How to delay your period
Here's how period delay treatment works, and what to expect on TeleTest.
What is period delay?
Period delay can use the same hormone as some birth control pills, but the purpose and timing are fundamentally different.
Period delay
- Purpose: control when your next period arrives
- When taken: short-term, only around the event you want to skip
- Pregnancy: doesn't prevent pregnancy
Birth control
- Purpose: prevent pregnancy
- When taken: continuously, on an ongoing schedule
- Pregnancy: prevents pregnancy
What to expect
Period delay is a common, decades-old treatment. Here's what a typical treatment looks like on TeleTest.
1. Getting your prescription
- Clinician approval — TeleTest reviews are same day. Prescriptions typically cover the duration of your vacation or event plus 2 buffer days.
- Pharmacy prescription — Once approved, your prescription is emailed to you and sent to your pharmacy immediately.
- Pharmacy cost — medication costs range from $1–6/day depending on the treatment. This is often paid out-of-pocket, but use your insurance or health card to save at the pharmacy.
2. Start a few days before your event
Prescriptions are oral tablets taken through the day, starting a few days before your trip. Your clinician will prescribe what fits best for you.
3. Period returns shortly after
Continue taking it daily through your trip or event. Your period typically returns 2–3 days after you stop, and your next cycle returns to normal.
How it works
Text-based, guideline-driven medicine means no video calls, no waiting, and same-day prescriptions.
Submit your intake ~5 min
Answer questions about your health history and menstrual cycle. No video call or scheduled appointment required.
Clinician review ~90 min
A licensed clinician reviews your intake same day. Before your prescription is sent, your clinician will message you through secure messaging if there's anything they want to confirm.
Get prescription immediate
After clinician review, you can select any pharmacy for pickup or home delivery.
Pharmacy Pickup - Your prescription is sent electronically to your preferred pharmacy. Insurance can be applied at the pharmacy. There are no additional charges for pickup.
Home Delivery (Ontario Only) - Shipping fees apply, typically ranging $32-42 +HST. Our fulfillment partner is required to complete a brief counselling call with you about your prescription and the delivery. Signature is required on delivery.
Prescriptions cover the duration of your vacation or event plus 2 buffer days and range from $1–6/day depending on the treatment. This is often paid out-of-pocket, but use your insurance or health card to save at the pharmacy.
Who is this for?
Period delay is perfect for anyone who wants to avoid menstruation during important events or activities.
Travelers
Avoid your period during vacations, honeymoons, beach trips, or long flights where managing menstruation would be inconvenient.
Special Events
Weddings, graduations, photo shoots, or any milestone event where you want to feel your best without period concerns.
Religious Observances
Ramadan, Hajj, or other religious fasting periods where menstruation may affect your ability to participate fully.
Athletes & Performers
Competitions, marathons, dance performances, or athletic events where period symptoms could impact your performance.
Students
Exams, field trips, school camps, or important presentations where you want to avoid period-related distractions.
Water Activities
Swimming, diving, surfing, or water sports where managing your period would be challenging or uncomfortable.
Who can use period delay medication?
Most healthy people who menstruate can safely delay their period — whether your cycles are regular or irregular. However, it's not right for everyone.
✓ Good candidates
- Anyone who menstruates (regular or irregular cycles)
- No history of blood clots
- Not pregnant or breastfeeding
- No active liver disease
Note: You don't need to have regular cycles to use period delay medication. Even if your periods are unpredictable, you can still take the medication when you want to prevent menstruation.
⚠ May not be suitable if you have:
- History of blood clots or stroke
- Breast cancer or other hormone-sensitive cancers
- Severe liver disease
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding
Safety & side effects
Period delay medication has been routinely prescribed for decades. Side effects are uncommon and usually mild — here's what to know.
Common (usually mild)
- Headache
- Nausea
- Breast tenderness
- Mood changes
- Bloating
- Spotting or breakthrough bleeding
Rare but serious — seek medical help if you experience:
- Severe chest pain or shortness of breath
- Severe leg pain or swelling
- Severe headache or vision changes
- Severe abdominal pain
- Yellowing of skin or eyes (jaundice)
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Frequently asked questions
Everything you need to know about delaying your period.
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