Does lime juice delay periods?

Teens are trying this at home

Quick summary

• A health hack has been trending on social media claiming that drinking lime juice can delay a period
• There’s no scientific evidence that lime juice can delay periods – period timing is influenced by stress, diet, exercise, and hormonal changes
• It’s not a good idea for teens to try this, so it’s best to find ways to help your teen manage their period or take them to see a doctor if their periods are stopping them from going about their everyday life

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If your teen’s been scrolling on their phone and then suddenly asking you for a bunch of limes for a new “hack” they want to try…it may be they’re looking to delay their period.

Drinking lime juice to delay a period is yet another one of those TikTok trends that make big claims with no actual medical backing and we’ve been getting a lot of questions about this in the luna app lately.

Social media’s full of DIY “period hacks,” from how to make periods end faster by drinking loads of water, to ways of dealing with period cramps.

We get why, too, more teen girls turn to Google or TikTok (31%) than to doctors (2%) for health and wellbeing help, so it makes sense that more creators are putting info out there.

And one of the buzziest claims is that lime juice can delay your period. 

The idea? That the acidity or vitamin C somehow messes with your cycle…

But here’s the truth: there’s no solid scientific evidence that lime juice can delay menstruation. 

A tiny study once suggested it might reduce bleeding intensity, but it didn’t prove any delay effect and honestly one study is not enough to go by.

Most experts agree that citrus juice, while fine in moderation, doesn’t have the hormonal power to pause a period.

Is it safe for your teen to try?

In small amounts, lime juice is harmless. 

But drinking large quantities can irritate the stomach, cause acid reflux, and even damage tooth enamel. 

If your daughter’s chugging it in hopes of skipping their period for a pool party or sleepover, it’s worth a gentle chat to debunk this.

Here are some tips on discussing social media period hacks with your teen:

• Start with curiosity, not judgement: “I saw a lime juice thing going around that if you drink it your period gets delayed – it’s wild how fast these trends spread”
• Invite them to share what they have seen: “have you come across any other period tips online lately?”
• Validate their interest in body control: “I totally get wanting to feel in control of your cycle, it’s a lot to manage especially when it’s so new”
• Offer to fact-check together: “want to look into what actually works and is safe to help you manage your worries e.g. swimming?”
• Keep it open-ended: “if you ever want to talk about your period or what’s normal, I’m here, no pressure.”

You can also point them in the direction of luna, which debunks all of these and offers practical (medically safe) tips to help them manage periods – whether for PE, swimming, school, holidays and even prom!

What can delay a period?

If your teen genuinely needs to delay their period, say, for travel, sports, or a big event, there are safe, medically-approved options:

• Hormonal birth control: some pills can be used to skip or delay periods under a doctor’s guidance
• Prescription norethisterone: a short-term hormone tablet that can delay menstruation when taken a few days before the expected start

They should always check with a doctor before trying anything new of course (and this generally would be the case because it’s only available on prescription) as it’s not suitable for everyone. 

But in general, periods are a normal part of life, and while it’s okay to want control, there are many ways to manage a period so it doesn’t ruin any plans!

Focus on facts over myths

Your teen’s body isn’t a science experiment, and they shouldn’t be treating it as such!

While it’s totally normal for them to be curious (and even a little desperate) to control their period, not every trend is worth trying. 

A splash of lime in their water? Fine. Chugging it to dodge their cycle? Not so much.

If your teen is looking for more control, comfort, or clarity around their period, you’re their best starting point, and so is their doctor. 

And if they want real, expert-vetted answers, luna’s got their back to answer the questions they might not ask you (yet).

Rated 4.8

Support your teen through it all with luna

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