Taking Norethindrone Pills May Delay Menses
Q: I am 21 and taking Norethindrone tablets to prevent pregnancy. It’s a leftover from a friend who has switched birth control methods, and so it was not actually prescribed to me. My period is 2 weeks late. I’ve taken 2 pregnancy tests- at the end of the first late week and at the beginning of the second; both came up negative. I am curious as to whether or not the Norethindrone could have caused the delay of my period, though I did have a full week of cramping. Or if it may have simply caused a false negative. Please advice.
-By Chrissy
Reply:
How long have you being taking these Norethindrone tablets? This information is important as, it is required to take this pill for at least 15 days before it exerts its birth control action!
Home pregnancy tests usually do not turn up positive if done too soon. This is because, these tests measure the pregnancy hormone (HCG) in urine, which takes time to build up.
After ovulation, the egg travels through the fallopian tube. It is here that it gets fertilized by a sperm. Then the fertilized egg reaches the uterine cavity and gets implanted. Only after implantation, human gonadotropin hormone starts getting secreted. It may take 2-3 days for its level to build up and show in urine test.
So, it is advised to do the first pregnancy test after 15 days from the date of menses (date when you expected your menstrual flow). If negative, the second test may be repeated after another 7 days.
You can go for another pregnancy test for a better objective evaluation.
Effects of Norethindrone Tablets
Although, it is very likely for Norethindrone tablets to delay your periods. These pills may delay a period or even cause a missed period. In initial phases, they commonly make menstrual cycles irregular. After taking them regularly for about 6 months, menses start regularizing again.
You may also expect some uneasy feeling, nausea, puffiness in foot and headaches in initial phases of taking pills. All this is normal and will slowly settle down.
Take Care,
Buddy M.D.
Hello, I am 40 years old and currently taking micronor mini pill since March 2014. At first my period was lighter and arrived in day 29. The last two months my period has been arriving early (26 and 23 days) and has been heavier than usual. My doctor said any irregularities would have settled by now, yet I am finding the opposite is true. I have recently been prescribed a short two week course of betahistine dihydrochloride for vertigo. I do not take any other medications. I cannot take combined birth control pills due to ocular migraines. Are my symptoms normal after 6 months on micronor or should I report the early, heavy periods to my doctor? Thank you.
Let us know the reason, the symptoms, why you were prescribed these pills.
I was prescribed micronor as birth control and for endometriosis that was causing severely heavy and prolonged periods. This was diagnosed by a scan that also showed fibroids. I cannot take regular combined pills due to ocular migraines. The betahistine dihydrochloride was recently prescribed for a short bout of vertigo.
It is better to inform your doctor about the pattern of your periods.
Periods usually settle down, that is, stabilize in 3 to 4 cycles after taking these pills.
My last period in 31 august. I’m going for hajj at 27 September. Oby/gyn doc prescribed duphaston for 10 days then stopped it to get my period earlier, but 3 days after it didn’t come. Then, I went to doc to delay it as it’s too late. Doc prescribed primolut n 5mg 3 tab every day. After 1 day of taking the medicine, I had pinkish spotting at night. Today morning the spotting increased but still it’s not bleeding. I don’t want my period to start now, What I need to do?
FYI: History: pregnancy induced hypertension once, anemia
Thank you
It’s not good to alter the natural monthly cycles. Do not make it a practice.
As for now, consulting your gyne would be the best, as prescribing a pill requires prior examination.
I have recently started taking birth control pills without any estrogen in them because I am 36 years old and I am a smoker. During my first month of taking them, I got my period twice and now I am on my second pack and I have not yet got my period and I should have got it by now. These pills don’t have the week at the end of the pack that are just sugar pills or whatever the estrogen pills usually have. So I’m wondering could these pills cause a delay in my period?
Yes, it’s very likely to be due to the pill.
It may take a few cycles for you to adjust with the pill.
I took 10 pills of N tablet within two weeks, about seven days now I suppose to have my period but it didn’t come why? But I had sex within two weeks time with condom before taking the pills.
N tablets are not a full proof contraceptives.
You may wait for 3 to 4 days more. May be it’s just a delay in hormones. You might get your menses.
Or else, go for a pregnancy test.
My menses has delayed for two weeks but pregnancy test prove negative. Am scared.
I took post pill postnor and contra 72 two weeks later I had an unprotected sex.
These pills work best when taken within first 24 hours of the act.
Delay is menses is likely to be a side effect of the pills you took. These pills are prone to give bleeding disturbances.