Period delay

Norethisterone 5mg or Provera 10mg tablets to postpone the onset of periods by up to 17 days, for special occasions. Available to buy online from Dr Fox Pharmacy.

Read medical information and answer medical questions to buy treatment online.

Period delay medication

Prices

All medication supplied is UK licensed.

Norethisterone

Norethisterone 5mg

30-60 tablets from £12.90

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Provera

Provera 10mg

30-60 tablets from £16.60

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Prices

Medicine Quantity Cost
Norethisterone 5mg 30 tablets (delay period up to 7 days) £12.90
Norethisterone 5mg 60 tablets (delay period up to 17 days) £21.80
Provera 10mg 30 tablets (delay period up to 7 days) £16.60
Provera 10mg 60 tablets (delay period up to 17 days) £27.90

Prescription issued online - small prescription fee per order.

Prescription fees

Dr Fox supplies medicine on prescription and charges a small prescription fee based on the order value of each prescription.

Prescriptions are issued by our doctors online and sent electronically to our pharmacy.

Order value Prescription fee
up to £10 £1.00
up to £20 £2.00
up to £40 £3.00
over £40 £4.00

If you have your own private or NHS paper prescription please post to our pharmacy (details).

Dr Fox prices are 25%–50% lower than other UK online clinics.

Delivery charges

UK delivery only: £2.90 per consultation via Royal Mail Tracked 24 Signed For (1-2 working days with tracking).

Parcel forwarding services are not permitted. Use only UK home or work delivery address.

Returns and refunds - unwanted items can be returned within 14 working days for a full refund.

Medical information

Written and reviewed by a team of doctors. Dr Fox is regulated by the CQC & GPhC.

How period delay tablets works

Provera 10mg (medroxyprogesterone) and norethisterone 5mg tablets can be taken three times daily to delay periods. Start tablets at least 3 days before the expected start of the period and continue for as long as needed. A period bleed will normally start 2-3 days, and possibly longer, after stopping the tablets.

The balance of hormones changes during the menstrual cycle. During the time Provera or norethisterone tablets are being taken a period (shedding of the womb lining) will be delayed.

Women currently taking a contraceptive pill should not use norethisterone to delay their periods. There is more information about delaying periods when taking contraceptive pills on the NHS page How can I delay my period?

Provera and norethisterone are not contraceptives and will not prevent pregnancy.

Length of treatment

Dr Fox can supply sufficient Provera or norethisterone tablets to delay a period for up to 17 days, a maximum of 60 tablets. If period delay of less than 17 days is required, the tablets are taken for fewer days and fewer tablets are required.

Taking tablets to delay periods is for occasional use only and should not be requested more than once in 3 months (four times per year). If period delay is needed more frequently or for longer, consult your own GP. Often using a form of hormonal contraceptive can be an effective period control, with many contraceptives reducing or stopping periods completely.

Patients MUST read manufacturer's patient information leaflets (links below) supplied with tablets.

Other medications - interactions

There are a few medications which can interact with Provera or norethisterone. This may make either medication less effective. Checks are carried out in the online consultation.

Possible side effects

As with all medications, Provera (medroxyprogesterone) and norethisterone can cause side effects, although these are usually not troublesome. Further information about side effects can be found in manufacturer's patient information leaflets supplied in medicine packs.

Fluid retention

Provera and norethisterone are progestogens which can cause fluid retention. This can make certain pre-existing conditions worse. You may still be able to use period delay medication but extra care should be taken and Dr Fox cannot prescribe period delay medication for you, if you suffer from:

  • Epilepsy.
  • Migraine.
  • Asthma.
  • Heart disease.
  • Kidney disease.

Please discuss period delay with your regular doctor if the above applies.

Provera 10mg side effects

Provera side-effects are usually not troublesome at the doses used for period delay. They most commonly include headache, nausea or feeling sick, and unexpected or unusual vaginal bleeding or spotting.

Norethisterone 5mg side effects

The most commonly reported side effects are bloating, breast tenderness, and loss of libido. Side effects are more likely if norethisterone is taken long term, rather than in a short course to delay periods.

Some women taking norethisterone experience fluid retention which can worsen pre-existing migraine, epilepsy, blood pressure, and asthma.

Very rare sensitivity reactions

Very rarely, Provera and norethisterone may cause a severe allergic reaction. Sudden onset of some or all of the following require emergency treatment (telephone 999 in the UK):

  • Wheezing.
  • Difficulty breathing.
  • Feeling faint.
  • Swelling of the face or tongue.
  • Swelling of the hands and feet.
  • Intense itchy skin rash.

Reasons to stop period delay medication immediately

  • New migraine type headache.
  • Significant increase in blood pressure.
  • Jaundice or liver function deterioration.

Period delay medication is not recommended

Provera and norethisterone are not recommended for period delay, if you have or have had in the past:

  • Angina (heart pain).
  • Heart attack.
  • High blood pressure.
  • Liver disease.
  • Jaundice in pregnancy.
  • Severe itching or a severe blistering rash in pregnancy (rare).
  • Porphyria (rare metabolic disorder).
  • Genital or breast cancer or liver tumours.
  • Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).
  • Diabetes.
  • Depression.
  • Otosclerosis (rare cause of hearing problems).

