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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Norethisterone experiences

36 replies

gingerspice32 · 17/07/2024 13:24

Due to come on on day 1 of our first abroad holidays in a decade.
Can't use tampons so considering getting norethisterone to delay my period. I'm a bit worried because I get really bad anxiety, low mood etc before my period arrives and I don't fully understand how this works - will it prolong my PMT feelings over the course of the holiday as this will ruin it too, just in a different way!!!
Once you've taken it does your whole cycle shift forward a week?
I'm debating whether I just let my period come as the first two days are really only the heavy ones but I still don't fancy travelling in full flow and it will definitely rule out at least a couple of days in the pool for me.
Gah! Any experiences welcome please!
Oh and can it be ordered online or will I need to see my GP to get it prescribed?

OP posts:

Greenqueen40 · 17/07/2024 13:25

I turned into an evil beast and the first period after stopping was torture. However plenty of people take it without any issues at all. It's a case of trying and seeing how you get on I'm afraid - everyone is different.

SoupDragon · 17/07/2024 13:29

The problem is that you won't know how it affects you until you try it. How long til your holiday?

It works like a dream for me with no side effects. DD said it made her feel a bit bloated.

My period after the delayed one usually arrived on schedule, 4 weeks after the delayed one.

Wimberry · 17/07/2024 13:32

Id suggest trying it before your holiday to see how you get on with it. I took it for a few years and it was better for me then what I'd tried before - minimal side effects, had bloating and mood swings around when I'd expect my period but no bleeding. Downside was it was an extremely effective contraception because it killed my libido entirely! Eventually switched to a low oestrogen combined pill.

You can get it online but would have to pay (superdrug online doctor) or free if you seek a prescription through your GP.

Original poster

gingerspice32 · 17/07/2024 13:32

I've heard it can affect everyone differently which I suppose isn't much help! I never had any side effects when I was on the pill so hopefully it will be ok. I don't have time to trial run it as my holiday coincides with my next period.

OP posts:

Yousaidwhatagain · 17/07/2024 13:34

I took it and was also concerned as I had no time to trial it. After researching I found that it really just depends. I was completely fine on it.

Menora · 17/07/2024 13:37

I’m not sure this particular drug is recommended anymore as it’s more high risk of clots. I have taken it for other reasons but I think it’s now provera recommended? You can get period delay medication via an online pharmacy they will do an assessment. I took it to stop bleeding when I was excessively bleeding and it didn’t really help and it messed up my cycle even more

FriendlyNeighbourhoodAccountant · 17/07/2024 13:39

Contrary to other posts I would not trial it before your holiday. The reason I say this is after coming off it I find my periods a bit delayed for the following few months. Makes it much harder to then take it again so soon after because you don't actually know when you're due on, and therefore can't decisively take it three days before you're due etc.

Idontjetwashthefucker · 17/07/2024 13:45

I've had it very recently as I had a few long haul flights to Aus - doctor prescribed it with no issues. Felt a teeny bit emotional when I stopped taking it, for about a week, but no other problems

cloudy477654 · 17/07/2024 13:47

I've taken it and have been fine. But it obviously affects everyone differently. I don't have PMS symptoms until I stop taking it.
How much time do you have before your holiday? I usually delay the period before my holiday so that the next one that should have been when I was away is also pushed forward. So then I'm not having to take it when I'm on holiday.
I guess the only way you'll know is taking it though, you can just stop taking it if you have any bad side effects- my period usually starts around 3 days after I stop and has always been lighter than a normal period.

Also yes you can buy it online, you just have to fill out a questionnaire. Also available over the counter from the pharmacy, the pharmacist will probably just ask you a few questions. No need to go to the GP

theeyeofdoe · 17/07/2024 13:47

I’ve taken it quite a few times. I have very heavy periods and there’s no way I could be not be near a loo for a couple of days even with a plus tampax and period pants.

I find you can take it to stop a period once it’s started.

the only side effect I get is feeling a bit bloated.

@Menora provera isn’t used for delaying periods usually, it think it was occasionally prescribed when there were supply issues with noriesterone,

SoManyBadgers · 17/07/2024 13:51

I've used it a couple of times without any issues, then the last time it made me feel horrendously anxious and sad, like the worst pmt. I wouldn't use it again.

Original poster

gingerspice32 · 17/07/2024 13:51

My other question was how long after you stop taking it did your period arrive?

OP posts:

iwasthereason · 17/07/2024 13:52

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

JanglingJack · 17/07/2024 13:57

Menora · 17/07/2024 13:37

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.

Tisfortired · 17/07/2024 13:57

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.

SoupDragon · 17/07/2024 14:12

gingerspice32 · 17/07/2024 13:51

My other question was how long after you stop taking it did your period arrive?

Mine was usually about 3 days.

mylittleworld563 · 17/07/2024 14:15

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

Idontjetwashthefucker · 17/07/2024 14:25

SoupDragon · 17/07/2024 14:12

Mine was usually about 3 days.

Show quote history

Same for me, and as normal

Scattery · 17/07/2024 14:25

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!

Menora · 17/07/2024 14:45

theeyeofdoe · 17/07/2024 13:47

I’ve taken it quite a few times. I have very heavy periods and there’s no way I could be not be near a loo for a couple of days even with a plus tampax and period pants.

I find you can take it to stop a period once it’s started.

the only side effect I get is feeling a bit bloated.

@Menora provera isn’t used for delaying periods usually, it think it was occasionally prescribed when there were supply issues with noriesterone,

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

dementedpixie · 17/07/2024 14:48

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.

sophiasnail · 17/07/2024 18:10

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.

LittleGreenDuck · 17/07/2024 18:18

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.

Littleroundsponge · 17/07/2024 18:21

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.

LittleGreenDuck · 17/07/2024 18:21

@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?

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