By taking period-delaying bills pills a few days before your expected period, you keep your progesterone levels high, mimicking a pregnancy state and delaying menstruation. (Photo: Getty Images/Thinkstock)Bengaluru-based vascular surgeon Dr Vivekanand, while explaining the many reasons that cause blood clots in the veins or thrombosis, recently recounted the case of an 18-year-old girl who died of such complications. In a podcast, he said the girl came in with severe leg pain and swelling, the result of her taking hormonal pills to delay her periods for a ceremony. This condition usually becomes life-threatening when a part of the clot can break off and travel to the lungs or brain, preventing blood flow there.Many women make similar requests for period-delaying medication to Dr Neelam Suri, senior consultant, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, Delhi. “Hormonal medicines that can delay or reschedule periods are widely available and often used before exams, weddings, travel or a big event. But while these pills may seem like a convenient option, they are not free from risk. Their unsupervised use can lead to serious complications, including blood clots in the vein or what we call deep vein thrombosis,” she says.How do period-delaying pills work?Most pills prescribed to postpone periods contain synthetic hormones, either progesterone alone or in combination with estrogen. These artificially maintain levels of progesterone in your body, which prevents the womb lining from shedding and starting your period. By taking these pills a few days before your expected period, you keep your progesterone levels high, mimicking a pregnancy state and delaying menstruation. These tablets, therefore, shift the timing of bleeding.What is the hormonal effect on blood clotting?A key side effect of hormonal pills is their influence on the blood. These can increase clotting tendency, thickening blood and coagulating it inside veins. In most healthy women, this risk remains low. But in some individuals with hidden health issues or family history, the clotting can become dangerous.If a clot blocks a deep vein, the condition is called deep vein thrombosis (DVT). If part of the clot breaks off and travels to the lungs, it can cause pulmonary embolism —a sudden blockage of blood flow in the lungs. This may result in chest pain, severe breathlessness, collapse, or in extreme cases, sudden cardiac arrest.What are hidden risk factors you must know about before taking such pills?The risk is not uniform for everyone. The vulnerable groups include those with a personal or family history of clotting disorders, obesity and sedentary lifestyle, smoking, which further damages blood vessels, uncontrolled diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, hormonal conditions like polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), liver disease, heart disease and stroke.Because these risks are not always obvious, doctors review medical history and sometimes order tests before deciding whether period-delaying pills can be safely prescribed.Story continues below this adAre they safe?If prescribed in the right way, they can be effective and safe for short-term use. But when taken without medical guidance, they can affect the body in ways that are hard to predict.What about self-medication?In India, women buy hormonal tablets directly from chemists without consultation. But unlike common over-the-counter medicines, hormonal drugs affect multiple organ systems including blood vessels, liver and the body’s hormonal balance. Doctors tailor the dosage and duration depending on an individual’s profile. What may be safe for one person could be harmful for another. That is why unmonitored self-medication increases the chances of complications.Are there warning signs of side effects?Women taking hormonal pills should be aware of danger signals like sudden swelling, pain or redness in the leg (possible clot in deep veins), sharp chest pain or difficulty breathing (possible pulmonary embolism) and severe headache, dizziness, or blurred vision (possible clot in the brain). If any of these occur, urgent medical attention is required, as delays can be life-threatening.Doctors may also suggest alternatives for those who frequently need to manage their cycle. For example, regulated contraceptive pills can provide more controlled cycle management. In addition, adopting lifestyle changes — such as a healthy diet, exercise and stress management — helps improve menstrual regularity.© The Indian Express Pvt Ltd