Superdrug now sells a pill that can delay your period

Superdrug has announced it will now offer the period delay pill through its pharmacies as a walk-in service.

The drug, Norethisterone, isn’t new. In fact, it has been widely available via GPs for some time.

This move means women aged 18 and over will be able to book an appointment with a pharmacist to be given the period-stopping pill.

This announcement comes shortly after the pharmaceutical brand, ellaOne, made its morning after pill available for same-day delivery.

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Many women choose to take the period delay pill when they go on holiday, to counter any unwanted symptoms while they’re away.

The pill must be taken three days before the expected date of your period. It will delay your period until three days after you take the final tablet.

Women will be able to walk into Superdrug, have a consultation, and walk away with a pack of 30, 60 or 90 pills.

The pill packs will delay your period for either 10, 20 or 30 days, depending on your requirements.

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Norethisterone only needs to be taken if you’re not already on a contraceptive pill. Otherwise, it’s suggested that it’s ok to continue to take your pill through your expected period to delay it until you’re ready.

The desire to stop periods altogether has been bubbling under the surface for some time now.

Last year, Kantar Worldpanel reported a drop in tampon sales, with women choosing to use contraceptive pills without a break or choosing to use the contraceptive implant.

Now, Superdrug have decided to start this service in a bid to “offer women more choice when it comes to their periods.”

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There are risk factors involved in offering this type of medication without a GP present, Dr Tom Micklewright, Medical Officer at Push Doctor, tells Yahoo!

“Having the medication available on the high-street will help with relieving the burden of GP appointment waiting times, allowing doctors to see patients with more concerning issues.”

“However, we would want to be assured by Superdrug that staff who are dispensing the medication have completed in the necessary health checks to ensure that it’s safe for the patient to use, as well as advising all patients of any potential risks and side effects before offering them the medication, as a GP would do.”

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The NHS states a number of risk factors involved in taking Norethisterone, which include, breast tenderness, headaches, nausea and disturbance in sex drive.

Norethisterone also won’t protect you against pregnancy as it is not a typical contraceptive.

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