Vitamin C To Help Start Period
If you're Googling how to induce a period, we can probably assume you're keen to trick your body into thinking it's your time of the month.
There are loads of reasons why a woman might want to induce a period. You may want to get it out of the way for an upcoming holiday, may be worried that you've skipped a period altogether, or be trying to make your TOTM more regular.
While it may sound counterproductive - it's rare for a person to actively enjoy their four-day bleed complete with PMS and hormonal changes - some might feel it could be a good way to get a period out of the way.
But would a doctor ever recommend you do it or advise it from a medical perspective, and if so, how do you induce a monthly bleed? We chatted to two experts to get the answer once and for all.
So, why would you want to induce a period?
As above and according to doctor Deborah Lee of Dr Fox Online Pharmacy, there are loads of reasons as to why.
"You're bound to feel anxious if your period is late, or if you are missing periods. Why? Well, a regular period is a sign of being in good reproductive health, and when things start to go wrong, this can result in confusion and concern," she explains.
According to Cheryl Lythgoe, matron at Benenden Health, for those who have heavy, frequent, or irregular periods, the need to induce – that's bring on – a period can be really important. "You can want to induce periods for medical, social, or personal reasons. Providing a thorough clinical review has been carried out and a doctor considers it safe, then there are many options for inducing periods," she shares.
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How can I induce a period?
There are loads of myths and old wives' tales surrounding inducing your period, but which actually have credibility?
Vitamin C
"Many people discuss the benefits of diet to control your periods," explains matron Lythgoe. "Increasing vitamin C, for example, is meant to help. The vitamin C is meant to effect your oestrogen and progesterone hormones," she shares.
Sadly, however, she adds that there isn't any research on this or other food groups (pineapple, ginger, etc) that backs the claim up, which is the case for many natural remedies. So we wouldn't advise going down the Vitamin C route if you're looking to induce your period.
Lifestyle changes
Relaxation, exercise, and even orgasms are all rumored to speed up the start of your period. "This is only if they are due, and is still just that - a rumour," says matron Lythgoe. Noted.
Hormonal medication
The only reliable method for controlling periods, according to both medical professionals, is hormonal medication. "Medically, once a thorough assessment has been made, the combined contraceptive pill works well to alter your period cycle," explains Lythgoe.
You can also do a progestogen challenge, explains doctor Lee. That's where you take five days of progesterone tablets by mouth, and when you stop, you will bleed within five to seven days, she explains.
"This is normally used by gynecologists for women going through infertility treatment or to check if you have enough estrogen," she adds.
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Is it sensible to induce a period?
As above, it's possible to induce vaginal bleeding - but it's uncommon, according to doctor Lee.
Matron Lythgoe on the other hand disagrees, saying that, nowadays, it's way more common for a woman to induce her monthly bleed. "For young people who haven't yet started their period or those who want to support their fertility, then it's worth discussing period induction," she recommends. A robust consultation and sometimes other diagnostic tests may be required, but your doctor will be able to talk you through the right options for you, she says.
"The vast majority of situations can be safely managed with advice and medication. While not a 100% guaranteed outcome, period control is achievable for many. Having the option to plan your cycle can provide you with choices: let's just make sure those choices are safe, credible, and planned," she adds.
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What happens to your body when you induce a period?
Periods occur because our main fertility hormones - that's oestrogen and progesterone - go through a well-rehearsed dance, rising and falling at particular times within our cycle. "Using specifically targeted hormonal medication chemically manages these hormonal peaks and troughs, and signals the uterus to shed its lining," explains Lythgoe.
When you induce a period, it can alter:
- the nature of your period
- the rate of your flow
- the number of days you bleed
- the regularity of your normal cycle
Or, you can choose to remain on hormonal contraception. "Then you can actively manage as and when you bleed," explains the matron.
What are the risks associated with inducing a period?
Inducing a period via hormonal contraception can have many advantages - if taken correctly, according to Lythgoe.
"Being able to time your menstrual flow is definitely a plus. For the vast majority of healthy adults, it's a safe medication to take. Hormonal medication risks, although very rare, can increase the risk of developing blood clots, strokes, or heart attacks. Overweight and older users are at a higher risk of complications," she shares.
But doctor Lee is warier, saying that if you are worried about irregular periods and thinking of inducing a bleed, it's always worth trying to get to the root of what's causing the irregularities first. "Treating the underlying cause is the best way of getting your periods back," she explains. "Sometimes women quite naturally find they do not bleed during their seven-day pill break," she adds.
Fun fact: bleeding isn't medically necessary. "It's a strange thing in this modern world, that actually you don't need periods at all to be healthy," she shares.
So... should I induce a period?
It's up to you and totally dependant on your body, period, and cycle.
Whether it's to ensure your sporting event, wedding day or holiday goes off without a hitch, thanks to modern technology and a shift in how doctors approach female health issues, period induction is now something that you can definitely have done, with your GP's support, according to the matron.
The take-home message for inducing your period? "Any controlling of your time of the month - whether that be inducing, delaying or totally omitting - isn't an exact science," explains Lythgoe. "Natural remedies are not recommended and can have their own consequences, so if controlling your periods is of interest, do talk to your GP, make sure you give yourself planning time and don't despair: the 'vitamin C and orgasm' regime isn't your only option," she concludes.
Doctor Lee asks you to think before you make any rash decisions. "Ask yourself, why do you feel like you need to bleed? Perhaps you feel that once you've bled, all will be well? In my opinion, forcing yourself to bleed is not the answer. When you think about it, just making yourself bleed does not explain what's been happening."
Book a GP appointment and see what they have to say. They'll be able to guide you from there.
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Vitamin C To Help Start Period
Source: https://www.cosmopolitan.com/uk/body/health/a34959903/induce-period/
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