There are several medically safe ways to delay or stop a period, most involving hormonal birth control methods. These include:
- Birth control pills: Taking active hormone pills continuously without the usual placebo pills can delay or stop your period. Pills designed for extended use can also lengthen the time between periods to about every three months.
- Hormonal vaginal rings and skin patches: Used continuously without the usual week off, these can stop periods.
- Hormonal intrauterine devices (IUDs): These can reduce or stop periods over time, with some users reporting no periods after a year or more.
- Depo-Provera shot: A high-dose progesterone injection every 90 days that often stops periods after about a year of use.
- Other hormonal methods like implants may also work for long-term suppression.
It's important to discuss with a healthcare provider before starting any method to ensure safety and choose the best option. Periods cannot be stopped once they have started in the same cycle, but these methods are effective for delaying or stopping future periods safely.
