Period-delay tablets are usually safe for a woman with healthy, regular cycles who needs to shift one period for a puja, wedding or trip, after a short check with a gynaecologist. I say no if there is a past blood clot or stroke, liver disease, any chance of pregnancy or unexplained bleeding. They are not a contraceptive.
Dr Bharati Patil – Obstetrician & Gynaecologist in Chinchwad, PCMC
Every year in the week before Ashtami, my OPD in Chinchwad gets the same question many times a day: “Doctor, can I take a tablet so my period does not come during the puja?” Some women ask for themselves, some mothers ask for their daughters, and quite a few have already bought a strip from the chemist and want me to say it is fine.
I am not against these tablets. For the right woman they are simple and useful. But they are a hormone medicine, and there are a few situations where I firmly say no. Here is how I decide.
Why this is in the news now: Shardiya Navratri is under way, with Durga Ashtami falling on 18 October this year, according to the Navratri 2026 calendar published by Business Today. Searches for “period delay tablet” always rise in this fortnight.
What does a period-delay tablet actually do?
The tablet most often used is norethisterone, a progestogen (a man-made form of the hormone progesterone). While you take it, the lining of the womb stays in place and does not shed. Once you stop, the lining sheds and your period usually comes within a few days.
It is commonly started a few days before the date your period is expected and continued until the day you want to be period-free. [Dr Bharati: confirm the start timing and the maximum number of days you usually prescribe] I do not give a dose here on purpose. The dose and timing should be decided for you, not copied from a friend’s prescription.
When I usually say yes
- Your cycles are healthy and regular, so we know roughly when the period is due.
- It is for one occasion, such as Ashtami puja, a family wedding or travel, not month after month.
- You come a few days early, before the period starts. Once bleeding has begun, these tablets do not reliably stop it.
- We have had a short check, so I know your health history and current medicines.
My three questions before I write a prescription
- Have you or anyone in your close family ever had a blood clot in the leg or lung, or a stroke?
- Is there any chance you could be pregnant right now?
- Have you had any bleeding between periods or after sex that has not been checked?
If the answers are all no and your general health is good, a short course is usually fine. I also check blood pressure, weight and any liver problems or migraines.
Already on the combined pill?
If you take a combined oral contraceptive pill, you may not need a separate tablet at all. Speak to me about whether running two packs together is suitable for you. [Dr Bharati: confirm whether you advise back-to-back packs for your patients]
When I say no
- A past blood clot (DVT or pulmonary embolism) or stroke. Part of norethisterone is converted in the body into a small amount of oestrogen, which is why doctors are careful about clot risk. A review in the Journal of Family Planning and Reproductive Health Care (Mansour, 2012) discusses safer prescribing for women at risk of clots.
- Liver disease, because the liver processes the hormone.
- Any chance of pregnancy. The tablet is not a contraceptive and is not meant to be taken in pregnancy.
- Bleeding that has not been explained yet, such as spotting between periods. That needs a check first, not a hormone that hides it.
- A history of breast cancer or certain other hormone-sensitive conditions.
In these cases I would rather you have your period during the festival than take a risk. There are often simple practical options instead, and I am happy to talk them through.
Side effects, and signs you should not ignore
Most women take a short course without trouble. Common side effects include:
- bloating and mild tummy discomfort
- breast tenderness
- mood changes or irritability
- a heavier period than usual once you stop
Stop the tablet and get medical help the same day if you have pain or swelling in one leg, chest pain or breathlessness, a sudden severe headache, weakness on one side of the body, or very heavy bleeding. The GPnotebook guidance on delaying periods lists the same cautions doctors check before prescribing.
A pattern I see every festival season
A pattern I notice often: a young woman starts a strip on a friend’s advice two or three days late, after the period has already begun, and then worries when the bleeding does not stop. Or she takes it for much longer than needed and is anxious when the period is late afterwards. [Dr Bharati: confirm or add a typical OPD example, without identifying details] Both are avoidable with a five-minute conversation a few days before the festival.
