On this page
Dr. Chrysoula I. Liakou MD, PhD
- Treated online: Yes, usually. A doctor can check by video whether period delay is safe for you and may prescribe norethisterone or adjust your contraception.
- Start early: norethisterone has to be started at least 3 days before your period is due. It can be taken for up to 3 to 4 weeks, and the period usually comes within 3 days of stopping.
- Not a contraceptive: norethisterone does not prevent pregnancy, so you need another method, such as condoms.
- On the pill: with the combined pill, patch or ring, you can usually skip a bleed by going straight on to the next pack, patch or ring.
- Emergency: call 112 for chest pain, sudden breathlessness, coughing up blood, a painful swollen leg, or weakness, numbness or trouble speaking, which can be signs of a blood clot.
Call 112 or go to an emergency department if, while taking period delay tablets or hormonal contraception, you get sudden chest pain, sudden breathlessness, coughing up blood, a painful, swollen leg, or weakness, numbness or difficulty speaking. If you might be pregnant, do a pregnancy test before you book: norethisterone must not be taken in pregnancy.
Can an online doctor prescribe period delay tablets?
Yes, usually. Delaying a period is a planned decision that a doctor can make with you by video: whether your contraception can do the job on its own, whether norethisterone is safe for you, and when to start. The doctor may prescribe norethisterone or tell you how to adjust your contraception. A period that is late when you were not trying to delay it, bleeding that worries you, or symptoms of a blood clot need care in person.
How an online consultation helps with period delay
- The simplest option first: If you use the combined pill, patch or ring, running them together often means no extra tablets.
- A safety check that matters: Blood clots, migraine, blood pressure and other conditions decide whether norethisterone is suitable.
- Timing that works: When to start, how long you can delay, and when to expect the period afterwards.
- Protection from pregnancy: Norethisterone is not a contraceptive, so the doctor makes sure you are still covered.
What the doctor checks before prescribing period delay
The doctor checks for anything that makes period delay unsafe, then plans the timing. The doctor asks about:
- Warning signs: unexplained bleeding between periods or after sex, or a chance that you are already pregnant.
- Blood clot risk: a blood clot in you or a close relative, heart attack or angina, smoking, a BMI over 30, varicose veins, and planned surgery or long journeys.
- Other conditions: liver problems, high blood pressure, migraine, epilepsy, asthma, diabetes, depression, and kidney or heart problems.
- Your contraception: which method you use, because the combined pill, patch or ring can often delay a bleed on their own.
- Your dates: when your period is due and how many days you want to delay it.
- Medicines: epilepsy medicines, some antibiotics such as rifampicin, some HIV medicines, ciclosporin and St John’s wort, which can change how norethisterone works.
Before the call, work out when your next period is due and the dates you want to be period-free, and have a recent blood pressure reading if you have one.
How can you delay your period?
There are 2 main ways: norethisterone tablets, or running hormonal contraception without its usual break. These are the options in NHS pharmacy guidance:
Swipe sideways to compare →
| Option | How it is used | When the bleed comes | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Norethisterone tablets | Started at least 3 days before the period is due, for up to 3 to 4 weeks | Usually within 3 days of stopping | The only progestogen licensed in the UK to delay periods; not a contraceptive |
| Combined pill, packs run together | Start the next pack straight away, without the break or the inactive pills | About 3 days after you stop | Spotting is more likely, especially in the first months |
| Vaginal ring or patch, used without the break | Insert a new ring or apply a new patch instead of having the break | After you next take a break | Spotting can happen; skin reactions with the patch |
| Medroxyprogesterone acetate tablets | Used off-label when norethisterone is not suitable | Usually within 3 days of stopping | Not a contraceptive |
| Contraceptive injection | A long-term option that stops periods for many users | Not predictable | About half of users have no periods after a year; fertility can take up to a year to return |
Which tablet is best for period delay?
Norethisterone is the usual choice, and the only progestogen licensed in the UK for delaying periods. If you already use the combined pill, patch or ring, running it without the break is usually simpler and keeps you protected from pregnancy. If norethisterone is not suitable, the doctor can discuss other options.
Can you delay your period naturally?
NHS pharmacy guidance lists only hormonal medicines as ways to delay a period: diet, exercise and home remedies are not among the options. If your period is late when you have not tried to delay it, the absent periods page explains the common causes.
How do period delay tablets work, and how do you take them?
