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Period Delay

Period delay is a temporary medical intervention that allows women to safely postpone their monthly menstrual bleeding for a specific event. Such as a wedding, holiday, religious pilgrimage, sporting event, or exam period.

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How does Norethisterone work?

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By taking Norethisterone tablets leading up to your expected period, you artificially maintain high levels of progestogen in your bloodstream. This prevents your body from detecting the natural hormone drop, keeping the womb lining securely intact and preventing bleeding from starting.

When you finish your course of tablets and stop taking the medication, your hormone levels drop, triggering a withdrawal bleed (your period) usually within 2 to 3 days.

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How to Take Norethisterone for Period Delay

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  • When to Start: Start taking Norethisterone 3 days before your expected period is due to start. (Starting it after your period has already begun will not stop the bleeding).

  • Dosing Schedule: Take one 5mg tablet 3 times a day (spaced morning, afternoon, and evening).

  • Duration: Continue taking the tablets 3 times daily for as long as you wish to delay your period—up to a maximum of 17 days of treatment (enabling up to 14 days of total delay).

  • Return of Period: Your period will typically restart 2 to 4 days after taking your last tablet.

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Image by Sasun Bughdaryan

Important Patient Eligibility & Safety Guidance

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1. It Is NOT a Contraceptive

  • Crucial Note: Norethisterone for period delay does not protect against pregnancy. You must continue using barrier contraception (such as condoms) during sexual activity while taking this medication.

2. Combined Contraceptive Pill Users

  • If you are already taking a Combined Oral Contraceptive (COC) pill, you do not need Norethisterone to delay your period. You can simply skip your 7-day break (or placebo pills) and start the next pack directly back-to-back.

3. Contraindications (When Norethisterone Cannot Be Prescribed)

Norethisterone is a progestogen that can be partially converted into estrogen in the body, which elevates the risk of blood clots. It is not suitable for women with:

  • A personal or family history of blood clots (DVT or pulmonary embolism).

  • Unexplained vaginal bleeding.

  • Severe liver disease or active liver tumours.

  • A history of hormone-dependent cancers (such as breast cancer).

  • Known pregnancy or active breastfeeding.

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