How to Delay Your Period on the Pill

If you're already on the combined contraceptive pill, you don't need norethisterone — you can normally skip your period by running packs back-to-back. Here's how.

Part of our complete guide to period delay.

If you're already on the combined pill, running packs back-to-back is usually all it takes to skip your period. It doesn't work the same way on the progestogen-only mini pill, and multiphasic pills need specific advice. Here's how it works, and which pills you can do it with.

The Bleed on the Pill Isn't a "Real" Period

The bleed you get during the pill-free week is a withdrawal bleed. It's triggered by the drop in hormones, not by your natural cycle. There's no health need for it, which is why skipping it is safe and increasingly seen as a normal option.

Combined Pill: How to Run Packs Back-to-Back

• Monophasic pills (e.g. Rigevidon, Microgynon, Cilest, Marvelon, Yasmin — all active pills identical): finish the active pills, then start a new pack's active pills immediately with no break. Skip any inactive/placebo pills.
• 21-day packs: start the next pack the day after your last active pill — no 7-day gap.
• 28-day (with placebos): skip the inactive pills and go straight to the active pills of the next pack.

You can run two or more packs together. Breakthrough spotting is common when you trick the cycle, especially the first time, but it's not harmful and usually settles down.

Multiphasic (Bi/Triphasic) Pills — Get Advice First

Some pills change hormone dose through the pack — Logynon and some other phasic brands, for example. You can't just run these back-to-back without planning, because the doses at the end and start don't match. Ask a prescriber how to skip with your specific brand.

The Mini Pill (Progestogen-Only)

The traditional mini pill isn't taken with a break, so there's no withdrawal bleed to skip. Bleeding patterns on it are variable and can't be timed reliably. If you're on the mini pill and need to control bleeding for a specific date, speak to a prescriber about your options.

If You're Not on the Pill

Running packs back-to-back only works if you're already on the combined pill. If you're not, norethisterone is the standard route for a one-off delay. See the norethisterone guide or compare all options.

If you're not on the combined pill, Access Doctor's pharmacist independent prescribers can assess you through a short online consultation and, where appropriate, prescribe norethisterone with discreet next-day delivery.