How Long Can Jet Lag Delay Your Period?

For most individuals who menstruate, getting your interval on trip is sure to occur sooner or later. It’s possible you’ll prep by packing simply the correct quantity of tampons and pads, however then find yourself getting it a number of days later than anticipated. What provides? Properly, if you happen to’ve traveled throughout time zones, your inside “menstrual clock” can truly get thrown off. However how lengthy jet lag can delay your interval? That is an entire different query.

It’s possible you’ll be pondering: How is that this even a factor?! But it surely’s true. Any vital disruption to your typical every day rhythm can result in adjustments in your cycle, explains Charis Chambers, MD, an OB/GYN and Midol associate often known as “The Interval Physician.” And so far as your physique is anxious, flying off to a distinct time zone *undoubtedly* counts as a disruption.

Learn on to find out how late your interval might be from jet lag, plus different ideas for touring whereas menstruating—together with when to take your contraception.

Why jet lag and journey can delay your interval

A whole lot of the menstrual adjustments that occur whereas touring come right down to your circadian rhythm—the interior clock in control of bodily, psychological, and behavioral adjustments the physique goes by means of over a 24-hour interval, largely pushed by publicity to mild and darkness. “It units the tempo and tone to your physique,” Dr. Chambers says.

That features figuring out when totally different hormones needs to be launched, like melatonin to make you are feeling sleepy. It additionally regulates hormones in control of ovulation—like luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone, in line with March 2010 analysis within the Worldwide Journal of Endocrinology¹.

Your inside clock is synced to the rhythm of your unique time zone. So if you fly to a brand new one, that clock briefly will get thrown off, explains the Mayo Clinic. That may result in small, however measurable, adjustments to your ovulatory hormones, particularly if the journey causes your sleep to get disrupted. Getting lower than 8 hours of sleep, as an example, can lower follicle-stimulating hormone secretions by round 20 %, the Worldwide Journal of Endocrinology examine famous.

Jet lag (and the sleep disruptions that include it) additionally tends to go away you feeling groggy typically. Pair mind fog with being in a brand new place, and you’ve got a recipe for heightened ranges of stress, which may additionally throw off your interval, Dr. Chambers notes.

Contraception can think about, too. In the event you take the capsule, lacking only one dose (which may undoubtedly occur amidst journey chaos!) can shift your cycle, in line with Deliberate Parenthood. You may additionally take it at totally different occasions from what your physique’s used to, which may throw off your cycle. (Extra on this later.)

How lengthy does jet lag delay your interval?

As a result of everybody’s physique and menstrual cycle is so totally different, it is laborious to say for certain how lengthy you may count on a delay. The extra time zones you hop by means of, nevertheless, the extra intense your jet lag will probably be, per the Mayo Clinic.

As for a way precisely that’ll have an effect on your interval? “As a result of the menstrual cycle is influenced by hormonal rhythms that may be disrupted by circadian misalignment, it’s affordable to count on that menstrual irregularities might start to resolve as circadian rhythms stabilize,” Dr. Chambers says.

In different phrases, your period-regulating hormones ought to begin to modify consistent with your sleep. Relying how lengthy that takes, it might take a month or two to your cycle to completely get again to regular, Dr. Chambers provides.

Contraception timing whereas touring to totally different time zones

We talked about how adjustments to your typical contraception routine can result in adjustments together with your interval. To maintain your cycle constant and be sure you’re persevering with to reap the advantages of the capsule, “it’s vital to reduce disruptions to the dosing schedule,” Dr. Chambers says.

This is Dr. Chambers’ recommendation for taking the capsule whereas on trip. (After all, this might should be adjusted if you happen to use the patch or vaginal ring; ask your physician if you happen to’re not sure.):

• For brief journeys or journeys the place the time change is simply an hour or two: Maintain the identical schedule you utilize at house and do not modify for the brand new time. For instance, if you happen to usually take your capsule at 9 p.m. and also you’re touring someplace that is an hour behind, take it at 8 p.m. native time (which continues to be 9 p.m. house time).
• For longer journeys or journeys the place the time change is three hours or extra: Alter your dosing schedule by 1 to 2 hours per day till it aligns with the brand new time zone. In the event you usually take your capsule at 8 a.m. and also you’re touring someplace that is three hours forward, take it at 11 a.m. native time the primary day (which continues to be 8 a.m. house time), 10 a.m. native time the second day, 9 a.m. native time the third day, and eight a.m. native time the fourth day. (Have in mind, you should still expertise some breakthrough bleeding or a delay in your interval with this technique.)

A couple of different issues to remember the fact that might assist:

• Set an alarm or a reminder in your telephone to take your capsule, even if you happen to do not try this at house. It is simpler to overlook to take contraception on trip since you’re off your typical routine.
• Convey alongside an additional pack of drugs in your carry-on in case you run into any journey delays or your checked bag will get misplaced.
• In the event you miss a dose or take it late, use back-up contraception for seven days to guard your self towards unplanned being pregnant.

Suggestions for managing your interval whereas touring

Whereas it could be a bit annoying, touring together with your interval is completely doable. The truth is, there are a number of further steps you may take that will help you really feel your greatest in your journey. This consists of:

• Staying hydrated. Convey alongside your refillable water bottle and sip all through the day. Consuming sufficient H2O reduces bloating and boosts your vitality, per the Mayo Clinic.
• Reaching for healthful meals as a lot as you may. Assume complete grains, fruits, veggies, lean proteins, and wholesome fat. And we all know it is laborious whereas on trip, however lowering alcohol, caffeine, refined sugar, and fatty meals might help reduce down on PMS signs, per American School of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG).
• Not letting sleep fall by the wayside. Attempting to get again on a high quality sleep schedule can preserve fatigue and moodiness in verify, whereas serving to you deal with any travel-related stress.
• Getting some motion day-after-day. Intention for not less than half-hour day-after-day, ACOG recommends. Whereas on trip, this could seem like taking a strolling tour, exploring a brand new neighborhood on foot or on a motorcycle, or going for a swim on the seashore or pool.
• Bringing alongside a complement. Magnesium’s an important one for managing bloating, moodiness, and breast tenderness, ACOG notes. Dr. Chambers is a fan of Midol Peace Out PMS, which makes use of chasteberry extract, ginger, and valerian extract—all of that are thought to assist cut back PMS signs.

The underside line

Jet lag can do a quantity in your physique whereas touring (despite the fact that it is so price it for Euro summer time holidays!). This consists of adjustments and delays in your menstrual cycle, particularly if you’re in a distinct time zone.

Luckily, interval delays from jet lag are innocent and your physique ought to acclimate inside a pair days. Simply be sure you’re staying on a constant schedule together with your BC drugs (if you happen to do take them) or different types of BC to keep away from interval adjustments and get one of the best safety towards being pregnant. In the event you’re ever off schedule and suppose you may be pregnant, taking a house being pregnant take a look at is an efficient choice.

—reviewed by Andrea Braden, MD, OB/GYN