Norethisterone - what's it for?

Is norethisterone used solely for 'scheduling' a period? I have my second IVF cycle coming up and the protocol says norethisterone for 14 days after day 14 of my cycle, after which comes a period then an antagonist protocol. From what I'm reading my period will arrive a few days after I stop taking it, but tbh I don't have irregular periods and didn't need norethisterone on my first IVF cycle. My first cycle led to only a few follicles and one egg at retrieval. The doctor suggested that the large 'dominant' follicle had suppressed the others and so a priming pill might help level out the follicles at the starting line of my next cycle. However, that doesn't seem to be what norethisterone does or is used for. Does anyone have insight here? I have a co-ordination appointment tomorrow and I plan on asking, but would love to go prepared with some questions/context. Thanks all!

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I guess I'd also like to know if I'm purely taking this extra hormone for the convenience of the clinic re: scheduling and booking baseline scans 😅

Norethisterone can delay or schedule your period. But the main thing is, I was told that this medication thinning the uterine lining where it should be the beginning of the IVF cycle. I used it before egg collection to start the cycle and I used it now before we started the frozen transfer cycle. My periods are irregular or quite long. I hope this helps. Which hospital are you with?

I used it too both before EC and before frozen transfer - my periods are all over the place with PcOs so thankful for Norethisterone

@Jane from what I understand, Norethisterone is just used to schedule periods. I've had to use it for my 3 rounds as my periods are irregular. I also have the same problem as you - uneven follicle growth - and have read about priming too, so I'm going to ask about that at my follow up on Tuesday! Fingers crossed for us both. I believe the priming is oestrogen though, not Norethisterone x

I took it to manipulate my period so that when it came to stating my IVF meds everything could be timed to fit in with my clinic

I know it’s annoying but there are hundreds of women at each of these clinics and everything needs to be timed perfectly to achieve the best results for every single patient.!You will appreciate it when your collection and transfer is literally on the dot. I would just take it - it’s part of the process :)

Thanks for the insight everybody, I really appreciate it! I went to my co-ord appointment with this all in mind, which helped. It all tracks, though nurse couldn't say why I'm getting norethisterone this time but didn't last time at the same clinic (Hammersmith Hospital's). Primarily it's for scheduling purposes, yep, also helps with shedding/thinning the endometrium in readiness for the cycle. As folks have said. I asked specifically about whether it would help with uneven follicle growth, and the nurse said yes it might (@Rhiannon), and it would help with cysts if that's a problem, but I didn't get the impression that's the primary purpose. Oh well. Really hoping my follicles behave this time - no runaway/dominant follicle ruining it for everyone else! 🤞 Good luck all x

I’m on Norethisterone too. My first ever round of IVF & I’ve got 5 days left to take it. Never had irregular periods though. Like you say it’s to time my cycle & possibly has a few other perks too for the clinic & the doctors to give me a fresh, even start. It’s all new isn’t it (for those of us doing this for the first time)

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