You might have heard a woman ask her doctor: “I have an important trip, a wedding, a holiday or even a swimming competition coming up, and I don't want my menses to coincide with it. Is there medication I can take to postpone it?”
It is a common concern, and some women do turn to medication to delay their monthly periods. But is it safe, and what should they know before taking these drugs?
“Yes. Menstruation can be postponed using hormonal medication, usually progesterone-based tablets such as norethisterone, or by adjusting certain hormonal contraceptives, including combined oral contraceptives,” says Dr Richard Mogeni, an obstetrician-gynaecologist at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital.
Norethisterone is a synthetic form of progestogen, a hormone similar to the progesterone naturally produced by the body. During a menstrual cycle, progesterone levels fall, triggering the shedding of the womb lining and, consequently, menstruation. Taking progesterone-based medication maintains hormonal support of the lining, preventing it from shedding at that time.
So, how early should a woman start taking the medication for it to work?
“Ideally, one to two weeks before the expected period. However, some medications need to be started about three days before menstruation is due. Once bleeding has started, postponing it becomes less predictable,” Dr Mogeni explains.
For most healthy women, occasionally delaying menstruation under medical guidance is generally safe. However, it may not suit everyone. Dr Mogeni advises caution among women with a history of blood clots, certain liver conditions, hormone-sensitive cancers or unexplained vaginal bleeding. Pregnancy should also be ruled out where relevant. The risks vary depending on the medication being considered.
Regular menstruation is an important marker of female health.
Photo credit: POOL| NATION MEDIA GROUP
Like other hormonal medications, period-delay tablets may also cause side effects. These include breast tenderness, bloating, headaches, nausea, mood changes and occasional spotting.
It is also important to distinguish between occasionally postponing a period and continuously suppressing menstruation. The latter may be achieved through hormonal contraceptives under medical supervision.
“Both can be safe, but the choice depends on the woman's health and contraceptive needs,” he says.
For women who are concerned about what happens after stopping the medication, the return of menstruation is generally relatively quick.
“Usually, menstruation returns within two to three days after stopping progesterone-based period-delay medication such as norethisterone,” says Dr Mogeni.
Still, the timing varies from one woman to another. Some may experience spotting or temporary changes in their menstrual cycle.
Another concern among women is whether postponing menstruation could affect their future fertility. “Occasional postponement does not damage the ovaries, deplete eggs or affect a woman's ability to conceive in future,” he says. “However, some hormonal medications temporarily suppress ovulation, making it harder to identify the natural fertile window while using them. Normal fertility generally resumes after the medication is stopped.”
“Absolutely not. This is a common misconception. Hormonal medication simply prevents the uterine lining from shedding at that time. The lining is maintained under hormonal influence, and bleeding occurs when the hormonal support is withdrawn,” he explains.
While hormonal medication can postpone menstruation, some women may consider alternatives such as ibuprofen, particularly when looking for an easier way to manage their periods.
However, Dr Mogeni cautions that ibuprofen does not reliably stop menstruation. It may ease menstrual pain and reduce the amount of bleeding in some women, but it is not a dependable medication for delaying a period. It also carries potential side effects, particularly for women with stomach ulcers or kidney problems.
His advice is that women should avoid self-prescribing hormonal tablets, as the appropriate medication depends on their medical history and individual circumstances.
“For women who need predictable menstrual suppression, medically supervised hormonal contraceptives may be an alternative. There are also non-medication approaches, such as planning events around the menstrual cycle, although lifestyle changes cannot reliably postpone a period,” he adds.
