How To Get Off My Period Faster

PERIODS have an uncanny knack of starting at the most inconvenient times - especially if you have an irregular cycle.

About to go on holiday? Cue, Aunty Flow. Got a big meeting? Of course, that's when it starts.

The struggle is real Credit: Getty - Contributor

Hormonal birth control is the obvious tool for managing your flow.

If it doesn't stop it completely, things like the Pill, the implant and IUD can significantly reduce the length and force of a period because technically, you're only having a withdrawal bleed rather than a genuine womb shedding incident.

While scientific research on the delaying or stopping of periods via more holistic methods is scarce, there are a few well-known things you can do to try to curtail the bloody window as much as possible:

1. Start exercising and eating well

If you feel up to working out, exercise is thought to help lighten menstrual flow and reduce bloating Credit: Getty - Contributor

A good hormone-free alternative is to try to eat a healthy, balanced diet packed with lots of fruit and veg.

Exercise is also supposed to help lighten your menstrual flow, and it's also useful for reducing water retention, bloating and cramps.

Obviously, no bloody experience is the same and exercise isn't always realistic if you suffer from really heavy, painful periods. But if you can, working out every day might help.

2. Up your vitamin C

And if you don't want to fork out for vitamin C supplements, then it has plenty of natural sources Credit: Getty - Contributor

Vitamin C, when taken in decent doses, may reduce your progesterone levels and that in turn, helps to break down your uterine lining more quickly - shortening your period.

But be careful; too much vitamin C can have unpleasant side effects like diarrhoea and insomnia, so don't take more than the recommended dose.

3. Drink red raspberry leaf tea

Red raspberry leaf tea is hailed as a kind of wonder drug for women's health Credit: Refer to Source - Alamy

Raspberry Leaf is said to help ease heavy menstrual bleeding while improving egg quality...so it's a win-win for the present and the future.

It contains something called fragarine, an alkaloid found in raspberries, which is known to help tone and tighten muscles in the pelvic region (helping with cramps).

The tea is also high in tannins (a naturally occurring chemical found in wine) which is believed to strengthen the uterus and reduce heavy and irregular bleeding during your cycle.

4. Avoid using tampons

If you want to keep your vagina blockage free, you might want to go tampon-free Credit: Getty - Contributor

Tampons might be good for soaking up blood but they're terrible for the environment and apparently, can block menstrual flow from the vagina.

As a result, they can make your period last longer.

If you want to work through the process quicker, try using menstrual cups or pads to keep the area clear (a cup collects blood rather acting as an absorbent barrier).

It's worth saying that not everyone agrees that tampons do this (notably tampon companies), but you can't lose by trying out different sanitary products.

5. Have an orgasm

Hey, any thing's worth a shot, amirite? Credit: Getty - Contributor

There's no real scientific evidence for this but hey, anything's worth a shot right?

Sex and/or masturbation that leads to orgasm can cause the uterus to contract - and that can result in more menstrual blood being pushed through the vagina.

You only generally only lose up to around 16 teaspoons of blood (normally a lot less), which isn't that much at all. It just feels/looks like a lot.

So anything that can get the uterus to exit blood faster is probably going to speed the process along.

Long-term, as we've already said, birth control is the most effective means of stopping or curtailing the flow.

If you want to put it on hold on a more long-term basis or heavy, lengthy periods are getting you down (which could be a sign of something like polycystic ovary syndrome or endometriosis), you're best off consulting your GP.

We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at tips@the-sun.co.uk or call 0207 782 4368. You can WhatsApp us on 07810 791 502. We pay for videos too. Click here to upload yours