To ask for your experiences of period delaying using norethisterone

[VelveteenBunni]

As above really. Going to see family next month and I suffer really awful periods which I will be due to start bang smack in the middle of the week we are going to be visiting. I've looked up norethisterone (sp?) but wondered if anyone here had tried it and tell me how they found it?

Didn't agree with me. I now know I react badly to all synthetic progesterones, get depressed on the POP, for instance. I took it for a couple of weeks because I was travelling, and had a bit of a freak out episode when I thought my host - someone I didn't know very well who was very kindly putting me up in between places - was trying to harm me (managed to keep to myself how scared and panicky I was feeling but I'm sure she still thought I was very odd!). With the benefit of hindsight I now realise I was suffering from a drug-induced paranoia (that probably sounds dramatic, but I nearly jumped out of a moving vehicle). I stopped taking it because I came home early, because I was feeling so panicky, so it turned out to be a really bad solution to the problem of travelling with heavy periods. If you're only taking it for a few days I doubt there'd be time for that kind of effect though, so don't let me put you off.

Used once. Period started 2 or 3 days after I stopped taking the tablets. Had a bit of cramp which is unusual for me but otherwise no issues.

I've used it for delaying and also prescribed by GP for stopping when bleeding was too heavy for a few weeks (thanks peri-menopause)

I found it very effective with minimal to no side effects, the positives certainly outweighed the negatives I'm mid 40's if that's of any importance.

Used it many times, works fine for me with no side effects. Usually come on 2-3 days after I stop taking them. You must take them regularly and not forget them, otherwise easy as pie

This thread has been done countless times and the results are always the same.

About half of posters say it’s always worked amazingly well for them (I’m in this category); the other half say that they had terrible side-effects, it made their next period far heavier + more painful, screwed up their cycle for ages etc.

Really, until you try it, there’s no way of knowing whether it works for you or not. Everybody reacts differently to medications.

Awful side effects, depression, anger, like the worst pmt ever. I don’t react well to progesterone.

They work fine but I have to deal with a long downer, like really bad pmt. You could also try the combined pill instead?

Worked as they were supposed go but had the most painful cramps and heaviest period afterwards. Never felt pain like it 😫

My DD used it when trekking for 4 weeks. It didn't work and instead of having no period, she had the worst heaviest period ever. Took a few months to recover back to normal.
Everyone is different though - have you spoken to your GP?

FWIW, I’ve used it countless times to avoid having a period while on holiday. I’ve never had any side effects and my next period has always been normal.

But as I say, you won’t know how your body will react until you try it yourself.

Works perfectly, no side effects.

Never ever had a problem. Used a few times for holiday. Next period usually comes after a few days but always just normal. Friends and family never had a problem either. And my normal periods are horrifically heavy!

In my mid 40's and have no problem with them. Experienced slight spotting when I missed one.
Took them last August for a holiday, I was having periods every 2-3 weeks and the bleeding lasted 9-10 days I was also anemic and undergoing tests (who knew scans could be internal). Since coming off them after holiday my periods are every 28 days, last for 4-5 days and I feel so much better

By awful do you mean heavy? Why don't you get the doctor to prescribe tranexamic acid to stop the heavy bleeding?

My DD was put on cerelle for her heavy periods and anaemia. It didn't work and she bled every day for 2 months while taking it. Am going to request Noriday when I speak to her doc this week. Am hoping it's going to be a lot better for her but it looks like it's about 50/50 good and bad reviews here.

It was horrendous, the period I had after I was writing on the bathroom floor in agony, literally screaming and throwing up due to the pain. DH called 111 and they sent an ambulance as they were alarmed by how distressed I was and suspected I might have appendicitis. Nope, just the sodding period delayer 🙄🙄🙄

^ writhing, not writing 🤦🏻‍♀️

I used it for my wedding and honeymoon and when I stopped it I became so depressed it was awful, also first period was the worst I've ever had and I should've just put up with my period

I used to use it regularly to avoid my period whilst on holiday. Didn't have any side effects but taking the pill in various forms never agreed with me (got awful weird leg cramps). After having a baby I tried norethisterone on a couple of occasions and it now gives me leg cramps like the pill does. So worth trying but watch out for side effects. Not sure if medically approved but if you have a few months on your side you could always take just for a few days each month to delay your period slightly each month, rather than take it for just one extended period of time.

Used once with no issues. I wouldn’t use regularly though

Undies1990 I’m pretty sure you can’t take the stuff for 4 weeks.

Awful. A few days after I started taking it, I started bleeding. So I stopped and had the heaviest period of my life. Total nightmare.

It took a week for my period to return, and when it did, it was very heavy and sore. I also has very bad PMT - weepy and snappy. However, it was worth it to not have my period on a residential school trip!

i use it on holidays, on tje usual 'heavy days' i do get some spotting but largely helpful

I hate Norithisterone.
I was prescribed it to stop heavy perimenopausal bleeding and it worked but OMG when I stopped taking it, I went wild, felt like stabbing my DH, the DC, even the dog. I'm a calm, happy person and I was really depressed, anxious and so angry.
Then there was the bleeding and cramp which was worse than ever.
I had to wear incontinence pads to hold the blood and was close to being admitted.
I would never take it again and certainly not for a holiday. But that's just my experience.
It seems to have agreed with others.