Natural Ways to Lighten/Shorten Your Period?

Contributor: Andromeda Andromeda
So the boyfriend is going to be in town this week, and if you've seen me rant anywhere else on the forum, you know he and I do not get to see each other often during the semester (we go to college in different countries. Yes, you read that correctly. COUNTRIES. Gah... one more year, one more year...). As you can imagine, I'm quite excited to see him.

When he originally booked his ticket, the timing was perfect. I'd just be ending my period when he arrived. HOWEVER, the stress of college and living with three other womenfolk has affected my cycle. For the past three days I have been getting the teaser cramps but still haven't started. However, I'm pretty sure today is going to be the day...

Oh, and he'll be here tomorrow night. Greeeeeeat. As you can imagine, I'm not thrilled.

The question... what are some natural ways to shorten your period? I emphasize natural because I'm not on the pill or anything like that (can't do hormones for medical reasons).

Thus far I've eliminated caffeine and full-fat dairy products from my diet and am trying to eat lots of spinach. I'll probably go get a bit of exercise later today, but is there anything else I can do? Some sort of magic formula? lol Any advice would be much appreciated!
10/25/2010
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Contributor: Andromeda Andromeda
*bump*
10/26/2010
Contributor: Hot'n'Bothered Hot'n'Bothered
I don't know of any, I'm sorry

I've heard of people using an instead cup and still being able to have sex without the mess..
10/26/2010
Contributor: Madeira Madeira
The diva cup works wonders, but also masturbate, masturbate, masturbate... it helps a lot
10/26/2010
Contributor: Kim! Kim!
Quote:
Originally posted by Madeira
The diva cup works wonders, but also masturbate, masturbate, masturbate... it helps a lot
I was going to suggest the Diva Cup too. A lot of women say that it shortens it by around a full day, I would have to agree.
10/26/2010
Contributor: Illusional Illusional
Excerise for like an hour... then take a long hot bath... massage the area where your cramps are the most..
10/26/2010
Contributor: Persephone Nightmare Persephone Nightmare
Well, I read on RedVinylKitty's blog a while back that orgasms make your period end a wee bit faster. So maybe there's something to that

Here's the link for more info:

The Sub Mission

*Quick post-published edit*: I just saw what Madeira said, lol. I guess it's true then, two reliable sources say it is, so there
10/26/2010
Contributor: ~LaUr3n~ ~LaUr3n~
Quote:
Originally posted by Persephone Nightmare
Well, I read on RedVinylKitty's blog a while back that orgasms make your period end a wee bit faster. So maybe there's something to that

Here's the link for more info:

The Sub Mission

*Quick post-published edit*: I ... more
Actually it can do the opposite too. I avoid having sex towards the end of my period because it effectively seems to restart it.
10/26/2010
Contributor: ToyGeek ToyGeek
There's an herbal product called Cat's Claw that works for some women -- the purpose is supposed to be to relieve cramps, but for some it actually makes cramps much worse. However, it shortens the messy part.

There's also an urban legend about McDonald's beef being so full of hormones that you can manipulate your cycle with it, but it didn't work for me. Also, yuck.

In Secret Diaries of a London Call Girl, no doubt an excellent source of health information, Belle mentions shoving bits of sponge up herself to hide her period from a customer. It sounds like an absolutely terrible idea and a fine way to get an infection of some kind to me, but maybe there's something more to it than appeared in the show.
10/26/2010
Contributor: Persephone Nightmare Persephone Nightmare
Quote:
Originally posted by ~LaUr3n~
Actually it can do the opposite too. I avoid having sex towards the end of my period because it effectively seems to restart it.
Oh wow, really? Well then, I guess it either depends on the person, or whether Mother Nature wants to be a b..., um, not-so-nice person, lol (last thing I need to do is piss off Mother nature, lol)

I guess you should proceed with caution then if you do decide to go that route then, lol.

Good luck
10/26/2010
Contributor: Tori Rebel Tori Rebel
Quote:
Originally posted by ToyGeek
There's an herbal product called Cat's Claw that works for some women -- the purpose is supposed to be to relieve cramps, but for some it actually makes cramps much worse. However, it shortens the messy part.

There's also an urban ... more
Actually, there's something called a natural sea sponge tampon that is, as long as you're comfortable inserting and removing it, very safe as it is natural and contains no chemicals, absorbs blood, and is safe to wear during sex. Nina Hartley advocates using them right here on Sexis link along with other ways of having sex during your period.

