[x_Charl_x]

Hiya..

This is one for the ladies.

Has anyone here ever taken norethisterone? If so, I'm hoping someone can help me!

My cycle is either 28 or 30 days - it can vary from month to month. So, this month I could come on Wednesday 4th or Friday 6th. I am going away on Friday until Monday, and my GP has prescribed me norethisterone to delay my period whilst I am away. He has given me one week's worth. Thing is, Im not sure when to start taking them, due to not being sure exactly when I come one.

The leaflet says take 3 days before start of period.. so should I start taking them today (if I come on Wed) or Wednesday? Im really confused! If I start taking them today, I will stop taking them Sunday evening, so when should I expect to come on? I dont want to come on Monday because I will still be away. Do you 'come on' immediately after stopping taking them?

Also, what are the side effects? The leaflet reels a load off, but Ive heard that most of them are unlikely and the only thing to be concerned about is a really heavy and painful period after, with your cycle being messed it - up this true?

Thanks in advance!

[robbies_gal]

i think you do it from when yor earliest date would be-did the doctor not explain at all?

also i dont think u come on straight away i think it delays it for another month but dont quote me on that

[x_Charl_x]

He explained a little - but it was a while ago when I saw him, and Ive probably forgotten bits.

He said that once you start bleeding you cant stop it, and the tablets needs to be taken 3 days prior to bleed - I told him that I was unsure of my start date and he said to start them earlier then. But now Ive got my pills out today, I realised that I have 7 days worth (21 pills) and was worried if I start today I could start bleeding on Monday morning (with my last pill being sunday evening)

I dont think they delay the period for a month - I think you start to bleed within 3 days after taking the last dose - but I wondered how accurate this is, and how soon within the 3 days.. if that makes sense!

[Little Ali]

I would start them now - coming on on Monday (last day of trip) would not be as bad as not taking the tablets early enough and having the period for the whole of your trip.

[Nanny Ogg]

I was having a non stop bleed so I took this and it stopped the bleeding for me after about 2 days if that helps, but a word of warning ................ I stopped taking the pill on Friday and by the early hours of Sunday I thought I was dying I was in so my agony and bleeding so heavily it was the worse period I have ever had to go through, the doctor confirmed that it was because I had stopped taking norethisterone I will never take them again. I do hope that you don't have the same after effect though.

[a-non-y-moooose]

Start taking them 3 days before you are due to start, and once the pack is finished it takes a couple of days for anything to happen so you'll be ok.

I didn't have any side effects at all when I used it...maybe I was lucky !

I've used Norethisterone twice now. I'd start taking them today; I didn't get a period for about 3 days after I'd stopped the pills. I didn't get any side effects either, apart from a really heavy period after I'd stopped taking them.

[x_Charl_x]

Thanks for the replies xx

I will definitely start them today!

Originally Posted by Nanny Ogg

I stopped taking the pill on Friday and by the early hours of Sunday I thought I was dying I was in so my agony and bleeding so heavily it was the worse period I have ever had to go through, the doctor confirmed that it was because I had stopped taking norethisterone I will never take them again. I do hope that you don't have the same after effect though.

Yeah, my GP did warn me to expect a grim period after taking these. Without being too 'gruesome' he explained that whilst these will delay my period for a week, an extra lot of lining will form in the uterus.. and well, it will not be nice to 'expel'. In other words, be prepared for a nightmare period.. heavy and painful

Im not looking forward to this, but Id rather that than be on when Im away - guess you cant have your cake and eat it! Im going to buy some Feminax Ultra ready, and just hope they work!

[x_malibubabe]

He said that once you start bleeding you cant stop it

Another case of "trust me I'm a doctor" , that's not true! I've used these a fair bit and you're meant to start them a few days before you're due on, but I've unexpectedly come on, taken one and it's gone in a few hours, I've also never listened to the "Take one three times a day" that it says on the sticker, I take one a day and it does the same job!

