If you want to delay your period for a holiday, exams, or a special event, we can provide tablets to help postpone it. Periods occur monthly when progesterone levels naturally drop, causing the womb lining to shed. By taking a tablet containing a synthetic form of progesterone, these levels are maintained, preventing menstruation from occurring.
- It’s important to note that norethisterone doesn’t work as contraception and there are situations when this medication might not be suitable for you.
- If you have irregular periods
- Recent heart attack
- Angina
- History of blood clots
- Pregnancy
- Liver problems
How long do period delay tablets work for?
The medication to delay your period needs to be taken 3 days before your period is due. This is to make sure your levels of progesterone do not fall, giving you the best chance of delaying your period.
How long can you take period delay tablets for?
We can provide up to 17 days’ worth of period delay tablets at a time. If you need to delay your period for a longer duration, we recommend consulting your doctor about using a combined contraceptive pill as an alternative.
How do I take the tablets?
Period delay tablets are usually taken 3 times a day.
Start taking the tablets 3 days before your period is due to start
Once you stop taking the tablets your period usually starts again within 3 days.
Side effects of medication?
Breast tenderness
Changes to your menstrual cycle
Feeling sick
Headache
Changes to mood and sex drive
Breakthrough bleeding