Norethisterone 5mg

If you need to delay your period for a vacation, you can purchase Norethisterone tablets by filling out a simple questionnaire. Our pharmacist team will assess whether Norethisterone tablets are safe for you and ensure fast, discreet delivery across the UK, straight to your doorstep.

Norethisterone is an alternative progesterone, made to delay periods. Our Norethisterone Tablets for stopping periods come in 5mg strength and are mainly used to delay periods for up to 14 days. 

Why Norethisterone Tablets Are a Popular Choice to Delay Periods:

Effective: Norethisterone prevents the shedding of the uterine lining, effectively delaying your period.

Short-Term Use: Ideal for special events or vacations when you want to avoid your period.

Easy Dosage: Always consult your doctor before taking Norethisterone Tablets. The recommended dose is usually 1 tablet, 3 times a day, starting 3-4 days before your period is due.

Safe and Trusted: Widely recommended by doctors for its proven reliability, but please consult your doctor and pharmacist before consumption. 

Quick Action: Your period will usually begin a few days after stopping the medication.

Note Please:
Norethisterone tablets delay periods, but they won't prevent pregnancy. It is also not suggested for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. Always talk to your doctor first.

Norethisterone Tablets are an alternative form of progesterone, a female hormone, used to delay periods, manage heavy or painful periods, treat endometriosis, and in hormone replacement therapy (HRT).

The level of progesterone hormone drops just before a period, causing the uterine lining to shed as part of the menstrual period. By taking Norethisterone tablets, progestogen levels are maintained artificially high level, therefore causing the period to not begin.

Period delay tablets also have some androgenic properties, as well as some oestrogenic activity. Progestogens are naturally occurring hormones that keep the uterus lining in place. Norethisterone's common side effects may include bloating, nausea, and headaches. Also known as Primolut N® and Utovlan® in the UK.

It is important to know that Norethisterone 5mg on its own is not a reliable form of contraception.

To delay your period, take one Norethisterone tablet orally (5 mg) three times a day (total 15 mg daily), starting three days before your period is due. Always consult your doctor on dosage before taking Norethisterone tablets.

Continue taking Norethisterone until you no longer require your period to be stopped. Once you stop taking Norethisterone, your period should start in 2 to 3 days. Norethisterone should be taken for a maximum of 17 days, which is 14 days of period delay.

Simply choose 3 times throughout the day that are easy for you to remember and take your pill. Every day, you should take it at the same time.

Common dosage: Take one 5 mg tablet three times a day (total 15 mg daily), starting three days before your period is due. Please consult your doctor on dosage before taking Norethisterone tablets. 

Take the time to read the Patient Information Leaflet before using this medication. The information written there is critical. It tells you when to take your pills and what to do if you miss a dose. Simply ask your doctor if you are unsure about your prescription. They will advise you on what you should do.

If you miss taking your period delay tablets, take them at the wrong time (different from the usual time), or begin a new pack late, you should endeavour to complete the dose at the times you previously set for dosage. If multiple Norethisterone dosages or days are missed, please consult your doctor for advice. 

Please remember, Norethisterone tablets are not a contraceptive; irrespective of missed dosages, Norethisterone period delay tablets should not be relied upon to prevent pregnancy. Please consult the NHS Contraception resources for more information. 

When you take Norethisterone, you may notice that your periods become lighter/heavier than usual, or that they become irregular.

You may also experience vaginal spotting or vaginal bleeding between periods. If this happens, you do not have to stop taking your pills.

You can take Norethisterone period-delaying tablets to postpone your period for a maximum of 20 days. However, Norethisterone should not be taken regularly every month as it is designed to be taken occasionally.

If you need to stop your period for more than 14 days within the 17-day maximum or require it more frequently, it’s important to consult your GP to discuss your options and ensure that period delay tablets are safe for you.

Norethisterone information leaflet: https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.1494.pdf

If you are currently taking a contraceptive pill, you shouldn’t use Norethisterone tablets to delay your period. If you are taking a combined contraceptive pill such as Microgynon, you can delay your period by taking 2 months of your combined pill back to back, ensuring that you do not take your 7-day pill-free break or your placebo/inactive pills. This form of period delay will not work with the progesterone-only pill (the mini-pill), such as Cerazette.

Norethisterone tablets are not a contraceptive; they will not prevent pregnancy.

As of January 2026, the lowest price of Norethisterone tablets at Ashcroft Pharmacy starts from £8.99 for 30 tablets of 5mg. For 60 tablets, the price is £17.98.

Ashcroft Pharmacy can provide you with a maximum of 60 period delay tablets, which will delay your period for 14 days. If you need to delay your period for less than 14 days, fewer tablets will be required.

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/periods/

https://patient.info/womens-health/periods-and-period-problems/delaying-a-period

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/missed-or-late-periods/

Product information leaflet: https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.1494.pdf

Healthcare Professionals (SmPC)

https://patient.info/medicine/norethisterone-for-painful-or-heavy-periods-primolut-n-utovlan#about-norethisterone