What is Norethisterone?
Norethisterone is a tablet that can ease symptoms of endometriosis or heavy periods. It can also be used to delay your period. If you have a holiday or special event coming up and your period is expected, taking Norethisterone can help you enjoy it without worry.
Norethisterone is a generic medicine, which makes it more affordable than the branded version. It's slightly different from the usual contraceptive pill, as it's meant for short-term use.
How does Norethisterone work?
Norethisterone is a medication known as a progestin. Progestins are synthetic versions of the natural female hormone progesterone and they function in nearly the same way within the body.
Progesterone is the hormone that causes the lining of your womb to thicken in preparation for pregnancy. When progesterone levels fall, this lining is shed, resulting in your period. Taking progestins can delay your period if it hasn't begun yet, or make it lighter and less painful if it has already started.
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What doses of Norethisterone are there?
Generic Norethisterone is typically available in 5mg tablets for treating endometriosis, heavy or painful periods, and for delaying periods.
There's another type of mini pill called Noriday. It contains 350mcg of norethisterone, which is a lower dose, but you'll take it daily as it's a long-term contraceptive. With most mini pills, including this one, it's quite common to experience less bleeding or no bleeding at all.

- Norethisterone can postpone your period for as long as 17 days.
- It helps manage heavy, painful, or irregular periods as well as endometriosis.
- It's a generic tablet for delaying your period, so it's more affordable than the branded version.

Norethisterone isn't right for everyone, and there are a few things you should know before taking it.
Here's all the official information about it. If anything isn't clear, please let our clinician know, and they can discuss it with you.
Useful Links:
- official info: https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/1494/pil

Q: Which dose of Norethisterone should I use?
The amount of Norethisterone you need will vary based on your reason for taking it and your symptoms. If you're using it to stop your periods, you'll typically take one 5mg tablet three times a day. For conditions like endometriosis or heavy and painful periods, you might begin with a lower dose, which can be increased if your symptoms persist.
Q: Can I get pregnant on Norethisterone?
Q: Is Norethisterone similar to any other treatments?
Utovlan is a branded version of Norethisterone. Both contain the same active ingredient in the same dose, so they function in much the same way. Choosing between Norethisterone and Utovlan is really your decision. The key differences are that Norethisterone tends to be more affordable and may not always have the same appearance.
There's also a 350mcg injection containing the same active ingredient as Norethisterone, known as Noriday, which is used for contraception. However, it won't be suitable if you're aiming to delay your period or manage bleeding.
Q: How effective is Norethisterone?
Norethisterone is effective in managing heavy or painful bleeding and symptoms of endometriosis. For heavy periods, it has been shown to reduce bleeding by 87%.
For those with endometriosis, taking Norethisterone for six months reduced the abnormal growth that leads to pain and bleeding by 37.2%.
In a clinical trial involving women who wanted to postpone their periods, Norethisterone proved to be significantly more effective than the combined pill. Just 8% of women taking Norethisterone experienced a little spotting, whereas 43% of those on the combined pill did. Additionally, women using Norethisterone were more satisfied with their treatment and more likely to recommend it to others.
Q: Can I take Norethisterone to delay my period if it’s already started?
Q: Do I need a prescription for Norethisterone?
You'll need a prescription for Norethisterone. A clinician must ensure it's safe and suitable for you. If you discuss your health with one of our experts, they can guide you through the various options.

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
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. [1]
How to take Norethisterone for endometriosis
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 works quite quickly, reaching its highest level in your blood within one to three hours after taking it. If you're using it to delay your period, it takes two to three days to become effective. You'll need to give it time to work, so be sure to follow the instructions given by our clinician.
What should I do if I make a mistake when taking Norethisterone?
There are several ways to take Norethisterone, so be sure to follow your clinician's advice. If you miss a pill, take it as soon as you remember, then continue with your treatment as usual. Avoid taking two doses to make up for the one you missed.
If you accidentally take too much Norethisterone, it's important to get medical help immediately. If you're using our service, feel free to send us a message with any questions, and our experts will respond promptly.