How to Shorten Menstrual Cycle

Normally, the menstrual cycle will last from three to seven days. If your periods are longer or appear more frequently, then you’ll probably want to find ways to better control your hormones and shorten your cycle. Birth control pills and an IUD (intrauterine device) are the two most reliable methods of shortening and controlling your cycle; However, some natural methods like exercise, weight loss and getting enough sleep have also been shown to work.

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Try taking birth control pills. If you want your periods to be shorter and lighter, birth control pills can help. Ask your doctor about starting birth control pills.

Most oral contraceptives come in a pack of 28 pills. The first 21 pills contain two female sex hormones, estrogen and progestin, which help prevent ovulation. The last 7 pills are placebo pills without any hormones.
When you use most of the birth control pill, your body will experience bleeding similar to the menstrual cycle. However, the biological process of this bleeding is completely different from that of menstruation. Usually, women will have shorter and lighter menstrual cycles when using birth control pills. ^{[1] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source}

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Use one of the new oral contraceptives with a 24-day cycle. This means you have 24 hormone pills instead of 21 and only 4 placebo pills. It will help limit your bleeding (“cycle”) to 4 days or less. ^{[2] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source}

This method is not guaranteed to work, but if you keep it up for many months, your body will adjust and start having a shorter cycle. Determination is the key to success because many people do not get the desired results until using the drug continuously for 3 months or more.

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Learn about “cycle-prolonging” birth control pills. This is another extremely effective option for women who are having problems with their menstrual cycle, as it can eliminate quite a number of menstrual cycles! Most “cycle-prolonging” pills will give you a female hormone pill for three months, with one bleeding (“cycle”). This means that on average you will get your period once every three months, instead of once a month. ^{[3] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source}

Note that this method will not necessarily shorten your period, but it will help reduce the number of periods and it is also an option worth trying.

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Be aware of the side effects of oral contraceptives. ^{[4] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source} Before you start using oral contraceptives, you need to get your doctor’s “approval” that you don’t have any health problems prevent you from using this medicine. You also need to be aware of possible side effects, especially within the first few months of use.

One of the more common side effects is bleeding between periods. This means you’ll probably bleed on the days you’re on the pill, as your body will adjust to receive an “external” supply of female hormones. This phenomenon will gradually disappear after using the drug for a few months in a row.
Other possible side effects include breast tenderness, nausea, abdominal cramps, edema, diarrhea or constipation, and weight gain.
Note that, if you continue to have unwanted side effects while using your current birth control pill, you can talk to your doctor about changing to a different brand. Different medications will have different ratios of estrogen to progesterone, and it will usually take a few tries to find the right one.

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Ask your doctor about placing an IUD. An IUD is a T-shaped, copper or plastic device that is inserted into a woman’s uterus to prevent pregnancy. Depending on the different types of IUDs, it can help shorten your period. ^{[5] X Research Sources}

The copper IUD is cheaper and lasts longer (up to 10 years), but it will make your periods heavier and contract more so it’s not a good option for you if you are pregnant. try to shorten (and/or reduce) your cycle.
However, the Mirena IUD would be an excellent choice. This type of ring contains progesterone (a female hormone) and is the “gold standard” birth control device. Mirena’s contraceptive effectiveness is close to 100%, lasts up to 5 years, and also provides significant relief from cycles (and, for some women, termination of periods altogether).
The downside of the Mirena IUD is the cost, which usually costs several hundred dollars. However, if you can afford it, this is the best option to help you shorten and reduce the cycle.

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Learn about IUDs. ^{[6] X Sources of Research} Many people choose the Pill simply because they don’t know about the IUD, and it seems that the pill is a “simpler” (and perhaps “less scary”) option. than”), because you don’t need to put an instrument in your uterus.

However, people who are knowledgeable about the IUD tend to choose this method, because they realize its significant benefits. Not only helps to shorten and reduce the cycle, this is the most effective method of contraception, although the price is quite high, but considering the time of use up to 5 years, the use of IUD will save money. much more than buying birth control pills continuously.

