If you want to delay your period there are a few different options to choose from, however for most women, one of the most convenient is to take Norethisterone. Here, we look at what this medication is, how it works and whether it is safe to use.
Why Delay Your Period?
There are a few reasons why women would be interested in delaying their period. One of the most common is to fit around a special occasion, such as a wedding or a holiday. When women do not want their important event to be potentially ruined by their period, they may want to take a period delay pill that will ensure they won’t have to worry about it until the event has passed.
What Is Norethisterone?
Norethisterone is a period delay pill which is only available with a doctor’s prescription. It can be used to delay the onset of a period by up to 17 days and is taken 3 days before the period is due to start. It can be taken for up to 20 days, and once the woman stops taking it, they will get their period around 2 to 3 days later.
Norethisterone period delay pill works because it contains progesterone, a natural female hormone. When levels of this hormone are high, the lining of the womb cannot shed as it normally would, and this delays the woman’s period.
Is Norethisterone Safe To Take?
Norethisterone is safe for most women to take. However, there are some women who should not take it, especially if they have a history of blood clots, and therefore getting a doctor’s advice is essential. This medication should only be taken infrequently and women should not it is not a form of contraception.
Are There Any Alternatives To Norethisterone?
Women who are already taking the contraceptive pill can usually simply take two packets consecutively, missing out their usual 7-day break between packets to skip a period. It is possible to do this with most of the popular brands of the pill, and it works by keeping the progesterone and oestrogen levels high to prevent the lining of the womb from shedding.
Once the second packet has been finished, the level of the hormones will naturally fall and a normal period will follow. While it is safe to occasionally take two packets back to back, this should only be done infrequently, and only up to 3 packet. Some women have spotting and bloating when using this method to delay their period. Women who take a phasic combined pill will not be able to use this method to delay their period and will need to see their doctor for an alternative solution.
For women who are not already taking a contraceptive pill, the simplest and quickest solution is to see a doctor or use an online prescription service to obtain Norethisterone in order to delay a period for any reason.
