Expert: Norman Solberg - 7/31/2010

Question
Dear Dr. Solberg,

I'm 16 years old and have oral surgery under general anesthesia scheduled for this Monday morning, August 2nd. I wasn't due to get my period until the 5th but I got this morning. I usually have really bad cramps for the first three days and I'm hoping that it's not that bad this time around.

I'm not on birth control and not sexually active. Is there ANY way I can stop or pause my period in time for my surgery on Monday? I'm willing to try almost anything at this point because I don't want to be on my period when I go in for surgery. I know I could just reschedule but it took me 2wks to get this appointment because the hospital is very busy. So rescheduling really isn't an option at this point. Please help me! Thanks in advance!

Answer
Hi Jessa,
It may be possible to delay your period using progesterone pills, but you may need to get a prescription for them.  There are progesterone pills called norethisterone which help to delay a period.  They are taken 5 mg 3 times a day starting about 3 days before your period starts.  When you stop the pills, your period will come in a day or 2.  You might be able to do the same thing using birth control pills, taking 1 or 2 a day.  Either method may prevent a period or maybe only partly prevent a period.  In the future, if you can plan it ahead, it's fairly easy to control when your period comes if you're on  birth control pills.  Then you can have a period come early or late easily.  When you're not on the pill, the above method may work or may work partially.  Good luck.