Norethisterone and Endo

[Hannah818]

Hi, hope youre all OKIm travelling soon just for 4 days and was wondering if I should take norethisterone (primolut) to stop heavy period and pain whilst away. Worried about not finding toilets in time and having to change pad every 1-2 hours. Also the pain! Have taken these tablets before but before I found out about endometriosis diagnosis. Don't want to take anything which would make it worse. Can anyone advise? Thank you 😊

[Misschristmas]

Don't know if this will be helpful as I've never tried that particular drug, but I've used tranexamic acid for years to reduce bleeding and find its been the most effective. Alternatively I've tried mefenamic acid which helps control bleeding and help pain but didn't find it worked as well for me as Tranexamic Acid did.

[Angel1i]

Have you had a thorough check up with your doctors, whether or not you’re travelling. Norethisterone can mask the cause of excessive bleeding. I found the pain it caused excruciating. Check with your gynaecologist.

[Bk27]

hey,

I took this for a few days in summer last year whilst in malta and felt perfectly fine taking them. They warn you your period afterwards might be a bit heavier but i didnt get this. Definitely worth taking in my experience for delaying bad periods.

They do say, if you have time, test them out on a period before you go.

Hopefully this helps x

[Rainbow2468]

I was on those for a while and they were brilliant. Hope you have a lovely holiday x

[Giraffe73]

Hi Hannah, For me i would say 100% yes. I used to take N before I had my diagnosis to delay my period for holiday (3 days before and during holiday x 3 times a day). No period until after stopping them, was a bit heavier but eased the stress of symptoms whilst away.

I now have a deep infiltrating endo diagnosis, have tried various treatments to try to alleviate symptoms whilst waiting for surgery, Norethisterone is best I have found so far (it may be like taking the pill and masking but means i can cope).

Symptoms are manageable at min.

I guess everyone is different and my experience may not be yours, if you can try out on a period before travelling, would be a good idea.

Hope you get some stress free travelling.

Hope this helps. X

[Hannah818 in reply to Giraffe73]

Thank you , that does help, I've used in past before and haven't had any ill effects , now with deep endo diagnosis, first trip away , it's reassuring to know others are in same boat xxx thank you for the advice

[Bellebell]

If I'm planning to travel for a few days, I try to work it around my periods but if travelling for longer, I take norothisterone. No periods, but I still get PMS, not as bad though, and experience spotting sometimes too.

Get advice from a doctor first and the advice to try it out first is a good idea too. It can have a different effect on different people.

I took it once for about 6 weeks when I went travelling for an extended period. I didn't feel as good as I perhaps would have otherwise by the end of it, but I think everyone is different.

The last time I went on a group tour, I found that a couple of other women who have endo were doing the same thing!

[Shark_j]

I have used that in the past and found it helped my symptoms but it is different with everyone. I would ask your health care professional or GP for advise especially when you only want to take it for a short period of time. Good luck

[Sunset-lady]

If you can handle progestin then it's fine but I prefer tranexamic acid which doesn't affect my mood x

[Hannah818 in reply to Sunset-lady]

Does tranexamic have any side effects? Might try for next time if needed to delay period, I think I am getting some side effects from norethisterone

[Sunset-lady in reply to Hannah818]

Everyone responds differently to hormones. I can't take progestin but many women can. If you can't take it you'll know as it will make your mood quite low. Short term it should be OK but long term really affects some women whilst tranexamic acid doesn't affect my mood at all. If it's just for a holiday both should be OK but just watch your mood. I think this is the hardest thing to appreciate with women's health - we are all desperate to support each other but we are all very, very different and what works for one woman will make the next woman ill. You have to find what suits your body and what it can tolerate physically and mentally xxx

[Hannah818 in reply to Sunset-lady]

Thank you , that makes sense it's good to know there's another option if norethisterone doesn't suit xx

[Reginald23]

Hi. My 16 yr old daughter has been taking Norethisteron for the last 18 months non stop and no side effects. Still waiting for an endo diagnosis but these stop her periods and the illness that comes with it and she’s not had any bad symptoms or side effects.

Our gynaecologist has suggested the coil next as doesn’t want to start running tests with her being so young - although they work it really does just mask the issue.

Joanne

[Hannah818 in reply to Reginald23]

Thank you , I hope she gets the help she needs soon xx