Symptoms
What period delay is for (and what it is not)
You are not treating an illness. You are choosing to postpone a bleed. Unusual pain, a missed period already, or clot-type symptoms need a different conversation.
Treatments
Period Delay Tablets Online
Request period delay tablets online from Private Pharmacy Care. A UK-registered clinician reviews suitability, with discreet UK delivery if prescribed.
Introduction
Treatment overview
Period delay uses a prescription hormone tablet, usually norethisterone, to postpone a bleed for a holiday, exam, or event. It is short-term and not a regular contraceptive method.
We will review eligibility including clot risk, migraine, and whether you could already be pregnant.
The condition
What is period delay?
Period delay is the short-term use of a prescription hormone tablet, usually norethisterone, to postpone a withdrawal bleed for a holiday, exam, wedding or sports event. It is not a regular contraceptive method and it does not reliably prevent pregnancy. Spotting can still happen while you take it.
You usually start the tablets a few days before a period is due and continue until you want the bleed to occur. After you stop, a period typically starts within a few days, though timing varies. If a period is already late before you start, you should rule out pregnancy first.
Private Pharmacy Care may review eligibility when this service is open, including clot risk, migraine, liver disease and whether you could already be pregnant. A clinician decides. Completing a consultation does not guarantee a prescription. Always read the patient information leaflet. Combined-pill users sometimes delay a bleed by running packets together — only do that if a clinician has confirmed it is appropriate for your brand.
Causes
How a period happens and why hormones can delay it
A period is the shedding of the womb lining when hormone support falls. Keeping progestogen high for a short time can delay that shed.
Treatments
Available treatment options
This is a guide to licensed UK approaches. A clinician decides if norethisterone is appropriate. Completing a consultation does not guarantee a prescription. It is not a substitute for ongoing contraception.
Products
Norethisterone 5mg tablets
Norethisterone 5mg period delay tablets. One tablet three times a day, started 3 days before your period. From…
Benefits
Benefits and uses
Taken correctly, norethisterone can delay a period for a limited time. Bleeding often starts a few days after you stop.
Short-term control
Useful for a planned event when a clinician agrees it is safe.
Clear start-and-stop dates
You will be told when to begin relative to your expected period.
Clot-risk screening
Hormones are not suitable for everyone.
Not your everyday contraception
You still need a reliable contraceptive method if you do not want to be pregnant.
Eligibility
Eligibility
Period delay is for adults who are not pregnant and who can take a progestogen safely for a short course.
May be suitable if
- You have regular periods and a clear date you want to delay a bleed
- You are not pregnant and will tell us if there is any chance you could be
- You can take tablets three times daily if that is the regimen
- You understand spotting can still happen
May not be suitable if
- History of blood clots, certain cancers, or unexplained vaginal bleeding
- Pregnancy or unexplained missed pills if you rely on contraception
- Severe liver disease
- You want this as your only ongoing contraceptive
A clinician decides whether treatment is appropriate. Completing a consultation does not guarantee a prescription.
Start a consultation
Ready to check if Period delay is right for you?
Complete a short online consultation. A UK-registered clinician reviews your answers before any treatment is supplied.
- UK-registered clinician review
- Confidential online consultation
- Discreet UK delivery
How it works
How it works
Norethisterone keeps the womb lining from shedding while you take it. You usually start a few days before a period is due. After stopping, a bleed typically follows within a few days.
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Complete a consultation
Answer a short, confidential questionnaire about your symptoms, medical history and current medicines.
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Clinician review
A UK-registered clinician reviews your answers to check the treatment is safe and appropriate for you.
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Dispensing and delivery
If a prescription is issued, our pharmacy dispenses the medicine and sends it in discreet UK packaging.
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Support if you need it
Questions after you start treatment? Contact the team and we will help you with next steps.
Safety
Safety information
Stop and seek urgent care for chest pain, a swollen calf, sudden severe headache, or weakness.
This medicine is not recommended as contraception — extra precautions may be needed.
- Tell us about migraine, smoking, BMI, and clot history.
