earlier, doctors thought frequency didn’t matter in the two years after a girl gets her first period. you could bleed every month or once in three, and it’d still be considered normal.
but the question of “how irregular is too irregular?” led perri klass, M.D., to write an article for the new york times, where she highlights the shift in the dominant opinion. now, doctors believe -
that some irregularity is OK, but to go more than 90 days without a period for two consecutive periods is concerning – and should get worked up medically. after someone has been menstruating for two years (or more), intervals shorter than 21 days or longer than 45 days are considered abnormal, especially if they recur.
simply put, it’s not normal if the gap between your two periods is less than 21 days or more than 45. **to treat an irregular cycle,** doctors may suggest oral contraceptives or other hormone-based treatments. however, oral contraceptives may have side-effects and may not be the best option.
here are a few methods you can try to manage and regulate your cycle without taking pills.
exercise offers a ton of benefits for both physical and mental health. but few know that yoga is surprisingly good at balancing the endocrine system, which can be severely affected by factors like stress.
simon low, a yoga expert, recommends adjusting your exercise schedule to include yoga three days a week, “maintaining gentle, low impact activities like swimming and cycling on the other days.”
she suggests opting for sessions focusing on breathing, relaxation, and meditation to regulate your periods. according to her, easy breath-led sequences, followed by gentle backbends and lying twists are also great.
but yoga isn’t a cure-all if you have bad dietary and sleeping habits. get 8 hours of sleep every day and take a balanced diet to improve your cycle.
there’s a lot of conflicting research on what dietary factors impact a cycle but it’s a good idea to steer clear of excessive caffeine, alcohol, and smoking. those who smoke or drink alcohol during period are also at a higher risk of severe and frequent cramps and pain.
limit salty snacks and fast foods that can throw your system out of whack. have at least five large glasses of water per day and include dark-green vegetables that are super helpful in maintaining bodily fluid balance.
<aside> 🔆 also read: what nobody told you about cups
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recently, when a friend asked what could be worse than getting periods, i knew the answer almost instantly. getting pregnant.
while periods are annoying, it’s always a relief to get them on time, knowing all is well inside and working as it should. but besides pregnancy, factors like diet, lifestyle, hormones, contraceptives, weight, sex, and exercise can also affect your periods.
an abnormal cycle or irregular periods, with symptoms like oily skin, acne, weight gain, and unwanted hair growth, can be a sign of an underlying condition like pcos. ****
requiring diagnosis from an expert, pcos can be managed with treatment but not cured. however, if you usually have a normal cycle and are going through this one-odd episode, some natural remedies may help.
below, four women share their personal experiences of what worked when they were late. while these tips won’t get periods immediately, they can speed up the process and help you relax a bit. choose what suits you best and give it a try to make your period come faster.
“to get my period, i usually work out, including more cardio and HIIT in my sessions. i also strength train but noticed it does nothing to make my periods regular.
one supplement that has helped me greatly is maca root capsules. i also tried parsley tea after hearing it praised by others. But for me, it was gelatinous, tasted terrible, and did nothing to induce periods.”
<aside> 💡 heads up! maca root can mess your hormones. consult your gynae before trying it.
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“i was very stressed when it happened to me a few months ago, which probably made it worse. i wish i had known that stress is counterproductive and may further delay periods.
while searching for foods to eat, i came across ginger and drank ginger tea throughout the day. i can’t say it’s ginger, but i got my period the next morning and think it’s worth a try.”
“seems silly but sex can make periods faster and has worked for me in the past. personally, i don’t think it’s about the act but rather orgasm.
if sex isn’t an option for you, try masturbating and pleasuring yourself to get the floodgates to open. regardless of whether you succeed or not with this one, it’s a win either way! go and have a sexy time.”
<aside> 💡 heads up! you can get pregnant any time in your cycle, however slim the chance. to avoid pregnancy (and sexually-transmitted infections), always have safe sex.
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“for some reason, my cycle is sensitive to dairy. whenever i hog up on yoghurt and cheese, my period shows up the next day, even if it’s a few days early. i recommended it to one of my friends but she had no luck.
i’d say it really depends on your body and hormones. think of what worked in the past. it could be anything from vitamin c-rich products to papaya, mango, dates, pineapple, oranges, or eggs!”
<aside> 💡 heads up! check with your gynae first if you are allergic to certain foods.
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periods can’t be summoned at will. though it’s medically impossible to get your period in one hour or a day, you can try above methods to jump-start your cycle if you are due. if all else fails, wear your favourite underwear or white trousers. that should do the trick.