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Norethisterone
"When you want to delay your period, the Norethisterone 5mg tablet offers a safe and reliable solution, letting you postpone menstruation for up to 17 days. You just take 1 tablet 3 times daily, and when you’ve completed the full course, your period should begin naturally within 2-3 days."
What is Norethisterone?
Norethisterone 5mg is a synthetic form of the hormone progesterone. It’s able to delay periods for up to 17 days.
How does it work?
Norethisterone works by mimicking your body's natural progesterone hormone. During a typical menstrual cycle, your progesterone levels naturally fall, which triggers your period. However, Norethisterone tablets help maintain higher levels, which prevents your womb lining from shedding. This is what enables you to temporarily delay your period.
How to use Norethisterone 5mg
- Start taking Norethisterone 3 days before your period is due.
- Take 1 tablet 3 times each day for up to 20 days. You can take them for a shorter time if you don't need the full 17-day delay.
Treatment results
When taken 3 days before you expect your next period to begin, as prescribed, Norethisterone tablets should become effective immediately. If you take 1 tablet 3 times day for the full course of 20 days, the treatment can delay your period for up to 17 days. Your period should then begin after 2-3 days after stopping treatment.
Norethisterone can’t prevent pregnancy
The Norethisterone pill only provides period delay. So when you're having sex, you'll need to use contraception to protect against pregnancy. Condoms are likely to be the most effective.
Side effects of Norethisterone
As with many medications, the Norethisterone 5mg pill may have side effects. These are uncommon and usually mild but can include:
- Feeling sick (nausea)
- Feeling bloated
- Breast tenderness
- Headaches
- Tiredness
- Reduced sex drive
Important: In rare instances, Norethisterone can make chronic conditions worse. So it’s important to fill out your online assessment honestly and provide a recent blood pressure reading. Our clinicians will review everything to make sure this treatment is safe for you.
For full information on side effects and correct use, see the patient information leaflet.
What is period delay?
As the name suggests, it’s the ability to temporarily stop having a period. Many women want to delay theirs when they travel abroad, go to a special event, or could simply do without the stress of menstruating at certain points.
To help you, we can prescribe Norethisterone period delay tablets and provide advice on how to use your combined pill to skip a period too.
It’s important to say you shouldn’t use the Norethisterone period delay pill regularly and if you’re using it to delay a period, it doesn’t work as a contraceptive.
How period delay tablets work
The active ingredient in the period delay treatment is Norethisterone, which is designed to replicate your body's natural progesterone hormone. By maintaining higher progesterone levels in your system, these pills for menstruation delay prevent the shedding of your womb lining, effectively postponing your period.
Period delay side effects
As with any medication, Norethisterone may cause some side effects when used for period delay. These include:
- Tender breasts
- Feelings of nausea
- Headaches
- Feeling bloated
- Headaches
- Tiredness
- Reduced sex drive
Some people may also experience changes in mood.
You shouldn't use this period delay pill if you've previously experienced blood clots, so it’s important to tell your doctor or clinician if you have.
How to get period delay tablets
- Choose a pack size of Norethisterone 5mg. They come in boxes of 30 or 60 tablets.
- You’ll need to provide us with some information on our consultation questionnaire, including your height, weight and blood pressure.
- We’ll decide if the medication is right for you and safe to prescribe.
