a psychological impact which in turn, creates an imbalance in the menstrual cycle.

Apart from these reasons, a new diet, hormonal changes, increase or decrease in sexual activity can also cause a shift in your dates. As far as your diet is concerned, there are certain ingredients which postpone or prepone your menstrual cycle.

Any food which has properties like those of heat tends to pace up blood circulation and consequently induces your period early. Similarly, cold foods slow down your blood flow and push back the cycle.

Home Remedies To Delay Your Period

In an age of DIY (Do It Yourself) culture, it is convenient to make some amends in your routine and lifestyle to achieve this.

Typically, women just pop a pill to get rid of their periods. But since it can severely hamper your reproductive system and health, here are a few tips by which you can delay your cycle natrually.

1. Increase Or Start Exercising

This is one way of great importance. Vigorously exercising (like aerobics or playing a team sport) for around half an hour a day yields useful results in delaying periods.³

Be sure, however, to not put too much strain on your body. Different people have different capacities to bear physical toil. Keep in mind that the exponential rise in physical movements can cause an ache in your muscles.⁴

Therefore, a safe thing to do while adopting this method is to start some stretching before actually exercising heavily. If you already exercise, you can try gradually prolong the duration and intensity of your workout regime.

With this increase in physical exercise, you should also keep in mind that you will have to eat more, to make up for the lost calories. There are no precise criteria to test this method’s validity so don’t worry if it is not producing results.

Even if it is not, you will habituate yourself to working out, which will have long-lasting health benefits and balance your menstrual cycle.

Another advantage of exercising regularly is that it will cause less pain and cramps during periods, and the length of the period will be shorter.

2. Emotional Or Mental Stress

When faced with scenarios of increased mental distress, one’s menstrual cycle is bound to alter. More often than not, this tension takes its toll on you by postponing your period.⁵

Of course, the recommendation of mental exhaustion or trauma would sound absurd.

What you could, however, do is indulge yourself in some tedious task which requires significant mental fatigue. Push yourself towards accomplishing something which asks for a lot of exertion. Since everyone has different reactions to these practices, prepare yourself for unfavorable results also.

Hormonal configurations of some women make their bodies respond in the opposite manner, and they end up getting their period early.

In any case, opt for this route only when you have no alternative, and you are in direct need of delaying your period.

3. Avoid Spicy Food

There are a lot of theories about spicy food and its impact on the menstrual cycle. There isn’t any concrete scientific proof to substantiate this relation.A few findings suggest spicy food increase heat in the body triggers periods.

Some of the condiments that make up the spice content in food like chilies, hot pepper, garlic, ginger, paprika and black pepper. If you want to push your date back, you should stay away from food which contains any of these.

4. Vinegar

Vinegar is an ingredient which can be found very easily in any kitchen.⁶

Apart from being an essential constituent of Chinese food, it is also an effective remedy for delaying your period.

How To Use This?

• In a glass of water, add 3-4 spoons of vinegar. Drink this mixture at least three or four times a day.
• Vinegar slows down the rate of your menstrual symptoms.
• So if you take the vinegar-water combination regularly, it will postpone your date and also reduce the flow.

5. Gram Lentils

Pulses are sources of high protein, and one of the most consumed pulses is the gram lentil. In addition to this, it is also an excellent substitute for any pill to put your period off for some days. Take some gram lentils, fry them till they become quite soft and then grind them well.

How To Use This?

• The resultant powder has to be used as the base for making soup.
• Just add warm water to it and blend the two consistently, devoid of any lumps.
• You should begin taking this soup at least seven days before the expected date of your next period.
• For best results, have it in the morning on an empty stomach.

6. Parsley Leaves

Parsley leaves are rich in many nutrients, including Vitamins C, B12, K and A.⁷ Some of their benefits are that they keep the immune system in place and strengthen the nervous system and bones.

They are also handy for getting rid of excess body fluids. Not many women are aware of their ability to keep the menstrual cycle in control.

How To Use This?

• When in a situation which may not allow room for the period and its accompanying strain, pick up some parsley leaves.
• Take a handful of the leaves, put them in 500mL water and bring it to a boil.
• Strain this water and add a little honey. Drink it while it is still warm.
• You should do it at least two or three times a day to postpone your cycle.

7. Gelatin

A substance made from the collagen found in the bones of animals, gelatine has multi-dimensional uses. While it is an excellent source of beauty enhancement like reducing wrinkles and stretch marks, it is also a useful remedy for removing excess estrogen from the body.

