Shall i use Norethistrone or not?

[Jessie40]

Hi ,I'm going on a long haul flight soon followed by a 2 week holiday so have been prescribed Norethistrone. Never taken it before.
Im not a great pill taker so am a little worried. Ive read mainly positive comments about this tablet but then every now and then a horror story pops up and its putting me off.
Im 50 not really any menopause symptoms as yet apart from the occasional late/early period.
Advice welcome. Thank you

Norethisterone increases your risk of blood clots (which could be significant given you're going on a long haul flight and your age.) regardless of whether you have any additional risk factors you haven't mentioned in your post.

Provera is now used instead of norethisterone by lots of GPs - it is unlicensed but we've been using it for years and is much safer than norethisterone as it doesn't carry the same VTE risk.

If your periods are light and manageable do you feel you really need to try and delay it? If you do want to delay it then I would ask for provera instead as it's much safer for you to take.

It's really important to take either drug regularly as if you miss doses you can end up with unscheduled bleeding. There's also always the risk it might not work even if you do take it correctly.

Once you've taken the course your cycle can be a bit irregular for a month or two and the gets back on track so don't worry if that happens.

Just another point that may or may not be relevant - it is not licensed as contraception so if you need contraception don't rely on either drug for that!

I hope you have a lovely holiday!

Another point is the loner you take it the more likely to are to end up with some breakthrough bleeding occurring - 2 weeks is a reasonably long course.

@Jessie40

You say 'so I have been prescribed Norethisterone' - because you are going on holiday.

Can you start at the beginning? :) How does a holiday mean you need to use Norethisterone?

Did you go to your GP and ask for medication to delay a period? Is your period so bad you need to do this?

Ideally it is supposed to be used for a few days before a period to delay it. I assume you have been told to use it for 2 weeks because your periods are all over the place?

@Ribeebie It's not really right to stress the blood clot factor. I used Norethisterone for 5 years ( 12 days at a time) as part of HRT. Blood clots are mentioned in th e list of side effects but this is not an issue for anyone using it very short term (women on some types of HRT use it every single day and it's never mentioned that they shouldn't fly etc.)

You are not more likely to end up with breakthrough bleeding. In fact it's very good at controlling bleeding- you should normally get a period 3-4 days after the last tablet but as your periods are erratic now you might miss one completely.

The main side effects are PMS symptoms- bloating, some irritability sometimes, maybe feeling hotter, etc.

Everyone is different.

Main question is are you willing to take the risks of side effects rather than have a period and why have you been told to use it for 2 weeks?

I'm afraid I disagree with you there @JunglingHellsBells. It is absolutely right to address the blood clot risk as it's not as insignificant as you seem to think it is.

You've taken a much lower dose of norethisterone as part of your HRT component than what OP will have been prescribed to delay her period. This dose is much higher and converts to oestrogen type derivatives which subsequently can increase the risk of blood clots.

Evidence based medicine has shown that this dose of norethisterone increases your risk of blood clots similar to that of the combined pill. Taking into account other factors such as long haul travel and age (we don't prescribe the combined pill to women over 50 due to the higher risk of blood clots) it then becomes a significant risk.

It might be at the end of a list of side effects in the leaflet but it's a very serious one. A blood clot can be fatal. There is a much safer alternative with provera. Why risk such a serious complication when a safer alternative is available?

It's fab that you've had such good bleeding control when you've taken norethisterone (but unfortunately other people do not always have the same effect with it. It's important that the OP has all the info on possible outcomes and options, which I'm a little bit concerned she may not have been given when she was prescribed norethisterone.

I think the main issues here are firstly if the OP needs and wants to take something to delay her period whilst away - and if you do OP the second issue is what to take - I would advise speaking to your GP (ideally one with an interest in women's health) to discuss the pros and cons of provera vs norethisterone and see if they can help you decide.

I take your point @Ribeebie (assume you are a GP offering this advice?)
(my dose was 5mgs daily for the days in the cycle.)

Would your advice not be to wear flight stockings, stay hydrated and walk around the plane as much as possible?

Presumably the OP has already seen her GP otherwise she'd not be able to take, or have been advised , 2 weeks' worth by buying over the counter?

Sorry I'm new to this so didn't explain myself properly.
Going on holiday obviously doesn't mean I need to take Norethisterone. A couple of friends have used it {i never have before} said why have a period on holiday when you don't have to. Especially as I'm doing a fly drive.
I don't have erratic periods as I said the occasional early/late.
I have totally been put off taking it as it sounds like I'm going to get a clot on the plane and die.
Im confused though why my doctor prescribed it {I also asked a nurse as well} and said its fine for 2 weeks but not prolonged use.

Also how can i take a unlicensed medication, why has it not been licensed in the UK?

As far as I know, Provera is licensed as the GP posting here says. A friend of mine used it for part of her HRT about 12 years ago.

So should I go back to my GP and ask her for Provera?

Does Provera not have the same affect on your blood?
Also I thought Norethisterone was Progesterone only.
Apologies for all the questions. I probably won't end up taking anything.
Thank you all advice helpful

@Ribeebie gave you good advice but she's withdrawn it (maybe to do with anon issues.)

You should speak to your GP about Provera as an option.
@Ribeebie said it is safer re clots.
Norethisterone is progestogen only (why do you think it's not?)

The bigger question is why is it so much of an issue to have a period while you are on hols? Are they heavy and might be a problem?