HomeAnswersObstetrics and Gynecologyprepone periodsHow to prepone the menstrual cycle by taking medications, and what are its side effects?

Do medications taken for preponing the menstrual cycle cause permanent side effects?

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The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.

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Published At September 28, 2022
Reviewed AtSeptember 29, 2022

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

My periods usually come between the end of the month and the beginning of the following month. I have a few relatives coming at the beginning of the following month. So I need to either delay or advance my periods. So advancing the period would be preferable. On the other hand, I already have mild body pain, and I might get my periods within a week. What medication do you suggest to advance my menstruation? How to go about this? Most importantly, please let me know about the side effects. Also, are the side effects permanent or temporary?

Please answer.

Answered by Dr. Natasha Bansal

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I went through your query and understood your concern.

To delay the periods, you must take the medication two days before your expected date and take it continuously without missing any dose for a maximum of seven to ten days. And when you stop the medicine, you will get your periods within two to three days. I suggest you to take the tablet Primolut-N (Norethisterone) 5 mg three times a day.

In addition, side effects are generally short-term, and there can be irregular cycles and bleeding for the next two months. Apart from this, there are no long-term side effects if taken once.

Kindly consult a specialist, talk with them and take the medications with their consent.

I hope this was helpful.

Take care.

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

Thank you for your reply.

I want to advance my periods instead of delaying them.

Kindly help.

Answered by Dr. Natasha Bansal

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

For that, you need to start taking the medication from today and take it for three days. And similarly, when you stop, you will get your periods in the next two to three days. But the thing is, periods after these medications are not instant; there is no such medicine by which you can get your periods in a day or two. And results are different in different patients. Some may get periods within two days after stopping the medicine, and some can take around a week, so it is not predictable.

So advancing periods in your case will not be helpful now as the minimum number of days for which the medicine has to be taken is three days, and when you stop, it will be the day of your natural periods.

I hope this has helped you out.

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

Thank you for your advice.

What does that mean when you mention side effects like uterine and vaginal bleeding? Does that mean there will be mild bleeding even when I am on tablets? And for the next two months, do you think I might have irregular bleeding now and then?

Please answer.

Answered by Dr. Natasha Bansal

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

When you take these tablets regularly, there is no bleeding, and the bleeding occurs only after stopping it. And, yes, some people can have spotting in between as well, and it is not predictable. And periods in the next two months can be normal also, which means you can get your periods on time and bleeding might be normal, and in some cases, you can have either early periods or delays.

So again, it differs from person to person. We cannot predict your next cycle in advance. Usually, intermenstrual bleeding that is bleeding now and then does not occur with these medications. And I have already discussed the side effects earlier.

I hope this helps you out.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Natasha Bansal
Dr. Natasha Bansal

Obstetrics and Gynecology

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