Life is unpredictable. A sudden storm could greet your fresh silk press, and a global pandemic could impede on some major life plans. This is a true sentiment across all accounts, especially when it comes to our menstrual cycle. It always seems like our periods pick the most untimely days to arrive, putting a damper on travel plans and special occasions. It’s not exactly ideal to deal with cramps, bloating and a heavy flow while you’re vacationing in the tropics or celebrating your anniversary with your boo.

But while we’d all love to know how to end a period in two days, it’s not always that simple. Still, there are some traditions passed down from generation to generation that could come in handy if you feel your period knocking on the door at an inconvenient time.

How to End Your Period in 2 Days

Everyone’s cycle varies, but on average, it can last anywhere from four to seven days and occur every 21 to 35 days. If you’re irregular, however, it can be difficult to plan around your period, especially if you have no idea when it’ll come. While ending your period within such a short window isn’t guaranteed, there are some natural ways to lessen the flow, or at the very least, help it end faster.

Birth Control

While your period will change relative to whichever kind of birth control you’re on, certain hormonal contraceptives can lighten or even stop your periods entirely. There are also extended-cycle birth control options where you take active pills continuously without taking days off. This can also be used to skip your period during a specific window or for a specific event.

Ibuprofen

Anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen stop the production of pro-inflammatory substances called prostaglandins, which in turn impact the length and severity of your period. But while high-dose ibuprofen can slow down your bleeding and make your flow lighter, it’s imperative to never exceed the maximum recommended doses, unless prescribed by a physician. 

Orgasms

It may not have been the remedy you expected, but it certainly is the most exciting. Having an orgasm can get your period over with quicker, and even alleviate uncomfortable cramps. The contractions involved in an orgasm can speed up the rate at which your body expels the uterine lining.

Herbal Remedies

Herbal remedies have been use medicinally since the beginning of time. Ginger, amongst many benefits, is known to which help alleviate heavy bleeding, whether you drink it in a tea or eat it raw. Similarly, myrtle fruit syrup can reduce heavy menstruation and dong quai is often used in traditional Chinese medicine to induce menstruation.

Lime

While some say that a shot of lemon juice can be effective in delaying or shortening your period, more often than not, lime juice does a better job at sealing the deal. Taking a shot of freshly squeezed lime juice before your expected cycle can delay its arrival. Similarly, if you do this after your cycle has already begun, it may shorten or halt your period completely.

Vitamin C

If you want to get your period quickly so that it’s already over by the time you need it gone, Vitamin C could be your best bet. It’s known to interact with estrogen and progesterone and help initiate the breakdown of your uterine lining. Citrus fruits, berries, broccoli, brussels sprouts, kiwi, tomatoes and peppers are all great natural sources of Vitamin C.