The menstrual cycle is a natural process of a woman's body. But sometimes it can be a mood-spoiler when it arrives at the most unwanted moments—during a wedding ceremony, before a vacation or event, or when you have important exams or an athletic competition. Though there are many medical ways to delay your periods, they may sometimes interfere with the body's hormonal balance. At some point, every woman has wished to delay her periods before a special event— without taking medicine and in a natural way.
While there are no medically or scientifically guaranteed remedies to delay your periods without medicine, in this article we'll explore some of the most effective methods to postpone your periods naturally.
Let's discuss one by one:
1. Cooling Foods and Drinks
Increasing the intake of cooling foods and drinks can reduce body heat, which is related to triggering the menstrual cycle. If body heat drops, then uterine activity slows down and periods may be delayed.
Fruits you can consume:
- Cucumber, melons, pomegranate
- Guava, coconut flesh, banana
- Apple and grapes
Vegetables you can consume:
- Green leafy vegetables
- Bottle gourd, ash gourd, snake gourd
- Pumpkin
Drinks you can consume:
- Coconut water, buttermilk
- Coriander juice, aloe vera juice
- Rose sharbat
- Infused water with mint, basil, parsley, or fennel seeds
2. Gelatin Water
Gelatin water is a traditional remedy used to delay periods by a few hours to a day. It has a natural cooling effect that calms uterine activity and reduces the inner heat of the body, promoting a short and natural delay of the menstrual cycle.
How to use:
- Take one tablespoon of gelatin powder and mix it with 1 cup of cold or normal water
- Stir until it dissolves and drink the mixture 2 to 3 times a day at regular intervals
- Start one day before your expected period
- Warning: Don't overdo it, as inadequate water intake can cause dehydration
3. Yellow Gram Lentils (Roasted Gram Flour)
Yellow gram lentils, especially roasted gram flour, is an age-old remedy that helps to delay menstruation by 1 to 3 days. It can affect estrogen levels and increase the body's dryness, which influences uterine activity and leads to delayed periods.
How to use:
- Roast some yellow gram lentils and make a powder
- Take 2 to 3 teaspoons of this powder and mix it with a glass of warm milk or water
- Take this on an empty stomach for 3 to 5 days before the expected period date
- Caution: Don't overuse, as it can cause indigestion
4. Rice Water
After boiling or soaking rice, the starchy rice water left behind is known for its cooling and soothing nature. Rice water may help to slow down uterine contractions by balancing the internal body temperature, resulting in slightly delayed periods.
How to prepare:
- Boil a handful of rice in 3 to 4 cups of water until the water reduces to half
- Strain it and let it cool—it's ready for drinking
- You can add a pinch of salt for taste
- Drink at least 1 to 2 glasses per day, starting 2 to 3 days before your expected period
5. Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV)
Apple cider vinegar is known for its acidic nature, which may disrupt the body's pH balance, slow uterine flow, and postpone the menstrual cycle.
How to use:
- Mix 1 tablespoon of ACV with a glass of water
- Drink it 1 to 2 times a day, starting 1 week before your expected period
- Important: Don't overconsume, otherwise it can damage your tooth enamel and cause acidity
- Use a straw to drink to avoid direct contact with tooth enamel
6. Lemon Juice
Lemon contains a very high amount of vitamin C, which is acidic. It can disrupt your hormonal balance and may delay your cycle.
How to use:
- Squeeze half of a lemon into a glass of warm or normal water
- Drink 1 to 3 times a day, starting 3 to 5 days before your expected periods
7. Mustard Seeds Water
It is believed that overnight soaked mustard seeds water may influence hormonal levels, body heat, and uterine flow, leading to a delayed menstrual cycle.
How to use:
- Soak 1 teaspoon of mustard seeds overnight in a glass of water
- The next morning, strain and drink on an empty stomach
- Continue for a few days before your expected period
8. Apple-Garlic Combination
The apple-garlic combination is an old remedy to postpone your periods naturally. Apple has a cooling nature, while garlic has warming and circulation-regulating properties. It is believed that together they may influence hormonal balance and uterine activity, resulting in a slight delay of the menstrual cycle.
How to use:
- Eat a raw garlic clove with a slice of apple
- Or prepare juice with one apple and 2 to 3 garlic cloves and drink it once a day, 3 to 5 days before your expected period
- You can add a teaspoon of honey for better taste
- Caution: Avoid excessive consumption, as raw garlic can cause stomach irritation or acidity
9. Intense Exercise or Physical Activity
Exercise has a strong connection with periods. Women who engage in intense physical activity or over-exercise may experience delayed menstrual cycles due to hormonal imbalance and energy deficiency. If you are planning to delay your periods naturally, increase your physical activity or exercise intensity.
Warning: Extreme exercise is not recommended—it can cause dehydration and missed periods.
10. High Stress Levels
Severe stress can delay periods. When you experience high stress, your body produces more cortisol hormone, which affects the hypothalamus—the part of your brain that controls your menstrual cycle. This promotes delayed ovulation and delayed periods.
Important: Don't subject yourself to excessive stress, as it will affect both your mental and physical health.
11. Skip Heat-Inducing Foods
If you want to delay your periods, avoid heat-inducing or warming foods for a few days, as they may increase body heat and encourage uterine contractions.
Common foods to avoid:
- Papaya and pineapple
- Red meat and spicy foods
- Chilli, ginger, garlic, black pepper
- Alcohol, tea, coffee
- Dates and jaggery
- Oily and fried foods
Avoid these foods for a few days before your expected period.
12. Ice Compression on Lower Abdomen
Ice compression on the lower abdomen is a home remedy for delaying periods naturally. The cold compression may help to reduce blood flow in the pelvic region, lower body heat, and delay uterine triggers for bleeding.
Caution: Don't overdo it, as it can cause cramps and digestive discomfort. This method is not suitable for cold-sensitive people or those with low immunity.
⚠️ When You Shouldn't Attempt to Delay Your Menstruation
- ❌ If you have irregular menstrual cycles or hormonal imbalances like PCOS or thyroid issues
- ❌ If you are trying to conceive
- ❌ If you have anemia or a low immune system
- ❌ If you are experiencing heavy bleeding and severe cramps
✅ Final Thoughts
While there are no guaranteed natural methods to delay your menstrual cycle without medicine, if you prefer to avoid medication due to potential side effects, these techniques are worth trying. Though remedies like cooling foods, apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, and intense workouts are natural and safe, results can vary from person to person. So, listen to your body, don't overdo any method, and prioritize your health first.