Periods can be annoying and always seem to come at the wrong time.
One new TikTok trend suggests you can delay your period by drinking lemon juice, but does it actually work?
Women on TikTok have been posting videos of themselves cutting up lemons and squeezing them into a glass before drinking the sour juice.
One woman said: “Trying to delay my period because I’m getting waxed in two days.”
Speaking to The Sun, Dr Sarah Welsh, co-founder of female wellness brand HANX, said you should always seek medical help if you want to change your period.
She said: “Another day, another TikTok myth! There is no evidence to support that drinking lemon juice will delay your period. Like the 2020 trend to wash your vagina with lemon juice, this is completely unproven.
“This mis-education around managing menstrual bleeding can be misleading – sometimes TikTok trends can even be dangerous when taken to the extreme.
“The only way to manage your period with medication is through hormonal contraception such as the hormonal contraceptive pill, injection, patch or coil. For examples, taking pill packets back to back, you can skip your period.”
Dr Shree Datta gynaecologist for intimate wellbeing brand INTIMINA said that there are some studies that suggest drinking lemon juice can affect the severity of symptoms such as fatigue associated with period pains.
She added: “There is evidence to suggest that significant weight loss can effect the heaviness of your periods and their frequency.
“Whilst there is no convincing natural way to postpone periods, the most effective way to delay your period on occasion is to use hormonal medication or contraception, in consultation with your Gynaecologist.
“Remember, having periods helps to shed the lining of your womb and if you miss a period, your next period may well be heavier or last longer as a result.
“Postponing your period does not prevent sexually transmitted infections or pregnancy.”
Official NHS guidance states that there is no guaranteed way that you can stop your period but that it might be possible if you take the combination contraceptive pill.
This, the experts say, all depends on which pill you take – but in most cases you would take two packets back-to-back.
You should avoid taking two packs without a break unless your GP says you can as you might experience side effects such as feeling sick, unexpected bleeding and diarrhoea.
SIDE EFFECTS
If you’re not on the pill and want to delay your period, the NHS says your GP can prescribe medication such as norethisterone – but this does not work as a contraceptive and you would have to use a condom for sex.
Lloyds pharmacist Pareena Patel said: “LloydsPharmacy’s research has found that 1 in 3 women have taken period delay medication at least once or more so it is fairly common.
“When it comes to taking period delay medication, you are usually prescribed 3 tablets a day and should start taking them 3 or 4 days before your period is expected.
“As a result, your period will start a few days after you stop taking the medication. Period delay medication is safe to use for most women on an occasional basis but it is not recommended for regular use as it may have side effects such as low mood, acne, breast tenderness and loss of libido.”
The NHS said that switching to or starting the combined contraceptive could also delay your period.
Official guidance states: “But you may need to start taking this pill several weeks before the time when you want to delay your period, and it’s not suitable for everyone.
“If you’re switching to or starting the combined contraceptive pill, you might need to use additional contraception during the first few days of taking it.”
Dr Sarah added that nothing replaces your doctor or a health professional and that you should be sure to get expert help if you’re looking to postpone your period, or have any medical questions or issues at all.