Periods will forever be troublesome- even if you get it and even if you don’t. So to answer your questions like how to get periods overnight?’ ‘how to get periods overnight home remedy?’ Let me tell you that there is NO sure way to get it overnight. But understanding the physiological mechanism of periods might help us boost it.
Normal Menstrual Cycle:
The New Beginnings- Day 0 to Day 14:
An average Menstrual cycle by the book is a 28-day cycle. It is a cycle because it repeats the same pattern every month. So essentially, the ovum/egg starts to build itself in the ovaries from the day you stop bleeding. And parallel to that, your uterus builds the blood lining layer by layer, preparing nourishment for the new child.
The Fertile Window- Day 14 to Day 18 :
On the 14th day from this date, an ovum is released into the uterus. And it has to travel through a thin tube called the fallopian tube to reach the uterus. And eventually, it reaches the uterus, where it will implant itself and get nourishment from. So in those 3-4 days, you are ready to get fertilised or pregnant, and that is when the entry of the sperm could help you conceive.
The Periods- Day 18 to Day 28:
Moving on, since no sperm arrived and the uterus was ready with the blood lining and ovum to propagate. The egg/ovum starts to degenerate slowly. In the next ten days, the egg degenerates, and the uterus lining of blood does too. By the 28th day, the uterus decides to get rid of these and re-prepare the uterus to support the child embryo again next month. This is also referred to as menstruation in medicine, when the uterus sheds blood and egg.
Now, since the process itself is so long, it is definitely challenging to make it happen overnight. However, you can speed up your periods by scientifically proven methods around the time your period is due. For example, you can induce your period with relaxation techniques, exercises or sexual activities during your expected time.
Situations for getting periods faster:
Let’s understand your concern when you ask how to get your period faster. If you have the following reasons, you can continue reading and help yourself. But if the reasons are not in and around the ones below, you should seek medical support.
- You have travel plans lined up. Nobody wants to deal with cramps or bleeding on vacations.
- You are planning your pregnancy.
- You need consistency in your menstruation cycle.
- Holy occasions for which you want to rush and get over with your menstruation.
- Special events like your wedding or honeymoon!
- You have an important exam or interview day.
Ways to get your periods fast:
There are no sure-shot ways to get your period overnight! The reasons to look up ‘how to get periods fast?’ could be plenty—ranging from a special event coming up to getting done with it before a vacation or wanting consistency in an irregular cycle.
We have listed science-backed methods, including medication and foods, on how to get your period faster around the time your cycle is due. These are as follows:
Pharmaceutical methods
Contraceptives
The menstrual cycle can also be regulated by taking hormonal contraceptives. A long-term solution to the problem of irregular periods is the hormonal birth control method. However, these contraceptives can provide some certainty about when your period will occur by monitoring the levels of hormones in the body. (Do not take them without consultation)
Your cycle may change when you start or stop using birth control. This is because birth control pills constitute estrogen and progesterone hormones, inhibiting ovum production in your ovaries. After discontinuing the pill, your cycle may take up to six months to return to normal.
However, these can also have adverse side effects. Please consult with your doctor before deciding to try them.
Vitamin Supplements
Women are proven to have a vitamin deficiency, as seen popularly by clinicians. And one study has shown that vitamin C aids the production of estrogen. So apart from regular multivitamins, you can take extra supplements of Vitamin-C to help get your period faster. Please take care that you don’t overdose yourself. And remember to consult your doctor.
Natural ways
Eat fruits, especially Papaya!
It can’t be emphasized enough that humans should depend on raw fruits and vegetables more than cooked meals. And especially regarding women and their menstrual health, papaya has served to be the best. While you should avoid eating it during pregnancy because of the tremendous heat it produces. You should eat this carotene-rich fruit to stimulate your periods. So go get that orange-red slice and relax on your couch!
Increase natural intake of Vitamin C
You can quickly increase Vitamin C levels by taking vitamin supplements or adding citrus fruits and leafy vegetables to your diet. Oranges, grapefruit, green bell peppers, and broccoli are a few examples of vitamin C-rich foods.
