Period Delay Treatment in Crewe
Going on holiday, getting married or have a big event coming up? Our pharmacist can help you safely delay your period with a short course of tablets — a confidential service with no GP appointment or prescription needed.
What is period delay treatment?
Period delay treatment lets you put off your period for a specific occasion. The usual medicine is norethisterone, a progestogen (a form of the hormone progesterone) that keeps the womb lining in place until you stop taking it. It is a popular, well-established choice for holidays, weddings and honeymoons, sporting events, exams, and religious pilgrimage such as Hajj or Umrah.
At Crewe Travel Clinic, a GPhC-registered pharmacy, our NHS-trained pharmacist will run a short, confidential consultation, check that the treatment is suitable for you, and supply it if appropriate.
How it works
One tablet, three times a day
Norethisterone is usually taken as a 5mg tablet three times daily for as long as you need to hold your period back.
Start 3–4 days before
Begin the tablets three to four days before your period is due. It can delay your period for up to around 17 days.
Your period returns after
Once you stop taking the tablets, your period normally arrives within two to three days.
Is it right for you?
Good to know
- Suitable for many healthy women who want to delay their period for an event.
- If you take the combined contraceptive pill, you can often skip the pill-free break instead — ask us.
- No GP appointment or prescription needed — just a short pharmacist consultation.
Please tell us if you
- have had a blood clot (DVT or pulmonary embolism) or a clotting disorder.
- have a heart, liver or hormone-related condition, or could be pregnant.
- take other regular medicines — our pharmacist will check for interactions.
Period delay tablets are not a contraceptive — keep using your usual method if you need one.
What it costs
A single, all-inclusive price covering your confidential pharmacist consultation and the treatment if it is suitable for you.
£35
consultation + treatment
Frequently asked questions
What is period delay treatment, and who is it for?
Period delay treatment is a short course of tablets that lets you put off your period for a specific occasion — a holiday, wedding, honeymoon, sporting event, exams or a religious pilgrimage. The usual medicine is norethisterone, a progestogen (a form of the hormone progesterone). It is a well-established option for women who do not want their period to clash with something important.
How does it work and how do I take it?
Norethisterone is usually taken as one 5mg tablet three times a day. You start it about three to four days before your period is due and keep taking it for as long as you want to hold your period back. Once you stop, your period normally returns within two to three days. It can typically delay your period for up to around 17 days.
Is it suitable for everyone?
No. Norethisterone is not suitable for everyone — for example if you have a history of blood clots, or certain heart, liver or hormone-related conditions, or take some other medicines. There is also a small increased risk of blood clots. That is why our pharmacist carries out a short, confidential consultation to review your medical history and make sure it is safe for you before supplying any treatment.
Is it a form of contraception?
No. Period delay tablets are not a reliable contraceptive, so you can still become pregnant while taking them. If you need contraception, keep using your usual method and let our pharmacist know what you use.
I am on the contraceptive pill — do I still need this?
Often not. If you take the combined contraceptive pill, you can usually delay your period by running packs back-to-back and skipping the pill-free break, without any extra medicine. The right method depends on which pill you take, so ask our pharmacist and we will advise the simplest option for you.
How much does it cost and do I need an appointment?
The service costs £35, which includes the confidential pharmacist consultation and your treatment if it is suitable for you. You do not need a GP appointment or a prescription — just book online or call us, ideally a week or so before your period is due.
Are there any side effects?
Most people have no problems, but possible side effects include bloating, breast tenderness, nausea, headaches, low mood or reduced sex drive. These are usually mild and settle after the course. Our pharmacist will explain what to look out for.
Delay your period for your big day
Book a confidential consultation, or call us a week or so before your period is due and we will sort it out.