Period delay

Period delay tablets are a treatment you can use to delay your period if you want to make sure you don’t have it at a certain time. This can be because of an event, travel or any other reason. Period delay tablets are not intended for long term use.

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Important: If your preferred treatment is not right for you, your doctor may suggest an alternative or give you further advice about your options.

Period delay treatments available

Utovlan
Norethisterone
Provera

Period delay

: If you are taking the combined pill, you can also use it to delay your period by skipping your 7 day ‘pill free’ break. This will mean after you finish your pack of 21 pills, you start the new pack the next day without taking a break.
If you are not using a combined contraceptive, you can take period delay tablets to delay your period instead.
: Utovlan
Utovlan is the branded version of the medicine called norethisterone. It is a man made form of the female hormone, progesterone.
Norethisterone
The generic, unbranded norethisterone contains the same active ingredient and works in the same way as Utovlan, but the tablets generally cost less.
Provera
This is an ‘off label’ period delay treatment. This means it is approved for use in the UK for treating other conditions, but not licensed as a period delay treatment. Your doctor may prescribe Provera for you when norethisterone is not suitable. Norethisterone may not be suitable if you are over 35 and smoke, or are overweight, as it may increase your risk of getting a blood clot.
If you are taking period delay tablets you should also use other methods of contraception, like condoms, to prevent pregnancy.
: Norethisterone is a man made form of the natural female hormone, progesterone.
Normally, after you release an egg (ovulation) your natural progesterone levels increase, which causes the lining of your womb to become thicker. This prepares the womb for a possible pregnancy. If you do not become pregnant, the progesterone levels drop again and you have a period bleed (menstruation).
Norethisterone works by keeping the levels of progesterone in your body high, which maintains the lining of your womb, so it does not shed as a period bleed. The usual dosage you will be prescribed is 1 tablet (5mg) to be taken 3 times a day.
: You should swallow norethisterone tablets whole with water. To delay your period, you will usually be prescribed 1 tablet (5mg) to be taken 3 times a day.
You should take norethisterone tablets about 3 days before your period is due for it to work effectively. Your period should start 3 days after you stop taking norethisterone tablets.
: You may get some side effects when using period delay treatments like norethisterone tablets.
Some side effects of taking norethisterone may include:
mood changes
anxiety
nausea (feeling sick)
irregular monthly periods
changes in appetite
tiredness
rash
high blood pressure
breast tenderness
headaches
fluid retention
acne
reduced sex drive
yellowing of your skin or the white part of your eyes
blood clots
You should speak to your doctor if you get any of these side effects.
: Norethisterone tablets may not be the right period delay treatment for you if you have certain medical conditions.
You should tell your doctor first before taking norethisterone if you:
are pregnant or may be pregnant
have ever had a blood clot
have heart or liver disease
have ever had migraines or seizures
are asthmatic
have a rare condition called porphyria
have vaginal bleeding between periods
Norethisterone may increase your risk of getting a blood clot if you already have certain risk factors. These include being over 35 years and smoking, being overweight, or having high blood pressure.
You should stop taking norethisterone right away if you have symptoms of a blood clot, and seek urgent medical help.
Symptoms of a blood clot in your lungs include:
chest pain
fast heartbeat (palpitations)
difficulty breathing
Symptoms of a blood clot in your leg include:
pain, tenderness or swelling in your legs
redness and warm feeling on your legs
If you are taking any medications, including over the counter or herbal medicines, tell your doctor before getting a prescription for norethisterone tablets. They will check if it is safe for you to take alongside what you are already taking.
Some medicines which may affect how norethisterone works include:
antibiotics like rifampicin and tetracycline
medicines used to treat HIV
epilepsy medicines like phenytoin and carbamazepine
anticancer medicines
herbal medicines like St John's wort
high blood pressure medicines