Provera

Provera is a tablet used to delay your period. It can be used for up to 17 days, but your doctor will tell you how long you can use it for. Provera 10mg tablets contain the active ingredient medroxyprogesterone acetate, which is a type of medication known as a progestogen.

Provera is a branded tablet and medroxyprogesterone acetate is most commonly found under this name.

Provera is not currently licensed in the UK for period delay, however it is used for many other conditions, such as to help treat heavy periods or endometriosis. It is recognised by doctors as being effective and safer for period delay treatment if you have risk factors that mean that you cannot use norethisterone or Utovlan.

Provera contains a progestogen, which works like a natural hormone in your body called progesterone. During your menstrual cycle, your progesterone levels drop and this is what triggers your period. When you take Provera tablets to delay your period, it can keep your progesterone levels high. When you stop taking Provera, your progesterone will then drop and your period will be triggered.

You cannot use Provera if you take an oral contraceptive, such as the combined oral contraceptive pill. Provera is best used as a one off treatment and should not be used to delay your period every month. It is suitable for most women, but our doctors will make sure the treatment is right for you before prescribing it.

When taking Provera 10mg tablet to delay your period, you should start taking it 3 days before your period is due. You can use a period calculator to work out when your period normally starts. You should take 3 Provera 10mg tablets every day, until you want your period to start again.This should be taken at regular intervals during the day. After your treatment course is finished, your period should start within 2 to 3 days.

If you miss a dose of Provera, take it as soon as you remember and then carry on as usual. You should not take a double dose of Provera to make up for a missed dose.

Most women can take Provera, as long as you are not taking the combined contraceptive pill. If you are taking the combined contraceptive pill, this can be used to delay your period by taking 2 packs of pills, back to back, so missing your pill free week.

There are some medications or medical conditions that could mean Provera is not suitable for you. Our doctors will review your medical questionnaire before prescribing and offer a different period delay treatment if you cannot take Provera.

You should not take Provera if you:

• have porphyria
• have problems with your liver
• have or have ever had blood clots
• are pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• are breastfeeding
• are allergic to any of the ingredients in Provera
• have or have ever been diagnosed with breast cancer

You should speak to your doctor before using Provera if you have:

• hypertension (high blood pressure)
• gallstone
• diabetes
• kidney problems
• epilepsy
• asthma
• heart problems
• migraines
• depression
• systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
• problems with your hearing

Provera can also interact with some medications, so you should always speak to your doctor first, especially if you take:

• blood thinners, like warfarin
• St John’s wort, a herbal treatment typically used for depression
• aminoglutethimide, sometimes used to treat Cushing’s syndrome
• seizure medication, such as phenytoin
• treatment for HIV and AIDS, such as rifabutin

As Provera period delay treatment is only taken for a short time, the risk of side effects is lower. You may still get side effects but these often go away once your body gets used to the treatment, or you finish your treatment course. Speak to your doctor if Provera side effects are bothering you.

Stop taking Provera straight away and go to A&E or call 999 if you:

• have a serious allergic reaction, which can cause difficulty breathing and swelling of the face
• get symptoms of a blood clot, such as feeling faint, coughing up blood, or your body feels weak or numb
• get symptoms of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), such as discolouration in your leg or pain and tenderness in your ankle, foot, or calf

Very common side effects of Provera include:

• nausea (feeling sick)
• headache
• unusual or unexpected vaginal spotting or bleeding, like a period

Common side effects of Provera include:

• depression
• trouble sleeping
• severe allergic reaction
• dizziness
• feeling nervous
• hair loss
• skin rash or itchy skin
• acne
• vaginal discharge
• breast tenderness or pain
• tiredness
• weight gain
• fever

Uncommon side effects of Provera include:

• milky discharge from your nipples, even if you are not breastfeeding or pregnant
• facial hair growth
• fluid retention, known as oedema

Some other side effects can happen, but there is not enough available data to know how frequently these happen. You can find information on Provera side effects by reading the patient information leaflet.

Provera is effective at delaying your period when taken as prescribed. Sometimes Provera can have side effects like unexpected vaginal bleeding, but this is less likely when taken as a one off treatment. Provera may not work for everyone so you should speak to your doctor about all period delay treatment options.

Yes, Provera contains the active ingredient medroxyprogesterone acetate which can only be prescribed to you by a doctor.

You can delay your period with Provera, or with other period delay tablets. Asda Online Doctor also has norethisterone or Utovlan to delay your period. These both contain the active ingredient norethisterone, but Utovlan is a branded medication. Norethisterone and Utovlan work like Provera, as their active ingredient is a progestogen. This means they can delay your period by keeping your progesterone levels high. You may be recommended to use Provera if you have health conditions or other risk factors which mean that norethisterone and Utovlan would not be safe for you to use.

If you take the combined oral contraceptive pill, you may be able to delay your period by taking 2 pill packs without a break in between. Your doctor can tell you how to do this and how long for. This usually delays your period until the next month. You cannot delay your period with the progesterone only contraceptive pill.