Norethisterone
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Reviewed on May 20, 2025. by Dr Alexandra Cristina Cowell Writer & Clinical Content Reviewer Registered with GPhC (No. 2241935) Next review due on May 20, 2028.
Dr Alexandra Cristina Cowell

Last updated on May 20, 2025.

Product info

  • Norethisterone can delay your period for up to 17 days.

  • It helps regulate heavy, painful, or irregular periods and endometriosis.
  • It’sa generic period delay tablet, so it’s cheaper than the branded version.

Price checker

5mg
£48.95 30 Tablets
  • 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
    £48.95
    Save £0.00 each order
Norethisterone 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 synthetic 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’s also a low dose version of it called Noriday, which only contains 350mcg of norethisterone. Noriday is used as a contraceptive and it’s unlikely you’ll get it for endometriosis or heavy periods.

treated.com This page was written by The Treated Content Team.
Dr Alexandra Cristina Cowell 1218322
This page was medically reviewed by Dr Alexandra Cristina Cowell on May 20, 2025. Next review due on May 20, 2028.

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.

Norethisterone Norethisterone

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

Take one tablet three times a day, three days before your period is supposed to start. You should take them around the same time each day. You could, for example, take one with breakfast, one with lunch, and one with dinner, or set three separate alarms on your phone if you don’t tend to eat regular meals. Once you’ve stopped taking Norethisterone, you’ll usually have your period within three days of stopping.

How to take Norethisterone for heavy or painful periods

Take one tablet three times a day for 10 days. To stop your period from causing any more issues, your clinician might tell you to take Norethisterone for a few days after your next two periods. You’ll usually take one tablet twice a day for 8 days. You will need to start taking these tablets 19 days after your last period began.

How to take Norethisterone for endometriosis

For endometriosis, take one tablet three times a day, for at least six months. 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 online.

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.[1] Remember that if you’re taking it for period delay, it will need two to three days to work.

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.

Treated trusted sources:

  1. Wockhardt UK Ltd (2024). Norethisterone 5mg Tablets – Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) – (emc).  www.medicines.org.uk.
treated.com This page was written by The Treated Content Team.
Dr Alexandra Cristina Cowell 1218322
This page was medically reviewed by Dr Alexandra Cristina Cowell on May 20, 2025. Next review due on May 20, 2028.

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.

Norethisterone Norethisterone

Norethisterone isn’t suitable for everyone, and there are some things that you need to be aware of when taking it.

Here’s all the official info on it. If anything is unclear, let our clinician know, and they can talk with you about it.

Norethisterone Norethisterone

FAQ: Norethisterone

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.

Is Norethisterone similar to any other treatments?

Answer:
There’s a branded form of Norethisterone called Utovlan. They contain the same active ingredient in the same dosage, so they work in a very similar way. Whether you use Norethisterone 5 mg tablets or Utovlan is really up to you. The main differences are that Norethisterone is usually a bit cheaper and might not always look the same.

There’s also a 350mcg tablet with the same active ingredient as Norethisterone that’s used to prevent pregnancy, called Noriday. This won’t be right for you if you’re looking to delay your period or control bleeding.

Which dose of Norethisterone should I use?

Answer:
The dose of Norethisterone you take will depend on what you’re using it for and your symptoms. For period delay, most women will take one Norethisterone 5 mg tablet three times a day. For endometriosis and heavy periods, you might start on a lower dose, or raise it if your symptoms are still troubling you.

How effective is Norethisterone?

Answer:
Norethisterone has shown to work for controlling heavy or painful bleeding and symptoms of endometriosis. When treating heavy periods, Norethisterone was shown to reduce bleeding by 87%.[1] For people with endometriosis, using Norethisterone for six months reduced ovarian endometriomas – abnormal growth that causes pain and heavy bleeding – by 37.2%.[2]

In a clinical trial of women looking to delay their periods, Norethisterone was much more effective than the combined pill. Only 8% of women in the Norethisterone group had a small amount of spotting, compared to 43% of women on the combined pill. The women taking Norethisterone also preferred their treatment and were more likely to recommend it.[3]

Can I take Norethisterone to delay my period if it’s already started?

Answer:
No, once your period has started it can’t be stopped. Norethisterone can help reduce excessive bleeding or prolonged periods, but it can’t halt them if they’ve already begun. If you’re worried you’ll forget to take Norethisterone two to three days before your period, you could try tracking your menstrual cycle with an app and setting a reminder on your calendar.

Do I need a prescription for Norethisterone?

Answer:
Norethisterone is a prescription only medication. A clinician needs to check that it’s safe and the best treatment for you. For example, Norethisterone might not be an appropriate treatment if you have a history of blood clots, liver disease, high blood pressure, or heart problems.