Norethisterone is a progestogen, a man-made version of the hormone progesterone. Started before your period is due, it holds the period back until you stop taking it.
- Start the tablets at least 3 days before your period is due.
- Take them every day, at the times on the label, for as long as you want to delay your period, up to 3 to 4 weeks.
- Stop when you are ready: your period usually starts within 3 days.
- Use condoms or your usual contraception throughout: norethisterone does not prevent pregnancy.
- If no period comes after you stop, do a pregnancy test and speak to a doctor.
Do period delay tablets actually work?
Usually, when they are started at least 3 days before the period is due. How well they work, and exactly when the period comes afterwards, varies from person to person, and some spotting can happen while you take them.
Can the morning-after pill delay your period?
It can change the timing of your next period, but it is not a way to delay one. The emergency contraception page explains what to expect after taking it.
How do you delay your period with the pill, patch or ring?
There is no need to have a bleed every month. With the combined pill, patch or ring, the bleed in the break is a withdrawal bleed rather than a true period, and you can choose when it happens by skipping the break.
Swipe sideways to compare →
| What you use | What to do | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| 21-day combined pill, all pills the same | Start the next pack straight away, with no break | The simplest type to run together |
| Everyday combined pill with inactive pills | Skip the inactive pills and start the active pills of the next pack | Dispose of the inactive pills safely |
| Combined pill with 2 or 3 phases | Needs specific instructions: ask a doctor or pharmacist | The phases have different strengths |
| Vaginal ring | Insert a new ring when you would normally take a break | In one study, 89% of women who used the ring this way for 6 months had little or no bleeding |
| Patch | Apply a new patch instead of having the patch-free week | Watch for skin irritation |
Skipping the break is supported by UK guidance, although it is outside the licence for some products: it reduces bleeds and the symptoms some people get in the break. Spotting is the main downside. The combined pill, patch and vaginal ring pages explain each method.
Can I delay my period with the mini pill?
Not reliably. The progestogen-only pill is taken every day without a break, and bleeding on it can be irregular, so it cannot be used to time a period. If there is no medical reason against it, the doctor may suggest switching to a combined pill, or norethisterone, and tells you how to stay protected while you switch.
Is a period delay tablet safe? Side effects and who should not take it
For most people, a short course is safe, but norethisterone is not suitable for everyone, which is why a doctor checks your health first. Do not take it if you:
- are pregnant or might be pregnant
- have had a blood clot, such as a deep vein thrombosis, or a close relative has had one
- have had a heart attack or angina
- have liver problems, or had jaundice or a blistering rash called pemphigoid gestationis in a past pregnancy
- have unexplained vaginal bleeding, now or in the past
- have severe itching all over the body, or porphyria
Talk to the doctor first if you have migraine, epilepsy, asthma, heart or kidney problems, high blood pressure, diabetes or depression, or if you are breastfeeding.
Norethisterone side effects
Swipe sideways to compare →
| Type | Side effects | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Bleeding and breasts | Spotting or bleeding, breast pain or tenderness | Usually settles after you stop |
| General | Headache, dizziness, tiredness, difficulty sleeping, feeling sick, bloating, fluid retention, changes in sex drive or appetite | Tell a doctor if it bothers you |
| Skin and mood | Acne, itching, rash, low mood | Contact a doctor promptly about low mood |
| Serious but rare | A blood clot in a leg, the lungs or the brain; yellow skin or eyes; a first-ever migraine | Stop the tablets and get urgent help; call 112 for clot signs |
Norethisterone and blood clots
Blood clots are a rare but serious side effect. They are more likely if you smoke, have a BMI over 30, have varicose veins or have a family history of clots, so the doctor weighs these before prescribing. Stop the tablets and call 112 for sudden chest pain, breathlessness, coughing up blood, a painful swollen calf, or sudden weakness, numbness or trouble speaking.
Which period delay option might the doctor recommend?
The best option depends on your contraception and your health. This is the framework the doctors use, in line with NHS pharmacy guidance:
Swipe sideways to compare →
| What you have | Likely first step | Suitable for online care? | When in-person care is needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Combined pill, patch or ring | Run packs, patches or rings together, with no extra tablets | Yes | Not usually needed |
| No hormonal contraception, healthy, no clot risk factors | Norethisterone from at least 3 days before the period, plus condoms | Yes | Not usually needed |
| Progestogen-only pill, implant or coil | Norethisterone, or a switch to a combined method if it suits you | Yes | Not usually needed |
| A past blood clot, or several clot risk factors | Norethisterone avoided; other options discussed | Yes, to assess | If a specialist opinion is needed |
| Migraine with aura, or high blood pressure | Combined methods avoided; other options weighed | Yes, to assess | For blood pressure checks if needed |
| Period late when you were not delaying it | A pregnancy test, then the usual causes | Yes | If the test is positive or tests are needed |
| Chest pain, breathlessness or a swollen leg on the tablets | Emergency care | No | Call 112 now |
Want to delay your period safely? A doctor can tell you in one consultation which option suits you.
