Even if you aren't going on vacation, your period is not anyone's favorite time of the month. However, if you have a trip planned, the last thing you want to deal with while relaxing on a beach is mood swings, cramps, worrying about leakage, and having to nip to the bathroom every few hours to "freshen up."
You might try to determine the precise day and time of the onset of your period and schedule your vacation around those dates in order to avoid these distractions. But as any woman is aware, it's as easy to forecast a period as it is the weather; it's all rather hit-and-miss.
This is why many women decide to learn how to postpone their period so they won't have to worry about it while they are supposed to be unwinding and having fun away from home and work. Here are some helpful suggestions if you want to try to push back the start of your vacation period, albeit it's not always doable and the approaches aren't 100% reliable.
Norethisterone
Norethisterone shouldn't be viewed as a "magic pill" like other medications, despite the fact that this is how it may appear if you're trying to figure out how to postpone your period for a trip. But if you follow the appropriate medical advice, this might be all you need to do to put off your period long enough to give you the rest you so desperately need.
Three days prior to your period's start date is when you should begin taking the pills. It should cover the first three days and then every day you wish to delay your period for a total of a 17-day window as it is three tablets each day for a maximum of 20 days. When you stop taking the tablets, your period will start about three days later, and everything will return to normal.
There are occasionally negative effects associated with medications, and norethisterone is no exception. Since this is not a contraceptive and there are potential side effects such as blood clots, strokes, nausea, migraines, and acne, extra precautions should be taken to be safe. If you're certain that you want to delay your period for your trip, you'll need to allow some time to see your doctor before you go because it can only be taken with a prescription.
Pill for Contraception
Consider your contraceptive pill as it might work just as well if you don't have time to see a doctor or you don't like the idea of trying out a new pill. The combination pill and the progesterone-only pill are the two types of contraceptive pills. Both can be used to extend your vacation period, but for this to work, they must be taken in distinct ways.
Combined Pill
If you take the combined pill, you typically take one pill each day for 21 days before taking a "rest" period of seven days. You can delay your period if you keep taking the pills during the time you would typically have a break.
Progesterone Only Pill (POP)
Instead of waiting seven days between doses while taking a POP, you take one daily for the entire month. This means that when utilizing the combination pill, you cannot take more than what was prescribed above. You can switch to a combination pill and take one each day, but keep in mind that your doctor may have prescribed the POP for a purpose, so switching may not be in your best interests. It is always advisable to consult a doctor first if you are unsure.
Enjoy Your Vacation
Enjoying your vacation shouldn't be hindered by your period, and stressing about it won't make you feel more at ease. If you're really worried, talk to your doctor about the various options for delaying your period so you can go on vacation - it's best to get advice from your doctor or a pharmacy rather than relying on unreliable and possibly harmful information.
If there is nothing that can be done to postpone your holiday break, getting ready is crucial. You'll already have a good idea of how frequently you need to change throughout the day if you typically use tampons, for instance. While on vacation, you might consider using an internal menstrual cup; these reusable products can ultimately save you time and money.
