Period Delay Options Compared
Norethisterone, medroxyprogesterone and the combined pill compared, including the brand names you may have seen, so you can see which fits your situation before you speak to a prescriber.
Part of the Period Delay Health Guide.
When to get urgent help: Call 999 or go to A&E if you have signs of a blood clot or stroke while taking norethisterone: pain, swelling or redness in one leg; sudden chest pain or breathlessness; coughing up blood; sudden weakness or numbness on one side of the body, difficulty speaking or a sudden severe headache. Also call 999 for a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, wheezing or difficulty breathing. Stop taking it and see a doctor the same day if your skin or eyes turn yellow, you get a migraine for the first time, or you have sudden changes to your vision.
Key fact: the main options are norethisterone 5mg (brand names include Primolut N and Utovlan), which is the only progestogen licensed in the UK to delay periods; medroxyprogesterone tablets (brand Provera), used off-label; and, if you already take one, running a combined pill back to back. None of the tablets taken just to delay a period work as contraception.
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Get norethisterone 5mg →At a glance
| Option | Brand names | Usual dose | Licensed for period delay? | Who it may suit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Norethisterone 5mg | Primolut N, Utovlan | 5mg three times a day, from 3 days before your period | Yes | Not on hormonal contraception; occasional delay |
| Medroxyprogesterone tablets | Provera | 10mg three times a day (NHS SPS) | No (off-label) | When norethisterone isn’t suitable; not for people who have had a blood clot |
| Combined pill back to back | Your usual brand | Skip the break or inactive pills | Off-label for some brands | Already taking a combined pill |
| Longer-term methods | Hormonal coil, contraceptive injection, ring or patch | Varies | Licensed as contraception (continuous ring or patch use is off-label) | Want ongoing control of bleeding as well as contraception |
Norethisterone (Primolut N, Utovlan)
Norethisterone is the standard tablet for occasional period delay and the only progestogen licensed in the UK for it. The dose is one 5mg tablet three times a day, starting at least 3 days before your period is due. Take it for as long as your prescriber advises: the Primolut N licence describes courses of no longer than 10 to 14 days, and NHS Specialist Pharmacy Service guidance allows up to 3 to 4 weeks if necessary. Your period usually starts within 3 days of stopping.
Primolut N and Utovlan are brand names for norethisterone, so if you have taken either before, it is the same active medicine. Because part of each dose is converted in the body to a small amount of oestrogen, it carries the same blood clot warnings as the combined pill. See how norethisterone works.
Medroxyprogesterone (Provera)
Medroxyprogesterone is another progestogen. NHS Specialist Pharmacy Service guidance describes 10mg three times a day to delay a period, which is an off-label use (outside the medicine’s licence). NHS SPS lists it as an option for people who can’t take oestrogens. It isn’t suitable for everyone: the Provera product information says it should not be used by people who have had or have a blood clot in a vein. Breakthrough bleeding can happen, and periods usually return within 3 days of stopping.
It is not reliable contraception, so use condoms or another method. Your prescriber will decide whether it is appropriate and how long to take it for.
Combined pill back to back
If you already take a combined pill, you can usually skip the withdrawal bleed by starting the next pack straight away instead of having a pill-free week. With everyday (ED) packs, you skip the inactive pills. Phasic pills, where the dose changes through the pack, need a different approach, so ask a pharmacist or prescriber. This is off-label for some brands, and breakthrough bleeding is common at first. It isn’t worth starting the pill just to delay one period. See how to delay your period on the pill.
Longer-term options
If you want to control bleeding regularly rather than for one event, a hormonal coil, the contraceptive injection, or using a combined pill, ring or patch continuously can reduce or stop periods over time. These are contraceptives, and some take months to settle. After stopping the contraceptive injection, it can take from a few months to over a year for fertility to return. Talk to your GP or a sexual health clinic if repeated one-off delays are becoming a pattern.
What about natural methods?
Lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, gram lentils and intense exercise are widely shared, but there is no reliable evidence that they delay a period. See how to delay your period naturally: what the evidence says.
Which might suit you?
- Occasional delay, not on hormonal contraception: norethisterone is usually the first choice.
- Norethisterone not suitable for you: ask whether medroxyprogesterone is an option.
- Already on a combined pill: run packs back to back, following advice for your brand.
- On the progestogen-only (mini) pill: it can’t reliably be used to delay a period. Speak to a prescriber about your options.
- Want ongoing control: consider a longer-term contraceptive method.
Your prescriber will confirm what is appropriate for you during your consultation.
UK safety and prescribing information
- Legal status: norethisterone is a prescription-only medicine (POM). At Access Doctor it is prescribed only after an online consultation with a GPhC-registered pharmacist independent prescriber, who may decline and suggest an alternative or that you see your GP.
- Licence: it is the only progestogen licensed in the UK to delay periods (NHS Specialist Pharmacy Service). The dose is 5mg three times a day, starting 3 days before your period is due.
- Course length: take it for as long as your prescriber advises. The Primolut N licence describes courses of no longer than 10 to 14 days, and NHS Specialist Pharmacy Service guidance says it can be taken for up to 3 to 4 weeks if necessary.
- Not a contraceptive: use condoms or another method while you take it.
- Blood clots: part of each dose is converted in the body to ethinylestradiol, the oestrogen in the combined pill (about 4–6 micrograms for every 1mg, according to the Primolut N product information), so the same blood clot warnings apply. Your prescriber will check risk factors such as a previous clot, smoking, a BMI over 30, being over 35, recent surgery and long-haul travel.
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding: do not take it if you are or might be pregnant. The Primolut N product information says it should be avoided while breastfeeding, so ask your prescriber.
- Reporting side effects: you can report suspected side effects to the MHRA through the Yellow Card scheme website or the Yellow Card app.
Planning to Delay Your Period?
Start your consultation at least a week before your period is due, so your tablets arrive in time to begin 3 days beforehand. Approved orders placed before 3pm Monday to Friday are dispatched that day by Royal Mail Tracked 24.
Get norethisterone 5mg →Frequently asked questions
What can I take instead of norethisterone to delay my period?
Medroxyprogesterone tablets are the main alternative, used off-label at 10mg three times a day. If you already take a combined pill, you can usually run packs back to back instead.
Is Utovlan the same as norethisterone?
Yes. Utovlan and Primolut N are brand names for norethisterone, the same active medicine.
Norethisterone vs medroxyprogesterone: which is better?
Norethisterone is licensed for period delay and is usually the first choice. Medroxyprogesterone is used off-label and may be considered if norethisterone isn’t suitable for you. A prescriber will advise which suits you.
Can I just start the pill to delay one period?
Running packs back to back only helps if you already take a combined pill. For a one-off delay if you are not on the pill, norethisterone is usually simpler.
Do natural methods work?
No. There is no reliable evidence for lemon juice, vinegar or similar remedies. Medication is the only reliable way to delay a period for a fixed date.
References
- electronic Medicines Compendium. Norethisterone 5mg Tablets — Summary of Product Characteristics and Patient Information Leaflet. medicines.org.uk
- electronic Medicines Compendium. Primolut N 5mg Tablets — Summary of Product Characteristics. medicines.org.uk
- NHS Specialist Pharmacy Service. Choosing a medicine to delay periods. 2025. sps.nhs.uk
- NHS. Common questions about medroxyprogesterone tablets. nhs.uk
- NHS. Combined pill. nhs.uk
- MHRA. Yellow Card scheme. yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk
Medical disclaimer: This article is for information only and does not replace advice from your GP, pharmacist or prescriber. Norethisterone is a prescription-only medicine; always follow the instructions on your label and leaflet. In a medical emergency, call 999.