See available times →Period delay: practical steps and options
What you can do yourself
- Plan ahead: book the consultation early enough to start norethisterone at least 3 days before your period is due.
- Pack the tablets in your hand luggage, with enough for the whole trip.
- Keep using condoms or your usual contraception: norethisterone does not prevent pregnancy.
- If you use the combined pill, check you have enough packs to run them together.
- Do not smoke while taking hormones, which raises the risk of blood clots.
Prescription treatment
A prescription is never issued without a consultation. After checking your health, your contraception and your dates, the doctor may prescribe norethisterone, explain how to run your combined pill, patch or ring together, or suggest another option if norethisterone is not suitable. If the doctor prescribes, use the prescription at a pharmacy near you.
What does not help
Starting norethisterone after the period has begun: it needs to be started at least 3 days before. Using the progestogen-only pill to time a period. Relying on norethisterone as contraception.
Special situations
Migraine
With migraine with aura, combined methods are not recommended, and norethisterone also needs caution with migraine, so the doctor weighs the options with you. A first-ever migraine while taking it means stopping and getting medical advice.
Breastfeeding
Ask a doctor before taking norethisterone while breastfeeding: the leaflet advises checking first.
While travelling in Europe
Start the tablets before you leave so they have time to work, and carry the leaflet so a pharmacist can see the ingredient. If you forget them, a doctor by video can check whether a new prescription is suitable for you to collect locally.
Bleeding while delaying your period
Spotting can happen with any method. The breakthrough bleeding page explains when bleeding needs checking.
Children
Mobi Doctor consultations are for adults aged 18 and over. A child who is unwell needs a paediatrician or a local doctor in person, and emergency signs in a child mean 112.
When period delay is handled online, and when you need in-person care
Handled online: choosing how to delay a period, checking whether norethisterone is safe for you, prescribing it, and explaining how to run the combined pill, patch or ring together.
In-person care: signs of a blood clot, unexplained or heavy bleeding that needs an examination, and a positive pregnancy test.
When to get in-person care
Call 112 or go to an emergency department now for:
- sudden, severe or sharp chest pain, sudden breathlessness, or coughing up blood
- pain, tenderness or swelling in one calf, ankle or foot, or a red, warm or purple leg
- sudden weakness or numbness, trouble speaking, vision changes, or an unusually severe headache
- swelling of the face, lips or tongue, wheezing or difficulty breathing
Get medical advice the same day for:
- yellowing of the skin or the whites of the eyes
- a migraine for the very first time
- severe tummy pain while taking norethisterone
- no period after stopping the tablets and a chance of pregnancy
How Mobi Doctor works
- Book a time that suits you: daily 7am–11pm CEST. You can see a doctor over video, usually within 15 minutes. No subscription, and the exact price is shown before you pay.
- Speak to a licensed doctor about your plans: say when your period is due and for how long you want to delay it, and mention your contraception and any history of blood clots or migraine.
- Leave with a plan: what to do, what to take and for how long, and which signs mean you should be seen in person. If the doctor prescribes, use the prescription at a pharmacy near you.
No sign-up needed
Noticed a new symptom while delaying your period? Tick every symptom you have to see each condition page that mentions it. It finds the right page, not a diagnosis: a doctor gives you that on a video call.
Tap the body — an area or a point — to browse symptoms anywhere
Similar symptoms, different condition? Combined Pill can start the same way. Compare them, or look up any other symptom in the full symptom checker.
Frequently asked questions about delaying a period
Which tablet is best for period delay?
Norethisterone is the usual choice and the only progestogen licensed in the UK to delay periods. If you already use the combined pill, patch or ring, running it without the break is usually simpler and keeps you protected from pregnancy.
When should I start taking period delay tablets?
At least 3 days before your period is due. Started later, they may not work. Take them every day, at the times on the label, for as long as you want to delay your period.
What should I do if I forget a norethisterone tablet?
