Although we often refer to our monthly menstrual cycle as “regular,” it always seems to arrive just in time to disrupt important plans. For generations, any woman who’s ever had a special trip or event spoiled thanks to her period, having a way of delaying it, temporarily was considered life-changing.

And then came Norethindrone. Today, millions of people can rely on Norethindrone to delay period.

Does Norethindrone stop periods?

The short answer: yes! Norethindrone is a safe and effective way to press pause on your cycle and ensure that your period doesn't interfere with that romantic vacation, girls' trip, big competition, and more! Norethindrone is a medication that is prescribed by a healthcare provider so you can feel confident this isn't a potentially dangerous home remedy—your medical provider will ensure it's an appropriate treatment for you. Wisp recommends beginning the treatment about three days before your period is set to begin for the best results, but anecdotally, patients have also seen results from taking Norethindrone after their period has already begun. If you find yourself surprised by an early period, Norethindrone may be worth a try!

How Norethindrone delays your period

For many years, doctors have been able to prescribe a course of hormone tablets or birth control pills to delay a period. Norethindrone is a synthetic form of the hormone progesterone, similar to the progesterone naturally produced by the body. During a menstrual cycle, the level of progesterone falls, which causes the uterine lining to shed and results in a period. If progesterone is artificially raised (as it is when taking norethindrone), the levels don't drop, which prevents menstruation from taking place.

Rather than allowing for the natural fall in progesterone during your period, Norethindrone keeps your progesterone levels up. This delays the shedding of the uterine lining, which helps to delay the end of a natural cycle—ultimately delaying a period.

When to use Norethindrone

Norethindrone to delay periods must be taken three days before the period is due, and one tablet three times a day for up to 20 days in total. Norethindrone will delay periods for this amount of time and bleeding will resume two to four days after you stop taking the pills.

Norethindrone to delay periods can be used for weddings, vacations, hot dates—really any event where you don’t want to deal with the inconvenience of bleeding, cramping, and PMS.

Norethindrone side effects

Like most medications, Norethindrone has possible side effects. Just like the birth control pill, Norethindrone affects everyone differently. Some people may experience side effects such as low mood, acne, breast tenderness, fluid retention, and loss of sex drive. Norethindrone can also prevent breakthrough bleeding---bleeding between menstrual periods due to hormonal birth control. Breakthrough bleeding is also common in people who use birth control pills to skip their periods.

Norethindrone to delay periods is effective, but it's not a contraceptive. While taking Norethindrone you should continue to use a form of pregnancy prevention, such as condoms, to avoid pregnancy.

Who can't use Norethindrone?

However, some women should not use norethindrone to delay a period. These are women who are or could be pregnant, women who have just given birth, and women who are breastfeeding. They also aren’t suitable for women with liver tumors, breast cancer, and some other uncommon medical conditions.

You can order Norethindrone easily through Wisp whenever you just don’t need your period cramping your style! Connect with a licensed medical provider online and have it shipped right to your front door.

Get Treatment Online