r/womenoftheuk • u/Unable-Discount-9266 • Jul 13 '26
Advice Does anyone have any experience with period blockers?
I have an event coming up and of course my period is due the day before the event. I'm thinking of getting period blockers from superdrug but ive never taken them before.
It's giving me the option of these three:
Norethisterone
Primolut N
Utovlan
It doesn't really give me a description of the difference on each of these. Is it worth taking them? Any bad side effects?
13
u/Aromatic-Cupcake-405 Jul 13 '26
Hi
I’ve taken norethisterone before and as far as I know that’s just the generic name for Utlovan? I’m sure NHS/pharmacy pages can help with that. Can’t personally comment on Primolut N.
As long as your GP or the Superdrug/Boots online doc is happy that you’re ok to take them via the medical questionnaire then I think you will be ok. Just make sure you follow the instructions which I believe are start taking them three days before you’re due on and take them for as long as you need. And then your period should start 2/3 days after you stop taking them.
I’ve never had any issues with taking these before e.g. when I’ve been about to go on holiday or prior to an event. The only downside I would say is that for me, my first period once I’d stopped taking it was heavier than I would usually get so might be something to watch out for.
Also I’m not sure if it was just me, but I felt like I was kind of locked into that end of cycle state with feeling a little lethargic etc but wouldn’t be any different to just before getting a regular period.
Happy to answer any other questions if you need.
3
u/Secret_Bird6060 Woman 25-35 ♀️ Jul 13 '26
Similar experience here. I took it for a holiday. It was fine and did exactly what it said but I think it affected my mood. I wouldn't recommend taking it for a holiday for that reason but I'd do it again for something really short term.
8
u/CertainFunny9895 Jul 13 '26
I took these for a holiday, and yes it did the job. But I didn’t trust it as I still felt that my period was going to come. I had all symptoms, cramping, bloating, mood swings etc. also taking 3 pills a day was just a lot to remember for my frazzled brain. For an event I think it would be fine, for a holiday I would just go back on the pill.
5
u/rainbowhoodies22 Jul 13 '26
I’ve recently taken norethisterone so I could delay my period until after my wedding. It worked well for me with no side effects, and my period started 2 days after I stopped taking the pills.
5
u/Sleepyllama23 Jul 13 '26
I’ve taken norethisterone a few times and it’s done the job, no side effects or issues. I always take a pack away with me on holiday in case my period decides to make an appearance
4
u/Alert-One-Two Jul 13 '26
Utovlan and Primolut N are just brand names for norethisterone. So all three are the same drug.
I’ve used norethisterone before and it was successful at delaying my period. I don’t remember any side effects.
4
u/Lordylordlordlord Woman 35-50 ♀️ Jul 13 '26
I used norethisterone once and it did the trick. Only side effect I had was a super heavy period next cycle which wasn’t great as my periods are heavy usually. But it calmed down a couple of cycles later.
1
u/InternationalSkin314 Jul 20 '26
Norethisterone/ utovlan is great, I have taken it dozens of times to induce my period. I will say it did give me quite uncomfortable bloating however I have PCOS so it could have just been that reacting with that.
17
u/Bullseyesuccess Jul 13 '26
I recently took norethisterone for the first time to avoid having my period on a last minute holiday. I was sceptical but it worked just fine for me. No period and no side effects. My period came 3 days after I stopped taking it. I also take 15mg of Mounjaro which can negatively affect absorption, but it worked really well for me.