What It Means to Induce a Period

Inducing your period means encouraging menstrual bleeding to start earlier than it naturally would. People may want to do this for different reasons—such as avoiding a period during a vacation, event, or athletic competition, managing irregular cycles, or reducing anxiety over a late period.

The most reliable method for inducing your period is through hormonal birth control, but several other medical and natural methods may help depending on your situation.

Why You Might Want To Induce Your Period

There are many situations where starting your period early could be convenient, including:

  • An upcoming vacation, wedding, or honeymoon

  • School or work deadlines

  • Sports or performances where period discomfort would interfere

  • Concerns about pregnancy after unprotected sex or failed contraception

  • Irregular cycles due to conditions like PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome)

  • Late periods that cause anxiety or disrupt cycle tracking when trying to conceive

Common Causes of Late or Irregular Periods

A delayed or irregular period isn’t always a cause for concern—it can result from lifestyle, hormonal, or medical factors.

Medical Conditions

  • Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)

  • Endometriosis

  • Asherman’s syndrome (uterine scarring)

  • Cushing syndrome (high cortisol levels)

  • Thyroid disorders

  • Primary ovarian insufficiency (POI)

  • Untreated diabetes

Hormonal Changes

  • Perimenopause

  • Elevated prolactin

  • Recent pregnancy or postpartum changes

  • Puberty (when cycles are still irregular)

Medications or Treatments

  • Starting or changing hormonal birth control

  • Medications for epilepsy or mental health conditions

  • Cancer treatments such as chemotherapy or radiation

Diet and Body Weight

  • Being underweight or overweight

  • Eating disorders such as anorexia or bulimia

Lifestyle Factors

  • Chronic stress

  • Too much or too little exercise

Can You Induce a First-Time Period?

No. A first menstrual period (menarche) usually occurs between ages 10 and 15, about two years after breast development begins. If you haven’t had your period by age 15, consult a healthcare provider to check for hormonal or developmental causes.

Ways To Make Your Period Come Faster

Hormonal Birth Control

This is the most effective and predictable way to regulate or induce menstruation. Options include pills, injections (Depo-Provera), patches, vaginal rings, IUDs, and implants.

Birth Control Pills

Standard pill packs include hormone pills (taken for 21–24 days) and placebo pills (taken for 4–7 days).

  • To induce a period: Stop the hormone pills early to trigger withdrawal bleeding.

  • To skip or delay a period: Continue taking the hormone pills continuously without the placebo week.

Some breakthrough bleeding can occur when adjusting doses, which is normal in the first few months.

Other Hormonal Medications

For medical reasons—such as PCOS, irregular ovulation, or ovarian insufficiency—your healthcare provider may prescribe:

  • Provera (medroxyprogesterone acetate): Bleeding usually occurs 3–7 days after stopping the medication.

  • Clomid (clomiphene citrate): Stimulates ovulation for fertility treatment.

  • Estrogen replacement therapy: Helps with hormone imbalance or ovarian insufficiency.

Always consult your healthcare provider before using hormonal medications for period control.

Natural Remedies and Supplements

Vitamin C

Some people believe vitamin C can trigger menstruation by influencing estrogen and progesterone levels, though research is limited.

  • Daily recommended intake: 75 mg

  • Safe upper limit: 2000 mg per day (excess may cause stomach upset or diarrhea)

Vitamin C is found in citrus fruits, bell peppers, strawberries, and supplements. While it may not directly induce menstruation, it supports overall reproductive and immune health.

Herbs (Emmenagogues)

Certain herbs, known as emmenagogues, are believed to stimulate menstrual flow. Common examples include:

  • Chamomile

  • Chaste tree (vitex)

  • Cinnamon

  • Fennel

  • Ginger

  • Mugwort

  • Parsley

  • Saffron

  • Sesame

Important: Emmenagogues can cause miscarriage and should never be used if you might be pregnant. Consult a healthcare professional before taking any herbal remedy, especially if you take other medications.

Orgasm

Orgasms can increase oxytocin and endorphin levels, causing mild uterine contractions that may help your period start if it’s already due. However, this method does not work if your period delay is caused by hormonal or medical issues.

Lifestyle Adjustments

Exercise

Moderate physical activity improves circulation, reduces stress, and promotes hormonal balance. However, excessive exercise or overtraining can suppress your cycle entirely.

Maintain a Healthy Weight

Being underweight or overweight can affect estrogen production, delaying or stopping ovulation. Eating a balanced diet and maintaining a healthy body weight helps regulate menstruation.

Manage Stress

Stress disrupts the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis, which regulates your cycle. Try yoga, deep breathing, journaling, or relaxation baths to reduce stress hormones and support cycle regularity.

Address Underlying Conditions

If you have PCOS, thyroid issues, or another hormonal imbalance, medical treatment may help restore regular periods.

Precautions

  • Always consult your healthcare provider before using hormonal methods or herbal supplements to induce menstruation.

  • Herbs and supplements are not regulated by the FDA, so buy only from reputable brands.

  • Avoid “DIY period hacks” circulating on social media that lack scientific backing or may harm your reproductive health.

When To See a Doctor

Contact a healthcare provider if you:

  • Miss your period for more than six weeks

  • Experience unusually heavy bleeding or severe cramps

  • Have persistent irregular cycles

  • Suspect pregnancy

  • Experience side effects from birth control (e.g., mood swings, headaches, high blood pressure, chest pain)

Seek immediate medical attention if you have:

  • Shortness of breath or chest pain

  • Severe headaches or vision problems

  • Leg swelling or numbness

  • High fever or extreme fatigue

Sometimes it takes a few adjustments to find the right birth control method or hormonal balance for your body.

A Quick Review

The safest and most effective way to induce your period is through medical supervision using hormonal methods. While natural approaches like vitamin C, herbs, or stress reduction can help regulate your cycle, there’s limited scientific evidence that they can trigger bleeding directly.

If your period is irregular or absent, a healthcare provider can help you determine whether hormones, stress, weight, or underlying medical conditions are responsible—and create a safe, personalized plan to regulate your menstrual cycle.