Utovlan Tablets

What is Utovlan?

Utovlan tablets are a medication containing norethisterone that is used to treat menstrual disorders and delay periods. They work by altering hormone levels in the body.

You can request treatment for period delay via our online pharmacy service. If you’d like to check your eligibility, please proceed to the consultation.

How Does Utovlan Work to Delay Periods?

Normally, your menstrual cycle is controlled by the rise and fall of oestrogen and progesterone levels. Oestrogen dominates the first half of your cycle, peaking around ovulation. After ovulation, progesterone takes over, maintaining the uterine lining. If pregnancy doesn't occur, progesterone levels drop, triggering your period as the lining sheds.

Utovlan contains norethisterone, a synthetic form of progesterone. By supplying your body with a steady level of artificial progesterone, Utovlan essentially delays your period by maintaining the uterine lining. The uterine lining is maintained, and your period is delayed until you stop taking the tablets.

How Many Utovlan Do I Need to Take to Stop My Period?

To postpone your period with Utovlan:

• Begin taking the tablets 3 days before your period is due
• Take one 5mg tablet three times a day at regular intervals
• Continue the tablets for up to a maximum of 17 days
• When you're ready for your period to begin, simply stop taking Utovlan

It usually takes a few days (usually 2 to 3 days) after stopping the tablets for your period to resume as hormone levels rebalance. Your cycle should then return to normal the following month.

How Can I Get Utovlan?

Utovlan is a prescription-only medication. Luckily, at Prescription Doctor, we make accessing the medicines you need simple and discreet. 

We offer a quick and easy online consultation service. Just complete a short health questionnaire, and our qualified doctors will assess whether Utovlan is right for you. 

If approved, we'll ship your Utovlan tablets straight to your door in plain packaging as soon as the next working day. No GP appointments or pharmacy trips are required.

Is Utovlan Right For Me?

As with any medication, Utovlan may not be suitable for everyone. You shouldn't take Utovlan if:

• You have an allergy to norethisterone or any of the other ingredients
• You're pregnant, think you could be pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• You have a history of unexplained vaginal bleeding
• You've previously had a blood clot, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), heart attack or stroke
• You have severe liver problems or experienced cholestatic jaundice during pregnancy
• You have certain conditions like porphyria, genital or breast cancer, severe arterial disease, etc.

Certain conditions like epilepsy, migraines, asthma, heart disease and others may also mean Utovlan is best avoided.

What Side Effects Can Utovlan Cause?

Most people tolerate Utovlan well, especially when only taken for one menstrual cycle. However, like any medicine, some people may experience side effects. Some of the more common side effects can include:

• Breakthrough bleeding or spotting between periods
• Tender or swollen breasts
• Headaches and migraines
• Nausea
• Bloating
• Weight change
• Mood swings and irritability
• Skin issues like acne
• Irregular or heavier periods after stopping

These side effects are usually mild and short-lived, resolving once you stop taking Utovlan. Taking your tablets with food and staying hydrated can help ease nausea, headaches, and other symptoms. If any severe side effects persist beyond a few days after stopping treatment, speak to your doctor.

Rare Side Effects

In very rare cases, Utovlan may cause more serious adverse effects and complications, such as:

• Severe headache, dizziness, fainting or numbness
• Chest pain, coughing up blood or difficulty breathing
• Swelling, redness or pain in the legs that may indicate a blood clot
• Disturbances in vision or speech
• Yellowing of the skin or eyes, indicating liver problems
• Signs of an allergic reaction include skin rash, itching, swelling of the face or throat, wheezing, etc.

Seek urgent medical attention if you experience any of these serious symptoms. 

Blood clots are a particular risk, so be vigilant for warning signs, especially if you smoke, are overweight, are immobile due to injury or surgery, or have other risk factors. 

But rest assured, when used properly, Utovlan is a safe and well-tolerated medication for the vast majority of people.

For example, one study of long-term norethisterone use (daily for 13 months for endometriosis) found that 55% of women reported zero side effects, while side effects tended to be mild when present. It’s important to know this study involved women taking medication daily for 13 months for endometriosis. Side effects for infrequent use are less likely and milder.

Warning: Utovlan is Not a Contraceptive

Utovlan is not a contraceptive in its own right – you can still conceive while taking it. Make sure to use condoms or your usual birth control method if you want to avoid pregnancy. Utovlan isn’t designed to avoid pregnancy, only to postpone periods.