At times the life schedule and period might not sync up well. Maybe you might wish to get your period before going off on a great vacation to ensure that it is free from any worry, or before a stressful week packed with assignments, work, and deadlines. Maybe that is when you might be looking out for options to induce your period.
So, can you actually induce your period? The great news is yes, you most definitely can. The bad news might be that if you have not gotten your period to date, you can not make it come any sooner regardless of all your efforts. For the ones who have gotten their period at least once, this article will provide several ways to help them induce their period and make it happen faster than usual.
It must be kept in mind that such methods for inducing a period fail to work for every person, but they prove to be the best options a person has to make his period come sooner. In addition, your period might be irregular in the initial years of having it.
Can You Really Make Your Period Come Sooner?
There are several reasons why you might want to induce your period. Perhaps your cycle is irregular and you prefer more predictability so that a pregnancy can be easily planned by you, or maybe you wish to get it over with before a special occasion or a holiday. Or maybe you are worried or stressed because of which your period might get delayed. If you stopped getting your period or it is delayed, treating the root cause might help with the regulation of your monthly cycle.
How Much Of A Delay In Periods Can Be Termed Normal?
Are you worried about a delayed period, but are well cognized of the fact that you are not pregnant? Late or missed periods might take place for several reasons other than pregnancy. Some common causes range from serious medical conditions to hormonal imbalances.
Although there are two specific times when it is typical for a period to be irregular, firstly when it starts, and secondly when the transition to menopause begins. The period cycle in such situations might become irregular as the body undergoes a major transition process.
Most people who have not yet reached menopause tend to have their period for an approximate duration of 28 days. However, a healthy menstrual cycle can be for a duration between 21 to 40 days. If your period fails to fall within this specified range, it could be because of several reasons as discussed further in the article.
Reasons For A Delayed Period
Stress
Chronic stress can affect the part of the brain (hypothalamus) that is responsible for the regulation of the period. Apart from this, it can also change the daily routine of a person and throw off hormones. Over time, stress might lead to sudden weight loss or gain, illness, etc, all of which can greatly impact the period cycle.
If you feel stress might be delaying your period, you can consider trying several relaxation techniques coupled with incorporating changes in your lifestyle.
Chronic stress can also affect various health conditions a person is living with, so either address it yourself or consider taking the assistance of a medical professional; it is indubitably a crucial aspect of taking care of your overall health and well-being.
Low Body Weight
People suffering from severe eating disorders such as bulimia or anorexia nervosa might end up experiencing irregularities in their respective cycles. Too much reduction of weight can lead to irregularity in periods and might even stop your cycle for a certain time. This is because failing to have enough fat in the body can lead to a pause in ovulation.
You can return your cycle to its original duration by getting the required treatment for the eating disorder you might have or by getting to the stage where the body fat gets back to the optimal level.
People who generally participate in extreme exercises, for instance, marathons, might also end up experiencing irregularities in their cycle.
Obesity
Just the way living with low body fat or weight can cause changes in hormones, living with high body weight can also lead to irregularities in your cycle. Obesity can lead to an overabundant production of estrogen by the body, which is considered a key reproductive hormone in women. Too much of it can cause irregular periods, and might even, at times, stop it altogether.
If your doctor has specified obesity as a highly potential factor behind your missed or late periods, they might advise you to make changes in your lifestyle to lose significant kilos off your body. This can be done by exercising, eating nutrient-dense foods, etc.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
PCOS or Polycystic ovary syndrome is a condition that is caused in the body as a result of increased production of the male reproductive hormone androgen. Because of such an imbalance in hormones, cysts tend to form on the ovaries. This can end up making ovulation stop altogether or get irregular with time.
Apart from this, other hormones like insulin might also experience an imbalance in the body. This is because insulin resistance is most often associated with this condition.
Increased focus on relieving symptoms can help treat this condition effectively. Your doctor might prescribe any other medication or birth control to help regulate your period easily.
Birth Control
One of the other prominent reasons behind experiencing a change in the period cycle is when you go off or on birth control. A birth control pill has certain hormones, namely progestin and estrogen, which helps in the prevention of ovaries from releasing any eggs. When it comes to getting back the consistency of the cycle, it might take about 3 months upon putting a stop to the consumption of the pill.
Other kinds of contraceptives injected or implanted can also lead to missed or irregular periods.
Chronic Diseases
Chronic diseases such as celiac disease and diabetes can also end up putting an adverse effect on your menstrual cycle. A change in blood sugar is directly linked to a change in hormonal. So, even though it is very rare, diabetes, when not managed effectively, can lead to irregular periods.
The celiac disease leads to inflammation that can cause damage to the small intestine. Such damage might prevent the body from further absorption of important nutrients. This can lead to missed or irregular periods.
