Period delay
Norethisterone can delay your period for holidays, events or special occasions. Start it 3 days before your period is due.
- Start 3 days before your period
- Reviewed by a UK pharmacist
- Only charged if approved
Complete a consultation
Choose a treatment and answer a few confidential health questions. It takes a few minutes.
Pharmacist review
A pharmacist checks it's safe and right for you. We only take payment if it's approved.
Delivered discreetly
Sent in plain packaging, or collect it from the pharmacy in Longton.
Start your consultation
Answer a few questions about your health first. You'll see the treatments available at the end, and our pharmacist checks your choice is right for you before anything is supplied.
- Start consultation
Online consultation
Period delay
- About 5 minutes, all online
- Reviewed by our pharmacist
- Only charged if your treatment is approved
Patient information
How period delay works
Period delay tablets contain norethisterone, a man-made version of the hormone progesterone. It keeps the lining of your womb in place, so your period doesn't start while you're taking it.
You start the tablets 3 days before your period is due and keep taking them for as long as you want to delay it, up to the limit our pharmacist advises. Your period usually starts 2 to 3 days after you stop.
Period delay tablets are not a contraceptive. If you could get pregnant, use a condom or your usual contraception while you take them.
Reviewed by Hinna Ahmed, Superintendent Pharmacist, on
This clinic could be right for you if
- You're a woman aged 18 or over with a regular cycle
- You'd like to delay your period for a holiday, event or special occasion
- You know roughly when your next period is due
Speak to a GP first if
- You've ever had a blood clot (such as DVT or pulmonary embolism), a stroke or a heart attack
- You have liver problems, or have had breast cancer
- You have bleeding between periods or after sex that hasn't been checked
- You might be pregnant
Common questions
When should I start taking the tablets?
Start 3 days before your period is due. Because the consultation is checked by a pharmacist before anything is sent, order at least a week before you need to start.
I take the combined pill. Do I need period delay tablets?
Often not. With many combined pills you can delay a period by starting the next pack straight away, without a break. Check your pill's leaflet or ask us, as this doesn't work with every type of pill.
Is it a contraceptive?
No. Period delay tablets won't stop you getting pregnant. Use a condom or your usual contraception.
What are the side effects?
Some people get bloating, breast tenderness, headaches, mood changes or feel sick. Hormone tablets also carry a small increased risk of blood clots, which is why the consultation asks about your health and family history.
What if my period starts anyway?
Occasionally there's some spotting or bleeding while taking the tablets. If you have heavy or ongoing bleeding, stop and speak to a pharmacist or your GP.
Other clinics
If you have severe symptoms, feel very unwell, or your symptoms keep coming back, please speak to your GP or call NHS 111. In an emergency call 999.