Women's health · €25 GP review
Period delay tablets online in Ireland
Short-term tablets to postpone a period for a holiday, event or exam. Reviewed by an Irish-registered GP — no appointment needed. A prescription is issued only if clinically appropriate.
A question about period delay (norethisterone)? Ask our team
Norethisterone can postpone a period for a short time around a holiday, event or exam. Answer a short safety questionnaire and an Irish-registered GP reviews it before prescribing.
What it costs
€25 per request, refunded in full if the GP decides it is not safe to prescribe online.
How quickly
Reviewed the same working day for requests submitted before 5pm, Monday to Friday. Weekend requests are reviewed the next working day.
Who this is suitable for
- You are aged 18 or over and living in Ireland
- You want to delay a period for a holiday, event or exam
- You can start the tablets about 3 days before your period is due
- You or a close family member have had a blood clot (DVT or PE), or you have a clotting disorder
- Liver disease, unexplained vaginal bleeding, or breast or gynaecological cancer
- You could be pregnant
What your €25 covers
- Short clinical questionnaire you can finish on your phone
- Review by an Irish-registered, IMC-listed GP
- Prescription sent securely to the pharmacy you choose
- A written note in your patient record you can download any time
What we'll ask you
11 short questions, most of them yes or no. Your answers go straight to the reviewing GP.
- What date do you want your period delayed from, and for how many days?
- First day of your last period and your usual cycle length
- Have you used period delay tablets before?
- Are you on the combined contraceptive pill?
- Any personal or close-family history of blood clots (DVT or PE), or a known clotting disorder?
- Do you get migraine with aura?
- Any liver disease, undiagnosed vaginal bleeding, or history of breast or gynaecological cancer?
- Does the trip involve a long-haul flight over 4 hours?
- Could you be pregnant?
- List any drug allergies (or type 'none')
- Medicines you currently take (or type 'none')
When we'll say no
These answers stop the request and route you to a consultation instead.
- A clot history makes norethisterone unsuitable without review.
- This needs a consultation before hormone tablets.
- Period delay tablets must not be used in pregnancy.
When to get seen in person or urgently
- Do not use norethisterone if you have had a blood clot, or are pregnant.
- Get urgent care for a painful swollen calf, sudden breathlessness or chest pain while taking it. Call 112 or 999 if you collapse, have severe difficulty breathing, or think it is an emergency.
Common questions
- When should I start period delay tablets?
- Usually 3 days before your period is due, continuing until you want it to start, for a short time only.
- Can I use my contraceptive pill instead?
- Sometimes. If you take a combined pill, the GP may advise running packs together instead.
- How much does an online period delay prescription cost in Ireland?
- €25 for the GP review and prescription. Your pharmacy charges separately for the medicine. If the GP decides it is not safe to prescribe, the €25 is refunded in full.
- What happens if the GP cannot prescribe from my answers?
- You get a full refund of the €25, and the GP explains why. If a conversation would help, you can book a €39 video or phone consultation with an Irish-registered GP, usually the same day.
- Is norethisterone a contraceptive?
- No. It delays your period but does not stop you getting pregnant. Use condoms or your usual contraception.
Related guides and treatments
Sources
- Heavy periodsHSE (Health Service Executive) — HSE health A–Z
- Menorrhagia — Clinical Knowledge SummaryNICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) — NICE CKS
Start your period delay (norethisterone) request
€25, reviewed by an Irish-registered GP. If it isn't clinically appropriate, the GP declines and you are refunded in full.