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Norethisterone 5mg is a prescription-only (POM) synthetic progestogen used in short courses to delay menstruation. At Ways Pharmacy it is supplied only after a pharmacist-led online consultation has confirmed clinical suitability.
How to access this medicine
- Select the pack on this page and complete payment.
- You will be sent a clinical consultation questionnaire by email — please answer fully, including personal and family history of blood clots, smoking, BMI, migraines and current medicines.
- Our GPhC-registered pharmacist reviews your responses.
- If supply is clinically appropriate, the medicine is dispensed and dispatched.
- If supply is not appropriate, you will receive a full refund and a brief written explanation.
About this medicine
| Active ingredient | Norethisterone 5mg (炔诺酮) |
|---|---|
| Drug class | Synthetic progestogen |
| Licensed indication (this page) | Short-term delay of menstruation |
| Legal classification | POM — Prescription Only Medicine |
| Available presentation | 5mg tablets |
| How it works | Maintains progesterone-like signalling, keeping the womb lining intact until the tablets are stopped |
| Patient leaflet | Norethisterone PIL via emc — read before use |
Dosage (from the Summary of Product Characteristics)
The pharmacist will confirm the exact regimen for your circumstances during the consultation. The standard regimen for period delay is summarised below.
- One 5mg tablet, three times a day, starting approximately 3 days before the expected start of your period.
- Take the tablets at evenly spaced intervals through the day, swallowed whole with water.
- Continue for as long as you need the delay, up to a maximum of 17 days of continuous treatment.
- Your period will normally return within 2 to 3 days of stopping the tablets.
- Norethisterone used in this way is not a contraceptive. Continue your usual contraception if you are sexually active.
Who should not take this medicine
Norethisterone for period delay must not be used if any of the following apply:
- You are pregnant or think you may be pregnant
- You are breastfeeding
- You have a personal history of venous or arterial blood clots (DVT, pulmonary embolism, stroke, heart attack)
- You have active or recent liver disease, or a history of liver tumours
- You have a hormone-sensitive cancer (e.g. breast cancer) or a history of one
- You have undiagnosed vaginal bleeding
- You have a known hypersensitivity to norethisterone or any of the excipients listed in the PIL
Tell the pharmacist if you smoke (especially if you are over 35), have migraine with aura, are significantly overweight, have diabetes, epilepsy, asthma, heart or kidney problems, or are taking enzyme-inducing medicines (such as rifampicin, phenytoin, carbamazepine, or St John's Wort), as these may affect suitability or the dose.
Frequently asked questions
How early should I start norethisterone to delay a period?
Start approximately 3 days before the expected start of your period and continue while the delay is needed, up to a maximum of 17 days. If you start later than this, the delay may be less reliable.
When will my period return after stopping norethisterone?
Bleeding usually returns within 2 to 3 days of taking the last tablet, though some women may take a few days longer. The bleed itself is typically similar to a normal period.
Is norethisterone a contraceptive when used for period delay?
No. The short-course dosing used to delay menstruation does not provide reliable contraception. Continue your usual method if you are sexually active and do not wish to become pregnant.
Can I take norethisterone if I'm on the combined contraceptive pill?
This needs individual review. If you are already taking a hormonal contraceptive, the pharmacist will assess whether period delay can be achieved more safely by adjusting the existing contraceptive (for example by running pill packs back to back) rather than adding norethisterone.
What are the most common side effects?
Common side effects include headache, nausea, bloating, breast tenderness, mood changes, altered libido and irregular bleeding or spotting. Seek urgent medical attention if you develop sudden chest pain, breathlessness, severe headache, visual disturbance or painful swelling in a leg, as these can be signs of a blood clot.
Is norethisterone safe to take long-term?
The dosing on this page is for short-term period delay, with a maximum of 17 days per course. Long-term use of norethisterone for other indications (e.g. endometriosis, heavy menstrual bleeding) requires separate medical assessment and follow-up with your GP.
Regulatory information
- Legal status: POM (Prescription Only Medicine)
- Supplied by: Ways Pharmacy, UK — GPhC-registered (registration number on the storefront footer)
- Patient Information Leaflet: Norethisterone PIL via emc
- Suspected side effect? Report via the MHRA Yellow Card Scheme
- NHS information: NHS — Norethisterone
This page provides factual information about a prescription-only medicine and is not an advertisement to the public. Supply is dependent on satisfactory completion of a clinical consultation reviewed by a GPhC-registered pharmacist. Always read the Patient Information Leaflet before use.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Are there tips for safely using Norethisterone to delay periods?
Yes—take Norethisterone exactly as directed, usually starting 3 days before your period is due and continuing for up to 14 days. Avoid missing doses to maintain its effectiveness. For a personalised plan and approved treatment, Start Consultation to get started safely.
What happens after I order Norethisterone online?
Once you Start Consultation, select and pay for your treatment, our admin team will review your assessment to ensure Norethisterone is appropriate. If the chosen medication isn’t suitable, a pharmacist will recommend an alternative. Once approved, your order is dispatched without needing any additional steps from you.
Who can take Norethisterone and who should avoid it?
Norethisterone is suitable for most healthy women but may not be recommended for those with a history of blood clots, liver disease, or hormone-sensitive conditions. To ensure it’s safe for you, Start Consultation and complete a short health assessment. If it’s not suitable, our pharmacist will offer an appropriate alternative.
How does Norethisterone delay your period?
Norethisterone keeps progesterone levels high to prevent the womb lining from shedding, effectively delaying menstruation. It’s typically taken three times daily starting a few days before your period is due. Start Consultation, select your treatment, and after our team checks everything is safe, your medication will be dispatched directly, no further action needed.
What is Norethisterone and what is it used for?
Norethisterone 5mg is a synthetic hormone used to delay periods, treat heavy menstrual bleeding, or manage other menstrual disorders. It works by mimicking the natural hormone progesterone to help regulate your cycle. To begin treatment, simply Start Consultation, choose and pay for your medication, and our admin team will review your order for safety and suitability.
Reviewed Date
04 June 2025
Published On
04 June 2025
Last Updated
04 June 2025