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Consult with your doctor about the problem you are worried about regarding long and irregular cycles. In some cases, this could be a sign of an underlying medical condition that needs to be diagnosed and treated, so it’s always better to see your doctor for prevention or treatment if needed. . ^{[7] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source}

While the length and intensity of each person’s menstrual cycle is different, there are some warning factors for health problems. If you need to use twice as many tampons as usual, have blood clots for more than a day during your cycle, or your pad or tampon fills up within an hour, the pad must be changed. If you are pregnant all night, your cycle lasts more than a week, or you have some symptoms such as fatigue and shortness of breath, you should see your gynecologist. ^{[8] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source}
There are many causes that can lead to abnormally heavy menstrual bleeding. Causes vary widely from benign hormonal imbalances, such as an underactive thyroid, or the use of certain medications, but they can also be quite serious. Cancer and diseases of the ovaries can cause abnormal bleeding. Your doctor needs to find the cause by doing a pelvic exam and reviewing your medical history. Depending on the cause your doctor diagnoses, you may need blood tests, x-rays, and ultrasounds. ^{[9] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source}
Treatment will depend on the cause of the bleeding. Taking iron tablets, birth control pills, or an intrauterine device (IUD) will help minimize these symptoms. ^{[10] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source}
Before your period, make sure you know the basics like not eating the night before or keeping track of your menstrual cycle. You should also have a list of any medications you’re taking, life changes, symptoms you’re experiencing, and any questions you need to ask your doctor. ^{[11] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source}

Try natural methods

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Maintain an exercise routine. Regular and regular exercise will have a positive effect on your overall health and help your cycle become lighter and shorter.

If you are overweight, you may want to talk to your doctor about a healthy weight loss plan. Maintaining a healthy weight will make your periods lighter and shorter. ^{[12] X Research Source}
Regardless of weight, people who are sedentary tend to have longer menstrual cycles. Moderate exercise, from 45 minutes to an hour a day will help shorten the menstrual cycle. You can play your favorite sport, go for a brisk walk, do cardio or go for a run. ^{[13] X Research Source}
Be very careful not to over-exercise. Sometimes, being too active can cause your period to stop altogether. This can be very dangerous, especially if you don’t get the right nutrition during your workout. You should consult your doctor before adjusting your exercise plan. ^{[14] X Research Source}

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Adjust your diet. Although there is still a lot of controversy surrounding the effects of diet on menstruation, a few studies have shown that a low-fat and high-carb diet is beneficial to shorten the cycle. menstrual period.

A diet that is both rich in complex carbohydrates, such as brown rice, fruits and vegetables, and low in fat and alcohol, can reduce menstrual-related symptoms such as cramps and mood swings. irregular. This will help shorten the length of your menstrual cycle. ^{[15] X Research Source}
A few studies have shown that a low-fat diet will also shorten the menstrual cycle, at least to a small extent. ^{[16] X Trusted Source PubMed Central Go to Source}
Because weight loss shortens your cycle, adjusting your diet if you’re overweight can also help you lose weight and shorten your period. However, you should consult your doctor before making any decisions about weight loss.

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Improve sleep time. Intermittent or insufficient sleep can cause stress and this will make your periods longer and more painful. Establishing a healthy and regular sleep schedule will help you regulate your emotions more effectively.

Even a few hours of sleep deprivation can lead to stress, anger, and anxiety. All of these things can change hormone levels and make your periods longer and heavier. ^{[17] X Research Source}
Try to go to bed and wake up at the same time every day, including weekends. Your body will adjust to this schedule and you will gradually get used to a regular sleep regime. When you wake up, set your alarm to the time you plan to wake up. Using the snooze button will make your sleep disrupted, uncomfortable, and that will make you feel tired throughout the day. ^{[18] X Research Sources}

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