[Dr Todd]

Originally Posted by x_malibubabe

Another case of "trust me I'm a doctor" , that's not true! I've used these a fair bit and you're meant to start them a few days before you're due on, but I've unexpectedly come on, taken one and it's gone in a few hours, I've also never listened to the "Take one three times a day" that it says on the sticker, I take one a day and it does the same job!

I'd agree with this. I've used them quite a lot as I travel for work - have taken them on the day I started and it's stopped, which was great.

Can't believe doc only gave you enough for a week - I always get enough for two at least.

Only thing I didn't know was that you can get away with taking one - don't want to hijack the thread but is that really right, Malibubabe? Bonus if so!

[x_malibubabe]

Originally Posted by Dr Todd

I'd agree with this. I've used them quite a lot as I travel for work - have taken them on the day I started and it's stopped, which was great.

Can't believe doc only gave you enough for a week - I always get enough for two at least.

Only thing I didn't know was that you can get away with taking one - don't want to hijack the thread but is that really right, Malibubabe? Bonus if so!

Are you really a doctor or is that just your username?

Yep it's true, I always take one a day, it saves on more prescriptions

[x_Charl_x]

Originally Posted by Dr Todd

Can't believe doc only gave you enough for a week - I always get enough for two at least.

I was lucky to get 7 days worth - he only wanted to give me 6 I'd explained to him that I could start my period either Wed,Thurs or Fri.. but I dont think he really got what I was saying, and he was like "start taking them on Tuesday and your lost dose on Sunday" so he started to type in the amount of 18 tablets. I was a little confused and said again, but I could come on Wednesday.. so he said, in that case Il prescribe 21 and begin on Monday

I would have liked more than 21, just for back-ups sake, but he didnt seem to keen on prescribing many so I didnt want to ask. I think thats why Ive been confused re when to start - because I was abit baffled when I left the doctors.

I don't know if I'll risk the one a day thing - though you're probably right in saying thats enough, Id rather take 3 a day just incase the one doesnt work!

He was quite definite when he said "once you start bleeding there is no stopping it", though

Thanks for the help x

ETA: Dr Todd and malibubabe - did you have the really heavy period I mentioned after taking the pills?

[Josephine_1]

I took them once to delay my period by 2 weeks. Never again! I'm not sure if it was a side effect or whether it was because I suffer from really heavy and painful periods at the best of times anyway. But everything was fine, it was great that I didn't have to have my period while on holiday then I came home and did have it, and it was horrendous! Like those two weeks or so had been a massive build up! and I really thought I'd have to go to Hospital from the pain.

[KnifeEdge]

My 17yr old daughter takes them when she needs to. She says she gets her period pretty soon after stopping the tablets and that its alot more painful than usual . Must remind her to get some more as she has a swimathon soon!

[x_malibubabe]

Originally Posted by x_Charl_x

I was lucky to get 7 days worth - he only wanted to give me 6 I'd explained to him that I could start my period either Wed,Thurs or Fri.. but I dont think he really got what I was saying, and he was like "start taking them on Tuesday and your lost dose on Sunday" so he started to type in the amount of 18 tablets. I was a little confused and said again, but I could come on Wednesday.. so he said, in that case Il prescribe 21 and begin on Monday

I would have liked more than 21, just for back-ups sake, but he didnt seem to keen on prescribing many so I didnt want to ask. I think thats why Ive been confused re when to start - because I was abit baffled when I left the doctors.

I don't know if I'll risk the one a day thing - though you're probably right in saying thats enough, Id rather take 3 a day just incase the one doesnt work!

He was quite definite when he said "once you start bleeding there is no stopping it", though

Thanks for the help x

One in the morning and one at night should work, when I first went on it that's what my doctor told me to take, even though the packet said three a day, but still I only take one.

And you say HE was quite definite, how many times do you think he's tried Norethisterone? Take it from me, it does stop the bleeding 'cause I've done it personally.

[Dr Todd]

No, Malibubabe, not a real doctor - it's a character off Green Wing.

Charl, I'm usually only delaying my period by a few days when I'm away so I don't find them particularly heavy or uncomfortable when they do come - no more than normal, anyway.

I have friends who use it a lot to miss out a whole month, for instance, and they do suffer the longer they leave it.