Other chronic conditions that might lead to irregularities in your cycle are:
- Congenital adrenal hyperplasia
- Astherman’s syndrome
- Cushing syndrome
Premature Ovarian Insufficiency (POI)
Most owners of a vagina start menopausing between the age of approximately 45 to 55 years. People who develop symptoms around the age of 40 years or younger might end up experiencing early natural menopause or premature ovarian insufficiency (POI).
About 1 percent of the total women residing in the United States tend to experience POI. While such a condition might arise as a result of the removal of ovaries via surgery, other causes can include autoimmune conditions and genetic disorders.
If a person has been experiencing missed periods and is 40 years old or of a younger age than that, she should consider contacting and talking to a doctor about the testing and treatment of POI.
Thyroid Issues
An underactive or overactive thyroid gland can also be considered a cause behind missed or late periods in females.
The metabolism of the body is regulated by the thyroid, so it can also affect the level of hormones. Thyroid issues can generally be treated with the help of medications. After the treatment, the period is most likely considered to get back to its normal cycle.
When Should You Consider Seeing A Doctor?
The health of a person can not be considered a joke. You should consider reaching out to a healthcare provider in case of the following:
- If you could be pregnant
- If you are under the age of 45 and your cycle has stopped
- If you missed three periods in a row
- If your cycle is still going on after turning 55
- If you experience bleeding after sex or between periods
- If you experience changes in your period (it is unpredictable or heavier
- If you experience bleeding while you are on a hormone replacement therapy
- If you start bleeding after your periods stopped for more than 12 months
In case you feel that your cycle is irregular or you have missed your date but you know you are not pregnant, it is always a good idea to consider visiting and discussing your situation with a doctor as soon as possible, as there can be several conditions and reasons that could cause such an issue.
An experienced doctor can effectively diagnose the reason behind a missed or late period and talk about the options available to treat the situation. It is recommended that you maintain a record of changes in your period cycle with any other changes you witness in your health. This can help him make an effective diagnosis.
If you face the following symptoms in addition to the ones mentioned above, immediate attention from a doctor might be required or 911 must be dialed by you:
- Unusual heavy bleeding
- Severe pain and fever
- Vomiting and nausea
- Bleeding lasting longer than 7 days
- Bleeding after entering menopause but not having periods for a year or more
12 Ways to Induce a Period
Irregular periods are medically termed oligomenorrhea, which is considered a common issue in women. It is caused by several factors such as lifestyle, medical conditions, weight loss, etc, and can result in unwarranted tension and stress. This might lead a person to look around for natural and safe ways to induce a period regularly.
Here are some of the best bets you can consider trying to induce a period:
Hormonal Birth Control
Hormonal birth control is considered the only reliable way of taking the reins on a menstrual cycle. One can consider running this plan by her doctor to help do this as safely and naturally as possible. In case you are on hormonal pills, you must be cognized of the drill- You should consider taking active pills for about 21 days followed by placebos for a week.
You can talk to your doctor about altering your birth control cycle safely as doing this might make it less beneficial and effective. You consume the placebo pills typically when you desire for your period to begin and then come back to the hormonal pills when your period stops, probably after your 17th placebo pill.
Bring The Blood By Bringing In Orgasmic Love
Girlfriends have always been correct, a roll in the hay can be a perfect way of bringing on a full-blown period. An orgasm can help trigger contractions of your cervix, leading to pulling your menstrual blood down your body. The good news here is that penetrative sex is not necessary to orgasm, you can easily make it happen yourself.
An orgasm in bed can lead to a dilated cervix, which can create a suction effect getting that blood to start flowing. Additionally, an orgasm involves contractions that can spur the shedding of the inner lining of the uterine wall.
Stay at Ease, Warrior
Gentle stretching or yoga might help you get relief from stress and induce your period to happen sooner than you think. Exercising a lot can lead to a reduction in estrogen levels, which can cause absent, irregular, or delayed periods. Moderate exercising can help with the restoration of the necessary hormones required for the regulation of your monthly cycle.
Warm up Your Form
A compress on the abdomen or a warm bath can surprisingly do wonders when it comes to increasing the flow of blood, getting relief against emotional stress, and relaxing tight muscles, possibly of the kind associated with menstruation. Since both of these things feel comfortable and nice, why not consider giving them a try once? A warm bath is also known to improve blood sugar levels and reduce inflammation.
Turn Towards Turmeric
Turmeric is a bright orange-colored spice that you can find in many curries and stews. It is a herb coming from the ginger family and has curcumin, which is considered to possess anti-inflammatory properties. Turmeric has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for a long time now for regulating the menstrual cycle and inducing a period.
Turmeric is used to make golden milk which is known to be a long-recommended cure-all from India. There, although, is little research present to back up its ancient cred, its consumption is still highly unlikely to hurt you; what can go wrong if you give it a try once?
It must be kept in mind that a very large dose of turmeric can cause problems in the stomach. Handle and consume it with utmost care.
