How to Stop Your Period 

Many women ask if there any ways to stop having their periods. Sometimes having a menstrual period can be inconvenient and may interfere with travel plans, sports, or most frequently, sex. Some women simply hate the symptoms that accompany their periods such as cramps, headaches or back pain, all of which can interfere with work or leisure. Some women experience heavy bleeding and would like to control it, especially when they are going to a party or on vacation. Still others would just like to delay a period for a day or two so they can do something or go somewhere without the inconvenience of having it. Some women would also prefer not having them at all, particularly those that do not plan on having children at the moment.

Some women have tried many ways to delay or stop their periods after asking friend's advice or researching methods online. Most of them receive bad advice or unreliable suggestions which are not only ineffective but may also be potentially harmful to their health. In medicine, there are very few ways to stop your period and most methods will only temporarily stop or delay your period. Whatever your reasons are, here are some ways to safely but temporarily stop your period.

How to Stop Your Period

Use Contraceptives

The best way to stop your period is to use birth control or contraceptives. Before you do it is best to see a doctor who will advise you on which type will best suit your needs. Your doctor will explain what to expect, what dosage to use, and any risks involved.

Hormonal contraceptives inhibit ovulation and fertilization. They can be injectable, oral, or in a patch form. Implants and intrauterine devices that release hormones are also available. The simplest way to stop monthly periods is to take oral contraceptives in pill form. These hormonal pills should be taken one cycle before the period that you don't want to have. When taken regularly as directed, you will stop having periods. Once you stop taking them, your periods will return.

You must remember that prolonged intake of hormonal contraceptives is associated with an increased risk of headaches, hormonal imbalances, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. So before using any of these, consult your physician for proper guidance.

Use a Flexible Cup

There is a flexible cup called Softcup which is inserted through the vagina and placed in front of the cervix to collect menstrual flow. It does not stop your period but it prevents blood from flowing from the vagina, just like a tampon. It can be worn for up to 12 hours and can be reused throughout your period.

The advantage of using this device is that it seems to stop your period without the side effects of hormones or medications. You can use it while swimming, traveling, or having sex. However, to avoid leakage you must use a new cup instead of reusing one. You must also remember that these cups does not prevent pregnancy and is not intended to be used as a contraceptive device.

Take Medications

Tranexamic acid (tablet) is a medication that induces clotting of blood in the uterus, thus reducing heavy menstrual bleeding by about 30-60 percent. You can take 2-3 tablets, 3-4 times daily when bleeding starts. These does can continue for three or four days. These are not hormonal contraceptives, so they will not prevent pregnancy.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as mefenamic acid, ibuprofen, or naproxen are painkillers that may also be recommended for controlling menstrual flow. These tablets help reduce abdominal cramps related to menstruation, but they may also reduce bleeding by 20-50%. You may take them 3-4 times a day before your period and continue taking them until your period stops.

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists are drugs that can reduce bleeding during your period and simulate temporary menopause, including hot flashes. However, they should only be used on a short-term basis as they are very costly and can produce serious side effects. They work by interfering with estrogen activity in your body. Long-term use can lead to weak bones or osteoporosis.

Consider Surgery

Your doctor may recommend surgery to control or stop your periods. This would occur if you have a medical condition that causes heavy menstrual bleeding such as a myoma, a uterine fibroid, or endometriosis. Your doctor may suggest a hysterectomy, or the complete removal of your uterus. This will completely stop your periods from occurring, but will only be performed if other surgical procedures are unsuccessful. Other procedures include:

• Uterine artery embolization, which blocks arteries, thus causing fibroids to shrink.
• Myomectomy, or removal of a myoma (a non-cancerous tumor inside the uterus)
• Endometrial ablation, which destroys the inner lining of the uterus

Natural Ways

• Drinking a great deal of water or juice can help you lighten your periods.
• Eating healthy, making a point to consume a great deal of fruits and vegetables can also help easy menstrual symptoms.
• Green beans in particular are known to help slow your menstrual cycle.
• Swallowing two teaspoons of apple cider vinegar mixed into a glass of water can help slow your menstrual flow and calm your other symptoms. For the best effects, take this cure three times a day.
• Some find that mixing a package of gelatin with water and quickly consuming the mixture can stop your period for around three hours.
• Sucking on a piece of lemon has also been shown to temporarily stop your period.
• Taking a bath can also help temporarily slow or stop your menstrual flow.
• In some cases you can hide your period by wearing a smaller tampon or spongy pads that are less noticeable.

There are other ways for you to consider controlling your period, but they may not be very effective or reliable. Some people may advise you to use herbal supplements like Shepherd's purse or cramp bark, but these are not scientifically proven to work and may have side effects. Others say that applying an ice pack over your abdomen for several minutes can help reduce the pain and amount of blood flow during a period. However, most of these home remedies are temporary and unreliable, so consult your doctor to determine the best way to stop your period.

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