Hi Ladies, I'm going to be on my period on my wedding day. Let me rephrase... I'm going to be on the worst day of my period on my wedding day. Cramps, bloating, period poops, fatigue, heavy flow, and soooo much more. It's not the bleeding that I'm worried about it's all of the side effects. I also want to note, I am not ashamed of my period and I am more than OK having sex with my FH on my period. Please don't be ashamed of your body in any way, embrace and love yourself!
I've seen a few people posting about this and I've been researching it for about 4 months now to see what options are out there. I wanted to share some of what I found with you guys, just in case there is another bride out there in this same boat.
So how do you avoid your period on your wedding day?
1. The "pill", or any hormonal birth control (BC) - If you want to alter your period this is the easiest method out there. You should start a few months out and tell your doctor. If your period is due on the period week, your doctor will most likely tell you to skip the placebo pills (if you're on the pill specifically) and move right into the next pack. This is OK every once in awhile. The downside is that you will be adjusting your hormones with chemicals and it takes at least a month to adjust and the pill can cause weigh gain, nausea, bloating, acne, etc.
If you're on the depo shot, talk to your doctor about when to start so that you won't have your period on your wedding day. Also so this with an IUD, the hormones release differently for these types of BC options, and it's best to communicate with your doctor about it.
If you do not want to take BC (which I don't), there are still options. REJOICE!
To speed up your period
1. SEX - If you're already having premarital relations, just have it once (or more 
) a day for a few days before your period. This should speed it up and make it come and go faster. The orgasms and the semen work together to stimulate contractions in the uterus which increase shedding on the lining. It will only induce a period that is already on its way and will only induce it a few days early.
2. Natural herbs and food - I've heard ginger, parsley, turmeric, and vitamin C all help to stimulate hormones so that it will induce your period early. This will only have it start a few days early, not a week.
3. Reduced Exercise - Exercise can reduce estrogen levels which can cause irregular periods or delayed periods. If you exercise, try taking a break and see if that induces your period.
Delaying your period
1. Exercise - Similar to #3 above, increased exercise (cardio mostly) can decrease estrogen, delaying your period. I would say this would need to be a month long commitment in order to make a difference in your period.
2. Weight Loss - The more weight you lose and the faster you lose it, will effect your period. This is because weight loss triggers a stress response in the body and decreases the production of estrogen. This is not the safest way to delay your period and can be harmful to bone health if your period continues to be irregular. (I started a new diet and exercise routine in May and my period was actually early by 1 week, which is what caused it to fall on my wedding). Weight loss will effect everyone differently, but it usually delays your period.
3. Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) - Take 3 tsp a day 3 times a day for 7 days before your period. This is supposed to delay your period. It's an old wives tail but some people have reported it working. (I tried this last month and it did not work, I may have needed more ACV or may have needed to start sooner, either way it was disgusting and it was a wasted week).
4. Stress - I'm sure most of us have experienced stress around something in our lives. With enough stress your body can delay your period. I am not saying to intentionally stress yourself out... in fact DO NOT intentionally stress yourself out! The reason I added this one, is because leading up to the wedding you may be so stressed and you may delay your period naturally.
I know this was a long read, but if you're experiencing some stress and anxiety around having your period on or near your wedding day, I hope this helped at least put you at ease a little more.
So what will I be doing for my wedding?
I will be taking a shot of ginger every morning about 5 days before my period is due to start and I will be having sex with my FH every day at least a few days before my period is due to start and probably a for the first day of my period to help speed it up. I'm really hoping this works. If it doesn't I'll be using my menstrual cup with possibly a back up of period panties for any overflow, and lots and lots of MIDOL extra strength, and I'll use ground flax seeds in smoothies to help make my bowel movements more regular.
