Noriday is a progesterone-only pill (POP) or a mini-pill, oral birth control treatment that contains just one active ingredient, a manmade, synthetic version of naturally-occurring sex hormone progesterone called norethisterone. Developed and marketed in the UK by Pfizer pharmaceutical company, this branded oral contraceptive will prevent pregnancy by mimicking the activity of progesterone within female body, tricking the reproductive system into detecting higher levels of progesterone and “concluding” that the ovulation already took place, thus preventing the release of an egg cell to the fallopian tube. You can buy Noriday in the UK, but only with a valid prescription.

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How reliable is Noriday?

Noriday is advertised as 99% effective and reliable in preventing pregnancy. However, on the other hand, mini-pills, the class of progesterone-only oral contraceptives that Noriday belongs to are considered to be somewhat less safe than combined birth control pills which are also advertised as 99% efficient. So, what is the catch here?

Mini-pills vs combined contraceptive pills

The reason for this discrepancy in information is that both mini-pills and combined contraceptive pills share the same mechanism of action, with the latter offering an additional level of protection thanks to the presence of synthetic oestrogen. However, this compound will only make it harder for sperm to reach the egg cell and not really prevent it, making it inadequate in itself. So, while combined contraceptives do offer an additional layer of protection, that protection is not really reliable in itself without the primary mechanism of action tied to synthetic progesterone.

What can compromise Noriday protection levels?

Of course, in order to ensure that the protection against pregnancy provided by Noriday mini-pill remains as solid as it is advertised to be, you must use the treatment properly and avoid the substances that can compromise its efficiency. These are the main considerations you should keep in mind.

So, on one hand, you must never miss a dose and should always take Noriday exactly as instructed by your prescriber and in line with the official guidelines presented in the official patient information leaflet that is issued within every pack of Noriday. On the other hand, there is a number of drugs, remedies and even foodstuffs that have been known to compromise the efficiency of various birth control pills, so you should avoid them if possible. If not, then you should use an additional barrier contraceptive throughout the period that Noriday’s efficiency is compromised. More information on how long that might be and which are the exact substances that might cause unwanted interactions, please consult the patient information leaflet.

How does Noriday work?

The secret to the efficiency and reliability of Noriday is its active ingredient, a synthetic hormone, manmade bioequivalent to naturally-occurring sex hormone progesterone. Once introduced into the female organism, this compound will efficiently mimic the biochemical properties of progesterone. The same mechanism of action is also used by other POPs such as Zelleta.

Progesterone, in turn, plays a central role in directing, timing and triggering ovulation, the process of releasing the egg cell from the ovaries to the fallopian tubes. This happens once per month as the female body prepares for potential pregnancy. However, when birth control pills such as Noriday are properly used, the increased levels of progesterone detected by the body due to the presence of norethisterone, will trick the body into “believing” that the ovulation already took place, so no egg cells will be released.

Can I buy Noriday online in the UK?

Birth control pills, including mini-pills, are prescription-only medications in the UK, meaning that you can legally obtain them only with a valid prescription issued by a certified medical professional. However, this is not an obstacle for you to buy Noriday online in the United Kingdom thanks to a number of online clinics operating within the country.

You will still be required to consult with a doctor, but you can now do that from the comfort of your home. In most cases, you will be required to fill in a specialised and detailed medical questionnaire that the doctor employed at the clinic will use in order to determine your suitability for using Noriday. If everything checks out, the prescription will be issued and used to have the contraceptive pills sent from the partner pharmacy to the address you provided.

How to take Noriday?

As was mentioned, in order to ensure the highest possible level of protection when using Noriday, you should make sure that you are taking this birth control pill properly, exactly as instructed by your prescriber and in line with the guidelines provided in the patient information leaflet. Failure to do so will result in compromised efficiency and reduced level of protection.

Below, we will provide you with some of the most central guidelines that you should keep in mind when taking Noriday. However, you should note that what follows is just a brief overview and as such it can never be used as a substitute for the official information or the doctor’s advice.

  • Always take exactly as instructed
  • You should take one pill daily, each day at the same time
  • Start taking Noriday on the first day of your period
  • The strip containing Noriday tablets is marked with arrows and labels that should help you keep track of the treatment and ensure you hadn’t missed any pills
  • Take the tablets whole without chewing or breaking them
  • Take the pills continuously, without any breaks
  • Use additional barrier protection during the first week of taking Noriday as the pill might take that time to become fully effective
  • If you forget to take a pill or are more than three hours late, consult the patient information leaflet on how to proceed

What are Noriday side effects?

It is highly advisable to get familiar with the Noriday side effects prior to commencing treatment so that you will be able to differentiate between two main groups of side effects.

Contact your doctor immediately if you notice

  • Jaundice
  • Sudden and severe chest pain
  • Shortness of breath
  • Severe or prolonged headache
  • Sight problems
  • Speech difficulties
  • Fainting
  • Weakness or numbness
  • Allergic reaction symptoms (hives, swelling of the face)

Other documented side effects

  • Rash
  • Migraines
  • Tiredness
  • Upset stomach
  • Anxiety
  • Mood changes and depression
  • Appetite changes
  • High blood pressure
  • Libido changes
  • Swollen or sore breasts
  • Weight fluctuations

Please note that this is not a complete list of all documented side effects. For a more comprehensive overview, please consult the patient information leaflet that you can find within your pack of Noriday.