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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask the GP to delay my period?

53 replies

ewchoc · 27/10/2021 07:33

I have a spa weekend coming up. It's been moved several times due to covid and I can't change the date again. My period is due and mine are heavy, due to a prolapse I can't use tampons or cups, so it will ruin the weekend - I would normally spend most of my time in the pool etc. I've read on here before about people asking their GP for some sort of drug that delays their period - has anyone successfully been prescribed this in the last couple of years? I don't want to take up NHS time with something like this, but I have private healthcare through work which I think includes GP appointments, so I wonder if I could use that. So, WIBU to ask a GP for a prescription or am I being ridiculous to even consider it?

OP posts:
itsgettingwierd · 27/10/2021 08:23

Oh and yes to PMT and bloated stomach. I'm like that daily! Everyday.

But it's a better solution than flooding every 20 minutes 14/25 days!

gogohm · 27/10/2021 08:26

I've taken it, was fine - it's a private prescription though (obviously)

EishetChayil · 27/10/2021 08:26

I wish there was a way to get a period over with quickly.

There was a technique in the 60s where a whole period could be sucked out in one go. It was made illegal, as it could be used for abortions.

AramintaLee · 27/10/2021 08:27

Yeah norethisterone is the one. I was prescribed it to delay my periods indefinitely (which is not what it should be used for, naughty GP putting me on it) and it left me with horrendous mood swings and I had to come off it.

However, I still use it to delay periods if needed and it's not at all problematic if used as a one off.

Summerfun54321 · 27/10/2021 08:28

I have awful awful periods and norethisterone was fine for delaying my period for my wedding. No side effects at all. Absolutely normal request for a GP.

LunaTheCat · 27/10/2021 08:37

Yes you can- I prescribe it all the time. No guarantee it will work.
Sounds like you need to do something about your dreadful periods! You don’t need to put up with that!

TinyTear · 27/10/2021 08:37

I've had it twice , also for pool based holidays - first time gave me horrible moods and PMT, second time was fine, maybe because I was more aware of what it could do to me

itsgettingwierd · 27/10/2021 08:43

@AramintaLee

Yeah norethisterone is the one. I was prescribed it to delay my periods indefinitely (which is not what it should be used for, naughty GP putting me on it) and it left me with horrendous mood swings and I had to come off it.

However, I still use it to delay periods if needed and it's not at all problematic if used as a one off.

It can be used where having a period is detrimental to someone's physical health.

I use it daily. Everyday. I cannot have a period as I bleed so heavily my ferritin was getting so low I could barely walk. It was 6 and I was taking iron as well.

It can also be used for 6 months to help endometriosis.

It's not ideal because as you say it has horrendous side effects.

mumulala · 27/10/2021 08:59

I've taken it, felt ok while on it but my pmt (depression) hit me double when I stopped. Worth it to enjoy the holiday though. My daughter has also taken it and had worse period pain afterwards, but again no problems while on holiday. I also took it for about 3 months while waiting for my coil to be fitted as peri menopause meant I was constantly bleeding, that was fine except for a period of depression at the start.
You have to start a few days before period due, so I wouldn't chance on the jab disrupting cycle I'd take it 3 days before the spa (or due date if before) and then you'll only be taking it for less than a week which doesn't seem too long, and give yourself some quiet days in the few days after. You have to take 3x per day to make it effective
Enjoy your weekend!

TinnedPotatoesRock · 27/10/2021 09:08

I've just been prescribed it by my docs, I wasn't paying what Superdrug wanted to charge when I could get it lots cheaper on prescription. I've been given 90 tablets, it's 3 a day and I've been told to take it no longer than 15 days in a row. I'm going to be seeing my partner for the first time in 2.5 years soon so I don't want a bleed to spoil that (TMI) so I'm hoping it works for me

Mia400000 · 27/10/2021 09:08

I know it's not what you asked but you can get period pants that you can swim in.

My daughter has them and they really work!

themuttsnutts · 27/10/2021 09:11

I had it before a medical procedure with no ill effects

Vispa · 27/10/2021 09:20

Have a look at modibodi bikini bottoms for use during periods - I remember reading in the reviews that someone had used them for a spa trip and they'd worked really well...you could get a couple of pairs to take with you.

CactusFlowers · 27/10/2021 09:28

I’ve always found it better to delay the period before the holiday so the next ones is due after I return as the tablets give me hideous pmt. It’s not foolproof but it’s worked so far.

SnarkyBag · 27/10/2021 09:31

I also got horrendous PMT on it. I would say that ruined the holiday more than the heavy period would have

politics4me · 27/10/2021 10:02

@EishetChayil

I wish there was a way to get a period over with quickly.

There was a technique in the 60s where a whole period could be sucked out in one go. It was made illegal, as it could be used for abortions.

Off topic: Do some women use the Morning After Pill to accelerate a period? I have a memory of a bride taking something the week before her wedding, years ago though. That was TMI.
Picklesbaby · 27/10/2021 10:07

I ordered the pills from Superdrug next day delivery if that’s any help

Original poster
ewchoc · 27/10/2021 10:11

Waterproof period pants are the other option I've been considering. I've used the standard type before and they're fine, just not sure how many times I'll need to change if it's my heaviest days and I'm in & out of the water - could mean a lot of extra stuff to pack/carry around

OP posts:
Original poster
ewchoc · 27/10/2021 10:13

@CactusFlowers actually that was one thing I wondered - if I delay a period, does the next one come when it was originally due, or a month after the delayed one? I'm now thinking there could be quite a knock-on effect for subsequent months if I don't know when to expect the next one!

OP posts:
user1471457354 · 27/10/2021 10:16

I used northisterone two years ago for a holiday and really wish I didn't bother. It gave me the worst PMT symptoms, very bloated and insomnia. The insomnia started after 4 days of taking the norethisterone and lasted for 2 nights.

CactusFlowers · 27/10/2021 10:23

[quote ewchoc]@CactusFlowers actually that was one thing I wondered - if I delay a period, does the next one come when it was originally due, or a month after the delayed one? I'm now thinking there could be quite a knock-on effect for subsequent months if I don't know when to expect the next one! [/quote]
In theory they should revert to your normal but you won’t know until you try them.

Deliaskis · 27/10/2021 12:01

[quote ewchoc]@CactusFlowers actually that was one thing I wondered - if I delay a period, does the next one come when it was originally due, or a month after the delayed one? I'm now thinking there could be quite a knock-on effect for subsequent months if I don't know when to expect the next one! [/quote]
So for me, my entire cycle reset, so I had my delayed period, and that was the starting date by which I measured my cycle and have come on about when I would have expected based on that date. I haven't had my next period at the time I would have expected it had I not taken the meds at all. Essentially I counted from first day of delayed period....and that's my new cycle. Fortunately I haven't yet planned next year's walking trip!

Starcaller · 27/10/2021 12:04

I'd test it first. I used it for a holiday and it was horrendous. I basically got all the symptoms of my period except the bleeding, and they were magnified. I ending up stopping taking it and letting my period come because it felt so awful!

sybillalle · 27/10/2021 12:20

How far away is the weekend? If you've got a period in between I'd try to delay that one instead to knock the cycle back. As soon as you stop taking the tablets your period will start and that will be day 1 of your next cycle.

If you're worried about bloating and pmt and breakthrough bleeding that is.

What a palaver idea it is. I had a massive period ON MY WEDDING day ffs!

itsgettingwierd · 27/10/2021 12:26

Sybil maybe your massive periods are as extreme as others.

Mine were so heavy I wouldn't have been able to leave home and walk down the aisles if it took more than 20 minutes. That's before any actual ceremony.