The most reliable and medically safe way to delay or stop a period for vacation is through hormonal birth control under the supervision of a doctor. If you are already on the combined contraceptive pill, you can simply skip the "placebo" (sugar) pills in your pack and start a new pack of active pills immediately; this prevents the drop in hormones that triggers bleeding. If you use a contraceptive patch or ring, you can likewise skip the "patch-free" or "ring-free" week. For those not on birth control, a doctor can prescribe Norethisterone (Progestogen) tablets, which are taken three times a day starting three days before your period is due and continued until you return from vacation; once you stop taking them, your period will usually start 2–3 days later. You should avoid extreme exercise or excessive dieting to stop a period, as these are unsafe and can lead to long-term health issues like bone density loss.