Bloody Hell! Can Tea Delay Your Period?

August 5, 2022

The menstrual cycle can be a tricky thing to keep track off – just when you think that you have a handle on it, it throws you a curveball! Now, if you are dealing with a late period, you are probably trying to figure out what the reason is.

One of the things that you may be considering is can tea delay your period. After all, tea has numerous other effects on your body. It is only logical to see if it can impact your menstrual cycle as well. So, if you want the full story, though, here is what you need to know: 

Can Tea Have an Impact on Your Period?

If you have been trying to find a conclusive answer to this question, you may have been looking for a while. This is because there hasn’t been too much research done on this matter. Furthermore, it is important to remember that each person is different, making it difficult to pinpoint a cause.

So, can tea delay your period?

Well, there is some evidence to suggest that it can. Now, the researchers didn’t look at tea consumption, but rather caffeine consumption. Nevertheless, teas – especially black and green teas – can contain a significant amount of caffeine.

It was discovered that women who consumed numerous caffeinated beverages on a regular basis were more likely to suffer from menstrual issues. In particular, they would experience irregular and infrequent periods. These could potentially manifest as a delayed period.

Young Lady Suffering From Stomach Ache

Reducing Your Caffeine Intake

If you believe that your caffeine intake is responsible for a delayed period, then you may want to begin cutting back. You should be careful when doing this, though, as it is possible to go into caffeine withdrawal.

To avoid any side effects, slowly cut down on how much tea you drink in a day. You can also alternate your daily drinks with decaf tea to make it easier to wean yourself off. Remember, it isn't enough just to lower your tea consumption. You also have to cut down on other caffeinated foods, beverages, and products.

If you have been consuming large quantities of tea or caffeine over a long period of time, this may not be an instant solution. However, with time, your lowered caffeine consumption may promote a more regular menstrual cycle. 

What Can Delay Your Period?

When most people experience a delay in the onset of their period, they automatically assume that pregnancy is the main cause. While it is certainly possible that you could be pregnant, it is important to remember that numerous factors can have an impact on your menstrual cycle.

So, if tea or caffeine isn't too blame, you may also want to consider the following factors:

  • Extreme bouts of exercise
  • Experiencing a period of high stress
  • Using birth control pills
  • Losing out on sleep
  • Being underweight
  • Being overweight
  • Certain medications

If your period arrives a few days or so later than usual, then this is nothing to be concerned about. However, if it is much later or if you have skipped a period altogether, it is a good idea to speak to your doctor. There may be an issue at play here.

Woman Curled Up On Couch

Why Should You Not Drink Tea During Menstruation?

Apart from delaying your periods, you may have heard some people say that you should avoid tea while you are menstruating. So, is there any truth to these claims?

Well, yes, to a certain degree.

Once again, it isn't tea that is to blame specifically, but rather the caffeine in the tea. See, caffeine can cause increased breast tenderness making you feel uncomfortable. This component can also block a certain neurotransmitter in the brain.

In doing so, you may experience a greater sense of anxiety and depression. It is also possible that the caffeine may exacerbate PMS symptoms as well. If you feel like your tea consumption is affecting your menstrual cycle in a negative way, you may want to think about cutting back for a bit. 

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Is Tea Good for Periods?

Of course, as you are aware, tea has plenty of benefits. This means that it can also have a positive impact on your menstrual cycle. If you suffer from period cramps, then you should consider drinking green tea during this time.

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Research has shown that it can help to ease cramps. Oolong tea is also effective to a certain degree. To ensure that you avoid any issues associated with tea, though, you may want to temporarily switch to the decaf versions.

So, this concludes our look into whether or not tea can delay your period. As you can see, it can do this. Thus, cutting back for a while may help your menstrual cycle to readjust.

If you enjoyed this article, make sure to check out our Pinterest page. We have tons of other content on the links between tea and health.

About the Author
Dr. Dheena Sadik
Dr. Dheena Sadik is a consultant Nutritionist and Dietician. She has over a decade of experience in the health and fitness industry.
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