Anyone used norethisterone?

[Bellabon]

Has anyone used norethisterone to delay their period whilst travelling?

Did you have any side effects?

I've used it a few times, and it gave me dreadful PMT-type symptoms and intrusive thoughts. Not sure how common that is, though.

That's what I'm worried about the possible PMT side effects. I also take fluoextine for OCD so I worry about that too!

I've used it several times with no side effects at all.

of course, the problem is that you don't know whether you'll get side effects until you try it which is problematic if you're on holiday.

I used it for my wedding day. I was worried about the side effects so took 1 tablet less than what the leaflet said. I can't remember the dosage but whatever it was I just took 1 less each time. Still had the desired effect and I had no symptoms, but wasn't on it very long, for a week maximum. Period came about 5 days after I stopped taking it.

I’ve just finished a course, period not shown up yet but I have the worst PMS! No symptoms whilst taking it

I’ve used it with no symptoms and my period generally arrived the same number of days after i stop taking it so eg if i take it for 3 days, my period arrives 3 days after i stop taking it. I do find my next couple of cycles are slightly less predictable though.

Thanks everyone for the advice. Going to give it a shot and fingers crossed

I took it for a holiday. Never again. I had extreme pms to the point of suicidal thoughts.

I felt like this too. I'll never use it again.

I took it for a beach holiday once, but while I didn't bleed, I got serious cramping and bloating and was still really uncomfortable.

And when I stopped taking it I got the period from hell. Never again.

I've used it a few times with no problems at all. I would recommend trying it on a cycle before you need it to see if there are any side effects then.

I used to use it every time I went on holiday. Even if my period wasn’t due you could bet your life it would appear on the first day of the holiday. No side effects for me.

It ruined my 50th birthday holiday. If you search Mumsnet you'll find others saying the same about side effects of pms, anxiety, etc.

You'll also find plenty of people saying they had no side effects though. Like I said in my earlier post, the problem is that you don't know how you'll be until you try it.

I used it for 7 months to stop my period until I could have a uterine ablation.
My side effects were food cravings, hot flashes and night sweats and sun sensitivity. However they stopped my seizures and were great for my mental health.

Long story short everyone it seems is different in them. I think it depends on your hormones to begin. I had too little progesterone and too much estrogen so it helped with those side effects for me.

I've used it twice - the first time no issues at all - and that included a 24 hour flight.

Second time was so I didn't have my period during a camping trip to a back to basics campsite - was during a heatwave and I blew up like a balloon, was more bloated and swollen than I have ever been in my life and had horrible sun sensitivity.

If you are worried about experiencing side effects for a holiday or a big event, you could always try taking it the cycle before so the knock on effect will be to delay your period for the next cycle as well.

Made me so miserable and pissed off. I had a similar reaction to HRT. As above though, it can be fine for others.

I used it in March to delay that period and consequently push back the next months so I can go on holiday next week and be period free.
I was fine, it was a bit like being stuck in pms mode for a week. I only took it for seven days to push it back a bit and period started about 4 days later. The cramps were worse than normal but bleeding was ok. My next period after the initial Norethisterone one was fine and when I was hoping it to come.

@SoupDragon I had used it three times previously with no side effects whatsoever; feeling so awful the last time was completely unexpected. I was oblivious to side effects concerning mood until I experienced them myself.

Yep I've definitely changed my mind after reading more! I don't have time to try it for a cycle before holiday and I'm so worried about having awful effects with anxiety as I suffer badly already- so I've just got to hope that my period is done and out the way before holiday & maybe try out the norethisterone another time to see how I react with it

I would never go near it again. As some PP it seemed to bring on suicidal ideation.

I did many times and never had any issues whatsoever.

But I am extremely sensitive to progesterone. Mini pill was unbearable, and had to stop HRT due to effects of utrogestan.