How To Make Your Period Come Faster: Methods And Myths

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Medical News TodaySubscribeIs it possible to make your period come faster and is it safe?

Medically reviewed by Tahirah Redhead MPAS, PA-C, MPH — Written by Nicole Galan, RN — Updated on February 27, 2024

Inducing a period
Other methods
Risks
When to see a doctor
Summary

There are no guaranteed ways to make a period arrive faster. However, some find that doing exercise, trying relaxation methods, or having an orgasm can bring on the period a little faster.

Some people want their period to arrive before an important event, deadline week, or an upcoming camping trip. They can try a few things to make their period come faster.

People can also take control of their menstrual cycle by using certain hormonal contraceptives.

The internet also offers many other solutions for inducing a period, such as eating pineapple or fenugreek, but there is no evidence that these methods work.

In this article, we look at some methods people can try to induce a period. We also discuss which methods have no scientific backing and possible risks.

Methods for inducing a period

Female on an exercise bike in a living room — Mihajlo Ckovric/Stocksy United

The only reliable method for changing a menstrual cycle is by using hormonal birth control. However, diet, exercise, and stress reduction may also help.

There are no ways to induce a first-ever period. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), a person’s first period will typically arrive between the ages of 12 and 13. The ACOG also estimates that 98 percent of females will have a period by age 15.

Below are some methods that may help induce a period in someone who has already had a menstrual period:

Hormonal birth control

Using hormonal contraception, such as birth control pills or the ring, is the only reliable method of taking control of the menstrual cycle.

The combined pill, which contains both estrogen and progestin, is the most effective method for controlling periods. People take hormonal pills for 21 days, then stop taking them or take a dummy pill for 7 days. They have their period in these 7 days.

People can stop taking the hormonal pill early to make their period come earlier.

Note that if a person does not take their birth control pills as their doctor prescribes, they may be less reliable in terms of preventing pregnancy.

People can also skip their period using birth control, which doctors generally consider safe.

Learn about the safety of skipping periods with birth control.

Exercise

Gentle exercise may loosen the muscles and help a period come a little faster. However, the evidence for this method is anecdotal, and research has not confirmed that it works.

Some people have irregular periods because of vigorous exercise regimes. Exercising in moderation could help to restore the hormones needed to bring back a regular menstrual cycle.

Relaxation

Scientific research shows that high levels of stress have links to menstrual irregularities.

Finding ways to relax and de-stress may help, particularly if a person finds that their period is late or absent due to stress.

Gentle yoga, journaling, meditation, and time with friends and loved ones can all help to keep stress levels down.

Orgasm

Believe it or not, sex and orgasm could also help to bring on a period.

The combination of the hormones produced during sexual activity and uterine contractions during orgasm may help dilate the cervix, allowing the uterus to begin shedding its lining.

Diet and weight

Changes in a person’s body weight can affect their period. Low body weight can cause irregular periods or may even cause periods to stop entirely. This is because the body needs some fat to produce hormones related to menstruation.

Having a high body weight or experiencing a sudden change in weight can also cause irregular menstrual cycles.

Some people may notice that certain foods can delay or speed up their period and affect how heavy the flow is and its duration. This may be due to the relative fat, protein, and other nutrient content in foods.

Extreme calorie restriction or excessive exercise can both impact the reproductive hormones and affect ovulation.

Other methods

Many people use natural remedies to try and induce a period. There is no scientific evidence that these methods work, but there are few risks associated with trying them.

Natural remedies that some people use to try to bring on a period include:

Pineapple

Pineapple is rich in bromelain, an enzyme some believe may affect estrogen and other hormones.

Research suggests that bromelain may help reduce inflammation, which could help with some causes of irregular periods that involve inflammation.

A 2019 study also mentions that pineapple juice and ginger drinks can be effective in reducing the pain associated with primary dysmenorrhea among female adolescents.

However, no research says that consuming pineapple or bromelain supplements will induce a period.

Vitamin C

Some people believe that eating large amounts of vitamin C can help to bring on a period. This may be due to the possible effects of vitamin C on estrogen and progesterone levels, which are the hormones responsible for the timing of the menstrual cycle.

No scientific evidence supports this, but increasing dietary vitamin C intake is generally not harmful.

