Why Use Norethisterone to Delay Periods?

There is a multitude of reasons why women may choose to delay their period, from exams to holidays and weddings or other special occasions, when they would rather not have the event hampered by the potential inconvenience of a period.

Although this method is not for everyone, it can be useful for a number of reasons such as for those who want to look and feel their best during a specific event, or so that swimming activities can be enjoyed while away on vacation for instance. Some women may have painful periods to contend with and would rather dispense with this problem for a short duration.

What Is Norethisterone And How Does It Work?

Norethisterone has been around for a while and isn’t a new drug but is one that has become more widely known due to the internet and social media as well as word of mouth.

The drug is a synthetic hormone that tricks the body into thinking it is progesterone which is a female hormone that maintains the lining of the womb when levels are high such as in pregnancy. It emulates this process by stabilizing the hormones that would normally make the lining of the womb shed and create a period.

However, the effectiveness can be variable between women so it may not be advisable to assume it will work if it has not been tried previously, especially if you are relying on it for a particularly important occasion.

Any Side Effects?

As with all drugs, there may be some side effects to consider, one of these being that periods have taken a month or so to return to normal in some women or have been delayed temporarily.

Other side effects can include nausea, headaches, breakthrough bleeding, and bloating although this is obviously not the case for everyone. However, medical opinion stipulates that delaying periods from time to time using this method is quite safe when used a few times a year, although using it too often may lead to more irregular periods and is not recommended.

It is also important to note at this point it is not a contraceptive pill. Therefore women who take the drug to delay periods must also ensure they are continuing to use contraception to prevent pregnancy from occurring.

In addition, where the contraceptive pill is already being taken by women this can also be used as a way of stopping periods. Taking the pill continually without the seven-day break creates an alternative method of controlling periods for those who may wish to do this more frequently than is advisable with Norethisterone.

How To Obtain Norethisterone

Norethisterone is a prescription drug and can be requested by a GP who will want to check your medical history and ensure you fulfill the criteria. It will not be prescribed for patients who have had some forms of cancer or tumors, or for those who may have had certain medical conditions during pregnancy. Therefore, it is advisable to talk this through with your doctor before planning to use it for the first time.

How To Take Norethisterone

If you do decide to try it, you will need to plan this carefully to ensure your period is delayed for the desired period. It is necessary to take one tablet three times a day beginning three days before your period is expected to start.

Therefore, some preparation is needed to take Norethisterone in order to get the best results, and if you wish to delay your period for a particularly significant event such as a wedding it may be a good idea to try it once in advance of the occasion to see if it works effectively.