Period Delay Tablets

What are period delay pills?

Women often use pills to delay their period as a convenient means of postponing the onset of menstruation when the timing of the period will interfere with important planned activities. For instance, going on a vacation to a beach resort, or participating in a competitive athletic event might be reasons for delaying your period several days, and allowing it to resume several days later when the event has passed.

How do the tablets work?

Three days before you expect your period to begin, you should start taking Norethisterone tablets. Continue taking the tablets while you need to delay your period. Three days after you stop taking the pills, your period should start up as normal.

How many tablets do I have to take every day?

Norethisterone tablets must be taken one at a time, three times each day, starting three days before you expect your period to begin normally. Ideally, the tablets should be taken at the same time each day, to regulate the body somewhat and facilitate their delaying function. The best way to do this would be one pill in the morning, one in the afternoon, and one in the evening.

Is it safe to buy period delay pills online?

It is safe to buy pills to delay your period online, but only if you use a registered and regulated pharmacy. Dr Felix is a registered online pharmacy that is fully regulated in the UK. When you complete your consultation, it is reviewed by one of our doctors to ensure you are a suitable candidate for the medication. If your consultation is approved, your medication is sent in discreet packaging via Royal Mail to ensure your order is delivered safely.

Can you use Norethisterone to stop your period for a holiday?

Period delay medication can be used to prevent your period during your holiday. Norethisterone can be used to delay menstruation for up to 17 days, which is generally long enough to delay your period for a holiday. It should be taken three days before your period is due, for a maximum of 20 days. When you stop taking the medication, your period should return in around three days.

Can you buy period delay tablets over the counter?

You cannot buy medication to delay your period over the counter. Norethisterone is not available without a prescription. A prescription can be obtained following a consultation with your GP or by using our online doctor service.

Can Norethisterone stop your period once it has started?

Once you have started your period, Utovlan and Norethisterone cannot be used to stop your period. You must begin taking the Norethisterone 3 days before your period is due for it to be effective.

Can I use the tablets to manage my heavy periods?

No. These tablets are intended only to delay your period temporarily, and cannot be used as a regular management tool for heavy periods. Most general practitioners will not prescribe the tablets for reasons other than temporary delay.

Will Norethisterone prevent me from becoming pregnant?

No. You would have to adopt some method of birth control to avoid becoming pregnant, either some contraceptive pill or by using a diaphragm. Alternatively, you can ask your partner to use a condom.

What if my period does not return after three days?

Your period should return like normal in all cases, three days after you have taken your last tablet. If it does not, and you have had sex during the time you were using the pills, you may have become pregnant. Check with your physician.

Which women should not take Norethisterone?

Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should not take Norethisterone. If you are allergic to the drug or any similar hormone, it cannot be used. Also, women who have suffered from unexplained vaginal bleeding, women who have had blood clots in the past, women who have had liver or heart problems, women who have had the blood disease porphyria, women who have had the severe itching irritation called pruritis, and women who have been jaundiced during past pregnancies.

Are there side effects from Norethisterone?

Norethisterone can cause minor side effects when used to delay your period. The side effects of period delay tablets can include:

•    Bloating

•    Stomach problems

•    Changes in libido

Side effects of Norethisterone are unusual when the tablets are used for a brief time. Prolonged usage increases the chances of a reaction to the drug.

What tablets are used to delay your periods?

The most common prescription drug used to accomplish a delay of your period is called Norethisterone, which is a generic version of the drug Utovlan, a branded medicine manufactured by the Pfizer. Some women cannot safely use Norethisterone, so it is only available on a prescription basis after a doctor has determined that it will not represent a hazard to your health. Some of the most common questions asked by women who are considering the use of pills to delay their period are shown below, along with the appropriate answers to those questions.

What is Norethisterone?

Norethisterone is a synthetic version of a sex hormone which is produced by the body and is one variety in the group of hormones known as progestogens.

What is Utovlan?

Utovlan is a prescription medication with contains Norethisterone. Utovlan is prescribed to delay menstruation, to help with heavy bleeding during your period, or for premenstrual tension.

Alternatives Ways To Delay Your Period

The primary alternative to period delay treatment is to take two combined contraceptive pill back-to-back, missing out the typical seven-day break.

With monophasic 21 day pills, such as Cilest or Microgynon, you can delay your period by starting a new packet immediately after you finish the previous pack. Skipping the seven-day break can cause a delay in menstruation. However, it is not always effective.

Those using Microgynon ED, Lorynon ED or other every day (ED) pills will be required to take a pill every day. The first 21 pills are active, while the remaining 7 are dummy pills. To delay your period with a daily contraceptive pill, skip the seven days of dummy pills and begin the new packet of active pills.

Women taking a progestogen-only contraceptive pill cannot use either of these approaches to delay their menstruation and will require the use of Norethisterone to delay their period.

The combination of hormones in each contraceptive pill is different, so always consult your doctor before attempting to delay your period through your regular oral contraception. There is generally an increased risk of side effects when using two packets back to back, so it is not typically recommended.