Life can be busy, and sometimes your period just isn’t welcome at the most convenient times. Whether it’s a long-awaited beach vacation, a big work presentation, or a special event, having your period can put a damper on things.

But what if you could take control? Here at Pharmacy Advance, we understand. Period delay medication can offer peace of mind and give you back the power to manage your menstrual cycle.

How Does Period Delay Medication Work

Period delay medication contains norethisterone, which works by influencing your hormone levels. During a typical menstrual cycle, a delicate balance of hormones, including oestrogen and progesterone, regulates the thickening and shedding of the uterine lining. When progesterone levels naturally drop towards the end of your cycle, it signals the body to shed the lining, resulting in your period. Norethisterone disrupts this hormonal balance. By providing an external source of progesterone, this essentially tricks your body into maintaining a thicker uterine lining, delaying the shedding that causes your period.

How Long After Starting Norethisterone Will My Period Start

Norethisterone can be a helpful tool for delaying your period. To achieve this, it’s crucial to begin taking the medication three days before your expected period. This allows norethisterone to influence your hormone levels and prevent the shedding of the uterine lining, which causes your period.

For instance, if your period typically arrives on the 15th, and you’re leaving for a trip abroad on the 1st, you wouldn’t need to start taking norethisterone two weeks in advance. You can simply begin three days prior to your expected period, which falls on the 12th.

Once you stop taking norethisterone, your period should start within 2-3 days of stopping. If it doesn’t resume after 5 days, then you need to speak to your GP immediately.

If you wish to delay your period for longer than 16 days you will need to speak to your GP

Can Norethisterone Stop My Period If Its Already Started?

Norethisterone is most effective for delaying a period, not stopping one that’s already begun. Once the shedding of the uterine lining has commenced, it cannot be reversed with medication.

Is Norethisterone a Contraceptive?

It’s important to remember that norethisterone is not a contraceptive. While it can delay your period, it does not offer protection against pregnancy. If you’re sexually active and want to avoid pregnancy, you’ll need to use a separate form of contraception, such as condoms, alongside norethisterone.

What if I’m Already Taking Contraception?

If you’re already using a combined oral contraceptive (commonly known as “the pill”), there might be an alternative way to manage your period. These pills typically combine oestrogen and progesterone. Some women can achieve period delay by skipping the usual inactive (placebo) week of pills and starting a new pack right away. However, it’s important to remember that this approach has limitations and may not be effective for everyone.

The Combined Contraceptive Pill

If you’re already taking a combined oral contraceptive pill (commonly referred to as “the pill”), you might have an alternative option for managing your period. These pills typically combine estrogen and progesterone, and some women can achieve period delay by manipulating the usual pill cycle.

Here’s a breakdown of the different pill types and methods:

Monophasic 21-day pills (e.g., Microgynon, Yasmin): For these pills, simply finish the current pack and immediately start a new pack, skipping the usual 7-day break week.

Everyday pills (e.g., Microgynon ED): Take the active pills for 21 days as usual, then discard the inactive (placebo) pills completely. Start a new pack of active pills straight away.

Phasic pills (biphasic or triphasic): Consult your doctor for specific instructions on manipulating these pills for period delay. You might need to skip certain phases or start a specific phase from the next pack.

Important Considerations:

While this method can be effective for some women, it’s not universally reliable. Speak with your doctor before using this approach to ensure it’s suitable and discuss potential side effects.

Contraceptive Effectiveness Not Affected: It’s important to emphasize that using your contraception for period delay doesn’t compromise its effectiveness in preventing pregnancy.

Consult Your Doctor: Regardless of the method you choose, seeking advice from a healthcare professional before attempting period delay is always recommended. They can guide you based on your specific pill type and medical history.

Where To Buy Period Delay Tablets

View Period Delay Treatments

Sources

• National Health Service (NHS) – Combined Pill: Combined Pill
• National Health Service (NHS) – Periods: Periods
• National Health Service (NHS) – Norethisterone on the NHS: Norethisterone on the NHS
• Mayo Clinic – Period Problems: How to Delay Your Period
• Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare (FSRH) – Period Delay: Period Delay
• Electronic Medicines Compendium (eMC) – Norethisterone: Norethisterone