AIBU To try medication to delay period

[Maggie178]

Am I opening a can of worms trying to alter my cycle through medication? I don't take hormonal contraception due to side effects. But I'm desperate not to be on my period during a festival do thought I might try Norethisterone. Anyone tried it?

Yup, took it for 3 weeks straight with no side effects, I'm about to ask for another prescription for a 3 week holiday soon

Yes and it worked like a treat, no side effects at all.

How far in advance do you need to start taking it? Have a holiday next month which I've realised is going to coincide with my period possibly... but think it's a bit short notice now?

Yes it works perfectly when I needed to use it

@ChatterMonkey

How far in advance do you need to start taking it? Have a holiday next month which I've realised is going to coincide with my period possibly... but think it's a bit short notice now?

You start taking it just before you’re due to come on and it delays it. You might have a bit of a weird period after but that’s pretty normal. My dr said you can even take it if your period has started and it’ll dry it up but I don’t know if I remembered that right

YANBU but if you have time, test it first to see how you react. I used it for a holiday and it was awful – it was like my body was trying to have a period but couldn't, and I had cramps etc. even worse than I would have on period. I stopped taking them in the end so I could just bleed and get it over with. A friend had a similar experience with it. Most likely it'll be fine, but hormonal stuff like this can affect people differently so it's always worth trying first if it's going to be used for an important occasion.

@ChatterMonkey from memory I think it's a few days before period is due. So you should be ok.

Yep I used to use it as a child to avoid periods on school trips etc. Must be fairly safe if the Doctor prescribed it for me when I was only 10/11 years old.

DD had it age 11 for her year 6 residential as she was due on and it was watersports and sharing rooms.
Horrendous period when she came off it, but I'd warned her it could be. She suffers anyway with her periods, so not everyone will have that experience.

I went through a patch where periods were making me faint. Used it to attend my best friend's wedding without fear of passing out. Cycle was immediately back to normal afterwards.

Yes used it for holidays and weddings. Never had any side effects or unusual periods after.

I’ve used it loads as have my teen dc- it’s fine

I had it when I was going on a long flight and was having horrendous periods. It was brilliant, just stayed on it till I came back from holiday.

It’s a great drug but agree with PPs if you can try it well in advance of when you need it that would be good, especially if you have side effects with other hormonal drugs

Using it now as on holiday. Take 3 days before period is due. 3 per day. No side effects so far.
In fact, my period actually started days before it was due and I was gutted as thought I’d missed the boat but after a day of taking it it stopped.
Doctors prescribe it quite freely. Essentially progesterone to stop the cycle.

Yes, but only use it as a one off. I was (incorrectly) prescribed it long term to resolve some severe period issues and after a year I had to come off it due to extreme hormonal rages. When I had my first period after coming off it, a decidual cast came out (naturally whilst I was in a cafe) It was horrific.

So yes, great for using once to avoid having a period during a holiday or wedding... not so good for long term use as that's not what it's for

Love it. Take it for between 2 and 4 weeks’ when on holiday. Works perfectly no side effects. Period comes three days after I stop. It just changed the days of my cycle but they went right back to normal after use.

I have had it sporadically to induce rather than delay a period, but I hate it - it makes me greasy haired/skinned, sweaty, very short tempered and very emotional. I'm absolutely miserable the whole time. If you don't tolerate hormonal contraception well it might not be great for you.

I was thinking of trying it next month. If I delay my period enough my next period my not fall over the festival without taking medication. Or can periods be unpredictable after?

Same as PP, I've used it once and had no side effects other than a slightly heavier period afterwards. For me I used it a month or two before the holiday I was trying to avoid as I know my cycles are quite regular

I've used it twice. Once to try to delay my period to run a marathon. It didn't work, I ended up bleeding anyhow.
The other time was for a holiday. It delayed the period but I had constant cramps and bloating. Having my period would have been preferable.

It's probably a good idea to try to move the period before like you said, but I found mine were a little erratic afterwards.

Yep I've done it a few times in the past, usually when I was due on when I would be on holiday and didn't want the pool to look like a shark attack had taken place. Worked a treat with no issues.