Women's Health Community

No there is not.

Gail

Dear Micmac: Gail is correct, but I would like to add some additional information, OK? There are many reasons for a woman to want to delay the onset of her period. There are no studies that specifically address this issue. The majority of the literature reflects eliminating menstrual flows as a treatment option for menstrual migraines, endometriosis, severe cramps, and other medical conditions. The following is a list of ways to try and delay menses.

1. If a woman is already on oral contraceptives (OC), it is easy to just eliminate the placebo/sugar pill week. After the last active pill is taken in one pack, next day open a new pack and begin with the active pills. The period should arrive around the placebo pills of that second pack. If breakthrough bleeding should occur just keep taking your pills in the prescribed order to continue contraceptive protection. The OC "Seasonale" is packaged to have three months of active pills followed by a placebo week. It is an FDA approved product designed to produce only four menstrual flows per year.

2. The same regimen can likely be utilized with either the Ortho Evra Patch or the Nuva Ring, but there are no published studies on this. With the Patch, open a new box and apply an active patch instead of taking a week off. The Ring can actually be used for a full 30 days, but then it too must be replaced with a new Ring.

3. If you are not currently on OCs you can get a prescription and utilize the "Quick Start" method. An established pregnancy has to be ruled out. The first active pill can be begun the day you receive them. If they are being used for birth control a back up method MUST be used for a minimum of a week. One study has shown that there was not a statistically significant increase in break thorough bleeding despite starting in the middle of a menstrual month (Westoff C. et al. Fertil Steril 2003). Once on OCs a woman can then utilize extended use of active pills in an attempt to delay menses.

4. One source, without documentation, suggests the use of Provera 10 mg for five days to induce a flow before its scheduled time. The hope is that the early shedding of the uterine lining will prevent a later bleed.

5. If one cannot use hormonal birth control, perhaps the use of high dose ibuprofen might delay menses. A much older published report (Halbert, J Repro Med, 1983) found a very small group of women who had delayed periods in response to the use of ibuprofen 400 mg three times a day when started three days before the expected onset of flow.

None of these strategies should be employed without first checking with your own GYN or clinic. In each of these strategies your specific medical history has to be considered. It is also important to remember that breakthrough bleeding can occur despite the best intentions.

Best wishes on her mission trip.

Yours,
Jane