Never start it on a chemist’s or a friend’s advice
Norethisterone is a prescription medicine. A friend may have taken it without problems, but her health history is not yours. The few minutes it takes to answer my three questions is what makes this tablet safe.
Save these slides
This is the carousel I shared on our Instagram page this week. Save it or send it to a friend who is planning a festival trip.
Consultation near you: gynaecologist in Chinchwad, PCMC
Dr Bharati Patil consults at Room 8, First Floor, Plot No. GP 116, Sambhaji Nagar Road, near Rotary Club, G Block, MIDC, Chinchwad, Pune 411019 (Chetna Hospital). OPD hours are Monday to Saturday, 10 am to 1 pm and 4 pm to 8:30 pm. Women come to her from Chinchwad, Pimpri, Akurdi, Nigdi, Ravet, Wakad, Hinjewadi, Pimple Saudagar, Thergaon, Tathawade, Punawale, Moshi, Bhosari and Chikhali.
If your periods are irregular or heavy, a period-delay tablet is not the answer. Read our article on causes of uterine fibroids, or, if you are in your forties and cycles are changing, our guide on early perimenopause symptoms. You can also see our gynaecology and maternity services, laparoscopic and hysteroscopic surgery, and Dr Bharati Patil’s profile.
What women say about Dr Bharati Patil
Excerpts from Google reviews on Dr Bharati Patil’s profile:
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“She gives full attention to her patients. She listens patiently and ensures all concerns are addressed.”
– Pratibha K., Google review, May 2025
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“Ma’am is really experienced and helpful. Ma’am helped us from the beginning and gave useful advices as and when required.”
– Yogita P., Google review, October 2023
Read all reviews on Google → Individual experiences vary.
Frequently asked questions
Are period-delay tablets safe?
For most women with healthy, regular cycles, a short course taken once after a check with a gynaecologist is usually safe. They are not suitable if you have had a blood clot or stroke, have liver disease, could be pregnant, or have bleeding that has not been explained.
When should I start a period-delay tablet?
It is usually started a few days before the expected date of your period, not after bleeding has begun. Your gynaecologist will tell you the exact start day and how long to continue based on your cycle.
Can a period-delay tablet stop a period that has already started?
Not reliably. Once bleeding has begun, these tablets usually do not stop it. That is why it is best to see your doctor a few days before the occasion.
Does a period-delay tablet work as contraception?
No. Norethisterone used to delay a period is not a contraceptive. Use a reliable method of contraception if you need it, and tell your doctor if there is any chance you are pregnant.
Where can I consult a gynaecologist for period-delay tablets in Chinchwad, PCMC?
Dr Bharati Patil, Obstetrician and Gynaecologist (MBBS, DGO), consults at Room 8, First Floor, GP 116, Sambhaji Nagar Road, near Rotary Club, MIDC G Block, Chinchwad, Pune 411019. Call or WhatsApp 91686 90447 to book.
Planning to delay your period for Ashtami? Check with me a few days before.
About the author: Dr Bharati Patil
Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist
MBBS, DGO (JJ Hospital, Mumbai)
Pregnancy care, normal and caesarean delivery, laparoscopic and hysteroscopic gynaecology surgery at Chetna Hospital, Chinchwad. View full profile
Medically reviewed by Dr Bharati Patil. Last updated 14 October 2026.
Sources
- Mansour D. Safer prescribing of therapeutic norethisterone for women at risk of venous thromboembolism. J Fam Plann Reprod Health Care. 2012;38(3):148–149.
- GPnotebook. Delaying periods.
- Business Today. Navratri 2026 full calendar: Durga Ashtami, Maha Navami, Dussehra dates.
This article is general health information and does not replace a consultation. Whether a period-delay tablet is suitable, and the dose and timing, are decided after a medical review.
