Take Control of Your Cycle

Sometimes, your period can arrive at the most inconvenient time — on holiday, during a wedding, or ahead of a big sporting event. At Balance Pharmacy in Uttoxeter, we offer a private period delay service to help you temporarily postpone your period for up to 14 days.

This service is safe, confidential, and delivered by trained pharmacists who can supply norethisterone tablets (a prescription-only medicine) after a consultation.

WHO IT’S FOR

Who Can Use the Service?

Our pharmacists will assess you and confirm if the service is right for you.

Inclusion Criteria

  • Women aged 16 years and over

  • Those looking to delay menstruation for up to 14 days

  • For occasional, non-regular use only

Exclusion Criteria

  • Under 16 years old

  • Already used period delay tablets in the last 6 months

  • Pregnant or breastfeeding

  • Using hormonal contraception (pill, patch, injection, implant, coil, HRT) — as period delay may need to be managed differently

  • History of blood clots (DVT, pulmonary embolism), heart attack, or stroke

  • High risk of cardiovascular disease (e.g. angina, high blood pressure, clotting disorders)

  • Current or previous breast cancer, hormone-related cancer, or unexplained vaginal bleeding

  • Severe liver disease, porphyria, or systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)

If you fall outside the inclusion criteria, we’ll refer you to your GP or specialist service.

WHO IT’S FOR

Who Can Use the Service?

Our pharmacists will assess you and confirm if the service is right for you.

Inclusion Criteria

  • Women aged 16 years and over

  • Those looking to delay menstruation for up to 14 days

  • For occasional, non-regular use only

Exclusion Criteria

  • Under 16 years old

  • Already used period delay tablets in the last 6 months

  • Pregnant or breastfeeding

  • Using hormonal contraception (pill, patch, injection, implant, coil, HRT) — as period delay may need to be managed differently

  • History of blood clots (DVT, pulmonary embolism), heart attack, or stroke

  • High risk of cardiovascular disease (e.g. angina, high blood pressure, clotting disorders)

  • Current or previous breast cancer, hormone-related cancer, or unexplained vaginal bleeding

  • Severe liver disease, porphyria, or systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)

If you fall outside the inclusion criteria, we’ll refer you to your GP or specialist service.

If suitable, our pharmacists can supply:

Norethisterone 5mg tablets

  • Start 3 days before your expected period

  • Take 1 tablet three times daily

  • Continue until you wish your period to return (maximum of 14 days’ delay allowed)

  • After stopping: Most women’s periods return within 2–3 days.

Safety and Cautions

Our pharmacists will check your health history and medicines before supplying. Key considerations:

  • Blood pressure should be monitored before treatment.

  • If you have diabetes, blood glucose may need closer monitoring.

  • Use with caution if you suffer from migraines, kidney/liver problems, or heart disease

  • May interact with other medicines (e.g. enzyme-inducing drugs such as rifampicin, carbamazepine, phenytoin, St John’s Wort).

  • Not recommended in pregnancy or breastfeeding.

Like all medicines, norethisterone can cause side effects, though not everyone gets them. Possible effects include: Changes to your menstrual cycle (spotting, breakthrough bleeding), Breast tenderness, Bloating or weight change, Acne or skin rash, Mood changes or low mood, Headache or migraine

Rare but serious: blood clots, high blood pressure, or jaundice (seek medical attention immediately if these occur)

If suitable, our pharmacists can supply:

Norethisterone 5mg tablets

  • Start 3 days before your expected period

  • Take 1 tablet three times daily

  • Continue until you wish your period to return (maximum of 14 days’ delay allowed)

  • After stopping: Most women’s periods return within 2–3 days.

Safety and Cautions

Our pharmacists will check your health history and medicines before supplying. Key considerations:

  • Blood pressure should be monitored before treatment.

  • If you have diabetes, blood glucose may need closer monitoring.

  • Use with caution if you suffer from migraines, kidney/liver problems, or heart disease

  • May interact with other medicines (e.g. enzyme-inducing drugs such as rifampicin, carbamazepine, phenytoin, St John’s Wort).

  • Not recommended in pregnancy or breastfeeding.

Like all medicines, norethisterone can cause side effects, though not everyone gets them. Possible effects include: Changes to your menstrual cycle (spotting, breakthrough bleeding), Breast tenderness, Bloating or weight change, Acne or skin rash, Mood changes or low mood, Headache or migraine

Rare but serious: blood clots, high blood pressure, or jaundice (seek medical attention immediately if these occur)

FAQs – Period Delay Service

Up to 14 days, but only for occasional use.

No — norethisterone is not a contraceptive. You’ll still need to use contraception if you don’t want to become pregnant.

You must start 3 days before your period is due for the medicine to be effective.

Not usually. If you’re already using hormonal contraception, there are other ways to manage period timing. We will advise or refer you to your GP.

This service is for occasional use only, not more than once every 6 months.

For most healthy women, short-term use is safe. However, we always check your medical history to rule out any risks (such as blood clots or hormone-sensitive conditions).

Book Your Period Delay Consultation

Need flexibility around your cycle? Book a discreet consultation with Balance Pharmacy. Appointments are private, professional, and usually completed in one visit.

Book online now or call us on 01889 562063 to speak with a member of our pharmacy team.