What Can I do About My Period On My Wedding Day

When it comes to your wedding day, there are certain things beyond your control, like the weather and whether your littlest flower girl will want to wear her dress the morning of the wedding. However, if you’re a bride-to-be, the rain is not the only thing you’ll want to avoid, as having your period on your wedding day can be a source of stress for many women. We know because it’s something we get asked about all the time by our readers. Aside from the discomfort of any side effects, it’s far from ideal when you’re dressed head to toe in white. But thankfully, there are ways to ensure your period doesn’t cramp your style on your big day. Here are we break down what you can do about your period on your wedding day.

Choose a date outside of your cycle

This may seem like an obvious solution, but you’d be surprised how easy it is to forget about your period when deciding on a wedding date. How many of us have booked a summer holiday, only to realise that it coincides with our time of the month? Dodging your period may seem like a straightforward enough approach, but if your period is irregular, it can be harder to predict when exactly it will arrive. If you start tracking it as soon as possible, you may start to notice a pattern and information is power. Luckily there are great period tracker apps that will help you monitor and predict your cycle. Here are some of the most popular choices:

Wedding Calandar

How to safely delay your period for your wedding

If there’s no way to work around the date of your period, for instance if your dream venue is booked out on your ideal dates, there are still other options. It’s possible to delay your monthy bleed via hormonal birth control like the pill. However, this is not recommended if you’re trying to conceive. Let’s get technical for a second! Once a month, the lining of the uterus thickens in order to welcome a fertilised egg, if there’s no fetilised egg, your body rids itself of this excess tissue. Contraceptives like the pill prevent the body from ovulating and the uterus from thickening, meaning there’s nothing to expel, and no need for a period. The monthly bleed you get while on the pill, is not an actual period, but  a form of withdrawal bleeding that occurs during your seven-day break. According to doctors, it’s perfectly safe to skip this interval on a temporary basis and run multiple packs together. But do consult with your doctor before you do this.

women talking to doctor

Things to consider first

If you’re thinking about using birth control to alter your menstrual cycle, it’s important to consult your GP first. If you’re not currently on it, they’ll recommend an option that best suits you. There’s a variety of methods that allow you to skip a bleed. The easiest ones to alter include the pill, the patch, and the NuvaRing. This is certainly not a quick fix. Testing which method works best for you may take time. Your body needs to readjust, and in the early stages, you may experience breakthrough bleeding or other side effects. If you’re not keen on the thoughts of starting birth control, there is still another option. A doctor may be able to prescribe you a drug called Norethindrone which is a form of the hormone progesterone. Norethisterone keeps your progesterone levels up which stops the womb from shedding and therefore delays your period. It’s recommended that you start taking it three days before the beginning of your cycle. Your period should return within two to three days of stopping it. It’s important to note that this is not a form of contraception.

bride's being helped into her dress

If there’s no avoiding it, here’s how to ensure your period doesn’t ruin your day

Adjusting your hormone levels may not be something every woman will be comfortable with, which is understandable. If there’s no stopping Aunt Flow from coming to town on your wedding day, don’t be disheartened. There are plenty of ways to minimise the discomfort. Here are a few suggestions:

  • Try a menstrual cup otherwise known as the diva cup or moon cup. There’s nothing wrong with good old tampons and pads, however, the beauty of the cup is that you don’t have to worry about leakage, it lasts for a whopping 12 hours, so it won’t need to be monitored or changed throughout the day, which is handy if your dress is already making it difficult to even pee. The fact that it’s re-useable also means you’re doing your bit for the environment. We do recommend trialling it for a few months as it takes a few gos to master it.
  • Period Pants are yet another sustainable option. Although they may not sound particularly glamorous, they’re functional and could give an extra layer of security if your worried about leakage. They can hold up to two tampons worth of liquid.
  • Start taking herbal remedies in the months leading up to your wedding day. Some women report relief of PMS symptoms with herbs like ginkgo, ginger, chasteberry, evening primrose oil and St. John’s wort.

  • If you suffer from anxiety in lead up to your period, then be aware of your stress levels the week before the wedding. Carve out some time for relaxation and mindful activites, and delegate tasks on your to-do list.
  • Dose up on anti-inflammatories like Ibuprofen on the morning of your wedding to avoid cramping, and have a hot water bottle or heat pad for your tummy as you’re getting ready.
  • Go for a walk the morning of your wedding – gentle exercise can ease cramping.
  • Buy control underwear, just in case you suffer from abdominal bloating.
  • Don’t suffer in silence – let your maid of honour. She can keep an eye out for any signs of leakage, and keep a stash of pads and painkillers on standby.
  • This goes for concealer as well if you suffer from hormonal breakouts around the time of your period. Ask your makeup artist how best to touch up a blemish, and then have the necessary product in either your bridal handbag or in one of your bridesmaid’s.

 

Wondering how you can stay calm on your big day? Here are great tips on how you can remain cool, calm, and collected.