Norethisterone

What is Norethisterone?

Norethisterone is a tablet used to help symptoms of endometriosis or heavy periods, and it can also help to delay your period. If you have a holiday or event planned but your period is due, taking Norethisterone can help you enjoy it fully.

Norethisterone is a generic medication, so it’s cheaper than the branded version. It’s a bit different to the regular contraceptive pill, because you only take it short term.

How does Norethisterone work?

Norethisterone is a type of medication called a progestin. Progestins are lab-made versions of the natural female hormone progesterone and they work in almost the same way in the body.

Progesterone is the hormone which makes the lining of your uterus thicken to prepare for pregnancy. Your period happens when progesterone drops and this lining sheds. So taking progestins can delay your period if it hasn’t started, or make it less heavy and painful if it has.

What doses of Norethisterone are there?

Generic Norethisterone usually comes in 5mg tablets when used for endometriosis, heavy or painful periods and period delay.

There is another dose that’s used as a mini pill, called Noriday. This contains 350mcg of norethisterone so is a lower dose, but you’ll take it every day because it’s a long term contraceptive. Like most mini pills, it’s quite common to have reduced bleeding or no bleeding at all when you take it.

How to take Norethisterone

How you take Norethisterone will depend on what you’re using it for. It’s important to follow the instructions your prescriber gives you when taking it.

How to take Norethisterone for period delay

If you’re taking Norethisterone for period delay, you should take it two to three days before your period is supposed to start. To know when your period is due, you could use an app or mark your previous cycles on a calendar. Most people need to take the tablet three times a day at around the same time. You could take one with breakfast, lunch and dinner, or set alarms on your phone. Once you’ve stopped taking Norethisterone, you’ll usually have your period three days afterwards.

How to take Norethisterone for heavy or painful periods

If you’re taking Norethisterone for heavy periods or painful periods, you’ll usually take it for between five and ten days of your cycle. This will depend on how long and heavy your bleeding is and the input from your clinician. Start taking the tablets on the fifth day of your cycle. You can measure this easily, as the start of your period is the very first day.

How to take Norethisterone for endometriosis

For endometriosis, take one tablet of Norethisterone three times a day, everyday. This is a longer-term treatment, to stop the cells from your uterus from growing in places they’re not supposed to. Your clinician can discuss with you exactly how long to take it for. If you feel you need a higher dosage to control your symptoms, you can send us a message if you’re using our service. One of our experts will listen to your concerns and reply as soon as possible.

How long does it take Norethisterone to work?

Norethisterone starts working very quickly. It reaches peak concentration in your blood within one to three hours of taking it . Remember that if you’re taking it for period delay, it will need two to three days to work. It’ll need time for the effects to show, so make sure to take it as our clinician tells you.

What should I do if I make a mistake when taking Norethisterone?

There are a few different ways to take Norethisterone, so always take it at the advice of your clinician. If you forget to take a pill, take it as soon as you remember and then carry on your treatment as normal. Don’t take a double dose to make up for a missed dose. If you take too much Norethisterone, you should seek medical attention right away. If you’re using our service, you can send us a message with any questions you have and our experts will get right back to you.