How to End Your Period

Co-authored by Rebecca Levy-Gantt, MPT, DO

Last Updated: April 6, 2024 References

If you're like most people who get periods, you may have thought about trying to stop or delay your period from time to time. Maybe you have a vacation coming up, or your period is just happening at an inconvenient time. You can try a few home treatments to attempt to stop your period. However, using birth control is a more effective way to control your periods. If you're having excessively heavy or long periods, it's important to talk to your doctor about the issue, as they may be able to offer relief.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Ending Your Period More Quickly

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1
Take higher doses of ibuprofen to halt or delay your period. Some people have luck delaying a period by taking 800 milligrams of ibuprofen every 6 hours. Keep in mind, though, that this dose is higher than what's recommended on over-the-counter bottles of ibuprofen, so you should talk to your doctor before attempting this method.^{[1]
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- Another option is taking 500 milligrams of naproxen 3 times a day.
2
Try having sex during your period. Having sex with a partner or on your own may shorten your period. When you orgasm, it may cause the lining of your uterus to shed more quickly, as your vagina muscles contract.^{[2]
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- While this doesn't work for everyone, it may be helpful. Plus, it can help in other ways, such as reducing painful cramps.
- If you want to stop your period for a short time while you're having sex, try a menstrual disc. This fits up near your uterus and makes sex possible without the mess.
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3
See an acupuncturist for longer periods. If you are having continuous bleeding or heavy bleeding, also known as menorrhagia, acupuncture may help. Some people find seeing an acupuncturist relieves their symptoms or shortens their periods.^{[3]
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- Ask your doctor for a recommendation for an acupuncturist in your area. If your doctor doesn't know one, try searching online for one with good reviews.
- Acupuncture involves the professional placing tiny needles at different pressure points on your body. Most people find the needles don't hurt because they are so small.
4
Slow down heavy or long periods with chasteberry. This supplement is also known as chaste tree. Try taking 15 drops of liquid extract once a day. You can add it to tea or another liquid to make it more palatable.^{[4]
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- Some people with heavy periods find this lessens the length of their period.
5
Ask your doctor about birth control to skip periods. Birth control can help regulate your periods, but it can also help you skip a single cycle or stop having periods altogether. In most birth control packs, you have 21 active pills and 7 sugar pills. To skip a single cycle, don't take the 7 sugar pills and start your next pack of pills instead. Typically, the sugar pills are a different color, such as being white when the rest of the pills are yellow.^{[5]
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- Always talk to your doctor to determine if this is a safe choice for you.
- You can also stop having periods altogether by taking continuous birth control, meaning you get the kind that doesn't have placebos or you skip your placebos every month.^{[6]
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- An intrauterine device (IUD) may also provide long-term period relief. Hormonal IUDs tend to lighten your periods over time, and they may completely stop them within a year. They deliver a low does of hormones over time, and you can leave them in for up to 5 years.^{[7]
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- Your gynecologist can insert an IUD for you. It's a small device that fits into your uterus. After insertion, you typically won't feel it.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Seeing a Doctor for Extended or Heavy Cycles

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1
Watch for symptoms of excessively heavy bleeding. Many people have heavy cycles, but it becomes excessive if you bleed through a pad or tampon in an hour and do so for several hours in a row. Another symptom of excessive bleeding is having to use more than one type of hygiene product, such as using a tampon and pad together.^{[8]
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- Other symptoms of excessive flow include having to wake up to change your pad or tampon at night and not being able to do normal activities because your period is so heavy.
- You may also see bigger blood clots in your pads, about the size of a quarter. See your healthcare provider if you experience frequent blood clots.^{[9]
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2
Look for periods longer than a week. A typical period lasts between 3 and 7 days. If yours is lasting longer than a week, that's considered excessive. If you are having very long periods or you don't have breaks between periods, you need to see a doctor.^{[10]
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- If you're bleeding heavily for many days in a row, you may start to notice signs of anemia, including extreme tiredness and shortness of breath.
3
See your gynecologist if you're experiencing symptoms of heavy or extended cycles. Your doctor will ask you about the symptoms you're experiencing. They'll also discuss your medical history with you so come prepared.^{[11]
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- It can help to track how many pads or tampons you're using on your period. That gives your doctor an idea of how much you're bleeding.
4
Expect a physical exam. If you're having symptoms of heavy bleeding, your doctor is going to want to do a pelvic exam. During the exam, you'll be asked to remove your clothes and get up on an exam table. You will need to spread your legs so your doctor can examine your vaginal area.^{[12]
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- The doctor will insert a speculum in your vagina. This might be uncomfortable, but it shouldn't be too painful.
- The doctor will also do a pap smear, where they take a small sampling of cells from your uterus. Your doctor may also take a small tissue sample for a biopsy.
- If possible, your doctor may want to wait until the bleeding has stopped to have this exam.
Diagnostic tests will help your doctor determine a diagnosis and proper treatment for you. For a blood test, a technician will draw blood from your arm and then send it off to be tested. For an ultrasound, a medical professional will pass an electronic wand over your abdomen and uterus area to see what's going on inside.^{[13]
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6
Discuss treatments with your doctor. The treatment will depend on your diagnosis. If nothing else is wrong, your doctor may just recommend hormone treatments, such as birth control. Alternatively, your doctor may suggest an NSAID like ibuprofen for cramps, as well as iron supplements if you're anemic.^{[14]
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- For other issues, such as problems with your uterine lining, you may need a surgical procedure. For instance, you may need the lining of your uterus removed or even a hysterectomy, where your uterus is removed completely.

Expert Q&A

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Question

How can I decide what absorbency level I need for my tampons?

Rebecca Levy-Gantt, MPT, DO
Board Certified Obstetrician & Gynecologist
Dr. Rebecca Levy-Gantt is a board certified Obstetrician and Gynecologist running a private practice based in Napa, California. Dr. Levy-Gantt specializes in menopause, peri-menopause and hormonal management, including bio-Identical and compounded hormone treatments and alternative treatments. She is also a Nationally Certified Menopause Practitioner and is on the national listing of physicians who specialize in menopausal management. She received a Masters of Physical Therapy from Boston University and a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) from the New York College of Osteopathic Medicine.

Rebecca Levy-Gantt, MPT, DO

Board Certified Obstetrician & Gynecologist

Expert Answer

Use a type that absorbs all the blood you feel is coming out, but not to the point where you need to leave it in more than 4 hours. Tampons come in all types from junior small tampons to super absorbent ones. Just don't leave them in too long or that can lead to infection.

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