Period Delaying Pills: Are the Hidden Risks to Teenage Girls Worth the Price?

Teenager Suffers Severe Health Risks from Common Period-Delaying Pills
Jessie Blake, an 18-year-old from Essex, faced devastating health issues after taking norethisterone, commonly used to delay menstrual cycles. Initially seeking relief for her holiday, she endured up to 20 seizures and severe pain, highlighting alarming side effects of this widely available medication. Despite initial comfort, her condition worsened after stopping the pills, culminating in an emergency room visit where she experienced a decidual cast—an abnormal shedding of the uterine lining. Doctors remain uncertain about the connection between her symptoms and the hormones. Dr. Anne Henderson, a gynaecologist, emphasizes the risks of easily accessible medications like norethisterone. Jessie now urges increased awareness and support for women considering these pills, firmly stating, “Absolutely not,” when asked if she’d recommend them.

FAQ Section
1. What is norethisterone?
Norethisterone is a synthetic form of the hormone progesterone used to delay menstruation.

2. What are the potential side effects of norethisterone?
Possible side effects include severe pain, seizures, and decidual casts, where the uterine lining sheds abnormally.

3. How easily can norethisterone be obtained?
Norethisterone can be prescribed by a GP but is also readily available online from various retailers, often without consultation.

4. What was Jessie Blake’s experience with norethisterone?
After taking norethisterone for period delay, Jessie faced severe health crises, including multiple seizures and intense pain, leading to hospitalizations.

Tags
Health, Women’s Health, Medication Risks, Hormone Therapy, Period Delay Pills, Norethisterone, Seizures, Medical Awareness, Patient Advocacy, Gynaecology