Plan to Eat Pineapple
If you enjoy the tropical flair a pineapple presents itself with, which is considered a great source of vitamins B6 and C, then you should definitely go for it. Just don’t expect its consumption to make your period arrive very fast.
Bromelain, an enzyme found in pineapple, presents itself with several anti-inflammatory properties and has also been known to soften the cervix for speeding up the process of labor although no research supports this hypothesis. But research does tend to support the use of pineapple for reducing inflammation, as a result, it might make you feel happy while you are down with your period.
Pineapple is also very safe to consume at the time of pregnancy. It does not have enough bromelain to prompt a period or induce labor.
Get Pumped for Papayas
It is a thought in ayurvedic medicine that eating unripe papaya might help you bring a late period out to light, and several alternative practitioners of medicine have suggested that its consumption might help in the inducement of proper flow of blood during periods.
A study performed on mice discovered that papaya has anti-fertility properties and tends to act as an abortifacient, so it can be dangerous if you are pregnant. If you are not pregnant, you can feel free to indulge in its nourishment with a ton of minerals and vitamins.
Play with Ginger
Ginger has been considered a traditional Chinese remedy for many years and is thought to stimulate chi (life force) and the flow of blood at the time of menstruation. There fails to exist enough research to prove its effectiveness when it comes to inducing a period, but ginger is surely coupled with anti-inflammatory creditability and has been used to ease an upset stomach for centuries now.
There is no harm in giving ginger a try in several forms, for instance, ginger tea. You can chop up about a tablespoon of ginger and boil it in hot water for 5 minutes to see effective results.
Incorporate Vitamin C into Your Life
There is a lot of hubbub about the consumption of vitamin C for the induction of a period on the internet that a person might suspect lobbyists of orange juice to be behind it. Vitamin C is supposedly known to raise the levels of estrogen and lower that of progesterone. This can cause the uterus to contract and its lining to break down and bid adieu to your body.
Although enough scientific evidence to support this theory fails to exist, Vitamin C is proven to be helpful for you. Therefore, always fill your plate with broccoli, citrus fruit, and kale and wait for the results, because why not!
Enjoy Dong Quai
A few studies have supported the effectiveness of Dong Quai, a Chinese herb, when it comes to curbing the symptoms associated with menopause and PMS, along with providing relief against hot flashes.
Apart from this, it is also thought to stimulate the flow of blood, which might prove to be helpful when it comes to inducing a period. It must be kept in mind that it should not be used at the time of pregnancy as it can cause uterine contractions leading to a miscarriage.
Pump Up the Consumption of Parsley
You might have come across several recipes to make parsley tea to hasten periods. While the content of apiol and vitamin C present in parsley might help stimulate the contractions of the uterine, several amounts of apiol can be considered dangerous and toxic for a pregnant woman. Parsley apiol in a large dose can cause diarrhea, severe stomach pain, vomiting, and even death at times.
Black Cohosh
It is another natural herbal supplement that might help regulate your cycle. It is known to help tone down the uterus and promote the shedding of the lining of the uterus.
However, sufficient studies have not discovered any consistent effect on estrogen, the follicle-stimulating hormone, or the tissues present in the reproductive tract. Several studies are required to determine the effects of black cohosh on the health of a person.
Using this herb for the short-term is considered to be safe. Additionally, it interacts with various medications. It is not recommended for a person who is on heart or blood pressure medications or has a history of liver issues.
Risks Associated with Consumption
Most of the methods provided above are safe and fail to present any risk to a healthy adult. A person must buy any herbal supplement from a reputable source as the FDA (food and drug administration) does not regulate herbal supplements and products. Also, any person with a suspected or known allergy to supplements, herbs, or foods must avoid taking them.
Hormonal birth control can lead to various side effects and might not be a perfect choice for everybody. The birth pill, although rare, can increase the risk of a person having a heart attack or stroke or developing a blood clot.
A person who is more than 35 years old or smokes generally tends to be at a higher risk of complications from the pill. You should visit a doctor when considering hormonal birth control and talk about individual risk factors with him.
Conclusion
Herbal remedies can prove to be perfect, but you must be careful when messing around with your health, especially reproductive health. A medicinal plant can be as risky as any drug; it can cause severe stomach pain, fever, vomiting, or death in worst-case scenarios. It is always helpful to consult a doctor before manipulating the natural cycle of your body.
Just as every person is not the same, every menstrual cycle also tends to differ. The generalized length of a cycle is 28 days, but it can end up ranging somewhere between 28 to 40 days as well.
Occasional irregularities in your cycle can be a result of several issues, from weight gain or loss to starting or stopping birth control, to chronic stress. If you have witnessed irregularity in your cycle lately or missed your period, it is always a good idea to consult a doctor right away. The quicker a diagnosis is made, the quicker you can expect a regular cycle again.