Take it as soon as you remember, then carry on at the usual times; do not take two together to catch up. Missing norethisterone tablets, especially more than one, can let breakthrough bleeding or your period start, and once a period has begun the tablets will not stop it. Norethisterone is not a contraceptive, so a missed tablet does not change your pregnancy risk, but your usual contraception or condoms still matter.
How long can you delay your period with norethisterone?
Norethisterone can be taken for up to 3 to 4 weeks to delay a period, as long as it was started at least 3 days before the period was due. Your period usually starts within 3 days of stopping the tablets, and if it does not come, do a pregnancy test.
How long after stopping norethisterone will my period start?
Usually within 3 days. If no period comes and there is any chance you could be pregnant, do a pregnancy test and speak to a doctor.
Do period delay tablets work?
Usually, when they are started at least 3 days before the period is due, but how well they work and when the period comes afterwards varies from person to person. Some spotting can happen.
Who should not take norethisterone?
Norethisterone should not be taken by anyone who is or might be pregnant, has had a blood clot or has a close relative who has, has had a heart attack or angina, has liver problems, or has unexplained vaginal bleeding. Migraine, high blood pressure and other conditions need a doctor’s check first.
What are the side effects of norethisterone?
Spotting, breast tenderness, headaches, feeling sick, bloating, mood changes and changes in sex drive are among the side effects listed in the norethisterone leaflet. Blood clots are rare but serious: chest pain, breathlessness or a swollen leg means call 112.
Does norethisterone stop you getting pregnant?
No. Norethisterone is not a contraceptive. Use condoms or your usual contraception while you take it, and do a pregnancy test if no period comes after you stop.
Is norethisterone the same as the mini pill?
No, although both contain a progestogen. The norethisterone used for period delay is a higher-strength tablet taken for a few weeks, is not licensed as a contraceptive and does not prevent pregnancy. The norethisterone mini pill is a much lower strength taken every day as contraception, and it cannot be used to delay a period. Because the period delay tablet is partly converted to oestrogen in the body, the usual blood clot cautions apply.
Can I delay my period with the pill?
With the combined pill, yes, you can delay your period: start the next pack straight away without the break, or skip the inactive pills. Pills with 2 or 3 phases need specific instructions, and spotting is more likely when you run packs together.
Can I delay my period with the mini pill?
Not reliably. The progestogen-only pill is taken without a break, so there is no bleed to postpone, and bleeding on it can be irregular anyway. If you want to delay your period while on the mini pill, a doctor may suggest norethisterone or, if it suits you, switching to a combined pill.
Can you delay your period naturally?
There is no reliable natural way to delay a period: NHS pharmacy guidance lists only hormonal medicines, norethisterone or running packs of the combined pill together, as ways to delay a period, and diet, exercise, vinegar, lemon juice and other home remedies have no evidence behind them. If timing matters, speak to a doctor at least a week before the period is due.
Can an online doctor prescribe period delay tablets?
Yes, after a consultation. The doctor checks your health, blood clot risk and contraception, and may prescribe norethisterone or explain how to run your contraception together.
- Choosing a medicine to delay periods, NHS Specialist Pharmacy Service (UK), published 1 May 2024, updated 13 May 2025.
- Norethisterone tablets: patient information leaflet, Electronic medicines compendium (emc), leaflet revised September 2024.
- FSRH Guideline: Combined Hormonal Contraception, Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare (now the College of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare), January 2019, amended October 2023.
- Combined pill: frequently asked questions, Contraception Choices, College of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare (UK), accessed 15 October 2026.
- Problematic bleeding with hormonal contraception, Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare (now the College of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare), Clinical Effectiveness Unit, July 2015.
- FSRH Clinical Guideline: Emergency Contraception, Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare (now the College of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare), March 2017, amended July 2023.
This page is for information only and is not a substitute for a medical consultation. Guideline links are provided for transparency; treatment decisions are made with your doctor.
Related conditions
More about delaying your period from the Mobi Doctor blog
How To Delay Your Period
You can delay your period safely using clinician-prescribed hormonal treatment. Period delay tablets work by stabilising...
Read article → Health and WellbeingYour Menstrual Cycle Explained
What Happens During Your Menstrual Cycle? Your menstrual cycle is a monthly process controlled by hormones that prepare...
Read article →Speak to a doctor about delaying your period over video, usually within 15 minutes
Licensed doctors · open daily 7am–11pm CEST · exact price before payment
See available times →