What is Utovlan?
Utovlan is a tablet that belongs to a group of medicines called progestogens. These are similar to the natural hormone progesterone. The progestogen in Utovlan is called norethisterone. It’s a pill that you take for a short period of time each month. You’ll take it at different points in your cycle, depending on what you’re using it for.
There are quite a few uses for Utovlan. It can be used to treat heavy or painful periods, PMT, endometriosis, and it can also be used to delay periods too.
How does Utovlan work?
The level of progesterone in your body goes up and down during your period. Levels increase as the womb lining thickens, ready to receive a fertilised egg. If you don’t get pregnant, the thickened lining leaves your body (your period starts) and levels of progesterone fall again.
The norethisterone in Utovlan mimics natural progesterone and prevents the level in your body from falling. You can take Utovlan at different points during your period to mimic the different stages of your cycle.
If you want to take Utovlan to delay periods, you’ll take it towards the end of your cycle, so it ‘tricks’ your womb lining into thinking that you’re pregnant (even though you aren’t). This prevents the shedding of the womb lining and stops you getting your period.
Utovlan is also used to treat endometriosis. It stops the womb lining (endometrium) from thickening and shedding. Regular use of Utovlan will cause the lining to become thin and eventually stop your periods.
Scientific analysis of norethisterone by medical researchers shows that it is also an effective treatment for heavy periods.
Are there different Utovlan doses?
Utovlan comes in one dosage: 5mg. Depending on the severity of your symptoms or the reason you’re taking it, your clinician may tell you to take more than one tablet a day.
If you find that the prescribed dose does not work, you can ask our clinician for advice. Your dose may need to be increased, or our clinician may give you advice on other treatments that are available for you to try.