MEDICATION: Norethisterone

How Does Norethisterone Work

Norethisterone is a synthetic form of the hormone progesterone, which naturally regulates your menstrual cycle. By taking norethisterone, you maintain high levels of progesterone in your body, which delays the shedding of the uterine lining that causes bleeding. This action either prevents your period from starting or slows it down, depending on when you begin taking it. When you stop the tablets, progesterone levels drop, and your period will start as usual.

Side Effects can be Common

Some people may experience side effects while taking norethisterone. These can include nausea, headaches, dizziness, bloating, and breast tenderness. In rare cases, norethisterone can cause mood changes, acne, or a change in libido. Serious side effects are uncommon but include symptoms of blood clots (like pain, redness, or swelling in the leg or difficulty breathing). If you experience any concerning symptoms, stop taking the medication and contact your healthcare provider.

There are different ways that norethisterone can be used.  Generall to stop/delay your period or to make it lighter.

To use 5 mg norethisterone to stop your period:

1. Timing: Start taking 5 mg of norethisterone three times a day, ideally 3 days before your period is due to begin.
2. Duration: Continue taking the tablets three times daily for as long as you want to delay your period, usually up to 10–14 days (but it can be longer).
3. After Stopping: Once you stop taking norethisterone, your period will usually start within 2–3 days.
4. Considerations: This approach may not be suitable for everyone. And some women need higher doses of NET, or can only delay their period by a few days.  On the flip side somepeople can delay (or stop it) by taking only 5mg once a day.  

To slow down a period using 5 mg norethisterone:

1. Timing and Dosage: Begin taking 5 mg of norethisterone one to three times a day once your period has started.  If you want to slow it down quickly then you can take up to 4 tablets at once.  You may find that this is enough.
2. Duration: Continue the tablets for a few days, depending on how much you want to reduce your bleeding.
3. After Stopping: Once you stop taking norethisterone, your period will return to its usual flow within a day or so.  Usually this flow is lighter though.  One of the things NET does is it ‘holds’ the endometrium in place, so when you stop taking the tablet, there is still a thickened lining and this will then continue to shed like a period

Taking progestins (ie NET) in higher doses for 6-8 weeks does thin down the endometrium altogether and while you are taking it, it can stop periods.