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.

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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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.

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.

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.

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.

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.