Utovlan

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Reviewed on Nov 12, 2024. by Dr Daniel Atkinson GP Clinical Lead Registered with GMC (No. 4624794) Next review due on November 12, 2027.

Last updated on Nov 12, 2024.

Product info

Utovlan is a hormonal tablet that can delay your period or relieve endometriosis, PMS, and heavy periods.
Helps prevent your womb’s lining thickening to reduce bleeding and pain during periods.
For heavy periods, you’ll typically take 15 mg (three tablets) every day for 10 days.

Price checker

Prices include:

Express shipping
24 hour shipping by secure courier.
Consultation + Access to our clinicians
Ask our experts anything you like, any time you want.
Total
£36.95

Save £0.00 each order

Utovlan: essential info
Utovlan: instructions
Important stuff you need to know
FAQ

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, premenstrual tension (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.^[1]

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.

Treated trusted sources:

Abu Hashim, H., Alsherbini, W. and Bazeed, M. (2012). Contraceptive vaginal ring treatment of heavy menstrual bleeding: a randomized controlled trial with norethisterone. Contraception, 85(3), pp.246–252.

This page was written by The Treated Content Team.

This page was medically reviewed by Dr Daniel Atkinson on November 12, 2024. Next review due on November 12, 2027.

How we source info.

When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.

How to take Utovlan tablets

How you take Utovlan differs depending on the condition you’re taking it for. Your clinician will tell you how to take Utovlan.

Taking Utovlan for period pain and heavy periods:

The usual dose when taken for heavy bleeding is 15mg. This means you will take one tablet three times a day.
The course of treatment usually lasts for 10 days.
After this your clinician will probably advise you to take Utovlan for a few days after your next two periods to make sure that your periods don’t cause you problems again.

Taking Utovlan for PMT:

When used to treat PMT, you will usually take one 5mg tablet for ten days, starting 16 days after your last period started.

Taking Utovlan for endometriosis:

For treatment of endometriosis, your clinician will prescribe one tablet three times a day for at least six months.
Your clinician may increase the dose if you have irregular bleeding or spotting during this time.

Taking Utovlan for period delay:

If you take Utovlan to delay your periods you will usually take one tablet three times a day.
You’ll start taking the tablets three days before your period is due to start.
Your period will usually start three days after you finish taking Utovlan.
A normal course is usually 7-10 days, but this can be extended for longer depending on your prescriber’s advice.

Does Utovlan work?

The active ingredients in Utovlan are highly effective at delaying your period. One clinical trial found norethisterone to be more effective at delaying periods than the combined contraceptive pill.^[1]

Norethisterone helps reduce period pain because it thins the lining of the womb and prevents it from shedding.

Researchers aren’t 100% sure why norethisterone helps many women with symptoms of PMT, but it is believed that it could be because it helps to maintain a steady level of hormones in the body.

What to do if you miss a tablet

If you forget to take Utovlan you should take the tablet as soon as you remember, and carry on taking the rest of your tablets as normal. You should not take a double dose because this can increase the risk of side effects.

Treated trusted sources:

Dean, J. et al (2019). “Norethindrone is superior to combined oral contraceptive pills in short-term delay of menses and onset of breakthrough bleeding: a randomized trial.” BMC Womens Health, 19(1), p.70.

This page was written by The Treated Content Team.

This page was medically reviewed by Dr Daniel Atkinson on November 12, 2024. Next review due on November 12, 2027.

How we source info.

FAQ: Utovlan

Have something specific you want to know? Search our info below, or ask our experts a question if you can’t find what you’re looking for.

How do I use Utovlan to delay periods?

Answer:

You can take Utovlan to delay your period for up to 17 days.

Take one 5mg tablet three times a day, starting three days before the start of your period. This will increase the level of progesterone in your body and prevent the lining of your womb from shedding.

Your period will begin two to three days after you stop taking Utovlan.

How do I use Utovlan to treat painful or irregular periods?

Answer:

If you’re taking Utovlan to treat painful periods you’ll take one tablet three times a day.

You’ll typically take three tablets every day for ten days the first month, and then continue the next two months by taking one tablet twice daily between days 19 to 26 of your cycle.

If your periods are heavy and irregular, your clinician will ask you to take one tablet three times a day for 10 days to stop the heavy bleeding. The bleeding usually stops within the first four days, but you need to take the full 10 day course of treatment for it to have a long-term effect.

If your periods continue to be heavy or irregular after you stop taking Utovlan, your clinician may advise that you take the tablet for longer and on certain days of your menstrual cycle.

How can Utovlan help to treat PMS?

Answer:

It’s not fully understood why Utovlan helps with PMS, but clinicians do know how it needs to be taken to effectively treat symptoms of PMS. Again, it’s thought that this could be to do with making hormone levels steadier throughout the month.

Your clinician will advise you to take one tablet for 10 days, starting sixteen days after the end of your last period.

Can you take Utovlan for endometriosis?

Answer:

Endometriosis is a painful condition in which tissue that usually lines your uterus grows outside the uterus. It often grows on the fallopian tubes and the ovaries. When the lining of your womb thickens and sheds during your period, the tissue growing outside the uterus bleeds, too. This bleeding causes heavy and painful periods.

Utovlan prevents the lining of your womb from shedding, and this prevents the tissue from bleeding.

The normal dose to treat endometriosis in one tablet three times a day for six months. If spotting occurs, your clinician will increase your dose.

Can I get Utovlan over the counter?

Answer:

Utovlan is only available on prescription because your clinician needs to prescribe the right dose for your specific needs.

Your clinician also needs to check that you are tolerating the prescribed dose and that it is working how you expect it to.