Whether taking birth control pills a few days before menstruation can delay menstruation is related to the type of medication chosen; progestins are usually taken about 10-15 days before the onset of menstruation, and short-acting contraceptives are usually taken about 5-7 days prior to the onset of menstruation. Often, women who need to change their menstrual cycle due to their daily activities can take medications to intervene. This is mainly due to the fact that a woman’s hormone levels drop during the onset of menstruation and may cause delayed menstruation when ingesting medications that increase the amount of hormones in the body. Progestogens as well as short-acting birth control pills contain hormones that affect the response of the uterine lining to the hormones. Progesterone is usually taken about 10-15 days before the onset of menstruation, and short-acting contraceptives are usually taken about 5-7 days before the onset of menstruation to delay the onset of menstruation. All medications taken to delay menstruation are not 100% effective. All of the above medications should be used under a doctor’s supervision, and avoid self-medication.