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Does Menstruation Occur After Discontinuing Norethisterone?
Question: Is the bleeding that occurs after stopping the norethisterone tablet (for delaying a period), a). a period itself, or b). just breakthrough bleeding? How does one differentiate the two (bleeds)? and if its just breakthrough bleeding, could one be ovulating at the same time during that breakthrough bleeding time?
Thanks
Thanks
Brief Answer:
Rare to ovulate during withdrawal period.
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks for the query,
It might be very difficult to make this difference. However, the good news is, after stopping norethisterone, your cycle pattern is not affected much.
Therefore, most women would still ovulate normally when they were supposed to ovulate.
It is difficult or almost impossible for you to ovulate during the breakthrough or what is called withdrawal bleeding period. If that s the concern, no worries, it really does not happen that way.
The next two cycles could be scanty or heavier, but within the next two cycles, everything usually comes back to normal. Ovulation times however remain normal around day 14 counting from the first day of ovulation.
Thanks and kind regards a s I wish you the best of health.
Dr Bain
Rare to ovulate during withdrawal period.
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks for the query,
It might be very difficult to make this difference. However, the good news is, after stopping norethisterone, your cycle pattern is not affected much.
Therefore, most women would still ovulate normally when they were supposed to ovulate.
It is difficult or almost impossible for you to ovulate during the breakthrough or what is called withdrawal bleeding period. If that s the concern, no worries, it really does not happen that way.
The next two cycles could be scanty or heavier, but within the next two cycles, everything usually comes back to normal. Ovulation times however remain normal around day 14 counting from the first day of ovulation.
Thanks and kind regards a s I wish you the best of health.
Dr Bain
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thanks for your answer
I think what i also wanted to know is, say someone hadn't been using the norethisterone, but only used it once, to defer their period by 2 weeks, does that mean that ovulation will still occur at the same time it used to, or will it change? I guess my question here is does the norethisterone only affect the timing of one's periods and has nothing to do with when ovulation occurs?
And lets say someone stops the norethisterone, and they have their period, does this mean that from now on, their dates of period will follow this new pattern?
One last question, can the use of norethisterone affect the regularity of one's next and subsequent period(s) i.e causing scanty/lack of period in an otherwise healthy person with regular periods?
I think what i also wanted to know is, say someone hadn't been using the norethisterone, but only used it once, to defer their period by 2 weeks, does that mean that ovulation will still occur at the same time it used to, or will it change? I guess my question here is does the norethisterone only affect the timing of one's periods and has nothing to do with when ovulation occurs?
And lets say someone stops the norethisterone, and they have their period, does this mean that from now on, their dates of period will follow this new pattern?
One last question, can the use of norethisterone affect the regularity of one's next and subsequent period(s) i.e causing scanty/lack of period in an otherwise healthy person with regular periods?
Brief Answer:
No worries
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks for your follow up questions:
With regards to alterations in subsequent periods with Norethisterone use, the periods become as normal and regular as before within at most the next two cycles generally. Most persons even have periods same as they were before immediately within the next cycle that comes after norethisterone is stopped. The periods after use can be scanty as you rightly put it, but in some rare circumstances, are either abnormal or even more abundant in some few persons. You should therefore be advised not to be alarmed if you do not experience lighter or scantier periods after you stop the drug.
With regards to when ovulation is going to occur, it is of course going to change considering the fact that Norethisterone is a hormone. However, after the next one or two cycles after stoppage of use and the cycles come back to normal, the normal ovulation periods will of course come back to the usual (around day 14 counting from the 1st day of menses).
Thanks and kind regards as I wish you the best of health.
Dr Bain
No worries
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks for your follow up questions:
With regards to alterations in subsequent periods with Norethisterone use, the periods become as normal and regular as before within at most the next two cycles generally. Most persons even have periods same as they were before immediately within the next cycle that comes after norethisterone is stopped. The periods after use can be scanty as you rightly put it, but in some rare circumstances, are either abnormal or even more abundant in some few persons. You should therefore be advised not to be alarmed if you do not experience lighter or scantier periods after you stop the drug.
With regards to when ovulation is going to occur, it is of course going to change considering the fact that Norethisterone is a hormone. However, after the next one or two cycles after stoppage of use and the cycles come back to normal, the normal ovulation periods will of course come back to the usual (around day 14 counting from the 1st day of menses).
Thanks and kind regards as I wish you the best of health.
Dr Bain
Note: Revert back with your gynae reports to get a clear medical analysis by our expert Gynecologic Oncologist. Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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