Norethisterone

Norethisterone is a prescription medication designed to delay your period, very useful especially for occasions where delayed menstruation is preferred. The treatment is the synthetic version of the naturally made progesterone hormone prolonging your period and is available in a low dosage of 5mg.

The recommended amount of time is up to two weeks and the period delay tablets should be used three days prior to your period. If you wish to start your period before the treatment course has finished, you can do so by simply stopping and your normal cycle should continue after three days.

Norethisterone is a synthetic progesterone hormone that manipulates your body into prolonging your period. The progesterone hormone in the body helps to maintain the uterus lining, this hormone decreases just before a period begins which causes the shedding of the lining and for menstrual bleeding to occur. Norethisterone keeps the progesterone levels high so that this process does not occur for a certain amount of time.

When you stop using the tablets, the progesterone levels drop again causing the lining to break down resulting in a withdrawal bleed otherwise referred to as your period. Taking Norethisterone 5mg tablets, can help in delaying your period for up to a month, although it is advised not to do so for more than two weeks without informing your doctor.

Delaying your period with contraceptives

Although not always advised, it is possible to prevent or delay your period using standard combined contraceptive pills. To do so, it is advised to skip the one week pill break and carry on using your next blister pack as soon as the previous one finishes. This method will ensure your period is delayed till the end of the next pack, although some spotting may still occur as it is not always a full proof method.

The most common benefit of Norethisterone period delay tablets is to delay your period, it can also be used to treat various menstrual cycle-related problems, such as:

• Heavy bleeding during periods
• Painful periods
• Pre-menstrual symptoms
• Preventing abnormal or heavy uterine bleeding not related to a period
• Endometriosis

To delay your period, ideally you should start taking Norethisterone 5mg three days before your period is due. Using the tablets is simple:

• One tablet can be taken with or without food three times a day
• Normally one should be taken in the morning, one at lunch then one in the evening
• You can stop your course at any point if you want your period to start
• Your period will then typically start within 3-4 days of stopping Norethisterone

What dosages are available for Norethisterone?

Norethisterone is only available in the form of 5mg tablets that are taken orally. This is the recommended dosage for Norethisterone that has been clinically proven in the UK to be the maximum effectiveness whilst posing the least risk of side effects.

The side effects of Norethisterone 5mg tablets are rare as the dosage is fairly low, and the way you take the tablets is stable and for a short amount of time. A small percentage of women may experience side effects, but these tend to be light, manageable and temporary. Side effects that may be experienced include:

• Stomach aches,
• Skin itching or rashes
• Changes in sex drive
• Breast pain or tenderness
• Nausea
• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Fluid retention

Other more extreme or severe side effects include facial swelling and wheezing (due to an allergic reaction), migraines, high blood pressure, an inherited metabolic disorder (porphyria), thrombosis or jaundice and liver problems. If any of these do occur or you experience any other health complications, please ensure you speak to your doctor as soon as possible and stop taking Norethisterone period delay tablets immediately.

Norethisterone period delay tablets are generally suitable for women over the age of 18 who require an effective period delay method. On the other hand, there may be certain conditions that may prevent the use of this medication. Some of these may include:

• If you are pregnant or breastfeeding
• If you are allergic to the synthetic ingredient norethisterone
• If you have high levels of fat in the blood
• Circulation issues such as blood clots
• Have suffered from a heart attack, stroke or angina
• If you suffer from jaundice
• Problems with your liver
• Tumours of the liver, breasts, womb or ovaries or irregular vaginal bleeding

It is advised to mention during your consultation if any of these apply to you, as you may not be suitable for this treatment due to risks to your health. Please speak to your doctor for possible alternatives.

Norethisterone is likely to react with certain medicines which is why it is important that it is mentioned if any of the following treatments are also being used:

• contraceptive pill
• St John's Wort
• libenclamide
• carbamazepine
• barbiturates
• topiramate
• griseofulvin
• ciclosporin
• nevirapine
• rifamycins

Will it prevent pregnancy?

Although Norethisterone may exhibit certain contraceptive qualities, it is not a contraceptive pill and will not prevent you from becoming pregnant. If you wish to prevent pregnancy then it is advised that you use a contraceptive pill option. Be aware that after coming off Norethisterone, there may be a delay before your normal cycle returns. It is advised to still do a pregnancy test if you do not experience your period a week after ceasing the period delay treatment.

Yes, you can buy Norethisterone period delay tablets online here at HealthExpress. We offer a next day delivery service, so you can ensure you will receive your treatment as soon as possible. All of our medications are genuine branded prescription treatments, which can be verified by checking for the manufacturer hologram on every pack. We use qualified doctors and accredited pharmacies to prescribe and dispense your medication, which will be delivered discreetly to your door via our secure courier service.

Please note that the manufacturer of Norethisterone may differ from that which is shown in the image above, but the ingredients, benefits and possible side effects of the medication will be the same.