Key takeaways
- It is impossible to stop a period for a specific night or day. However, if a person already takes birth control pills, they may be able to delay one by starting their next pill pack right away or skipping the inactive pills.
- Starting a new hormonal birth control method can also help reduce or stop periods, but it takes time to have this effect.
- Other methods of managing menstrual bleeding include using period underwear, menstrual cups, or menstrual disks to collect blood internally. Disks can continue to work even during penetrative sex.
Periods can sometimes arrive at undesirable times, especially if a person has an irregular menstrual cycle.
In this article, we explore various methods for delaying, reducing, or stopping a period, as well as strategies for managing the bleeding to minimize its impact.
It is sometimes possible to stop periods temporarily using hormonal forms of birth control, such as pills, the implant, or intrauterine devices (IUDs).
However, it takes time for these methods to alter the menstrual cycle. Often, it takes several months for the body to adjust.
There is also no guarantee that any specific form of hormonal birth control will entirely stop a person’s periods. While some methods are more likely to have this effect than others, not everyone responds the same way.
It is also possible to reduce the bleeding without stopping the period entirely. Drugs such as tranexamic acid can reduce blood flow for people with heavy periods.
If a person wishes to delay the start of their period or skip their period altogether because of an upcoming event, or they have heavy periods, they can talk with their doctor about their options.
With forward planning, a person may be able to stop their period for the event, provided it is far enough in advance.
Yes, potentially, but it may depend on the individual and how long they have been taking the pill.
Birth control pill packets often include either 7 days of inactive placebo pills or require a person to take a 7-day break before starting the next packet. This induces a withdrawal bleed, which can seem similar to a period.
Some people like having this withdrawal bleed, but in other situations, people may want to skip or delay it. People can do this by starting the next packet right away, or by skipping the inactive pills.
This can be a convenient way to stop bleeding from interfering with specific events, such as a date or vacation. People who have only just started the pill or do not have predictable withdrawal bleeds may not be able to do this, though.
Most health professionals consider it safe to take birth control pills continuously, but they should receive
If a person’s period is imminent, it is not possible to stop it for one night. However, people can take steps to manage the bleeding so it has less impact on their activities. For example, they can use:
- Tampons: These absorb blood inside the vagina, preventing the need for pads. People need to change their tampon every 4 to 8 hours.
- Menstrual cups: These devices sit in the vagina and catch blood. A person then empties it out, washes it, and re-inserts the cup. Unlike tampons, menstrual cups are reusable, and people can wear them for up to 12 hours before emptying them. According to a
2019 study , menstrual cups are just as effective as tampons and other period products at preventing leaks. - Menstrual disks: These devices are similar to menstrual cups, but they can remain inside the body even while a person has penetrative sex because they sit higher in the vagina.
- Period underwear: These are a special type of underwear that absorbs liquids, such as menstrual blood, without the need for additional pads.
To manage other symptoms that can come with periods, people can also:
- apply gentle heat to ease cramps
- use a TENS machine
- try over-the-counter pain medications
- try some gentle exercise
Some herbal remedies or supplements may claim to completely stop a period, but few actually have scientifically-proven effects.
For example, Lady’s mantle is a plant from the rose family. According to a 2019 study, practitioners of traditional medicine have long used it to help with menstrual issues, such as heavy bleeding.
However, there have been no clinical trials to determine if Lady’s mantle is reliable or safe for everyone.
Certain forms of birth control cause periods to stop for
Some people worry that not getting a withdrawal bleed will make it harder to tell if they are pregnant. However, as long as they take the pill correctly, the chance of getting pregnant is very low.
Hormonal birth control does not protect against sexually transmitted infections. For this, people need to use barrier methods, such as condoms.
People can discuss ways of managing or stopping their period with a doctor. A doctor can suggest different birth control methods that stop a period altogether or only allow it to occur a few times per year.
For advice on managing bleeding, sexual health professionals may be able to advise on the best period products for a person’s needs and how they can use them.
It is important to discuss heavy or irregular bleeding with a doctor, as these symptoms can be a sign of an underlying condition. Signs of an atypical cycle include:
- needing to change pads or tampons more than every 1 or 2 hours
- bleeding that lasts more than 7 days
- feeling dizzy, faint, or fatigued
People with a family history of blood-clotting disorders or gynecological conditions that can cause heavy periods should mention this to a doctor.
Once a period has started, it is not possible to stop it. Some methods may help reduce the amount of bleeding that occurs, but they will not completely stop the period.
People who are interested in preventing their period for medical or personal reasons should talk with their doctor. They may be able to use birth control methods to prevent their period or limit the number of periods they experience.
There are also ways to manage period bleeding that can have less of an impact on activities such as swimming or sex. People can explore alternatives to pads, such as menstrual disks or period underwear, if this is a priority for them.