8 WAYS TO SHORTEN YOUR PERIOD

    Menstrual flow is a physiological phenomenon of female reproductive system and it plays a major role in the ovarian cycle. On an average, a woman’s period lasts for about a week, during which women go through various experiences such as discomfort, cramping, sheer annoyance, and
hormonal changes. Girls are sometimes faced with irregular periods or bleeding for elongated periods of time and they may want to shorten and lighten their periods. Though elongated bleeding is not a matter of worry, but if you want to get rid of the uncomfortable feeling, there are ways to temporarily limit or shorten the length of period without any side effects.

1. Exercise
   Regular physical exercise offers numerous health benefits. Women who are physically fit tend to experience shorter and lighter periods. Regular exercise maintains a healthy pelvis which helps in shortening the period length, decreasing menstrual cramps and treating post menstrual syndrome. Overweight women experience longer and heavier periods, because menstrual cycle length and the amount of liquid that comes out are partly determined by their weight, so the higher amount of fat in their body that can often cause more difficult and painful, longer and heavier periods. Cardio workouts such as biking and jogging also have a positive effect on the duration of your period. So Increasing the amount of exercise you do throughout the month and even during menstruation, will
help increase blood circulation in the body to help reduce menstrual cramps and shortening menstruation.

2. Birth Control Pills
   One of the most convenient ways to shorten the period is to use oral contraceptives or birth control pills. These pills are not only used to prevent pregnancy, but also to relieve painful menstrual symptoms and length of bleeding. These pills are a combination of female hormones called estrogen and progesterone. By taking these additional hormones, you can reduce your period to as less as 4 periods in a year. But there are certain side effects associated with these pills such as spotting, weight gain, nausea and vomiting.

3. Stay Hydrated
   Drinking a lot of water everyday will help shorten your period. Large amounts of water will also reduce bloating and cramps during menstruation, because loss of water in body can trigger the release of a hormone called vasopressin which is responsible for cramps during menstruation, so drink at least eight glasses of water per day, and if you exercise you should replenish fluids lost through sweating by drinking an extra glass or two of water. You should also avoid carbonated drinks and too much caffeine because they can increase cramps during menstruation.

4. Don't Eat Too Much Salt
   Bloating and water retention can occur if you eat too much salt. A diet with 2,300 milligrams/day, or one teaspoon is recommended. 

5. Orgasm
   Achieving orgasm through sexual intercourse or masturbation is an effective way in getting through your periods early. This is due to the extra contractions that the uterus experiences during orgasm, which may help to shed menstrual blood faster. An added bonus is that orgasm releases endorphins which decreases the stress and also works as a natural painkiller thereby reducing cramping.

6. Natural Herbs
   Herbs such as yarrow, ginger, maca root and raspberries can be used to shorten the duration of menstrual flow, relieve painful menstrual cramps, treat irregular periods and combat heavy menstrual bleeding

7. Reusable Menstrual Products
   Reusable menstrual products such as menstrual cups, Sea sponges and reusable cloth pads are good choices in comparison to pads and tampons to make the period lighter.

8. Foods That Are Natural Blood Thinners
  Blood thinners usually do not affect how often you get your period, but they can increase the flow of blood and slightly increase the chance of passing clots during your period.