Patient's question:
Next month, I'm getting married, but it happens to be my period during the wedding. What should I do? Are there any ways to delay it by a few days?Doctor's answer:
The Secret Remedies to Change the Menstrual CycleWhenever it’s close to a long holiday or major exams, especially when one finally gets a chance to "live it up," they’re often stuck with those few days of "unconvenience" every month. This is truly frustrating. Many women then turn to doctors for "secret remedies" to change their menstrual cycle, hoping to either bring it forward or delay it to avoid the disruptions of menstruation. This way, they can enjoy themselves freely or perform better during exams. But can they get what they want?
We know that menstruation is a regular, cyclical uterine bleeding in women, one of the external signs of reproductive maturity. This bleeding results from the maturation of ovarian follicles, ovulation, and the formation of the corpus luteum, as well as the transformation of the endometrium from proliferation to secretion and its subsequent shedding. This process is regulated by the neuroendocrine system through the production of estrogen and progesterone, so altering any step in hormone production will change the menstrual cycle. In clinical practice, when doctors encounter women with normal menstrual cycles who strongly request changes, they typically use estrogen or progesterone to regulate it. These "secret remedies" can be summarized as follows:
(1) Methods to Advance Menstruation: Starting from the 16th day of the menstrual cycle, intramuscularly inject 20mg of progesterone daily or orally take 10–12mg of medroxyprogesterone acetate for 5 days. Menstruation will occur 3–7 days after stopping the medication.
(2) Methods to Delay Menstruation:
① Contraceptive Pill No. 1 (Compound Norethindrone Tablets, Nethidroe) or No. 2 (Short-Acting Oral Contraceptives): Start from the 5th day of the menstrual cycle, take 2 tablets daily for 2 weeks, then increase the dose to 4 tablets daily in the 3rd week.
② Fukang Tablets (Norethindrone, ethisterone) or Funing Tablets (Megestrol, megestrol): Orally take 10mg of progesterone daily, starting from the 16th day of the menstrual cycle.
③ Mifepristone (mifepristoe): A non-hormonal drug. Start from the 5th day of the menstrual cycle, take 25mg daily for a continuous course.
It must be remembered that all three methods (①, ②, ③) must be taken continuously until the "critical period" is passed, after which the medication is stopped. Menstruation typically occurs within 7 days of stopping the medication. It’s important to note that excessive use of sex hormones may disrupt future menstrual cycles, so these methods should not be used long-term or excessively. If menstrual irregularities occur, seek immediate medical attention from a gynecologist. Additionally, some people may experience side effects such as dizziness, fatigue, nausea, and vomiting when first taking sex hormones. Contraindications include: women over 40, those breastfeeding, patients with hypertension, diabetes, liver or kidney diseases, thyroid disorders, thromboembolic diseases, or breast or genital organ malignancies, or those suspected of having tumors.
In summary, artificially altering the normal menstrual cycle is not advisable, as the disadvantages outweigh the benefits. Doctors do not recommend using these methods in daily life. Therefore, it’s best to consult with your family doctor before attempting any "secret remedies." (Excerpted from China Family Network)