- Do a pregnancy test if a period is already late before you start.
- Spotting can still occur.
- Always read the patient information leaflet supplied with a medicine. This page is general information and is not a substitute for personalised clinical advice.
Side effects
Side effects
Breast tenderness, bloating, mood change, and spotting are common.
- Spotting or breakthrough bleeding Can still happen despite treatment.
- Bloating or breast tenderness Usually settle after you stop.
- Mood change or headache Seek advice for migraine with aura or severe headache.
- Nausea Take with food if it helps and the leaflet allows.
Always read the patient information leaflet supplied with a medicine. This page is general information and is not a substitute for personalised clinical advice.
Using treatment
How to take or use the treatment
Always read the patient information leaflet. Start dates are calculated from your usual cycle. The steps below are general.
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Confirm you are not already pregnant
Do a test if your period is late or you have had unprotected sex and a missed pill. Do not start delay tablets if the test is positive.
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Start at the advised time before the bleed
Starting too late, once bleeding has begun, will not usually stop that period. Take doses evenly across the day, with water, with food if it helps nausea.
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Use contraception as usual
Norethisterone for period delay is not your contraceptive. Use condoms or your regular method. Extra precautions may be needed — follow the leaflet.
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Stop when you want the period to start
A bleed often arrives 2 to 4 days after the last tablet. If it does not, and you have had unprotected sex, do a pregnancy test and seek advice.
Safety netting
When to seek medical advice
Bloating and breast tenderness are common. Chest pain, a swollen calf, and sudden severe headache are emergencies on any progestogen with clot risk factors.
Seek urgent help (A&E) if
- Chest pain, coughing blood, or a swollen painful calf — go to A&E; possible clot.
- Sudden severe headache, weakness, or trouble speaking — go to A&E.
- Heavy bleeding soaking pads hourly with feeling faint — emergency care.
- Severe allergic reaction to the tablet — go to A&E.
Contact a clinician or NHS 111 if
- You might be pregnant, or a test is positive — do not continue period-delay tablets; contact a GP or sexual health service.
- Migraine with aura, or you have a clot history you did not mention on the form.
- You need delay for more than a short event, or every month — discuss a contraceptive method designed for longer use.
- Severe low mood or new migraine on the tablets — stop and seek advice.
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
Tap a question to see the answer. If you still need help, our team is ready to assist.
Is this service available now?
Yes. Start an online consultation. Speak to a GP or pharmacist for current options if your event is imminent.
Is it contraception?
No. Use your usual method plus condoms if needed.
When will my period start after I stop?
Often within 2 to 4 days, but it varies. A pregnancy test is wise if it does not arrive and you have had unprotected sex.
Can I delay for several months?
This pathway is for short-term delay. Repeated or long courses need a different contraceptive discussion.
Why choose us
Why choose Private Pharmacy Care?
A regulated UK pharmacy service with clinician review, discreet delivery and support if you have questions after treatment is supplied.
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UK-registered clinicians
Every request is reviewed by a UK-registered clinician before a medicine can be prescribed.
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Confidential consultations
Complete a private questionnaire from home. Your information is used to check that treatment is safe and appropriate.
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Discreet UK dispensing
If a prescription is issued, our pharmacy dispenses it and sends it in plain packaging.
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Clear safety checks
We ask about your symptoms, medical history and other medicines. Completing a form does not guarantee a prescription.
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Support after you order
Questions about side effects or how to take a medicine? Contact the team and we will help you with next steps.
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Regulated pharmacy care
Private Pharmacy Care is a UK pharmacy service. Named clinicians and public register details are listed on our clinical team page.
Sources
References and medical sources
This page is general information for UK patients. It is not a substitute for the patient information leaflet or personalised clinical advice.
- NHS: Stopping or delaying your period Patient-facing NHS guidance.
- NICE Clinical Knowledge Summaries UK clinical reference used by healthcare professionals.
- Electronic Medicines Compendium (emc) UK Summaries of Product Characteristics and patient information leaflets.
- MHRA UK medicines regulator.
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