Period Delay
If you want to gain control over your periods, there are treatments available that will help you to do it, allowing you to decide when to control your menstrual cycle.
What Is Period Delay?
A typical menstrual cycle period is 30 days but there may come a time when the onset of your period is inconvenient for some reason and you may want to delay it, whether that’s because of a special occasion, a holiday or something else.
There is medication that can be taken to help you achieve this, depending on whether you’re already taking the contraceptive pill or not. If you’re not currently taking the pill, you can take medication called norethisterone, which will delay periods for up to 17 days.
For those of you taking the combined contraceptive pill, all you need to do to delay your period is to take two packets of pills back to back without taking a seven-day break.
Note that it will not affect how your contraceptives work and you will still be protected against unwanted pregnancies if you choose to delay your periods in this way.
However, it is not advisable to take more than two packs in a row without having a period, as you may experience possible side-effects such as nausea and vomiting, diarrhoea and unexpected vaginal bleeding.
How does norethisterone work?
Norethisterone is a progesterone-based treatment that can be taken to delay the menstrual cycle for up to 20 days.
Because the pills contain a synthetic version of progesterone, it prevents the body from shedding the womb lining and thus prevents a period from taking place.
In most cases, the medication is highly effective for preventing periods, although some factors can affect it, such as body weight. A consultation with a pharmacist will help ensure that the appropriate medication is prescribed.
It can be taken with or without food three days before you believe your period is about to start. One tablet should be taken three times a day, spaced out evenly throughout the day and at consistent times.
You may experience some side-effects when taking period delay medication, such as:
- Nausea
- Breast sensitivity
- Bloating
- Weakness
- Headaches
This medication is available on prescription. It is necessary to go through a consultation with one of our fully trained and qualified pharmacists, who will then be able to supply you with the appropriate medication for you based on your medical history and the answers you provide.