Provera

Provera is an off-licence period delay treatment that can delay your period for up to 30 days. Provera tablets contain the active ingredient medroxyprogesterone acetate, a synthetic version of the hormone progesterone.

It’s usually prescribed to regulate the menstrual cycle, treat endometriosis, and protect the womb lining after menopause in women who take oestrogen-based hormone replacement therapy (HRT). However, it can also be safely prescribed off-licence to delay your period.

The active ingredient in Provera, medroxyprogesterone acetate, is a synthetic progesterone which works by raising the level of progesterone in your body.

Progesterone is one of the hormones responsible for regulating your menstrual cycle, and you’ll usually start your period when your progesterone levels drop, as it causes the lining of your womb to shed. By keeping progesterone levels raised, it stops the womb lining from shedding, delaying your period until you stop taking Provera.

How long does Provera take to work?

For Provera to successfully delay your period, you must start taking it 3 days before your period is due to start. This provides enough time for your progesterone levels to remain high and delay your period.

To delay your period, you should take 1 Provera 10mg tablet 3 times a day, starting 3 days before your period is due to begin. Continue taking Provera 3 times a day until you no longer need to delay your period.

You can take tablets containing medroxyprogesterone to delay your period for up to 30 days. You should not take Provera to delay your period more than once every 3 months. If you need to delay your period more often or want to avoid a monthly bleed, you might need to consider the contraceptive pill instead.

When to take Provera

As Provera is taken 3 times a day, you should try to take the tablets at the same time each day and space the doses evenly, such as when you wake up, in the middle of the day, and before bed.

How long can you take Provera for?

You should take Provera for as long as you want to delay your period, up to a maximum of 30 days.

Provera can cause side effects, but not everyone will experience them.

Very common side effects include:

• headache
• feeling sick
• unexpected or unusual vaginal bleeding

Common side effects include:

• allergic reaction
• depression
• difficulty sleeping
• nervousness
• dizziness
• hair loss
• acne
• nettle rash or hives
• itchy skin
• cervical discharge
• breast pain
• breast tenderness
• fever
• tiredness
• weight gain

Uncommon side effects include:

• excess facial or body hair growth
• milky discharge from the breasts when not pregnant or breastfeeding
• fluid retention

A full list of side effects can be found in the patient information leaflet that is supplied with your medication.

How long do Provera side effects last?

Most Provera side effects will get better as your body gets used to medroxyprogesterone or resolve once you stop taking the medication. If your side effects do not go away or you’re struggling to manage them, speak to your doctor as soon as possible. They may recommend stopping Provera.

What to do if you get Provera side effects

In rare cases, Provera can cause a severe allergic reaction that can be life-threatening. If you get any of the following side effects, call 999 straight away:

• wheezing
• difficulty breathing or swallowing
• feeling faint
• swelling of the face, tongue, hands and feet
• intense itchy skin rash

For other side effects, see if you can manage them at home until they go away. Speak to your doctor or a pharmacist for more advice if they do not go away or are bothering you.

Provera may not be suitable for everyone.

Do not take Provera if you:

• are allergic to medroxyprogesterone acetate or any other ingredient in the medication, or any similar hormone medications
• are or think you might be pregnant
• have or have ever had breast cancer
• have ever had blood clots in your arteries or veins
• have liver problems
• have porphyria, where your body cannot correctly produce certain enzymes, causing neurological issues or skin problems

Tell your doctor before taking Provera if you have or have ever had any of the following conditions:

• epilepsy
• migraine headaches
• asthma
• heart problems
• kidney problems
• diabetes
• a meningioma
• depression or a history of depression
• high blood pressure
• liver problems
• gallstones
• systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
• hearing problems

Provera and other medications

Before taking Provera, tell your doctor if you are currently taking or plan to take any prescribed, over-the-counter, or herbal medications, especially:

• aminoglutethimide
• blood thinning medications
• medications for treating convulsions (e.g. phenobarbital, phenytoin and carbamazepine)
• ritonavir and nelfinavir, sometimes used to treat HIV and AIDS
• medications for treating infections
• St John’s wort

Provera is a prescription-only medication that requires a doctor’s approval before you can obtain it. It can be bought with a private prescription from reputable online services, or it can be acquired with an NHS prescription.

Can I buy Provera online?

Yes, you can request Provera online from Asda Online Doctor by:

1. Completing a short online health assessment for one of our doctors to review through your private patient account.
2. Placing your order request.
3. If approved, your order will be dispatched and sent to your home address in discreet packaging, or you can choose to collect it from your local Asda Pharmacy 4 hours after a doctor’s approval.
4. If your order is not approved, one of our doctors will contact you via your account with alternative treatment options.

Ordering Provera through our service means you can get your treatment quickly, without needing to wait for a GP appointment or speak to anyone face-to-face. And if you’re in a rush, you can collect it from an Asda pharmacy after a doctor has approved the treatment for you, so you do not need to wait for delivery.

Can I buy Provera over the counter?

No, Provera is a prescription-only medication, which means you must have a doctor’s approval before obtaining it.

Can I get Provera on the NHS?

Yes, Provera may be available on the NHS for period delay purposes. You will need to make an appointment with your GP, so they can assess whether medroxyprogesterone tablets are safe and suitable for you.

If you feel Provera is not right for you, there are alternative treatments for period delay available.

Norethisterone

Norethisterone is an alternative medication that is licensed for delaying your period. It’s available in 2 forms, which are the same treatment, just made by different manufacturers:

1. A generic norethisterone pill.
2. Under the brand name Utovlan.

Like medroxyprogesterone acetate, norethisterone is a synthetic type of progesterone that works in the same way as Provera by raising progesterone levels to delay the shedding of the womb lining to temporarily stop your period.

You’ll usually need to take 1 norethisterone pill 3 times a day, beginning 3 days before your period begins.

Combined pill

If specific period delay pills are not suitable for you or you’re also looking for contraceptive protection, the combined pill could be a suitable option. You can take the pill back to back to avoid having a withdrawal bleed.

There are a range of contraceptive pills available. To find which may be most suitable for your needs, you should speak to a doctor.

➤ Read our guide to find out more about choosing the right contraceptive pill for you.

Provera medroxyprogesterone vs norethisterone

Both medroxyprogesterone and norethisterone are artificial progesterones, but they are available for different purposes. Norethisterone is primarily used to delay periods, while Provera is commonly used as hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and for menstrual issues, but it can also be prescribed off-licence for period delay.