Students Employ Unusual Methods to Postpone Menstruation for Crucial Exams
As China’s highly competitive national college entrance examination, Gaokao, concludes, reports indicate that a significant number of female students resorted to various measures, including medication and folk remedies, to delay their menstrual cycles during the critical testing period. The examination, held from July 7th to 10th, is a pivotal event for most Chinese high school students, heavily influencing their university admissions, future careers, and social opportunities.
The Challenge of Timing
Statistics reveal that female students constitute approximately half of the secondary school student population. For a considerable portion of these students, their menstrual cycle can potentially overlap with the Gaokao examination dates. One prominent obstetrician and gynecologist influencer estimated that around 30% of female test-takers might experience menstruation during the Gaokao period.
Concerned about potential impacts on concentration and the discomfort associated with menstrual cramps, some students actively sought ways to postpone their periods. Anecdotal evidence shared on Chinese social media platforms suggests that consuming apple cider vinegar or ingesting fruits like mangoes, blueberries, and durian could help delay menstruation. One student shared her experience, stating, “I drank a glass of apple cider vinegar every day for two weeks leading up to the exam, and it actually helped delay my period. I feel my problem-solving abilities decrease during menstruation. I wanted to take the exam without any issues.”
Medication as a Preferred Solution
While folk remedies are circulating, short-term prescription medication is often considered the most effective method. Despite concerns about potential side effects, some students opted for medication due to the immense pressure to perform well on the exams. Many women have been encouraged with the assertion that “short-term birth control pills are also used for gynecological treatments and don’t cause significant health harm, so focus on your exams.”
However, not all experiences have been positive. One student who experienced severe menstrual cramps took prescription medication a month before the Gaokao but suffered from intense headaches due to hormonal changes, which reportedly worsened her exam condition. She claims her actual exam score was about 40 points lower than her average performance in mock exams.
Expert Advice on Managing Cycles
Obstetricians and gynecologists acknowledge that short-term prescription medication can be utilized to adjust menstrual cycles for significant events like exams. However, they emphasize that to minimize potential side effects, medical consultation and adjustments to the menstrual cycle should ideally begin at least two to three months in advance.
This year, approximately 12.9 million students registered for the Gaokao. While this figure is a slight decrease from last year’s 13.35 million, it represents a substantial 25% increase compared to a decade ago. The competition is fiercely intense, with rankings often decided by fractions of a point, leading to immense pressure on students.