For its properties of tackling estrogen, gelatin can be used as a last minute resort for pushing back your period. Unlike the other mentioned things, gelatine can only be used during emergencies.

How To Use This?

• Take a standard size packet of gelatin, add warm water to it and make a uniform blend.
• Take it quickly, and you can dodge your period for at least four to five hours.
• So if you feel like it is that day of the month, try this method and safely add some more hours.

8. Lemon

This is a very convenient and elementary trick. Lemon is a rich source of citric acid, and its acidic properties can be used to your benefit. You can chew or suck a lemon to make the period lighter or stop your flow.

It can also be taken along with water to achieve the same result. Even though it differs from woman to woman, lemon might cause some extra pain during your next period.

So it is best to be mentally prepared and take energy supplements the next time if you turn to lemon for postponing your period.

9. Shepherd’s Purse

Shepherd’s purse is effective for delaying periods. It has anti-hemorrhagic properties to delay bleeding. This herb is used extensively to stop excessive blood flow during hemorrhages.

How To Use This?

• For the remedy, you have to take 4-5 Shepherd’s purse leaves.
• Next, sun dry the leaves and make it into a powder form.
• Take 1 glass of lukewarm water and add the powder to it.
• Drink this prepared water daily 1 week before your periods to delay them.

10. Yarrow Extract/Tincture

This one is a well-known herb. It was traditionally used to regulate hormonal issues related to menstruation in females. It was also given to people who were suffering from piles. In the same manner, it can help you delay your periods too.

How To Use This?

• For the remedy, you have to take yarrow extract/tincture.
• When taking the tincture you have to mix 5-6 drops of tincture to half a cup of cold water and drink it as it is.
• When taking the extract form you have to add 1/2 teaspoon of the extracted powder into 1 glass of water and drink.
• You have to start taking it 10 days before to postpone your periods.

11. Licorice Root

This is another home remedy for delaying periods. Traditionally, licorice root it was used to cure mouth ulcers. But now, it is known as a proven remedy for postponing periods.⁸ It has certain substances that prevent uterine contraction and thus delay periods.

How To Use This?

• For the remedy, you can use the intact licorice root or licorice root powder.
• When taking the powder form, you just have to simply mix it in a glass of hot water and drink it.
• When taking the intact root, you have to boil the root in 2 cups of water.
• Simmer it for good 15 minutes until the water turns half. Strain the water and drink it.
• Do this 5 days before your actual period date.

12. Coriander Seed

The seed is present in every Indian home. It can not only add flavor to curries but also postpone your periods effectively.⁹ Coriander seeds have properties to control hormones and thus can delay periods.

How To Use This?

• For the remedy, take 20g of coriander seeds in 2 cups of water.
• Let it simmer for 10 minutes and reduce the water to half.
• Drink this water every day to two weeks before your menstrual date to delay them.

13. Raspberry Leaf Tea

Raspberry leaf has many health benefits to delay the menstruation and improve the reproductive system. It is the most side-effect free and desired way to delay periods.

How To Use This?

• For the remedy, take few raspberry leaves and 2 cups of water.
• Let it boil for 10 minutes and then again steep it for another 10 minutes.
• Strain this water and drink it twice a day 5 days before periods to delay them effectively.

14. Sacred Fig

Sacred fig can control the hormones level in your body. It can postpone the period for a few days.

How To Use This?

• For the remedy, take a handful of sacred fig leaves and 2 cups of water.
• Let it boil for 10 minutes and then again steep it for another 10 minutes.
• Strain this water and drink it three times a day few days before the actual period date.

15. Tamarind Pulp

This tangy pulp can be a boon if you want to delay your periods for few days.¹⁰ It has substances that can control the hormones to postpone bleeding.

How To Use This?

• For the remedy, take 15g of tamarind. Soak it in a cup of water overnight.
• Next morning, remove the tamarind and add a pinch salt to the tamarind water.
• You can even add a bit of honey to it to enhance the taste.
• Start doing it least 2 weeks before your actual period date.

16. Cinnamon Tea

Cinnamon tea has astringent properties which will help to delay your period. It can relax your body and give you relief from menstrual cramps too.

How To Use This?

• For the remedy, take 5 inches of cinnamon stick and 2 cups of water.
• Boil both the ingredients until they turn half.
• Use the strainer to strain the tea.
• Drink this water daily before two weeks to delay your periods.

17. French Benas

Studies say that if you eat a lot of french beans before your period date. This study was actually done on few ladies and it gives significant results. Not only this, it will also lighter bleeding.