To increase vitamin C intake, try eating:

green leafy vegetables, such as spinach and kale
citrus fruits, such as oranges and grapefruits
cruciferous vegetables, such as broccoli and Brussels sprouts

Herbs

Emmenagogues are herbs that some people believe can bring on a menstrual period. People sometimes use the following herbs for this purpose:

chamomile
parsley
cinnamon
rosemary
sage
oregano

Some also say that pomegranate, celery, papaya, fenugreek, and chicory are emmenagogues.

In this older 2015 study, papaya had been found to decrease progesterone levels, which can be interpreted to include inducing menstruation as a drop in progesterone can cause uterine lining shedding.

Pregnant people should avoid taking emmenagogues.

Risks

Most methods discussed above are safe and should not present any risk to healthy adults.

People must buy any herbal supplements from a reputable source because the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate herbal products and supplements. Also, anyone with a known or suspected allergy to herbs, foods, or supplements should avoid them.

Hormonal birth control can cause side effects and may not be right for everybody. Though rare, the birth control pill can increase a person’s risk of developing a blood clot or having a stroke or heart attack.

People who smoke or who are above the age of 35 are at higher risk for complications from the pill. When considering hormonal birth control, speak with a doctor about individual risk factors.

Learn more about the possible side effects of the birth control pill.

When to contact a doctor

According to some sources, an average menstrual cycle lasts 28 days, though a typical range is between 21 and 35 days.

A person should see their doctor if they regularly miss a period or if their cycle is very irregular. Tell a doctor about any significant changes in menstruation.

Anyone taking the birth control pill should call their doctor immediately or seek emergency care if they experience the following symptoms:

severe abdominal pain
severe headache
chest pain or shortness of breath
pain, redness, or swelling in the calf

Finally, people who are using hormonal birth control to manipulate their periods should speak with the doctor about how to do it with their particular form of birth control. This is because instructions could vary from form to form and even pill to pill.

Summary

Through traditional to modern medicine, people have tried many methods to induce a period.

The only reliable method for controlling periods is using hormonal birth control. However, people may be able to make their period come a little faster using diet, exercise, and relaxation methods.

People also swear by other methods, though there is not enough research to determine whether or not they actually work. Make sure to speak to the doctor about any concerns or questions about inducing a period.

Read this article in Spanish.

Fertility
Birth Control / Contraception
Women's Health / Gynecology

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

Akhila S, et al. (2015). Phytochemical studies on the carica papaya leaf juice.https://www.researchgate.net/publication/271699758_phytochemical_studies_on_carica_papaya_leaf_juice
Combined hormonal birth control: Pill, patch, and ring. (2023).https://www.acog.org/Patients/FAQs/Combined-Hormonal-Birth-Control-Pill-Patch-and-Ring
Dovom MR, et al. (2016). Menstrual cycle irregularity and metabolic disorders: A population-based prospective study. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5161370/
How safe is the birth control pill? (n.d.).https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/birth-control/birth-control-pill/how-safe-is-the-birth-control-pill
Huhmann K. (2020). Menses requires energy: A review of how disordered eating, excessive exercise, and high stress lead to menstrual irregularities.https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0149291820300527
Jiao M, et al. (2022). Comparison of herbal medicines used for women’s menstruation diseases in different areas of the world.https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/pharmacology/articles/10.3389/fphar.2021.751207/full
Ko KM, et al. (2017). Association between body weight changes and menstrual irregularity: The Korea national health and nutrition examination survey 2010 to 2012.https://synapse.koreamed.org/DOIx.php?id=10.3803/EnM.2017.32.2.248
Menstruation in girls and adolescents: Using the menstrual cycle as a vital sign. (2017).https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/committee-opinion/articles/2015/12/menstruation-in-girls-and-adolescents-using-the-menstrual-cycle-as-a-vital-sign
Muhammed Z, et al. (2017). Therapeutic uses of pineapple-extracted bromelain in surgical care - a review.https://jpma.org.pk/article-details/8055?article_id=8055
What causes amenorrhea? (2017).https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/amenorrhea/conditioninfo/causes
What happens during the typical 28-day menstrual cycle? (2021).https://www.womenshealth.gov/menstrual-cycle/your-menstrual-cycle
Wrisnijati D, et al. (2019).https://theijmed.com/index.php/theijmed/article/view/163

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Medically reviewed by Tahirah Redhead MPAS, PA-C, MPH — Written by Nicole Galan, RN — Updated on February 27, 2024

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