Norethisterone experiences

used it a few times. Worked great in delaying my period. Blood bath in the periods afterwards. I have severe endometriosis which probably didn't help but it was the lesser evil. Rather that than a ruined holiday.

So how are we getting it for our under 16s? We are still having issues with tampons and myself and my eldest have used it from doc and online. Have no issues paying for it. It will ruin my twins holiday to be on their periods.

I waited until my period actually arrived before I took it and it stopped it right away, I was aware that I was overweight at the time and flying long haul so I didn't want to be on for too long...bit of a vicious circle though as I also didn't want to be 'on' on the flight home!

It does work at less than3 days but maybe less successfully. I took it on the very first day mine started one year and, whilst it did stop it, I did have light spotting throughout. Still an improvement on flooding!

I was "lucky" in that I used to get sore breasts 3 days before my period was due which was useful!

You still start it 3 days before your normal cycle day. I told the go first tone that my cycle wax irregular and could be anywhere between 31 and 48 days do he said as long as it’s at least 3 days before a possible period that’s fine, start it on day 28.

Not free from GP here in London. Private via Superdrug/online. Made me feel awful and had a terrible period after

The GP prescribed it for me under 16 but that was about 30 years ago.

Taken it twice with no issues apart from pre period water retention lasted till I stopped the pills. Next period is due this week and have had some cramps so doesn’t seem to have shifted my cycle. I took them last month.

@LittleGreenDuck my 15 year old wants to take it as she's due on her period when we are on holiday. I'm waiting for a doc to call me. I can't buy it online as she is under sixteen. Let me know if you find out.

I'm taking it now as I'm on holiday. Its been ok, though I'm a bit bloated and I've been a bit irritable. Worst thing is remembering to take it 3 times a day! Not sure what will happen when I stop as it's years since I last needed to use it but I don't have proper periods anyway as I've got the implant.

@JanglingJack Did you get this prescribed for your teenager? My 13 year old is due on whilst we are away next month. I looked into getting this for her, but the information I found suggested it isn't licensed for under 16s. Have I got that wrong?

I've taken it once before and during a holiday. I was an emotional wreck, like really severe pmt but it did the trick and held of my period till I stopped taking it. Think my period came about 2 days after stopping it, it was a bit heavier and slightly more painful. That's only my experience, some people find they have no side affects so you may be one of the lucky ones.

Like a previous poster says, I'd recommend delaying the period before the one you're due to have on holiday, so it shifts your cycle and you don't need to worry about taking it on holiday.

I have no real side effects. Perhaps a little cramping around the time my period would have been due, but nothing major. Definitely preferable to having a heavy period!

My period arrives around 3/4 days after I stop taking it.

It made me feel slightly sick and slightly dizzy for the whole time I was taking it, but it stopped as soon as I stopped taking it. My wife had no problems at all.

I bought mine online from pharmica
Have used them a couple of times. Period starts around 3 days after you stop taking them. You take 3 per day and start 3 days before your period is due and continue until you want to stop them.

I say this as I work in healthcare and our family planning nurse went on a course recently and this is what she shared with everyone about norethisterone. Happy to be wrong

Also @JanglingJack a pharmacist is a prescriber as can a nurse be, no you don’t need a GP. Practice nurses prescribe contraception most of the time. This is a form of hormonal contraception. Not usually GP’s. Nurses go on regular update courses for this reason. Lots of people get meds online now rather than waiting a long time for a GP appt you can get this the next day from a qualified prescriber

I took it earlier this year for the first time, as I was due to go away at the start of my period. I got it over the counter at a Superdrug after they asked me a few basic questions. Did not need a GP.

My side effects were slightly increased PMS, majorly increased bloating, and general low energy. It was worth taking it to keep my period away (I don't get on with tampons either and there was swimming involved on this short break), but I wouldn't rush to do it again. I took it for about 5 days. I came on about 3.5 days after stopping taking it and it definitely was a more painful period than usual (though not excruciatingly so).

Next period was normal and came 31 days after the norethisterone delayed one (my usual timing), so in essence I pushed it back about 4-5 days which was handy because I had to travel again.

If you really don't get on with it, even if you only take it a few days, hopefully it will shift your period back so that at least it won't start on Day 1 of your holiday!

Same for me, and as normal

I have taken it 5-6 times. Never had any issues with it and didn't notice any difference to my next period either.

Mine was usually about 3 days.

I’ve taken it twice, once to delay a period for a holiday about 5 years ago - worked a charm, no side effects, next period no more horrendous than usual.

Took it again last month for my wedding and honeymoon. Didn’t work, bled anyway, and next proper period was much heavier though not painful.

That's it advise going online rather than asking GP for something that's been prescribed safely for years!

If I had any doubts @gingerspice32 I wouldn't have just put my 15 year old in it pre holiday. She also had it when she was 13 with no issues.

Her period started last time 2 or 3 days after finishing. No noticeable side effects.

Have just taken this for holidays and zero issues. Felt fine while on it and period after was normal.