Carrom Seeds or Ajwain
Carom seeds are well known for their use in our kitchen for adding flavours to dal or garnishing baked biscuits. But they also hold a prominent place in Ayurveda. Among various health benefits, Ajwain helps stimulate the uterus when taken with a glass of boiled water. It also helps with the menstrual cramps once the period arrives.
Cinnamon magic
Cinnamon is a key ingredient in baking, partly because of its taste and mostly because of its aroma! Besides being a staple in desserts, it also helps induce periods by improving uterine circulation and relieving cramps and menstrual pain.
Star of Indian household- Turmeric
You can barely make an Indian food without adding Turmeric to it. “Haldi doodh” has been a go-to remedy for several health issues. Now, even commercialised as a ‘turmeric latte’. It also helps induce periods by influencing progesterone and estrogen levels. Besides warm drinks, Turmeric is a regular in vegetables, chutneys, dal, etc.
Overall wellness and lifestyle changes
Have a healthy diet!
A healthy diet is recommended throughout life, but it’s essential to have a complete diet. You might feel low on energy and moody. You might crave sweets, but be careful! Try to eat food that is well-rounded in nutrients and healthy.
Diets rich in omega-3 fatty acids, calcium and vitamin D help tackle the troublesome time of the month. Also, keep yourself hydrated and reduce caffeine intake as much as possible.
Sleep and take rest.
Different women have varied symptoms; for some, the pain can be too extensive; for some, it’s like nothing happened. So, whatever category you fall in, remember to give your body the rest it deserves during this time of the month. Sleep a little extra and avoid caffeine. Don’t indulge in heavy exercise, and give yourself the pampered rest you deserve.
Relaxation tips to relieve stress
It’s ironic how stress leads to a delay in periods but also puts us under stress when it’s late! Stress causes postponement in periods as it inhibits the production of hormones required to regulate the menstrual cycle-estrogen and progesterone.
Various ways to cope with stress include yoga, meditation, picking up a new hobby, hot water bath etc. A warm shower helps relax muscle tension, and you can also add Epsom salts and a drop of lavender oil to it for extra relaxation. Every female out there owns a hot water pack to help with cramps during periods but applying it to your abdomen otherwise can also help the menstrual cycle begin.
Herbal teas do wonders too! For example, chamomile tea has soothing effects.
Indulge in sexual activities
General vaginal stimulation and sex can increase blood movement around the vagina, leading it to contract. In addition, the vagina relaxes following sexual intercourse causing the uterus lining to shed. This causes menstrual blood to move downward by creating a space for it.
In some cases, orgasm can also lead to the arrival of periods either by non-penetrative sexual activity or vaginal penetration. Regular sexual activity can also reduce anxiety and stress, thus maintaining a healthy hormonal balance.
Reasons that might delay your period:
A normal menstrual cycle typically lasts for 28 days. However, if you are facing irregularity in your periods, here are several possible reasons for missing or delayed period:
- PCOS
- vaginal blockage
- elevated levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
- injury to the reproductive organs
- pituitary gland issues
- having high levels of the hormone prolactin
If you think these might be possible, immediately consult your doctor for expert advice. Do not self-medicate.
Absence of periods
Amenorrhea is the absence of menstruation during the reproductive timeline. For example, you may have it if you go without your period for six months instead of regularly having it.
Either of the following conditions can cause the absence of periods:
- low or high body weight
- pregnancy
- stress
- certain acute illnesses
- menopause
- polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
- chronic conditions like diabetes etc.
- hormonal problems, those caused by the hypothalamus or pituitary gland
- menopause
- hormonal contraceptives
- thyroid issues, either hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism
- tumours affecting the ovaries or pituitary gland
How to treat the absence of periods?
Finding the cause is the first step in treatment because the absence of a period could be a sign of another issue. Your period may return once the cause is treated.
1. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
PCOS is the most common hormonal disorder seen in females. The syndrome is named after the characteristic cysts which form on the ovaries. If it is the cause of your missed periods, you should consult a doctor. However, the recommended treatments include:
- Medications to lower blood sugars
- Cholesterol-lowering medications
- Oral contraceptives or birth control containing progestogen
- Reduce weight
2. Hypo or Hyperthyroidism
Reduced levels of thyroid hormones lead to hypothyroidism which can affect your body’s functions and metabolism. This can lead to fatigue, weight gain, and depression. Hypothyroidism can be treated with thyroid hormone replacement to increase the levels.
On the other hand, excess thyroid hormone production can lead to hyperthyroidism, leading to anxiety, weight loss, or an irregular heartbeat. Medication, radioactive iodine to damage the thyroid and induce it to produce less thyroid hormone, or surgery are all possible treatments for hyperthyroidism.
3. High levels of prolactin
Prolactin is the hormone released by the pituitary gland responsible for breast milk production. Increased levels of prolactin can lead to Hyperprolactinemia. It may be caused by certain medications such as antidepressants and antihypertensive medications or a noncancerous tumour in the gland.
Treatment for hyperprolactinemia may include:
- radiation therapy
- changing medication
- thyroid hormone therapy
- medication to reduce prolactin levels (Dostinex)
- surgical removal of pituitary gland tumour
4. Ovarian failure
It can occur when the ovaries stop working before hitting menopause. Cancer treatments or other medical conditions, complications with the hypothalamus or pituitary gland, can lead to this condition. Hormone replacement therapy or HRT, is the primary line of treatment. If you’re experiencing ovarian insufficiency due to issues in the glands, lifestyle changes can be of help.
Takeaway
If you’re wondering how to make period come faster, hormonal emergency contraception seems the only dependable method for managing periods. Consult with your doctor before deciding to try them.
In addition, people may be able to speed up their period by exercising, changing their diet, and relaxing. There are other popular methods also but hasn’t been enough research to determine effective remedies to get periods immediately.
FAQS
1. Can Pineapple make your period come faster?
Pineapple affects estrogen and other hormones because its high in an enzyme called bromelain. However, there is no scientific evidence that pineapple can cause menstrual flow.
2. How fast should I get my period after eating Papaya?
Regularly eating papaya helps constrict the uterine muscles. If you want to trigger bleeding, consume unripe papaya at least 2-3 days before your cycle’s expected start date.
It not only creates heat in the body but also contains carotene, which stimulates estrogen hormone levels in the body.
3. Can stress lead to periods twice monthly?
Mental or physical stress causes fluctuations in the body’s hormone levels leading to irregular bleeding or spotting between regular periods. It can lead to increased menstruation in the number of days or frequency.
4. What are the health complications for women with PCOS?
PCOS affects not just the reproductive system but all areas of the body.
Insulin resistance increases the risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Metabolic syndrome is another condition that is associated with it.
In addition, some women with PCOS develop endometrial hyperplasia, in which the lining of the uterus becomes too thick, increasing the risk of endometrial cancer.
5. What causes PCOS?
Although the cause of PCOS is not known, it may be related to many different factors working together. These factors include increased levels of hormones called androgens, insulin resistance, and an irregular menstrual cycle.
Reference:
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14567772/
- https://www.chop.edu/news/health-tip/managing-menstruation-hormonal-contraceptives
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30396627/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4555135/
- https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/ovarian-failure
Written by Dr. Manavi Raj
Dr. Manavi is a healthcare professional with a Bachelor of Dental Surgery from Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, Bangalore. She has a diverse history of working in healthcare, writing and social media marketing. Outside of work, she enjoys dabbling with paints and loves the outdoors.
Reviewed by Dr. Rashika Tripathi
Graduated from Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, Bangalore, Rashika has six years of experience as a medical writer and reviewer. She has an eye for detail and aims to serve the best content for her readers. When at ease she enjoys reading books while working on her ginger tea.