Recommended Dosage of Norgestrel for Delaying a Period
The recommended dosage of norgestrel (progestin) for delaying a menstrual period is typically 0.075 mg daily, taken continuously without interruption until the period is to be delayed. While there is limited specific guidance on period delay as a standalone indication, this recommendation is based on established progestin-only contraceptive dosing that affects menstrual patterns.
Mechanism and Effectiveness
Norgestrel works to delay periods through several mechanisms:
- Thickening cervical mucus
- Altering the endometrial lining
- Potentially affecting corpus luteum function 1
- Impacting tubal transport of ova 1
When used for contraception, norgestrel has been studied at various doses:
- 50 μg (0.05 mg) daily was found effective as a contraceptive with a failure rate of 1.1 pregnancies per 100 woman-years 1
- 75 μg (0.075 mg) daily showed a failure rate of 2.1% within the first 12 cycles 2
- Recent studies confirm that 0.075 mg norgestrel effectively maintains unfavorable cervical mucus for sperm penetration 3
Administration Guidelines
For period delay:
- Begin taking norgestrel before the expected period
- Take at the same time each day (within a 3-hour window) 3
- Continue until you wish the period to begin
- Expect bleeding to start within 2-3 days after discontinuation
Expected Side Effects
When using norgestrel for period delay, be aware of potential side effects:
- Menstrual irregularity: The most common side effect, affecting bleeding patterns 2
- Approximately 21% of cycles may be shorter than 23 days 1
- Some women may experience spotting or breakthrough bleeding
- Other side effects are generally minimal 1
Important Considerations
Contraceptive effect: While taking norgestrel primarily for period delay, be aware it also provides contraceptive protection, though not as effectively as combined hormonal methods 4
Not for long-term use: Period delay with progestins is generally intended for short-term use
Not effective for immediate period delay: Should be started before menstruation begins
No protection against STIs: Condoms should be used if STI protection is needed 4
Medical contraindications: Women with certain conditions (e.g., unexplained vaginal bleeding, breast cancer) should avoid progestin-only methods
Practical Application
For women seeking to delay periods for specific events (vacations, athletic competitions, etc.), the 0.075 mg norgestrel daily dose provides a reasonable balance of effectiveness and minimal side effects. This approach is preferable to using combined oral contraceptives off-label for this purpose, especially for women with contraindications to estrogen.
If irregular bleeding occurs during norgestrel use, this is expected and not harmful, though it may be inconvenient for the intended purpose of period delay.