How to Stop Your Period Early

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

Last Updated: December 17, 2024 Approved

There are ways to shorten, lighten, or even stop your period, depending on your needs. Always consult your doctor first, but if you want some ideas to try, read on.

How to End Your Period Faster

You may be able to fully stop your period if you take hormonal birth control, although starting it in the middle of a period won’t stop it. You can speed up your period by drinking a lot of water, eating green leafy vegetables, and exercising.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Slow or Stop Your Flow

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1
Take Ibuprofen. Take one dose three or four times a day, being careful not to exceed the maximum dosage for any 24-hour period. For most people, this will help mitigate the pain of a period, and can reduce flow.^{[1]
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Expert Source

Rebecca Levy-Gantt, MPT, DO
Board Certified Obstetrician & Gynecologist

Expert Interview. 3 April 2020.} However, some people find that ibuprofen stops their period altogether.
- While Ibuprofen has very few side effects, it is possible to overdose. Consult your doctor before taking large amounts of ibuprofen or using it for an extended period of time.
Drink a lot of water. This will flush things through your body faster and can help lighten your flow.

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Mix two teaspoons of apple cider vinegar into a cup of water. Drink this home remedy three times a day for best results. ^{[2]
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Mix a packet of gelatin with water and drink it quickly. This can stop your period for about three hours.^{[3]
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Research source}
5
Eat a lot of fruits and vegetables. Eating healthily is always better for you, but consuming more fruits and vegetables than normal can lighten your period and make it easier on you.
- Green beans in particular have been shown to help lighten or stop your period.
- Some people also find that sucking on a piece of lemon can temporarily stop their period.
Angelica root, tea made from fresh or dried raspberry leaves, lady mantle, garden sage, and shepherd's purse are all thought to help stop or lighten menstruation.^{[4]
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Research source}
Menstrual cups fit just above the cervix and, like tampons, prevent any fluid from escaping. However, where a tampon absorbs blood, a menstrual cup simply catches it. You can leave one in place for up to twelve hours, effectively hiding -- and for all intents and purposes stopping -- your period for that time.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Speed Up Your Flow

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Heat encourages the fluids to leave your body faster. Apply a heat pack to your abdominal area.
This will help reduce the pain of cramps, and it encourages your body to get things moving. You might prefer to do this in the comfort and privacy of your own bathroom or bedroom.
Exercise is vitally important in general, and being physically fit will make your periods shorter and lighter. This is a great way to shorten your period in a way that's sustainable and even beneficial over a long time.
Have sex. Orgasmic contractions will push the fluids out of your body faster, helping you get through your period more quickly. Make sure both you and your partner are okay with the possibility of things getting a little messy first. Lay a towel down under you or have sex in the shower to minimize mess and clean-up.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Long-term Options

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1
Discuss a long-term option with your doctor. To stop periods for around 2-3 months, you can get an injection called Depo-Provera. This is an injected that you receive on a regular basis from your GP.
- There are surgical options available to permanently stop periods. These include a hysterectomy, the removal of the womb, and endometrial ablation, the removal of the endometrial lining of the uterus. These surgeries can be dangerous and can make pregnancy complicated or impossible, so consult a doctor before deciding to undergo surgical options.
2
Use birth control. Birth control pills often call for 21 days of contraceptive pills followed by a week of placebo pills. You will get your period during that one week. Hormonal contraceptives are a safe and effective way to regulate your menstruation, especially for those who suffer painful or excessively heavy periods.^{[5]
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Expert Source

Rebecca Levy-Gantt, MPT, DO
Board Certified Obstetrician & Gynecologist

Expert Interview. 3 April 2020.}
- If you need to skip a period, you can do so by simply skipping the placebo pills and continuing with the actual contraceptives. This can have unpredictable or unpleasant side effects, so consult your doctor before doing so.
- Oral contraceptives are available by prescription only. Discuss your needs with your doctor before and during your time on the pill.

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Tips

You should only really go through an average of 4-5 pads a day. If you are using any more either make one last longer or consult your doctor.^{[6]
X
Expert Source

Rebecca Levy-Gantt, MPT, DO
Board Certified Obstetrician & Gynecologist

Expert Interview. 3 April 2020.}

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Everyone is different and has a different menstrual experience. What works for one person may not work for another. Experiment to find out what works for you.

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Let mother nature do what she does best. Everything has its prescribed times. These are just tips on how to speed up the process and also help you cope with this regularity in a more comfortable and relaxed manner.

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Tips from our Readers

The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.

If you're suffering from painful cramps, avoid leaning down and holding your stomach. Either lay down or stand up straight, that will help your cramps lighten and gradually stop.
Taking a hot shower and aiming the water at your lower abdomen can be more effective than using a hot water bottle.

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Warnings

Misunderstandings about your period can be dangerous. Consult your doctor before you try anything unfamiliar or you're unsure of, and always ask your doctor for advice or reliable information about your period.

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Never take any period stopping pills unless they have been prescribed by a doctor. Continuing use of period delaying tablets after the expected or recommended stopping time can severely damage your body.

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