Safe Ways to Delay Your Period, Backed by OB/GYNs

Whether you’re gearing up for a beach getaway, your wedding day, or simply need a break from the discomfort of your monthly cycle, you might be wondering Can you safely delay your period? The short answer is yes but it’s not as simple as sipping on lemon juice or loading up on raspberry leaf tea.

We asked two board-certified OB/GYNs to share what really works (and what doesn’t) when it comes to putting your period on pause.

Do natural period delay remedies work?

A quick search online will reveal dozens of “natural” ways to delay your period apple cider vinegar, gram lentils, gelatin, cinnamon tea, lemon water. But according to Mana Baskovic, DO, OB/GYN at Providence St. John’s Hospital, these are nothing more than myths.

“People have tried so many homeopathic remedies, but none of them have been proven to be effective,” she says.

And while some sources suggest that increasing exercise might delay your period, this method is neither safe nor reliable. “Prolonged intense exercise, especially with significant weight loss, can change your cycle,” Dr. Baskovic warns. “But this isn’t a healthy way to delay menstruation.”

Christina Greves, MD, OB/GYN at Orlando Health Women’s Institute, agrees, noting that over-exercising can lead to a condition called relative energy deficiency in sport (RED-S), also known as the athlete’s triad. This condition, which stems from under-fueling and over-training, disrupts hormonal balance and menstrual function and not in a good way. Long-term, it can lead to issues with fertility, bone health, and cardiovascular function.

So, how can you delay your period safely?

The good news is that there are safe, doctor-approved ways to delay your period. They involve hormonal birth control and when used correctly under medical guidance, they’re both effective and low-risk.

Here’s how it works:

• Extended-cycle birth control pills, such as Seasonale or Jolessa, are designed to space out your periods so you only menstruate about once every three months.

• The Depo-Provera shot or a hormonal IUD can also suppress periods entirely for some people during use.

• Combined oral contraceptives, the patch, or vaginal ring can be manipulated to skip your period altogether. You simply skip the placebo week (when you would normally get your period) and start your next pack, patch, or ring immediately.

This is a common practice many OB/GYNs recommend for events like travel, weddings, or even simply for personal preference. “It’s totally safe to use birth control to skip or delay your period,” Dr. Baskovic says.

Important: Always talk to your doctor first

While hormonal birth control is a safe and effective method to delay periods for many people, it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution. Everyone responds to hormones differently, and side effects or spotting can still occur. “Not all women have the same menstrual pattern changes with birth control,” Dr. Baskovic says. That’s why it’s essential to consult your healthcare provider before trying to alter your cycle.

They can walk you through your options, tailor a plan to your body, and help you decide what’s best based on your health history and lifestyle.

Bottom line

Natural period delay hacks might sound tempting, but they’re not backed by science and they can even lead to more harm than good. If you want to safely delay your period, hormonal birth control offers a proven, doctor-approved path. Just be sure to check in with your OB/GYN first, so you can make a choice that’s safe, effective, and right for you.

If you found this article helpful, share it or subscribe to our newsletter for more health-focused insights.