Risk of blood clots (Venous Thromboembolism)

All women have a small chance of having a blood clot in the veins of the legs or in the lungs or other parts of the body. The risk of a clot is very slightly increased if norethisterone is being taken. There is much less increased risk when taking Provera.

Dr Fox cannot prescribe Provera or norethisterone if the following apply, as they also increase the risk of blood clots:

  • Very overweight.
  • Previous blood clot in the veins or lungs.
  • Relatives have had blood clots.
  • Immobility for long periods of time, e.g. after an operation, or during a long haul flight (6+ hours).
  • After serious injury or major surgery.
  • History of repeated miscarriage.

In about 10% of women there may be light spotting or bleeding the longer the cycle is extended.

Buy treatment

Dr Fox supplies period delay tablets on prescription – you are required to answer a short medical questionnaire before your order can be completed.

Dr Tony Steele

Authored 17 November 2012 by Dr Tony Steele
MB ChB Sheffield University 1983. Former hospital doctor and GP. GMC no. 2825328

Reviewed by Dr C. Pugh, Dr A. Wood, Dr B. Babor
Last reviewed 04 April 2023
Last updated 18 March 2024
Editorial policy

References

  1. Medical questions
  2. Choose treatment
  3. Complete order
Note: EU imported Provera may be supplied (same medicine as UK Provera).

Answer medical questions to order(period delay)

Women only

Honest & accurate responses are necessary for safe medical assessment

Have you read the medical information for period delay?

See medical information. Dr Fox does not supply period delay treatment to women 55 years or over.

Are you allergic or sensitive to Provera or norethisterone?

Are you pregnant, possibly pregnant, or breastfeeding?

Provera and norethisterone not recommended in pregnancy or when breastfeeding.

Are you using any hormonal contraception?

Hormonal contraception includes:

  • Contraceptive pills
  • Contraceptive patches
  • Contraceptive vaginal ring
  • Contraceptive implant
  • Contraceptive injection (depot)
  • Hormone releasing coil (IUS)

Are you in a high risk group for thrombosis, sometimes called DVT or blood clots?

  • Very overweight
  • Previous blood clot in the veins or lungs
  • Relatives who have had blood clots
  • Immobility for long periods of time, e.eg after an operation or during a long haul flight (6+ hours)
  • After serious injury or have major surgery
  • History of repeated miscarriage

Are you over 35 AND a smoker?

Do you have undiagnosed irregular vaginal bleeding?

Are you taking any medication listed below?

These medications can interact with norethisterone and Provera:

  • Medicines to treat epilepsy (e.g. phenytoin, carbamazepine)
  • Antiviral medicines to treat HIV (e.g. ritonavir, nelfinavir, nevirapine, efavirenz)
  • Blood thinning medication (e.g. warfarin)
  • Herbal preparations containing St John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum)
  • Antibiotics for tuberculosis (e.g. rifampicin, rifabutin)
  • Other antibiotic medicines (e.g. doxycycline, lymecycline, other tetracyclines, co-trimoxazole)
  • Anticancer medicines
  • Ciclosporin (for suppressing the immune system)
  • Non-steroidal inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for treating pain and inflammation
  • Medicines for high blood pressure

Have you ever been diagnosed with any of the following?

  • Angina (heart pain)
  • Myocardial infarction (heart attack)
  • High blood pressure
  • Liver disease
  • Jaundice in pregnancy
  • Severe itching or a severe blistering rash in pregnancy (rare)
  • Porphyria (rare metabolic disorder)
  • Genital or breast cancer or liver tumours
  • Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
  • Diabetes
  • Depression
  • Otosclerosis (rare cause of hearing problems)

Have you been diagnosed with any of the following?

Thee following conditions can be made worse by fluid retention which is sometimes caused by Provera or norethisterone:

  • Epilepsy
  • Migraine
  • Asthma
  • Heart disease
  • Kidney disease

Are you aware Provera or norethisterone need to be started at least 3 days before your period is due?

  • If Provera or norethisterone is not started at least 3 days before a period, it may not work to delay the period
  • Period bleeding usually starts 2-3 days after Provera or norethisterone is stopped, but it can sometimes begin sooner or later after stopping the tablets

If ordering Provera, do you agree to Provera being supplied to you 'off label'?

If ordering norethisterone answer 'Yes' and continue.
If a medicine is used for an 'off label' (unlicensed) purpose the manufacturer is not liable in case of adverse events. Doctors take the responsibility for the prescribing. The dose regime for Provera for period delay is not mentioned in the manufacturer's patient leaflet insert - please follow the dosage instructions on the label affixed to the packet.

Do you have any further medical information or questions?

Is there anything you do not understand or do you need further help?

Do the following apply to you?


The order process

Choose medication, register, and pay

Dr Fox issues prescription online

Pharmacy team post medication direct


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