Utovlan Tablets (5mg)

What is Utovlan?

Utovlan is the branded version of the period delay treatment Norethisterone.

Norethisterone is a synthetic progestogen that simulates the natural female sex hormone progesterone. Utovlan can be taken occasionally to delay periods to prevent them from occurring at inconvenient times. It is also prescribed for problems like heavy, painful or irregular periods.

You need a prescription to buy Utovlan tablets.

What is Utovlan used to treat?

Utovlan is generally prescribed to delay your period for holidays, weddings and other specific events. Women should begin taking the tablets three days before the start of their period until the course of tablets has been completed.

Aside from being a period delay medicine, Utovlan can also be taken to treat or manage the following:

• Breast cancer
• Heavy periods
• Painful periods
• Endometriosis
• Irregular periods
• Premenstrual tension (PMT)

Why is Utovlan recommended for period delay?

Utovlan contains a synthetic progestogen called norethisterone, which has been clinically researched and found to be a highly effective medicine for delaying periods. 

How does Utovlan delay periods?

Norethisterone mimics the body’s natural progesterone hormone, which thickens the womb lining in preparation for a fertilised egg to be implanted.

The level of progesterone increases after you have ovulated so the womb can prepare for an embryo after an egg has been fertilised. If an egg has not been fertilised, the progesterone levels decrease and the womb lining sheds; this causes a menstrual period.

Taking Utovlan a few days ahead of your next period means that the progestogen levels remain high and the womb lining does not shed. Once you stop taking Utovlan, you should get your period after about two or three days.

How long after taking Utovlan will my period start?

After you have taken the course of tablets, you will normally get your period three days later. If you finish your course of tablets and still don’t get a period, you should speak to your doctor as you may be pregnant.

Who can take Utovlan?

Utovlan can be used for a range of issues, but it is not suitable for all women to take.

Do not take Utovlan if any of the following apply to you:

• You are allergic to norethisterone or any of the other ingredients contained in this medication
• You are currently pregnant or think you might be pregnant (your doctor may ask you to take a pregnancy test to make sure)
• You have any liver problems
• You have pruritus
• You have porphyria
• You have or have ever had angina or a heart attack
• You have ever had a pregnancy where you had jaundice or pemphigoid gestationis
• You or anyone in your family has ever had issues with blood clots, including deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
• You have ever had any unexplained vaginal bleeding

Can you buy Utovlan over the counter?

Utovlan is only available on prescription and cannot be bought over the counter.

Can you buy Utovlan online in the UK?

To buy Utovlan online, you should only order it from a regulated pharmacy like Medicine Direct. This will ensure you are ordering a genuine and safe version of this medication.

As Utovlan is a prescription-only medicine (POM), you will first need to complete a confidential online consultation before you can purchase it. One of our doctors, pharmacists or prescribers will review your answers to make sure that this medicine is suitable for you. Next day delivery is available if you order by 2pm.

Utovlan alternatives

Utovlan is the branded version of norethisterone. You can also purchase generic norethisterone tablets from our online pharmacy by filling out an online consultation questionnaire. These tablets will work in the same way as Utovlan to delay your period.

Alternatively, we also sell Provera tablets for period delay, which contain medroxyprogesterone acetate. This medicine is most effective when used to delay a period for a short time.

View all of our period delay treatments online.