Period delay tablets

Period delay tablets like those containing norethisterone, are medications that temporarily postpone your period. They contain synthetic versions of progesterone, the hormone that triggers menstruation, so by keeping your levels high, they prevent your period.

The delay in your period caused by tablets such as Utovlan and Provera is temporary and your period will usually return within a few days of stopping the medication. Most people choose to use period delay tablets when their period is going to coincide with an occasion or event, like a holiday or a wedding.

Period delay tablets contain synthetic versions of the hormone progesterone, such as norethisterone or medroxyprogesterone acetate, to keep your progesterone levels high and prevent your period.

Progesterone prepares the womb for pregnancy by thickening its lining, ready for implantation. However, if an egg is not fertilised and pregnancy does not occur, progesterone levels drop, resulting in a period. Period delay tablets artificially maintain progesterone levels to stop the womb lining from shedding.

Period delay tablets are not contraceptive pills and should not be used to prevent pregnancy. If you’re taking the combined contraceptive pill, you may use the pill to temporarily delay your period instead, but you should read the patient information leaflet or speak to your doctor or pharmacist about how to do this.

How long do period delay tablets take to work?

Period delay tablets need to be taken at least 3 days before your period is due to start to be effective. This will ensure that your progesterone levels do not naturally fall before you start period delay tablets.

How long can you take period delay tablets for?

Period delay tablets can be taken for a maximum of 30 days at a time.

If you are prescribed period delay tablets, you’ll need to start treatment 3 days before your period is due to begin.

The usual dose is 1 tablet, 3 times a day. You should get your period within 3 days of stopping period delay tablets.

When taking period delay tablets you should:

• space the doses out evenly throughout the day
• take each tablet with a glass of water, with or without food
• continue taking the tablets until all the tablets have been taken – you should get your period within 3 days of stopping

At Asda Online Doctor, we provide 2 main types of period delay tablets containing either norethisterone or medroxyprogesterone acetate.

Although they contain different active ingredients, they work in the same way – by increasing progesterone levels to stop your period from starting. Both types of period delay tablets are prescription-only, so you will need a doctor’s approval to obtain them.

Norethisterone

Norethisterone is a generic period delay tablet that is also available under the brand name Utovlan. Both tablets contain norethisterone as their active ingredient and are licensed in the UK for period delay.

Provera

Provera contains a different type of synthetic progesterone as its active ingredient called medroxyprogesterone acetate. It works in the same way as norethisterone, but is usually given to manage heavy periods, no periods, or endometriosis.

Provera is available “off-label” for period delay in the UK, which means it’s not stated in the license that it’s used for delaying periods. However, as long as Provera is safe for you to take, a doctor can prescribe it for period delay.

Period delay tablets are available with a prescription from a doctor. You can request period delay tablets online from reputable online doctor services or it may be available on the NHS.

Can I get period delay tablets online?

Yes, you can buy period delay tablets from trusted online services like Asda Online Doctor.

To request period delay tablets from Asda Online Doctor, you will need to:

1. Complete a short online health assessment for one of our doctors to review.
2. Place your order.
3. If approved, your order will be dispatched and sent to your home address in discreet packaging or you can choose to collect it from your local Asda Pharmacy 4 hours after a doctor’s approval.
4. If your order isn’t approved, one of our doctors will contact you via your account with alternative treatment options.

Can I get period delay tablets over the counter?

No, period delay tablets are prescription-only medications, so you will need to get a doctor’s approval to obtain them.

Can I get period delay tablets on the NHS?

Yes, norethisterone tablets are available on the NHS for period delay. You will need to make an appointment with your doctor to get a prescription.

Period delay tablets can cause side effects, like all medications. It is important to familiarise yourself with the possible side effects, so you know what to look out for.

Rarely, period delay tablets can cause allergic reactions. If you experience any of the following symptoms, you should stop taking the period delay tablets and call 999:

• wheezing
• difficulty breathing
• feeling faint
• swollen face or tongue
• swollen hands or feet
• intense, itchy skin rash

Less serious, but common Provera side effects, affecting up to 1 in 10 people, include:

• depression
• difficulty sleeping
• nervousness
• dizziness
• hair loss
• acne
• nettle rash or hives
• itchy skin
• vaginal discharge
• breast pain
• breast tenderness
• fever
• tiredness
• weight increase

Uncommon Provera side effects that can affect up to 1 in 100 people include:

• facial hair growth
• milky discharge from the breast when not pregnant or breastfeeding
• fluid retention

Side effects are similar for other period delay tablets but may differ slightly in how often they occur. Always refer to your patient information leaflet for an up-to-date list of potential side effects.

Period delay tablets can increase the risk of developing blood clots, especially in people with certain risk factors, such as a history of blood clots. The signs of a blood clot can vary depending on where it occurs in the body but may include:

• sudden, severe, sharp pain in your chest with shortness of breath and coughing up blood
• pain, swelling, or tenderness in the leg, with discolouration and the skin becoming warm to the touch
• unusually severe or long headache with eyesight changes, fainting, and weakness or numbness in the body

A blood clot is a serious side effect and you must call 999 or go to A&E straight away if you have these symptoms.

Let your doctor know if you are experiencing any other side effects that are causing you concern.

Period delay tablets may not be suitable for everyone. You should not take period delay tablets if you:

• are allergic to norethisterone, medroxyprogesterone acetate, or any other ingredients listed in the pills
• are or think you might be pregnant
• have ever had any unexplained vaginal bleeding
• or any family member has ever had a blood clot
• have liver problems
• have ever had a pregnancy where you had jaundice or an itchy rash called pemphigoid gestationis
• have pruritus
• have porphyria

You should also tell your doctor before taking period delay tablets if you are taking any prescribed, over-the-counter, or herbal medications, including medications to treat:

• epilepsy
• bacterial infections
• viral infections, including HIV
• cancer
• Cushing’s syndrome
• pain and inflammation
• high blood pressure

Alternatives to period delay tablets

If period delay tablets are not suitable for you, an alternative method is the combined oral contraceptive pill. However, you need to have been taking the combined pill for at least a few weeks before using it to delay your period.

Usually, you will take 2 strips of pills back-to-back without the usual 7-day break to keep your progesterone levels high and prevent your usual breakthrough bleed. Although we often call this a period, it’s a bleed that happens due to you stopping the hormones in your pill. It’s not the same as a period and you do not need to have the break, unless your doctor has told you otherwise.

Most combined pills can be taken back-to-back so that you can delay your ‘period’ either temporarily or all of the time. Common types include:

• Microgynon
• Levest
• Yasmin
• Rigevidon
• Marvelon

Before using the combined pill to delay your period, you should speak to your doctor to discuss how to do this safely. If you’re not sure which contraceptive pill is right for you, our doctors can help.

Please note: Asda Online Doctor can only prescribe the contraceptive pill to help avoid pregnancy and not for period delay or any other reasons.