Good luck!
10/26/2010
Contributor: Jobthingy Jobthingy
Quote:
Originally posted by ~LaUr3n~
Actually it can do the opposite too. I avoid having sex towards the end of my period because it effectively seems to restart it.
I have the same problem. It will actually extend a full day or 2.

I have heard that using natural products (reusable pads that you would wash)will shorten it over time because there are no chemicals. But I know of no short term solution.

I know if I am drinking with my period it seems to lighten it.. but i have heard that it does the opposite for others.
10/26/2010
Contributor: Kim! Kim!
Oh, I forgot to recommend Instead cups to you! They won't shorten it but you can have sex with them in. The local stores around me carry them and not Diva Cups so I would say that they are probably easier to find.
10/27/2010
Contributor: Howells Howells
Parsley is known to contract the womb. Google it for more info I don't know much more about. But I assume you need to make tea of it
04/27/2011
Contributor: Eden C. Eden C.
When I had an eating disorder, my periods were almost absent. Obviously not a good idea, not natural, and not worth it. Most measures you could take don't work in the short term (meaning they would gradually shorten your periods over the course of a year).

I would suggest using a menstrual cup for intercourse. There still will be a little blood in your discharge, but not enough to stain the bed. You could also try a trick I use for nude modeling: insert a tampon, then clip the string (be careful to leave some so you can retrieve the tampon with your fingers, and be careful not to clip your labia in the process).
04/27/2011
Contributor: liilii080 liilii080
Exercise at a high intensity and if all else fails, just have sex in the shower!
04/27/2011
Contributor: ToyGurl ToyGurl
I have no medical research behind any of this, except the word of MANY MANY MANY women. Try using a menstrual cup. I have used one for years, and I went from 8 day periods to 4 day periods. Also, birth controls can reduce your periods.

Another way to reduce the length of your period is to masturbate. I don't know if it is scientifically proven, but I promote masturbation in my area and at a seminar we were told that masturbation helps remove the blood as your orgasm... thus shortening your period.
04/27/2011
Contributor: sexyintexas sexyintexas
I learned a lot reading this, good answers guys!
04/27/2011
Contributor: Eden C. Eden C.
Quote:
Originally posted by ToyGurl
I have no medical research behind any of this, except the word of MANY MANY MANY women. Try using a menstrual cup. I have used one for years, and I went from 8 day periods to 4 day periods. Also, birth controls can reduce your ... more
Really? I find masturbation tends to bring on menstruation for me. I guess it depends on the person!
04/27/2011
Contributor: IrishLassie IrishLassie
I was told by my obgyn to take ibuprofen as soon as your period starts and that will help with the cramps, backache and will help shorten and lighten your period. I have actually had 2 obgyn's tell me that. I have yet to have a period to test that theory...
04/27/2011
Contributor: K101 K101
I have a lot of good natural ways to ease symptoms and lighten periods, but I've saw this question quite a bit and have wore my fingers out typing all the stuff so I'll try to keep this one short. First, I have endometriosis so I take depo provera injection and have for 7 years after a few yrs, my periods stopped. It helps the endometrial tissue not to grow. But, you asked for natural. Ok, I just started taking aloe vera pills (only use natures factory!) anyways, I just started them today, but I highly recommend you check out their site to see the benefits! You have to be careful who you buy from because they're usually not effective since most claim to be 100% pure, but are far from it. That is why I only use these types of things from natures factory. You can get a good bit of info on it and you'll be totally shocked to hear what all the aloe vera pills will do. They're totally safe. They're not pricey. The alleviate and can lighten menstrual symptoms and the period itself. I can't say how well it works for someone who has endo, because I've just started taking them, but I would really be shocked if they didn't give a normal person satisfaction in this area. I actuall am sure they'll give me relief even with the endo. I also take coconut oil. It's available online and I ONLY buy virgin coconut oil and I only buy my oil from tropical traditions. Yes, I'm picky because I want to be sure it's the real thing. Anyways, the coconut oil has amazingly unbelievable health benefits as well. I've been eating it from a spoon once a day no problem. No nasty side effects, but you can get side effects if you're allergic to coconut oil. It contains a lot of proteins and those are the main cause for people who get allergic reactions.

So, you could try that. You could also try Evening Primrose oil, but it's more for lightening pms and symptoms, cramps. I dont think it will lighten the actual flow or shorten the period. It's pricey so I never tried it.
05/16/2011