Quick Tips on How to Get Your Period Faster and Safely

Introduction 

Most women of reproductive age menstruate unless they are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have underlying medical conditions. On average, a normal menstrual cycle lasts about 28 days (with a variation of roughly 7 days more or less), though it can range from 21 to 35 days in adults and 21 to 45 days in young teens¹.

You might wonder whether there are ways that may help your period start sooner. Before we get into that, let’s first understand what a normal menstrual cycle looks like and how it differs from an irregular one. We’ll also explore common reasons why periods may be delayed. 

Next, we’ll discuss safe ways to manage delayed periods, including lifestyle adjustments, natural approaches, and medical options, while highlighting what is safe and what should be avoided. Then we’ll check the risks and safety tips to keep in mind. Ready? We will also answer some common questions about periods in the end! 

Friendly Reminder: The information shared here is for educational purposes only and the reader should consult a registered medical practitioner before implementing any changes to their health routine. 

Understanding Your Cycle and Its Delays 

First, let’s get the basics right. Knowing what a healthy menstrual cycle is and what causes delays is important. 

What Does a Typical Menstrual Cycle Look Like? 

The menstrual cycle prepares your body for pregnancy and is influenced by certain reproductive hormones. These hormones thicken the inner lining of the uterus, preparing it for implantation of a fertilised egg. If an egg is not fertilised during this cycle, hormone levels drop. This starts a “period” as the lining sheds¹.

Reasons Your Period Might be Delayed 

There are several reasons why your period may be delayed, including the following²:

• Stress and Exercise: Too much stress or exercise can affect your hormones, leading to irregular or skipped periods. 
• Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): In this common condition, small cysts grow on the ovaries. This messes up hormone levels and menstrual cycles. 
• Thyroid conditions: Both too much and too little thyroid activity can cause irregular periods. 
• Hyperprolactinaemia: This condition results in high levels of prolactin (the milk-making hormone). Too much prolactin can disrupt your period cycle. 
• Ovarian insufficiency:  Otherwise known as premature ovarian failure, it’s when your ovaries stop functioning normally earlier than they should. This can cause irregular or no periods. 
• Eating Disorders: Conditions like anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge-eating disorder can cause irregular or missed periods due to hormonal disruption from inadequate nutrition or weight changes. 
• Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID): An infection of the reproductive organs (often caused by sexually transmitted infections) may lead to irregular menstruation. 
• Uncontrolled Diabetes: Both type 1 and type 2 diabetes may affect hormone levels, leading to irregular periods. Thus, managing blood sugar often helps regulate cycles. 
• Obesity: Excess body fat produces extra oestrogen, which can interfere with the normal menstrual cycle and cause missed, irregular, or heavy periods. 
• Weight Changes: Gaining too much weight or losing too much weight can disrupt menstrual cycles. However, periods usually resume after losing the excess weight if overweight or gaining weight if underweight. 
• Certain Medications: Medications for conditions such as epilepsy, anxiety, or other hormonal treatments can disrupt menstrual cycles. 

Lifestyle or food changes may be made should you wish to get your periods faster for just one cycle. However, if your “how to get periods immediately or faster” is a more recurring query, you need medical guidance as frequently delayed periods might need some medical intervention.

Dr Ashish Bajaj, M.B.B.S., M.D. in Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology

Safe Methods to Hasten Your Period

Still searching for how to make your period start sooner over the internet? If your periods are late and you’re not pregnant or suffering from a medical condition, there are some approaches that may help your periods start sooner. 

Natural Remedies and Supplements 

Many people use natural remedies and supplements to get their period started. It is important to remember that these traditional approaches lack strong scientific support and may work differently for different people. 

1. Vitamin C 

Although it is said that vitamin C supplementation can possibly start periods, there is no scientific data to support this claim³. In fact, this is not a recommended method as high vitamin C doses may lead to kidney stones⁴. 

2. Pineapple 

 Bromelain, an enzyme in pineapple, may affect menstrual hormones⁵.

3. Ginger 

Traditional wisdom believes that ginger can start menstruation by causing uterine contractions, even though there’s no solid proof of this⁶.

4. Parsley 

Parsley helps with balancing hormones in women and enhances oestrogen secretion⁷. Thus, it may help in getting the period sooner. 

5. Turmeric 

Some people believe turmeric can affect hormone levels and help induce periods, but there’s no scientific proof of this⁸.

6. Dong quai & Black cohosh 

These herbs may increase blood flow to the uterus or help shed the uterine lining, which may lead to periods⁹.

Caution: Periods cannot be reliably induced or hastened by foods, herbs, or home remedies. Traditional remedies, although believed to influence menstruation, are not proven to be effective and may carry health risks. These methods should be considered traditional beliefs, not evidence-based solutions. Therefore, always consult a gynaecologist before trying to manage or alter your menstrual cycle.  

Ideally, one must not disturb body’s natural cycles. If your periods make your daily routine tasks difficult to carry out, consult a gynaecologist for evaluation.

Dr. Arpit Verma, MBBS, MD (Pharmacology)

Lifestyle Changes and Activities

Changing your lifestyle and being active might help start periods. However, remember, the effectiveness of these methods may vary from person to person. 

• Relaxation techniques: Stress can delay periods. So, techniques like meditation, yoga, or simple quiet time may normalise periods. 
• Engaging in sexual activity: Being sexually active and reaching orgasm helps the uterus contract. Uterine contractions might support getting a period in some individuals. 
• Reducing exercise in athletes: Too much exercise can disrupt periods. So, reducing workout intensity might regularise periods. 

