Question: I am due for my next menstrual cycle in one week. How can I delay this cycle (with or without birth control pills – I haven’t started the pill yet).
Answer: Delaying the normal menstrual cycle may result in unwanted complications. It is best to avoid trying to delay menstruation without any valid reason.
How to Delay Menstrual Cycle Naturally
- Birth control pills can aid in delaying the cycle. Ideally begin with pills from the middle of the birth control pill strip (i.e. pills to be taken from the 14th day onwards). Continue taking the pills for as long as you want your menstrual cycle to be delayed. Then stop taking the pills. Once you stop taking the pills, you would ideally get your periods within a week’s time.
- Alternatively, you could try avoiding hot and spicy foods which are known to increase body heat and hasten periods. Avoid spices including garlic, ginger and peppers.
- Also avoid foods which are known to increase body heat like sesame and papaya.However for ensuring postponing your periods using diet, it is important that you begin about two weeks prior to the expected date, which in your case doesn’t seem possible.
- Consult your gynecologist for more details. However, don’t make it a habit, interfering with the normal hormonal functioning of the body can result in dire consequences on over health in general and reproductive health in specific.