Period Delay Tablets
Don’t let your period come between you and your event. Delay it for up to 30 days using period delay tablets.
We offer a prescription (subject to a thorough consultation with our pharmacist) which you can redeem at any UK participating pharmacy*. If you choose to complete the service with us in-person, you can choose to also have us dispense the medicine for you during your appointment.
This way you’re not waiting for delivery - simply book an appointment as soon as you need it, and get your prescription filled at your local pharmacy straight away.
*You can expect to pay the pharmacy for the tablets they dispense. Check with individual pharmacies what their dispensing fees are.
This service is available both in-person and online. Please read all the information on this page before you book.
What are period delay tablets?
Period delay tablets contain norethisterone, a synthetic hormone that can be used to temporarily delay your period when taken correctly.
They are commonly used for short-term reasons such as:
Holidays or travel
Weddings or special events
Exams, performances, or important commitments
Religious or cultural reasons
Norethisterone does not stop ovulation and is not a contraceptive. It works by maintaining hormone levels so that your period does not start until the tablets are stopped.
Frequently Asked Questions
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We offer two safe and flexible ways to access period delay treatment:
🔹 Online consultation (e-Prescription)
Complete a short online clinical questionnaire and attend a video consultation with a UK-registered pharmacist prescriber
If suitable, an electronic prescription (e-Rx) is issued
You can choose where the prescription is dispensed
Consultation fee: £30
Medication cost: paid separately to the dispensing pharmacy🔹 In-person consultation & dispensing
Same-day appointments available
Walk-in consultations welcome (subject to availability)
Clinical assessment with our pharmacist
Tablets dispensed on site if appropriate
Consultation fee: £30
Dispensing cost: £1 per tablet supplied -
To delay your period effectively:
Tablets are usually started 3 days before your expected period
They are taken three times daily
Your period usually returns 2–3 days after stopping
Your pharmacist will confirm:
When to start
How long you can safely take them
Whether the treatment is suitable for you
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You may be suitable if you:
Are aged 16–50
Have a regular menstrual cycle
Are not pregnant or breastfeeding
Do not have certain medical conditions that make hormone use unsafe
During your consultation, we will carefully check:
Medical history
Current medications
Risk factors (such as clotting risk or hormone sensitivity)
If period delay tablets are not appropriate, we’ll explain why and discuss alternatives where possible.
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Period delay tablets do not protect against pregnancy
They are intended for short-term use only
They may cause temporary side effects such as:
Nausea
Headache
Breast tenderness
Mood changes
Our pharmacists follow strict UK clinical guidelines and criteria to ensure safe prescribing.
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✔ Pharmacist-led prescribing
✔ Same-day & walk-in availability
✔ Online or face-to-face consultations
✔ Transparent pricing
✔ Private, confidential service
✔ Central Edinburgh location
We’re a private pharmacy clinic, which means faster access, longer consultations, and no GP appointment needed.
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Consultation: £30
Dispensing (if supplied by us - only available for in-person consultations): £1 per tabletNo hidden fees. You only pay for what you need.
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When prescribed appropriately and used short-term, norethisterone is considered safe for most people. Suitability is assessed during your consultation.
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This depends on the type of pill and your medical history. Your pharmacist will advise during your consultation.
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Same day in most cases - including walk-ins.
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Your cycle usually resumes within a few days of stopping the tablets, though timing can vary slightly.