norethisterone to delay period?

[Betty74]

I’m going to Spain next month and just realised my period is due two days before I go. I hate using tampons and I’ve seen taking norethisterone tablets can delay the period. I’ve seen that side effects can be a big issue so wanted to know if anyone had any experience with it?
I really don’t want to be on my period for holiday but also don’t want to feel unwell the whole time from taking the tablets.
Also Im quite irregular still since having my baby 8 months ago so I don’t know if that makes a difference? Xx

do an advanced search of topics- this has come up a lot and there are loads of posts.

I've taken it a couple of times. Both times I had a horrible headache after stopping it, and my periods lasted a lot longer. But I'd rather that than a period on holiday.

You're supposed to start taking it a couple of days before your period is due, but mine turned up early once so I started taking it that day and it still stopped it pretty quickly.

I used to take the combined contraceptive pill continuously to avoid having the pseudo period you get on the pill. (It's not a period because the lining of the womb doesn't build up so doesn't need to slough off every month) In the 70s we were all doing that including my doctor.
Suggest you ask a pharmacist or your doctor for advice.

Ok so I did the advanced search.
So now I have a couple more questions.
I’m actually due another period before the one at the time of my holiday.
Am I better off delaying the first period so I then come on after my holiday? Will that work or will it mess up my cycle even more than it already is and I end up having a period like 2 weeks after and still be on for my holiday?
Am I better off taking the mini pill and over running it or taking the mini pill and norethisterone?
Also if I start taking the mini pill at the date of my next period and from what I remember that makes you go 21 days then a 7 day break, that would mean I’m on a week before my holiday which is fine but does the mini pill regulate your cycle straight away? Xx

I recently took Utovlan ( norethisterone), to delay a period for a holiday, and had no problems at all with it.
My periods can be irregular, due to perimenopause, but it can be started at any time ( 3 days before period due if regular).
I don't know anything about the mini pill, but my GP has recently prescribed HRT for me, and she did say that I would still be able to have Utovlan again to take alongside the HRT if needed for a holiday.
I used the Boots online Period Delay clinic to obtain my prescription.

I didn't think the mini pill guaranteed regular cycles / withdrawal bleeds? I thought it stopped bleeding sometimes in some women and often resulted in spotting for a lot of the time.
Are you already using the mini pill?

No I’m not on the mini pill or any other pill at the moment xx

The mini pill doesn't stop your periods or necessarily give you a regular cycle.

See Advantages and Disadvantages here.

www.nhs.uk/conditions/contraception/the-pill-progestogen-only/

If you want a regular cycle, use the combined Pill and use 2 packs back to back to avoid the 'holiday period.'

Norethisterone is not that bad. Some women find it is, but not generally. You have to start it 3 days before a period is due to if you have very irregular cycles you might have to start it a week or longer before.

@pandorawithtreaclecolouredhair
You don't need a separate drug to prevent a period on HRT. If you tablets, you j ust don't take the 2nd lot in the pack (norethisterone usually) and carry on with the estrogen only tabs in a new pack for the next cycle. If you use patches, obviously it's harder.

QueenoftheNights, that's really handy to know, thank you, for future reference.
Just started Elleste Duet 2mg two weeks ago, so I don't know yet what my pattern for a bleed will be; the pt information leaflet states that some women don't have a bleed at all.

I've taken it 3or 4 times in my life, no side effects whatsoever

Can I ask how long you took it for each time? Xx

I took mine for twenty days.
My holiday was only a 4 day break, and I started the tablets two weeks before going away ( as my periods are irregular, and can last for two weeks).
My period started three days after finishing the tablets.

@pandorawithtreaclecolouredhair (sorry for the hijack OP!)

The usual pattern is you will have a bleed somewhere around 2-3 days after the end of the pack (by which time you will be back to estrogen-only tabs in the new pack.)

A few women don't bleed at all but around 75% do ( so my gynae says.)

If your own estrogen levels are very low, you may 'escape a bleed' on the reverse- as time goes on your bleed may get lighter.

Many thanks.

I've used it out of necessity (complicated) and had the single worst period of my life afterwards, which I still can picture.

Obviously a bad period won't kill you, and using it saved my bacon but it does make you pay the price!

I take it a few days before period, usually one morning and one evening not three as recommended still works. I always move the period I would have the month before the one I'd have on holiday to avoid any side affects or feeling pre menstrual on holiday.

I would also move the period before the one due whilst you're on holiday. I took it last year to prevent a period whilst I was in Iceland and I felt like crap. This year I was tracking things v carefully to make sure I could move the period before a big, three week holiday in the Far East (so basically needed to have a period just before going so the next one would arrive as I was returning) - in the end that holiday didn't happen so I've booked one around the dates my period is naturally due.

But definitely move the one before if you can.

Will trying to delay the first period definitely delay the second one?
Like will my usual cycle carry on? I worry it will mess me up and I’ll come on two weeks later or something xx

Yes, I looked back in my app to confirm but both times I've taken it, I've had a normal length cycle after it.