You can then determine if your menstrual cycle will occur on the days you don’t want it to. If a conflict exists, don’t worry as you can avoid having your period on that day, as long as you plan for it in advance! Note that for women with irregular menstrual cycles, it is not always possible to know in advance when your next period will occur.

It is not required that you follow the exact routine of 21 active pills followed by seven inactive pills. The ratio of 21 to seven is quite arbitrary. It was meant to mimic a person’s natural menstrual cycle of approximately 28 days, but it is by no means essential to follow this ratio all of the time.

If it is a “last-minute realization” that you want to delay your period, your best bet is to keep taking the “active pills” all the way from day 21 through to when the event is over. Then stop the active pills and take the seven inactive pills to allow a withdrawal bleed. If you do this, most doctors advise to throw out the partially used pack of birth control pills (the pack you took the “extra” pills from to get you through to the important event). This way, you will not lose count in future cycles of using the birth control pill. The way the pills are packaged (normally with 21 active pills and seven inactive ones) is key for most women to keep track of how many pills they have taken and when they are supposed to take each kind.

To do this, you will need to look at your calendar well in advance. If, for instance, you notice that in four months you need to delay your period by 10 days, extend the length of time you are taking your active pills by 10 days during your current cycle, instead of just during the month you need to skip your period. Then take the seven inactive pills. By making the change a few months in advance (for instance, competitive athletes may do this if an important event like provincials or nationals is coming up) you give your body the very best chance of adjusting and of not having any period concerns on your big day.

Extended cycle birth control pills are meant to be taken continuously for a period of weeks. Most brands are taken for 12 weeks at a time. [5] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source Because this does alter your hormone balance (having a period once every three months rather than once a month), it is important to speak to your doctor to confirm that this is a healthy choice for you. Generally speaking, there should be no problem if you have been approved to take the birth control pill in the first place.

Norenthisterone is a progesterone hormone. Progesterone levels drop in the time leading up to your period, causing the lining of the uterus to shed and your period to begin. Keeping the levels high before your period can delay or stop menstruation. [7] X Research source Side effects may include bloating, upset stomach, breast discomfort, and reduced sex drive. [8] X Research source

IUDs last five to seven years.

If you deliberately delay or miss a period, it may be harder to tell if you’re pregnant as a missed period is usually the first sign. Pregnancy can also be marked by breast tenderness, fatigue, and nausea. Watch for signs of pregnancy and take a pregnancy test if you have any symptoms. [11] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source