Provera

What is Provera?

Provera tablets are part of a group of medications called progestogens, which mimic the effects of the hormone progesterone in the body.

Low levels of progesterone in your body can trigger off all sorts of unpleasant symptoms including heavy, irregular or absent periods, anxiety, depression and hot flashes.

Provera can help improve all these. It’s also recommended as a treatment if you’d like to delay a period.

How does Provera work?

The main active ingredient in Provera is medroxyprogesterone acetate [1]. It mimics naturally occurring progesterone in your body.

During your monthly cycle, your body produces differing amounts of this hormone and once that level drops, a period occurs.

If you have irregular or very painful periods because of endometriosis, Provera will help boost the levels of progesterone in your body, so your unpleasant symptoms decrease. You can also take Provera tablets to delay a period (hello honeymoon, holiday or exam season).

Are there different Provera doses?

There are three different strength doses.

Usually, we’ll recommend starting off on Provera 5mg to treat heavy and painful periods. This can decrease to Provera 2.5mg if the initial dose is too high and gives you side effects. It can be increased to Provera 10mg if the starting dose isn’t quite enough.

How to take Provera

How you take Provera will depend on what you’re taking it for.

Taking Provera to delay periods

You can take Provera to delay your period. It’s an off-label treatment though, so you’ll need to talk to your clinician first. To do this, start taking your tablets three days before your period is due. Take your prescribed dose everyday, three times a day. Your period will start about three days after your last tablet. 

Taking Provera to treat missing periods

Here’s how to take Provera to bring back your periods: 

• You’ll take between 2.5mg to 10mg every day for 5-10 days starting 16-21 days after your last period started. 
• You should continue to take Provera in this way for 2 complete menstrual cycles.
• Occasionally, once you stop treatment, you may experience what’s known as a breakthrough bleed. 

Taking Provera for period problems

Provera for endometriosis or other period problems should be taken in a 10mg dose, 3 times a day for 3 months and the beginning of the treatment should occur on the first day of your period. The active ingredient in Provera can stop uterus cells from growing outside your womb, which causes the symptoms of endometriosis. It can also make your periods shorter and less painful. 

How long does Provera take to work?

Depending on what type of period problem you’re taking Provera for, it can take about 5-10 days to work.

Once you stop taking it, you may well experience a breakthrough bleed 3-7 days after cessation. 

What to do if you miss Provera doses

If you miss a dose of Provera, don’t panic.

Don’t take two tablets at once to make up for the missed dose. If you take too much at once, this can increase your chances of developing unpleasant side effects.

Take your Provera as soon as you remember, and then carry on as normal.