If you take the combined oral contraceptive pill, you can delay your period by taking two packets of pills back to back. Alternatively, your GP may be able to prescribe medication to delay your period.
If you take a contraceptive pill
Changing how you take your pills can delay your period. This will be different depending on which pill you take.
- 21 day pill - you take a combined pill for 21 days, followed by seven days without pills, when you have your period. To delay your period, start a new packet of pills straight after you finish the first one, and miss out the seven day break.
- 28 day or every day pill - you take a combined pill every day. The first 21 pills are active pills, and the next seven pills are inactive or ‘dummy’ pills, when you have your period. To delay your period, miss out and throw away the dummy pills, and start the active pills in a new packet straightaway.
- Phasic every day pills - you take a pill every day, but the mix of hormones in each pill is different depending on which ‘phase’ you’re in. You need to take these pills in the correct order to provide effective contraception. Ask your GP which ones you can miss out to delay your period.
- If you are taking a progestogen-only contraceptive pill every day, your periods may be regular, irregular, or may have stopped altogether. Unfortunately, you can’t delay your period by changing how you take these pills.
If you’re unsure which pill you’re on, or which pills in the packet to miss out, speak to your GP or pharmacist.
If necessary, you can take up to three packets of pills back to back, but you should speak to your GP first. The lining of your womb continues to build up as you take the pills, and you may experience side effects, such as:
- breakthrough bleeding as the lining of your womb sheds slightly,
- bloating, or
- stomach pains.
If you don’t take a contraceptive pill
See your GP. They may be able to prescribe medication called norethisterone to delay your period. Your GP will advise you when to take norethisterone, and for how long.
Usually, you take three norethisterone tablets a day, starting three days before you expect your period to begin. Your period should arrive 2-3 days after stopping the medication.
Important: norethisterone is not a contraceptive, and it may not be suitable if you have a history of thrombosis (blood clots in the veins).
Starting the contraceptive pill
If you currently use another type of contraception, you may wish to start using the combined contraceptive pill. This will allow you to delay your period when you go on holiday.
However, you may need to start this pill several weeks before you plan to go on holiday, and it is not suitable for everyone. Speak to your GP if you’d like more information.
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