Period Delay

Treatments available for Delaying Periods

Period delay tablets can prevent your period from starting for up to 17 days, giving you control over your menstruation. Treatments are available from our pharmacy after a simple online consultation with our Goodcure Prescriber.

About Period Delay Treatments

What does period delay treatment do?

Period delay treatment:

  • Can delay your period for up to 17 days
  • Should be used 3 days before your period is due
  • Is taken three times daily until one to two days before you want your period
  • Is suitable for use if you are not taking the contraceptive pill

What period delay treatments are available?

Norethisterone is available as a safe, clinically-proven and convenient treatment that is taken three times daily to delay periods for up to 17 days. It gives you the control to have your period at a convenient time in your menstrual cycle. It is also available as the Pfizer branded treatment, Utovlan 5mg tablets.

Provera 10mg tablets are an alternative treatment option for women with a BMI over 30 or aged over 35 where there may be a higher risk of side effects from taking norethisterone.

One pack of Norethisterone 5mg tablets or Provera 10mg tablets (30 tablets) can delay your period for up to 7 days, whilst 2 packs (60 tablets) can be used to delay your period for up to 17 days.

During a woman’s cycle, the levels of oestrogen and progesterone vary, with progesterone levels dropping triggering menstruation. Synthetic progesterones, norethisterone & medroxyprogesterone help to keep your progesterone levels artificially high during your cycle preventing menstrual bleeding.

It is very important to know that norethisterone & medroxyprogesterone are not to be used as a method of contraception and will not prevent pregnancy. Do not take them if you are already taking the contraceptive pill (see below for more details) and they should not be taken by pregnant or breastfeeding women.

When taken according to the directions, norethisterone & medroxyprogesterone will typically delay your period. After you stop taking it, you will have your period within a couple of days. A few women may experience light bleeding or spotting whilst taking period delay treatment, but the vast majority will experience none whatsoever.

Does period delay treatment have any side effects?

It is rare for women to experience side effects from norethisterone or medroxyprogesterone at this strength, but you may experience nausea, breast tenderness, fatigue or headache. In very exceptional circumstances, it can impact upon chronic diseases or interact with certain medicines. However, our Online Pharmacy service can give you more information as required, in addition to the manufacturer’s information leaflet.

What is Norethisterone?

Norethisterone is an artificial version of the female hormone progesterone. In the 5mg strength, Norethisterone is primarily used for period delay.

How often should I take Norethisterone?

You should take Norethisterone three times each day – one 5mg tablet in the morning, at midday, and at night. Norethisterone will be most effective if taken at a similar time each day. These tablets are available in packs of 30, 60 or 90. These correspond to a period delay of 10, 20 and 30 days, respectively.

Can I delay my period with contraceptive pills?

Yes, though the routine will vary depending on your type of contraceptive pill:

  • Fixed dose combined contraceptive pills combine the same combination of oestrogen and progestogen for the duration of the cycle. These require you to have a pill-free week for a withdrawal bleed. You can delay your period by skipping this withdrawal week and immediately starting your next pack.
  • Every Day contraceptive pills contain seven hormone-free pills, which you take instead of having a pill-free week. Delaying your period requires that you take hormones each day. So, with the ED pill, you will need to skip taking these ‘dummy’ pills and immediately start your next pack.
  • Bi-phasic contraceptive pills vary their combination of oestrogen and progestogen, depending on the day of your cycle. To delay your period, you must skip your pill-free week and continue to take the type of pills just before the pill-free week, which is higher in progestogen. This will involve skipping the first section of the pack.
  • The mini pill contains progestogen only. The mini pill contains only 0.35 mg of progestogen. Delaying your period requires three 5mg doses of Norethisterone each day. So, to delay your period, you will need to take Norethisterone on top of your regular contraceptive routine.

When might I want to delay my period?

This is entirely a matter of preference – many women take Norethisterone to avoid menstruating while on holiday or at a significant event.

There are also some medical reasons why doctors may recommend Norethisterone. It can help women who suffer from heavy or painful periods, endometriosis, and severe premenstrual symptoms. Women at an advanced stage of breast cancer may also be prescribed Norethisterone.

What are some side effects of Period Delay medication?

Side effects of Norethisterone include:

  • Change in libido
  • Headaches
  • Bloating
  • Nausea
  • Breast tenderness

If you have been using Norethisterone for a long time, you may notice breakthrough bleeding. Consult your GP immediately if you notice anything unusual whilst on Norethisterone, as there may be some more severe side effects in rare cases.

Will Norethisterone prevent me from getting pregnant?

Norethisterone on its own does not prevent pregnancy. So, you should use normal contraceptive methods while delaying your period.

If you are delaying your period by modifying your contraceptive pill routine, or by combining Norethisterone with the mini pill, you will be protected from pregnancy so long as you use the contraception correctly.

What is the longest I can delay my period for?

To avoid more serious potential side effects, you should take Norethisterone for no more than two weeks if possible. If on the contraceptive pill, you should delay your period only until your next pill-free week unless your GP has advised otherwise.

Is it dangerous to delay my period?

It is usually not dangerous at all to use Norethisterone or the contraceptive pill to delay your period for a short amount of time. There is a low incidence of side effects, even for the mild complications like nausea and headaches.

For how long will Norethisterone delay my period?

Once you stop taking Norethisterone, your period will likely resume three or four days later. If you are delaying your period with the pill, your withdrawal bleed will occur as normal on the next pill-free week of your cycle.

Will my period be heavier after being delayed?

Norethisterone works by preventing the womb lining from being shed. So, it is possible that your period will be somewhat heavier than normal once it resumes. If you have only delayed your period for a short period of time, this should not be too noticeable. This is why you should not delay your period more than once during one menstrual cycle.

When might I want to delay my period?

This is entirely a matter of preference – many women take Norethisterone to avoid menstruating while on holiday or at a significant event.

There are also some medical reasons why doctors may recommend Norethisterone. It can help women who suffer from heavy or painful periods, endometriosis, and severe premenstrual symptoms. Women at an advanced stage of breast cancer may also be prescribed Norethisterone.

Is Norethisterone suitable for me?

Period delay tablets are suitable for most women who do not take oral contraceptives. Exceptions include women who:

  • Are at risk of blood clots or deep vein thrombosis
  • Have a history of unexplained vaginal bleeding
  • Are allergic to any of the ingredients
  • Are pregnant or breastfeeding
  • Have heart or liver problems
  • Suffer from skin conditions like jaundice or pemphigoid during pregnancy
  • Have porphyria (a blood condition) or pruritus (a severe itching)

Before you begin delaying your period, you should go over your current medications with your GP. This is because Norethisterone may cause complications when combined with certain other medications.

The 3-Step Process to getting your treatment

3 Simple Steps
1. Select Treatment & Complete Questionnaire
Choose your treatment and fill out a safety questionnaire.
2. Review by Clinician
Your request will be reviewed by a suitable clinician.
3. Treatment Delivered
The treatment will be delivered to you.