1. Period delay tablets (e.g., norethisterone)
2. Hormonal contraception (e.g., the pill)

Period delay tablets, like norethisterone, can stop your period for up to 30 days. This can be convenient for events like holidays or any other time you want to postpone your period.

Several types of hormonal contraception can also stop your period, though some are more likely to achieve this than others. These are typically not for short-term use:

• The combined contraceptive pill: Can stop periods over a longer period, but you may experience light bleeding (spotting) unless you take a 7-day break each month.
• The mini pill: Can stop periods long-term, but there may still be occasional spotting.
• The hormonal coil: Can stop periods, but it may take a few months.
• The contraceptive injection: About half of users stop having periods while using this method.
• The contraceptive implant: Around one-third of users stop having periods, but this typically occurs after one year.

Please note: If a generic product is prescribed, we may source it from different manufacturers to maintain service quality.

If you'd like to get period delay tablets through your GP, you can book a regular appointment. Your GP will discuss your options and prescribe the most suitable treatment for you. You can then take the prescription to a pharmacy to get it filled.

As for the cost, norethisterone for period delay is not a "blacklisted medication," so your GP may provide an NHS prescription. If they do, you'll only need to pay the standard NHS prescription charge. However, not all GPs may prescribe it on the NHS, in which case you’ll receive a private prescription and will need to pay the full price for the tablets.

Norethisterone is a synthetic version of the hormone progesterone, which plays several roles in your body, including regulating your menstrual cycle. It is found in various medications, including:

• Combined pills: Brevinor, Loestrin, Norimin, Norinyl-1, Synphase
• The mini pill: Noriday
• Period delay pills: Utovlan

Norethisterone works to delay your period by preventing the drop in progesterone that usually triggers your next period. It can also reduce the chances of pregnancy by making it more difficult for an egg to be fertilized.

However, if you’re using norethisterone to delay your period, it’s important to remember that it is not a reliable form of contraception. You should use additional contraception if you want to avoid pregnancy.

How does norethisterone work to delay my period?

Norethisterone is an artificial (man made) version of the female hormone progesterone. During your menstrual cycle, your levels of progesterone fall which causes your womb lining to shed and your period to come. Taking norethisterone means your levels of progesterone do not change and you do not get your period. This is called delaying your period.

As norethisterone balances the progesterone in your system, it is also used to treat painful, heavy or irregular periods, endometriosis and breast cancer. We only sell norethisterone for period delay.

How long does norethisterone take to work?

How well norethisterone works varies between women. You need to take it 3 days before your period is due to be sure your levels of progesterone do not fall and to have the best chance of it working to delay your period.

How long can you take norethisterone to delay your period?

We prescribe up to 30 days of norethisterone. It needs to be taken 3 times a day. If you need to delay your period for longer than a month, we would suggest asking your doctor about using a combined contraceptive pill instead. This only needs to be taken once a day. The pill may be a better solution if you want to delay your period for longer than a couple of weeks, if you want contraception, or if you want to delay your period more regularly. We recommend discussing the options with your doctor.

Does norethisterone reset your cycle?

Your period will come 2 to 4 days after you stop taking norethisterone. Some women report that their cycle changes after taking norethisterone but this usually settles down. Talk to your doctor if you are concerned about changes to your cycle.

Can you get pregnant while taking norethisterone?

Yes. This is because norethisterone does not stop an egg from being fertilised (when sperm reaches the egg) in the way that the contraceptive pill does. If you do not want to get pregnant, you must use contraception while taking norethisterone.

Norethisterone is a tablet that you swallow.

Always follow the instructions on your prescription for how and when to take your norethisterone tablets.

When norethisterone is used to delay your period, you usually take a tablet 3 times per day.

• Start taking the tablets 3 days before your period is due to start
• Once you stop taking the tablets your period usually starts again within 3 days.

Can I start taking norethisterone to delay my period on the first day of my period?

No, you need to start taking norethisterone 3 days before your period is due if it is going to work and delay your period.

What should I do if my period does not come back?

If your period does not come back within the 3 days, talk to your doctor in case you are pregnant. Remember that norethisterone does not stop you from getting pregnant, so if you want to delay your period and also have contraception, you should ask your doctor about a suitable contraceptive pill.

What should I do if I take more tablets than I should?

Contact your doctor straight away if you have taken more tablets than you should.

What should I do if I forget to take my norethisterone tablet?

If you forget to take a dose of norethisterone, take the tablet as soon as you remember and then continue to take your other tablets at the normal time. However, do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.

A prescription is required to take norethisterone because certain health conditions may make it unsafe for you. You should not take norethisterone if you:

• Are allergic to norethisterone or any other ingredients in the tablets
• Are pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• Have unexplained vaginal bleeding
• Have a history of blood clots (or have a family history of blood clots)
• Have or have had a heart attack or angina
• Have liver problems
• Have experienced jaundice or an itchy rash known as pemphigoid gestationis during pregnancy
• Have had severe generalized itching (pruritus)
• Have a condition called porphyria

You should inform your doctor if you have:

• Epilepsy
• Migraine
• Asthma
• Heart problems
• Kidney problems

Some medications, including herbal supplements, may interact with norethisterone and reduce its effectiveness. Be sure to tell your doctor if you are taking any other medications, especially for conditions like:

• Infections
• HIV
• Cancer
• Epilepsy
• Pain medications such as NSAIDs

Can you take norethisterone while pregnant?
No, you should not take norethisterone if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.

Can you take norethisterone while breastfeeding?
Consult your doctor about alternative options for delaying your period or feeding your baby if you decide to take norethisterone.

Can you drink alcohol while taking norethisterone?
You can drink alcohol while taking norethisterone, but excessive drinking may lead to vomiting within 2 hours of taking the tablet, preventing absorption. Alcohol may also make it harder to remember to take norethisterone as prescribed.

Can you take paracetamol with norethisterone?
Yes, you can take painkillers like paracetamol or ibuprofen while taking norethisterone.

Can you take antibiotics with norethisterone?
If you're prescribed antibiotics, inform your doctor as some antibiotics may interact with norethisterone.

You can buy norethisterone online if you want to use it to delay your period. You need a prescription to do so and should always buy from a registered and reputable online doctor, like Superdrug Online Doctor.

If you are using a website to buy medication, the Government’s online checker can reassure you that the site you are using is operating legally and safely.

You can buy norethisterone from Superdrug Online Doctor using the following simple steps:

1. Fill in the brief medical questionnaire on our site.
2. Our doctors will then review your answers and make sure it is safe to prescribe you norethisterone.
3. You then decide how you would like to receive your medication, either as a discreet package through the post or you can ‘Click and Collect’ it from your local Superdrug pharmacy.
4. At any point, you can message our doctors for advice through your Patient Account.

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• Pfizer Limited (2018). Utovlan® 5 mg tablets. [online] Available at: https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.1717.pdf [accessed 2nd August 2019].

• Pfizer Limited (2016). Provera® 2.5mg, 5mg, and 10mg tablets. [online] Available at: https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.3547.pdf [accessed 2nd August 2019].

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• How to delay period: Norethisterone Patient Info [accessed 12th July].

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• How can I delay my period NHS 2019 [accessed 12th July].