Do Period Delay Pills Work?

For most women, period delay pills work when taken correctly. Effectiveness varies between people, and timing matters more than most people realize. Here's what to expect:

1. Success rate: When taken as prescribed, norethisterone (the most common period delay medication) is successful in delaying menstruation for about 70-80% of women.
2. Timing is crucial: For maximum effectiveness, you must start taking the medication 3 days before your period is due to begin. Starting too late may result in the treatment being ineffective.
3. Duration of delay: These pills can typically delay your period for up to 17 days, though some doctors may prescribe them for shorter durations.
4. Breakthrough bleeding: Even if the pills successfully delay your main flow, some women may experience light spotting or breakthrough bleeding.
5. Individual response: The effectiveness can vary from person to person. Some women may find the pills work perfectly, while others might experience their period starting despite taking the medication.
6. Consistency matters: Taking the pills at the same time each day can help improve their effectiveness.
7. Not foolproof: These pills work most of the time, but they don't guarantee that your period won't start.
8. Subsequent cycles: After stopping the medication, your next period should arrive within a few days. However, it may take a cycle or two for your menstruation to return to its regular pattern.

What Is the Best Pill for Delayed Periods?

There are various pills that can delay one’s period:

Norethisterone

• Most commonly prescribed
• Synthetic form of progesterone
• Taken 3 days before expected period
• Can delay menstruation for up to 17 days

Combined Oral Contraceptives

• Regular birth control pills
• Can be used to skip periods by continuing active pills
• Requires prior use and familiarity with the pill

Medroxyprogesterone (Depo-Provera)

• In both Injectable and oral form
• When taken orally, can effectively regulate menstrual cycles and delay periods by stabilizing the uterine lining.

Ulipristal Acetate (Ella)

• Emergency contraceptive that may delay ovulation
• Not primarily used for period delay

Best Pill for Delayed Periods: Norethisterone is generally considered the best option specifically for delaying periods. It's:

• Designed for this purpose
• Doesn't require long-term use
• Has predictable effects
• Widely prescribed by healthcare providers

That said, "best" depends on your health, cycle, and contraceptive needs. If you're already on combined oral contraceptives, those might be the simpler option.

Is Taking Period Delay Tablets Safe?

For most women, period delay tablets are safe when taken as prescribed. A few things are worth knowing first:

• Short-term use: These tablets are designed for occasional, short-term use. Long-term or frequent use is not recommended.
• Side effects: Common side effects may include:
  • Nausea
  • Headaches
  • Breast tenderness
  • Mood changes
  • Breakthrough bleeding
• Contraindications: Not suitable for women with certain conditions, such as:
  • History of blood clots
  • Liver problems
  • Certain types of cancer
  • Unexplained vaginal bleeding
• Drug interactions: May interact with other medications, including some antibiotics and anti-epilepsy drugs.
• Pregnancy risk: These tablets are not contraceptives. If taken while unknowingly pregnant, there's a slight risk of masculinization of a female fetus.
• Cardiovascular risk: Slight increase in risk of blood clots, especially in smokers over 35.
• Medical supervision: Should only be taken under the guidance of a healthcare provider who can assess your individual risk factors.
• Follow-up: If anything unusual happens after taking the medication, get checked.

What Are the Side Effects of Norethisterone?

Most women tolerate norethisterone well, but side effects do happen. Here's what to watch for:

Common side effects:

1. Nausea
2. Headaches
3. Breast tenderness or pain
4. Mood changes, including depression or anxiety
5. Irregular bleeding or spotting
6. Fluid retention
7. Bloating
8. Changes in libido

Less common side effects:

1. Skin reactions (acne, rash)
2. Hair loss or increased hair growth
3. Dizziness
4. Fatigue
5. Insomnia
6. Gastrointestinal disturbances

Rare but serious side effects:

1. Blood clots (thrombosis)
2. Jaundice
3. Severe allergic reactions

Long-term considerations:

• Prolonged use may affect bone density
• Can potentially mask menopause symptoms in older women

A few ground rules:

• Tell your doctor about any pre-existing conditions.
• Report any unusual or severe side effects right away.
• Get immediate medical attention if you have signs of a blood clot (severe leg pain, chest pain, sudden shortness of breath).

Plenty of women take norethisterone without any issues. Knowing the possible side effects just means you can act faster if something does come up.

How much does it cost?

The cost depends on which medication you pick and how long you need it. Norethisterone runs about $1.50 per pill and you take it three times a day. Medroxyprogesterone is cheaper at $0.25 per pill, and you only need it twice a day. The math works out heavily in medroxyprogesterone's favour.

• Norethisterone: $4.50 per day
• Medroxyprogesterone: $0.50 per day

So a 10 day trip would be $45 using norethisterone vs. $5.00 with medroxyprogesterone.

Where to get norethisterone?

Period delay tablets are safe for many women, but they're not risk-free. A doctor needs to look at your medical history before prescribing. After a short consultation with a TeleTest doctor, you can pick up your prescription at a nearby pharmacy. Same-day appointments are available if you need the medication quickly.

Disclaimer: This blog post is intended for educational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider for personal health concerns.