A course of norethisterone to delay your period does not act as a contraceptive.
Why delay a period?
Periods can be uncomfortable, inconvenient or really painful. Most women have regular periods, so are used to being prepared for when they happen and to making adjustments to their lives as needed. But if you’re going on holiday or have exams coming up, you may want to delay your period. Hormone treatment can allow you to do this.
What am I booking?
This service is a private (paid-for) consultation with a Pharmacist who will give you advice and, if you are eligible, the medication you will need for delaying your period for up to 14 days.
Is this service suitable for me?
This service is available for women who are 18-50 years old.
This service is not suitable for you if you:
– Are taking the contraceptive pill.
– Are pregnant or breastfeeding.
– Have asthma, diabetes or high blood pressure.
– Have depression or severe mental health problems.
– Have migraines.
– Have lupus.
– Are obese (with a body mass index – BMI – over 30).
– Are taking certain medicines (including epilepsy or anticoagulant medicine).
– Have irregular vaginal bleeding for which the cause is not clear.
– Have had a recent heart attack/stroke or angina.
– Have had a DVT or PE (blood clot on the leg or the lung).
– Have kidney or liver problems (including having had jaundice in pregnancy).
– Have had a bad reaction to norethisterone tablets in the past.
If you are not suitable for the service but book it anyway, your Pharmacist may not be able to provide the service to you during your appointment.
About norethisterone for period delay
If you’re taking ‘the pill’ (the combined oral contraceptive pill) you probably have a regular bleed every month. This isn’t a true period – it’s a ‘withdrawal bleed’ caused by not taking the oestrogen-containing pill.
Most women using this method of contraception take a ‘monophasic’ pill, with the same dose of oestrogen and progestogen every day. You can avoid a period by taking two packs of pills back to back, without a week off.
If you are not taking the pill or other hormonal contraception, you may be able to delay your period by taking tablets of a progesterone hormone called norethisterone. You start the tablets (one 5 mg tablet three times a day) three days before your period is due and continue taking it usually for up to a couple of weeks, stopping when you don’t mind having a period. Your period will then normally begin two to three days later.
How much will it cost?
The price you’ll be quoted is the starting price for your consultation and for a course of 30 tablets (taken for 10 days) or 42 tablets (for 14 days). These need to be started 3 days before your period is due to start. Please note that the cost of treatment may vary, dependent on how many tablets you and your Pharmacist decide you need. If you wish to get more details about the price you can contact the pharmacy directly on the number shown.
Is this service available on the NHS?
You may be able to get these tablets on the NHS from your GP.