Norethisterone might not be appropriate if you’re taking certain medications for other conditions, too. These medicines can include:

  • Treatment for epilepsy (like phenytoin and carbamazepine)

  • Antibiotics to treat infections (like tetracyclines, rifampicin, and co-trimoxazole)

  • Antiviral medication for HIV (like ritonavir and nelfinavir)

  • Anticancer medication

  • Herbal remedies that contain St. John’s wort

  • A treatment sometimes used in Cushing’s Syndrome called Aminoglutethimide

  • Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, also known as NSAIDs, for pain and inflammation

  • High blood pressure treatment


Norethisterone can change how all these medicines work when they’re taken at the same time, so it’s best to speak to a clinician before you take it.

If you talk to one of our experts about your health, they can take you through the different options. And they can write a private prescription for Norethisterone, if it’s safe and appropriate for you.

Can I get pregnant on Norethisterone?

Answer:
Norethisterone isn’t a contraceptive because you only take it for a short amount of time. If you don’t want to get pregnant while taking it, you should combine Norethisterone with another method of contraception like a condom. Norethisterone doesn’t affect fertility, so it’s safe to use if you’re planning to get pregnant in the near future, but you shouldn’t use it while trying to conceive.[4][5]

How long after taking Norethisterone will my period start?

Answer:
After you stop taking Norethisterone, your period should arrive within two or three days. Most women will take Norethisterone three times a day, starting three or four days before your period would normally begin.

You can’t take Norethisterone for longer than 20 days, so if you start taking it three days before your period, you can delay periods for up to 17 days (but you can take Norethisterone for less time if you don’t want to delay your periods for that long). So after you start taking Norethisterone, the maximum amount of time before your period starts again should be around 23 days.

But it’s important to remember that using Norethisterone to delay periods doesn’t prevent pregnancy. You’ll need a separate contraceptive if you don’t want to get pregnant.

Are there any Norethisterone side effects?

Answer:
Like any medication you might take, there are some Norethisterone side effects you should be aware of. It’s really rare, but there’s a chance Norethisterone 5 mg tablets can cause a severe allergic reaction. If you experience any of these symptoms – seek emergency medical attention immediately.

  • Wheezing

  • Difficulty breathing

  • Feeling faint

  • A swollen face or tongue

  • Swollen hands or feet

  • An itchy skin rash


Norethisterone can also very slightly increase the risk of blood clots. If you or a family member have a history of blood clots, including stroke or deep vein thrombosis (DVT), you shouldn’t take norethisterone without speaking to a clinician first. You’re also at a higher risk of developing a blood clot if you:

  • Are very overweight;

  • Have a condition called systemic lupus erythematosus (where your immune system attacks healthy tissues);

  • Have ever had blood clots before, or have relatives who have;

  • Aren’t able to move around for an extended period of time;

  • Have had a serious injury or major operation;

  • Have a history of miscarriages.


Common symptoms of a blood clot in the lungs include:

  • Sharp, severe pain in your chest that comes on suddenly;

  • Coughing up blood;

  • Becoming suddenly short of breath;

  • An elevated heart rate.


Common signs of blood clots in the brain (also known as a stroke) include:

  • A headache that’s worse than usual or lasts longer than usual;

  • Changes to your vision;

  • Difficulty speaking;

  • Collapsing or fainting;

  • Part of your body feeling weak or numb.


And common signs of blood clots in your veins (also known as deep vein thrombosis, or DVT) include:

  • Swelling, pain, or tenderness in your calf, ankle, or foot;

  • Purple skin discolouration on your leg;

  • The skin of your leg becoming red and warm to the touch.


Other side effects of Norethisterone 5 mg tablets can include:

  • Migraines

  • Yellowing skin or eyes (jaundice)

  • Bleeding or spotting, a lack of periods, unexpected vaginal changes

  • Breast pain, tender breasts, milky discharge from the breasts

  • Effects on the nervous system (headaches, depression, dizziness, fatigue, difficulty sleeping, etc.)

  • Feeling sick, constipation, diarrhoea

  • Acne


This isn’t an exhaustive breakdown of all of the Norethisterone side effects. Check out the patient information leaflet provided, or speak to our clinicians if you have any questions or concerns.

Treated trusted sources:

  1. Irvine, G.A., et al. (1998). Randomised comparative trial of the levonorgestrel intrauterine system and norethisterone for treatment of idiopathic menorrhagia. British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 105(6), pp.592–598.
  2. Taniguchi, F., et al. (2017). Efficacy of Norethisterone in Patients with Ovarian Endometrioma. Yonago acta medica, 60(3), 182–185.
  3. 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 women’s health, 19(1), p.70.
  4. Fotherby, K., et al. (1984). Return of ovulation and fertility in women using norethisterone oenanthate. Contraception, 29(5), pp.447–455.
  5. Wardle, P.G., et al. (1986). Norethisterone treatment to control timing of the IVF cycle. Human Reproduction, 1(7), pp.455–457.

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