How To Use This?

• For the remedy, take 1 cup of french beans and boil it in three cups of water.
• Reduce the water to half and strain it.
• To the strained water and 1 tablespoon of lemon juice.
• Start drinking this prepared water few days before your periods to get maximum relief.

18. Angelica Root

Dong Quai or angelica root is a popular Chinese herb. It is used since ancient times to treat menstrual cramps. It has properties that can affect the menstrual hormones and delay the monthly cycle.

How To Use This?

• For the remedy, you need 4-5 angelic roots and 1 and a half cup of water.
• Boil both the things in water for good 10 minutes.
• Let it steep in water for another five minutes.
• Next, strain the water and drink it twice a day for optimum relief.

19. Mustard Seeds

Using mustard seeds can delay your period for a few days. It has properties that can lower down the estrogen levels in the body and bring about few days to delay in your menstrual cycle.

How To Use This?

• For the remedy take 1 teaspoon of mustard seeds. Grind them to make a fine powder from it.
• Mix the prepared powder with lukewarm milk. You can add a bit of honey to enhance the taste.
• Drink the prepared milk twice a days 4 days before the actual date of periods.

20. Mango Bark

This was used in ancient times to control heavy bleeding. It has medicinal properties that can affect the menstrual hormones. You can delay your period for a day or two with mango bark.

How To Use This?

• For the remedy take around 12 ml of mango bark extract.
• Add this to a cup of water. Start drinking this twice a day.
• Taking this decoction a week before your periods can actually delay your periods.

What Can You Do To Make Sure It Does Not Come Early?

A significant factor in the alteration of dates is the kind of food you are eating.

Even if you are following these above methods to delay your period, you may be unknowingly eating something which might induce period at an early stage. These will include food which generates heat in the body.

Some of these are turmeric tea, pineapple, papaya, sesame seeds, carrot, pomegranate juice, dates, jaggery, carom seeds, red meat and dark chocolate.

If you are looking to prolong your cycle for some days, you can minimize the risk by avoiding these foods and ingredients.

What Can Be An Alternative?

In spite of adopting these remedies and cautions, there still might be a probability of you getting your period when you can not quite endure it.

In such a scenario, the best thing to do is to find a way to lighten the flow, ease the pain and make it shorter. Some of these are:

a) Drink lots of water. Among the multitude of benefits of water is also its ability to reduce your flow. It flushes out toxins and menstrual blood out of the body faster.

b) Munch on fruits. This will give you energy and nutrients as well as lighten or even stop your period early. Either way, it’s good because you will be eating healthy.

c) Herbal remedies always come to the rescue, and there are some herbs which will help you in lessening the flow. These include shepherd’s purse, dried raspberry leaf tea, angelica root, garden sage and Lady mantle.

d) Exercising can again help you with your period problems. Even if you were unable to delay it through exercise, you could certainly get rid of your period quickly and with relative ease.

e) If nothing works, try massaging your uterus area. Not only will it relieve you of the painful menstrual cramps but also help push the period out of your body faster.

f) You can also put a heat pack over your abdominal area. This will give you two benefits. It will lessen the pain, and the heat will force the fluids out quicker.

Is It Safe To Alter The Cycle?

One of the most common fear women faces, whether it is safe to delay the periods.Periods are the symbol of fertility, and nobody wants to have long-term side effects on health or their ability to get pregnant for one alteration. ¹¹Taking a pill called Norethisterone is a very ordinary regime for numerous women.

Although it is a prescription-only medicine, it is instrumental as it can postpone your period by up to seventeen days. Another common practice is relying on birth control pills.

A traditional pack of contraceptive pills contains twenty-eight tablets, out of which twenty-one are active, and the remaining seven are inactive. Women skip the seven inactive pills and jump to the next pack to avoid residual bleeding.

These two of the many other pill-related methods have led to this belief that delaying your period is against nature.To play safe, many women choose to have their period on time instead and suffer massive physical and mental discomfort.

Therefore to avoid all these reproductive issues, you should opt for some natural ways to push back your date and cherish those moments of a much-needed break.

Even though it is not the best idea to interfere with nature’s way, you can lessen the risks of having side-effects by employing natural methods.

Final Talk

Dealing with menstruation is not comfortable at all. Nevertheless, it is a natural process for a healthy reproductive system.

What you can do is employ these natural methods which may help you in bringing your dates to your convenience and make it less painful. Keep this as a backup, and you may find it easier to take on periods.

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