Period Delay Tablets

Delaying your period can be helpful if you have a holiday, big event, or important plans coming up and you want to avoid the discomfort and inconvenience of menstrual bleeding. Period delay tablets offer a safe and effective solution using synthetic hormone-based treatments.

Period delay treatments work by keeping your progesterone levels raised. Normally, progesterone levels fall towards the end of your cycle, triggering the womb lining to shed, resulting in your period. By maintaining high progesterone levels, period delay tablets delay your period until you stop taking them.

There are 2 main ways you can delay your period:

1. Hormonal contraceptives – If you are already taking the combined oral contraceptive pill, you may be able to delay your period by skipping your usual break and starting a new strip straight away.
2. Period delay tablets – If you are not using hormonal contraception, specific progesterone-only pills can be taken to temporarily stop your period from starting.

Is it safe to delay your period?

Yes, it is generally safe to delay your period using approved medication and under the instruction of a healthcare professional. However, it is not recommended to delay your period too often or long-term without medical advice.

Period delay tablets are also not right for everyone. For example, if you have a history of blood clots or liver disease, they may not be recommended for you, so it is important to speak to a doctor before taking period delay tablets.

When will my period start again?

Once you stop the period delay treatment, your period should return within 3 days. If your period does not return, you could be pregnant because period delay pills do not prevent pregnancy. If this happens, contact your doctor for advice or take a home pregnancy test.

Several prescription medications are available to delay your period. These tablets contain an artificial version of the hormone progesterone and are usually taken 3 times a day for as long as you want to delay your period, but for no longer than 30 days.

The following period delay tablets are available from Superdrug Online Doctor:

Norethisterone

Norethisterone tablets are a generic version of Utovlan. Both contain 5mg of the active ingredient norethisterone and must be started 3 days before your period is due. Both work by keeping your progesterone levels raised to stop the womb lining from shedding.

Provera

A branded medroxyprogesterone acetate tablet that is available off-license for period delay. Provera works similarly to norethisterone in that it maintains your progesterone levels to stop your period from starting. Each pill contains 10mg of the active ingredient, and treatment should be started 3 days before your period is due. It can delay your period for up to 30 days.

Like all medications, period delay tablets can cause side effects, though not everyone will get them. Depending on which medication you are prescribed, you may experience the following side effects when taking Provera or Utlovan:

• nausea
• headaches
• mood changes (low mood, depression)
• tiredness
• rashes
• appetite changes
• breast pain or tenderness
• changes in your weight

Find more information on specific common, uncommon and rare side effects of Utlovan and/or Provera in their patient information leaflets:

• Utlovan (norethisterone) patient information leaflet
• Provera (medroxyprogesterone acetate) patient information leaflet

How to manage side effects

Most mild side effects caused by period delay tablets can be managed at home by:

• taking tablets with food to reduce feeling sick
• staying hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids throughout the day to help with headaches
• staying active to help manage weight gain or water retention
• monitoring your mood and speaking to your doctor if your symptoms persist or worsen
• avoiding driving or operating machinery if you feel dizzy

If any side effects are bothersome or you are concerned, it is important to speak to your doctor. In rare cases, serious side effects such as signs of a blood clot may occur. If you experience any of the following, get immediate medical help:

• allergic reaction: sudden wheezing, and difficulty breathing
• sudden leg pain, swelling, or redness
• chest pain
• shortness of breath
• coughing up blood
• difficulty speaking
• weakness or numbness down one side of your body

Period delay tablets are easily obtained from trusted online doctor services or, in some cases, the NHS. Because they are prescription-only medications, you will need a doctor's approval before you can get them.

Can you buy period delay tablets online?

Yes, you can request period delay tablets online from Superdrug Online Doctor by:

1. Filling out a brief health and lifestyle questionnaire.
2. Requesting your preferred treatment and making payment.
3. One of our doctors will review your treatment request and questionnaire answers.
4. If approved, your treatment will be posted to your address or made available for collection at your local Superdrug Pharmacy.
5. If your order is not approved, one of our doctors will contact you via your account with other treatment options.

Ordering period delay tablets online from us is easy and convenient, and does not require a face-to-face doctor’s appointment. You can also choose to have your treatment delivered to your home address or collect it the same day, usually within 3 hours of a doctor’s approval.

Can you get period delay tablets on the NHS?

Yes, you can get period delay tablets on the NHS, but you will need to make an appointment with your GP so that they can assess whether they are safe and suitable for you.

Can you buy period delay tablets over the counter?

No, period delay tablets are not available over the counter because they are only available with a valid prescription.

Period delay tablets are generally safe for occasional use, but they’re not suitable for everyone.

You should not take period delay tablets if you:

• are allergic to any of their ingredients, including medroxyprogesterone acetate or norethisterone
• are or might be pregnant
• have or have had breast cancer
• have a venous blood clot
• have had an unprovoked venous blood clot in the past
• have an active or recent arterial blood clot (angina, heart attack)
• have abnormal liver function
• have porphyria
• have unexplained vaginal bleeding
• have severe itching
• have had a pregnancy where you have had jaundice or an itchy rash known as pemphigoid gestationis

You should also let your doctor know about any other medical conditions you have and if you are taking or plan to take any prescribed, over-the-counter, or herbal medications. That’s because they may interact with the period delay tablets, causing side effects or limiting the effectiveness or action of either medication.

Period delay tablets can slightly increase the chance of developing blood clots. It is important that you tell your doctor about any current medical conditions, family history of blood clots, and whether you smoke, so that they can determine if period delay tablets are safe for you to take.

You can find more information about whether you should take Period Delay tablets like Utlovan or Provera in their attached patient information leaflets:

• Utlovan (norethisterone) patient information leaflet
• Provera (medroxyprogesterone acetate) patient information leaflet

Can stress delay your period?

Yes, stress can delay your period by interrupting the hormonal signals that regulate your menstrual cycle. It is common, especially during times of emotional or physical strain.

Can you delay your period naturally?

No, there are no scientifically proven ways to reliably delay your period without medication. Some people suggest natural remedies, like apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, or gelatin, but there is no evidence that these actually work, and they can cause side effects.

Can you take period delay tablets if your period has started?

No, period delay tablets are only effective if they are started before your period begins, usually 3 days before it is due. Once your period starts, neither norethisterone nor Provera will delay your period.

What is the honeymoon pill?

The ‘honeymoon pill’ is another name for norethisterone and Provera, the medications used to delay your period. It is referred to as the honeymoon pill because it is often requested by people who want to postpone their period because of a special occasion, like a honeymoon or wedding.

Do period delay tablets change your cycle?

Yes, period delay tablets can temporarily shift your cycle, but your periods usually return to normal after you stop taking them. Some people may find their next period is slightly earlier or later than expected.

Do period delay tablets affect fertility?

No, period delay tablets do not affect your fertility. They work by temporarily adjusting your hormone levels to postpone your period, but they have no long-term impact on your ability to get pregnant. Although Provera (medroxyprogresterone acetate) may have a short term impact on ovulation (by delaying it) it does not affect fertility in the long term.