--- title: "Postponing your period: what's safe and what isn't" description: "Holiday, wedding, big race? Here are the ways to postpone your period, what works, the risks, and what to avoid." url: https://myperiod.app/en/blog/menstruatie-uitstellen lang: en date: 2026-06-19 publisher: PERIOD. B.V., Amsterdam --- [Back to blog](https://myperiod.app/blog) [Lifestyle](https://myperiod.app/blog/categorie/lifestyle) · 6 min read # Postponing your period: what's safe and what isn't [Lees dit artikel in het Nederlands](https://myperiod.app/blog/menstruatie-uitstellen) PERIOD. team · June 19, 2026 Postponing your period is possible, but not every method is equally effective or safe. What's feasible mostly depends on which contraception you already use, and how much time you have before the date. ## Method 1: Skip the pill-free week (combined pill) The most common and best-studied method. Instead of taking the break (or placebo) week, you start a new strip immediately. The withdrawal bleed doesn't happen. - **How far ahead?** Start with a fresh strip; skipping decisions are made at the start of that strip. - **Side effects:** breakthrough bleeding or spotting is common, especially after more than one consecutive strip. - **Safe?** Generally yes for occasional use. For regular use, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. ## Method 2: Norethisterone (prescription only) A progestogen tablet taken **3 days before the expected period**, 2–3× daily. The period comes 2–3 days after you stop. - **For:** people not on hormonal contraception. - **Side effects:** bloating, breast tenderness, nausea, mood swings. - **Not for:** history of blood clots, certain liver conditions, pregnancy. Always by prescription and after consultation. ## Method 3: Vaginal ring or patch With NuvaRing you can replace it after 3 weeks instead of taking the ring-free week. Same with the patch: keep patching through instead of the patch-free week. Discuss with your doctor whether this suits you. ## What doesn't work - "Just not eating" or crash diets the week before. No effect, bad for your body. - Strong supplements, herbal mixes or TikTok "DIY" recipes. No evidence, some are harmful at high doses. - Last-minute tricks the day before. Too late for most methods. ## What about an IUD or injection? With a hormonal IUD or the depot injection many people already have very little or no bleeding. "Postponing" usually isn't relevant there, ask your doctor if in doubt. > This isn't medical advice. To postpone your period, ask your doctor or pharmacist, especially with existing health conditions, clot history or other medication. ## The health side, what research says Studies on extended-cycle use of the combined pill find it generally safe, but with more breakthrough bleeding, and long-term continuous use isn't fully studied. For occasional postponement (skipping once for a special event), the risk is small. ## Plan ahead with your cycle app The easiest way to see when your period will land is to log your cycle. PERIOD. predicts based on your own cycles, encrypted on EU servers, no ad trackers. Read: [why track your cycle](https://myperiod.app/blog/cyclus-bijhouden-waarom). Read also: [contraception and cycle tracking](https://myperiod.app/blog/anticonceptie-en-cyclus-tracking) and [stopping the pill](https://myperiod.app/blog/stoppen-met-de-pil-cyclus). [Download PERIOD. on the App Store](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/period-cycle-period-tracker/id6757947793) · [via Google Play](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=app.myperiod.android). Want to understand your cycle better? ## Keep reading [Menstrual cup, tampon or period underwear: which suits you?An honest comparison of menstrual cups, tampons, pads and period underwear: capacity, cost, wear time, safety and environmental impact. No marketing spin.Read more](https://myperiod.app/en/blog/menstruatiecup-tampon-of-period-underwear)[Supplements for PMS: what actually works, according to research?Calcium, vitamin B6, magnesium, vitamin D, omega-3 and chasteberry: how strong is the evidence for each in PMS, and where to be careful.Read more](https://myperiod.app/en/blog/supplementen-bij-pms-wat-werkt-echt)[Tracking your cycle with a smartwatch or ring: how accurate is it?Apple Watch, Oura and other wearables measure skin temperature during sleep to estimate ovulation. What they can and can't do, and what happens to that data.Read more](https://myperiod.app/en/blog/cyclus-tracken-met-smartwatch-of-ring)