High doses of vitamin C may induce menses by increasing the levels of oestrogen in the body. Increased levels of this hormone stimulate uterine contractions, which in turn, stimulates bleeding. 

Dr. M.G. Kartheeka, MBBS, MD(Pediatrics)

Medical Approaches for Inducing a Period 

While lifestyle changes may help some individuals, hormonal treatments provided by a healthcare professional are the most reliable way to regulate periods. Always consult your gynaecologist before starting any treatment. 

Hormonal Birth Control (including Pills, Patches, and Injections) 

• Hormonal methods are commonly prescribed to regulate menstrual cycles^1,10.
• How they work: These methods manage hormone levels for predictable cycles. 
• Withdrawal bleeding vs. natural periods: The bleeding that occurs while on or after stopping hormonal contraception is called withdrawal bleeding. This is not a natural period, but a hormonally induced bleed caused by changes in hormone levels¹¹.

Important caution: Hormonal contraceptives are intended for cycle regulation, not for immediately inducing a period. Any changes to dosage, timing, or method should only be done under a doctor’s supervision. 

Potential Risks and Safety Precautions

Any attempt to alter normal body function carries risks, and trying to induce a period is no different.  

Never attempt to induce your period if there is any possibility of pregnancy, as this can lead to serious complications. Always consult a healthcare provider/doctor before trying any method to manage or regulate your cycle. 

1. Risks of Inducing Periods 

While attempting to induce periods can be beneficial sometimes, it has its own set of risks. You might face hormonal imbalances, disturbed period patterns, or side effects from medicines. 

2. Dangers of trying to induce a period if pregnant 

It’s important not to try and start your period if there’s a chance you might be pregnant. Substances that induce menstruation can also cause miscarriages. 

3. Treatment side effects for conditions like amenorrhea and PCOS 

Repeated irregular cycles may signal underlying health conditions such as PCOS, thyroid disorders, or premature ovarian insufficiency. Therefore, such cases require proper evaluation and workup by a doctor before attempting any intervention.  

4. When should you see a doctor? 

Get professional help if your period is consistently irregular, you miss three periods in a row, your periods stop before the age of 45, or you bleed between periods or after sex, or postmenopausal bleeding is noted. 

Also Read: How To Know If You’re Pregnant?

Conclusion

We’ve covered what affects menstrual cycles, safe ways to manage delays, and the role of both natural and medical approaches. Remember, your body is unique, and variations in periods are normal. However, if your cycles are irregular or you miss three or more periods, consult a gynaecologist to rule out conditions like PCOS, thyroid disorders, or premature ovarian insufficiency. Avoid unproven or unsafe remedies, and rely on a healthcare provider for guidance on period-related concerns. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

References

1. National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. Menstruation and Menstrual Problems [Internet]. NIH; [cited 2025 Sep 19]. Available from: https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/factsheets/menstruation 

2. Office on Women’s Health. Period Problems [Internet]. OASH; [cited 2025 Sep 19]. Available from: https://womenshealth.gov/menstrual-cycle/period-problems 

3. Mumford SL, Browne RW, Schliep KC, Schmelzer J, Plowden TC, Michels KA, Sjaarda LA, Zarek SM, Perkins NJ, Messer LC, Radin RG, Wactawski-Wende J, Schisterman EF. Serum Antioxidants Are Associated with Serum Reproductive Hormones and Ovulation among Healthy Women. J Nutr. 2016 Jan;146(1):98-106. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4700980/ 

4. Skerrett PJ. High-dose vitamin C linked to kidney stones in men [Internet]. Harvard Health Blog; [cited 2025 Sep 19]. Available from: https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/high-dose-vitamin-c-linked-to-kidney-stones-in-men-201302055854 

5. Arab MS, Tahoon DM, El Saadany AA, Hedya SE. Ameliorating effects of bromelain with or without metformin on endocrine-metabolic disturbances in letrozole-induced polycystic ovary syndrome in female rats via targeting SIRT1, insulin resistance, and inflammatory axis. Naunyn Schmiedebergs Arch Pharmacol. 2025 Aug 30. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40884596/ 

6. Lijuan W, Kupittayanant P, Chudapongse N, Wray S, Kupittayanant S. The effects of wild ginger (Costus speciosus (Koen) Smith) rhizome extract and diosgenin on rat uterine contractions. Reprod Sci. 2011 Jun;18(6):516-24. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21566246/ 

7. Kutlu M, Akbulut NK. The effects of anti-galactagogue (sage, parsley extract) and anti-inflammatory (echinacea extract) feed supplements on prolactin levels and fertility in the re-pregnancy of lactating Merino ewes. Trop Anim Health Prod. 2025 Feb 13;57(2):59. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11825633/ 

8. Shabani F, Mashayekh-Amiri S, Teihoomaneshfard F, Hesami M, Shaseb E, Mirghafourvand M. The effect of oral curcumin capsules on symptoms of premenstrual syndrome and dysmenorrhea: a randomized controlled trial. J Pharm Health Care Sci. 2025 Jul 16;11(1):61. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12269146/ 

9. National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements. Black Cohosh – Health Professional Fact Sheet [Internet]. NIH; [cited 2025 Sep 29]. Available from: https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/BlackCohosh-HealthProfessional/ 

10. National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. What are the common treatments for menstrual irregularities? [Internet]. NIH; [cited 2025 Sep 29]. Available from: https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/menstruation/conditioninfo/treatments 

11. Buck E, McNally L, Vadakekut ES, et al. Menstrual suppression. StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL); [cited 2025 Sep 29]. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK592411/ 

Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof. 

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