Posted 18 June 2021
Period delay...because we’ve all complained “I
don’t want to have my period on holiday”.
There are many options for managing your
period on holiday, but for some of us relying on a tampon during outdoor
swimming season isn’t a comfortable option.
Add to this the rare opportunity to wear
floaty white linen dresses and pastel-coloured shorts…
...and your period becomes mildly terrifying
when your adventures take you too far away from the toilets.
The good news is there is an alternative. It’s
been around for a long time but has picked up in popularity in recent years.
Order your period delay tablets here
How period delay tablets work
Period delay tablets contain a drug called
Norethisterone (also known as Primolut N). The drug has been designed to behave
like the sex hormone progesterone.
The job of progesterone is to maintain a plush
womb lining, ready for implantation of your baby-to-be. When progesterone
levels drop, your womb lining breaks down and you get your period.
Norethisterone mimics the hormone
progesterone, preventing breakdown of your womb lining. This delays your
period.
When you stop taking the period delay tablets,
progesterone levels drop and you’ll get your period within 2-3 days.
Period delay “pill” vs contraceptive pill
The contraceptive pill and the period delay
pill are both based on sex hormones, but they are very different.
Here is the most important information you
need to know about them both:
- Norethisterone will not prevent pregnancy so you need
to make sure you have effective contraception in place.
- Women taking the combined pill for
contraception have the option to take the combined pill packs “back to back” to
prevent their period, so period delay medication is not needed and is not
recommended.
- Women taking the progesterone only
pill cannot delay their period in the same way as women taking the combined
pill, and are able to apply for the period delay tablets.
Because you cannot buy period delay medication
over the counter, your doctor will advise you whether Norethisterone is a good
option for you.
Here at WebMed Pharmacy we have online doctors
who will assess your suitability via an online medical questionnaire at no
extra cost, making this process simple, fast and affordable.
Will the period delay tablet work for my two week holiday?
Norethisterone should be taken 3 days before
the start of your period. You’ll take three 5mg tablets a day for the duration
of your holiday, up to a maximum of 17 days.
For a week-long holiday, a 30 pack will last
you the full 7 days.
For a longer holiday, you’ll need the 60 pack.
It’s not recommended that you take this
regularly. If you find you need to delay your period frequently then it’s
recommended you speak to your GP to discuss longer term alternatives.
The side effects of taking period delay medication
As with all drugs, there is a risk of side
effects but not everyone gets them. Potential side effects of Norethisterone
are similar to the symptoms you may experience when you get your period. Things
like bloating, breast swelling, breast tenderness, headaches and nausea.
I’m going on holiday in a couple of days… can I get this prescription now?!
We use DPD 24-hour discreet delivery, which
means your order can be delivered to your home, place of work, the next working
day, within a 1-hour allocated time slot or to one of over 5,500 pick-up shops
for your convenience.
Order your period delay tablets here
All you need to do is place your order and
have it approved by our team of doctors before 4pm. Note that orders placed
after 4pm Friday are processed Monday for delivery on Tuesday. Read more about
our process here.
Author: Gemma Boak
Medically reviewed by: Superintendent pharmacist Margaret Hudson BSc(Hons)MRPharmS 18/06/21
Posted in Womens health