[x_malibubabe]

Originally Posted by x_Charl_x

ETA: Dr Todd and malibubabe - did you have the really heavy period I mentioned after taking the pills?

Yeah I did, but I had heavy periods anyway

No, Malibubabe, not a real doctor

Damn, it made me feel all warm inside thinking I knew something a doc didn't

[x_Charl_x]

Originally Posted by x_malibubabe

And you say HE was quite definite, how many times do you think he's tried Norethisterone? Take it from me, it does stop the bleeding 'cause I've done it personally.

Lol.. you have a point there!

Thanks for the replies. I see that from what you've all said, the longer you delay them for (i.e 2 weeks) the more painful it will be when you do come on. Hopefully, as Im only delaying them for 4 days, Im hoping it wont be as bad.

I havent started taking them yet, because I didnt have the 'signs' that I usually have the day or two I have before coming on, and I was right as I still havent come on.. so guessing I will do Friday. So technically I should start them today, tomorrow or Friday if Im pushing it!

I told my boyfriend about the possible heavy and painful period afterwards and he said I shouldnt take them.. doesn't think it's wise to mess with nature, so to speak. But I am going to take them.. I just keep putting it off!

ETA: Slightly off topic, but has anyone tried Feminax Ultra? Im thinking of getting some of these ready, just incase they are particularly painful. Ive heard the normal Feminax are just glorified Paracetomal with Coedine which you can get cheaper from Boots anyway, but was wondering if the Ultra ones with Naproxen were any good? Anyone tried em? Ta x

[mattwoodfield]

Dont take them!

[Harry-Haddock]

i was given these tablets yesterday off my GP, it says on the leaflet that you should expect a period 2-3 days after taking the last tablet, i started taking mine yesterday and have had no side effects, the cramps i usually have in the days leading up to my period have gone, bliss,

[lizzydripping25]

I was prescribed these approx 3 years ago when I was haemoraghing (sp?) and they stopped the bleeding within about 2 days. Absolutely fantastic!! I can't tell you about any side effects as I was lucky and didn't get any. I was taking them regularly for about 2 months before I had a small op to sort out the bleeding and so I can't also tell you what the follow on period was like - cos I didn't have one!!!

However, they are excellent for stopping the bleeding/period. I would start now if I were you but the bleeding stops about 2 days if you are a bit late starting the tablets.

[x_Charl_x]

Originally Posted by Harry-Haddock

i was given these tablets yesterday off my GP, it says on the leaflet that you should expect a period 2-3 days after taking the last tablet, i started taking mine yesterday and have had no side effects, the cramps i usually have in the days leading up to my period have gone, bliss,

So we'll both be taking them at the same time Wonder if we will both experience the same consequences after we've finished them!

I think they're worth it though, for a few days anyway. I think I'd be more worried if I had to take them for a longer period of time. I dont mind having a slightly more painful period than normal.. anything's gotta be better than being on whilst Im away! Like I said, Im just going to stock up on painkillers incase!

Just about to take my 1st one now.. Thanks for all the advice

[Harry-Haddock]

i started mine on tuesday, i'm due on today (didn't want to be on at the weekend as i'm involved in a wedding) i'll stop them on sunday night and see what happens from there.

[x_Charl_x]

Hi again.

Well I'm back from my weekend away, and took my last Norethisterone pill yesterday morning. Ive had a few twinges, but nothing yet.. Im dreading the next few days

Going to pop to Boots or somewhere today to get some OTC pain relief ready. I've heard that Nurofen Plus or Feminax Ultra are the best, so Il ask the pharmacist.

One good thing though, I had no side effects at all whilst on the Norethisterone, and I took them the day before my start date (not 3 days like advised) and they did the job.

[Lululamb]

Best pills invented these things are.

Almost 2 years ago i was so heavy i couldn't walk. Doc put me on Norethisterone and it stopped my period overnight. I've been on them ever since so haven't had a period in all that time. I only take 2 a day it does me fine. Not aware of any side effects although i am aware that once i come off them (whenever that is) i will have an almighty period!!!