Delay your period for a holiday, event or exam
A pharmacist can assess whether treatment to delay a period is safe for you and supply it where it is appropriate, without a GP appointment. Book a few weeks before you travel, because treatment has to start before the period is due. It is a private service, and the pharmacist tells you the cost before anything is supplied.
Before you book
- You have a date in mind: a holiday, a wedding, an exam, a competition
- You know roughly when your next period is due
- You are not pregnant or trying to become pregnant
- You can attend a few days before the period is expected
Treatment has to be started before your period begins, so leave time. If you take the combined pill already, you may be able to run packs together instead, which costs nothing. Ask about that first.
What happens at the appointment
A private consultation
The pharmacist asks about your cycle, your medical history, the medicines you take, migraines, smoking and any history of blood clots.
Suitability, honestly
Not everyone can be treated. The pharmacist explains why if that is the answer, rather than supplying and hoping.
How to take it
Where treatment is appropriate you are told exactly when to start, how long to continue, and when to expect your period afterwards.
What to look out for
The pharmacist explains the common side effects and the small number of symptoms that mean stopping and seeking advice.
Where you can get this
Questions people ask
How far ahead should I book?
A few weeks is comfortable. Treatment starts several days before your period is due, so a booking the day before a flight is usually too late. If you are close to the date, book anyway and the pharmacist will tell you honestly whether it can still work.
How long can a period be delayed?
Usually a matter of days rather than months, and the pharmacist will explain the limit for the treatment they can supply. It is intended for a single event, not for skipping periods routinely, which is a conversation for your GP.
Will it affect my contraception?
Tell the pharmacist exactly what you use. If you take the combined pill, running two packs together is often the simpler and cheaper answer and needs no extra treatment. Other methods interact differently, which is part of what the consultation is for.
Are there side effects?
Some people get bloating, breast tenderness, nausea, headaches or mood changes, and some notice light spotting. The pharmacist goes through what is common, what is not, and what should make you stop and seek advice.
When will my period come back?
Usually within a few days of finishing the treatment. The first period afterwards can be heavier or arrive slightly off schedule. If it has not returned within a couple of weeks, take a pregnancy test and speak to your GP.
What does it cost?
The price shown here is for the appointment and the pharmacist's assessment. If treatment is supplied, the cost is confirmed with you before anything changes hands, and you are free to decide against it.
Where this information comes from
Other services
Book at a participating pharmacy
Your care is delivered by the pharmacy, not by WalkInClinics. The pharmacy team checks your eligibility before the appointment goes ahead.