The well-deserved summer vacation is approaching! As we frantically prepare for it, our gaze is fixed on the calendar and for a split second we judge that it is precisely then that our period is due. Is there a way to avoid the tedious commitments associated with this period and at what cost in terms of our health? Attempts to control the monthly cycle have been made for a long time. This problem has concerned women of every era, and this is evident in the numerous methods and practices that have been tried over time. Some of the practices have remained to this day such as taking large amounts of vitamin C, vitamin K, and many others for which there is absolutely no scientific evidence of a positive effect when used for such a purpose. The menstrual cycle is a hormone-dependent process in which a mature egg is released from the ovaries every month through fine hormonal regulation. Simultaneously, the uterine lining grows and prepares for implantation and development of a fertilized egg. All this happens under the influence of the two female hormones released by the ovaries – estrogen and progesterone. Estrogen is released in the first two weeks of a 28-day cycle, and progesterone in the second half of the cycle. If fertilization of the egg suitable for fertilization does not occur, the level of progesterone drops, after which the functional layer of the endometrium separates and flows through the vagina in the form of the so-called. menstrual bleeding. There are two ways to delay menstruation and they depend on whether the woman uses oral contraceptives or not. In the first option, 21 pills are taken – one every day and then there is a break of 7 days – a period in which menstruation occurs and lasts – after which a new pack is started. If we decide that we want to postpone our monthly cycle, we start the second pack directly and take the contraceptives for another 14 days. In cases where we do not use birth control pills, a short postponement of menstruation can be achieved with the help of medications containing progesterone. Taking this medicine should start 5 days before the expected date of menstruation. The maximum period for delaying the monthly cycle is 14 days. After stopping progesterone tablets, menstrual bleeding is expected to start within a few days. NEWS_MORE_BOX Next period is expected in 28 days. The use of this method to delay the monthly cycle should not be used more than 2 times a year and between the two delays there should be at least two normal periods. The danger of taking progesterone preparations and increasing the levels of this hormone in the body can lead to severe disruption of the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis, which is responsible for the proper functioning of the reproductive system. Because these medications do not prevent pregnancy, many women resort to their simultaneous use with oral contraceptives. This is strictly contraindicated.as it leads to an even more pronounced increase in progesterone levels. A possible complication after using progesterone tablets is blocking of ovarian function. Hormonal preparations are used with great care, because with inappropriate use, they could have a negative effect on our health. Therefore, consultation with a gynecologist is mandatory before taking measures to delay menstruation.