What is Provera?

Provera is a medication containing the active ingredient medroxyprogesterone, a synthetic form of the female hormone progesterone. It is designed to temporarily delay periods by maintaining high hormone levels. It is used to manage conditions like absent or irregular periods and abnormal uterine bleeding. 

Additionally, Provera helps reduce the risk of endometrial hyperplasia, a condition that can lead to uterine cancer, especially when taken alongside estrogen therapy. It should always be used under a doctor’s guidance to ensure safe and effective treatment for specific conditions.

What is Provera Used For?

Provera is a medication prescribed for various conditions:

Endometriosis: It helps stop the growth of tissue similar to the uterine lining that grows outside the uterus, causing pain and bleeding.
Amenorrhoea (missed periods): Provera, with or without estrogen, helps restore regular menstrual cycles in cases not caused by pregnancy.
Abnormal uterine bleeding: It treats irregular bleeding by reestablishing a regular menstrual cycle.
Certain cancers: Provera may be used to treat breast, kidney, and endometrial cancers.

In hormone replacement therapy (HRT), Provera, combined with estrogen, relieves menopause symptoms while protecting the uterine lining in women with an intact uterus. However, it is not recommended for women who have had a hysterectomy.

How Provera Works?

Provera acts like the natural hormone progesterone but with a more potent effect, helping to regulate menstrual cycles.

Regulates Menstrual Cycle: It helps thin the uterine lining, making periods more regular and possibly lighter or absent during use.
Delays Periods: Provera can be used to delay periods, with menstruation typically starting 3 to 7 days after stopping the medication.
Time for Full Effect: Improvements may occur within the first month, but full effects can take 2 to 3 months of consistent use.

Important Information Before Taking Provera

Before using Provera, it's important to confirm that it is the right option for your needs. Here are some crucial points to consider:

When You Should Not Take Provera:

Allergy: Do not take Provera if you are allergic to medroxyprogesterone acetate or any ingredients in Provera.
Medical Conditions: Avoid Provera if you have had or currently have:

• Stroke, blood clots, or pulmonary embolism.
• Severe liver problems.
• Unexplained vaginal bleeding or blood in urine.
• Breast cancer, lumps, or discharge from nipples.
• Miscarriage, cancer of the womb or ovaries.
• Uncontrolled high blood pressure.
• Pregnancy: Avoid taking Provera if you are pregnant or planning to conceive, as it could impact your developing baby.
  
  

Before You Start Taking Provera:

Inform your doctor about any allergies to other medicines, foods, preservatives, or dyes.
A physical examination may be conducted, including breast checks, mammograms, and a Pap smear.

Inform your doctor if you have:

• Heart, kidney, or bone problems (e.g., osteoporosis).
• Migraine, epilepsy, asthma, diabetes, depression, or vision issues.
• History of cancer or unusual vaginal bleeding.
• Ovarian Cancer Risk: Provera combined with estrogen may slightly increase the risk of ovarian cancer.
• Osteoporosis: Provera may decrease calcium in bones, potentially increasing the risk of brittle bones.
  
  

Taking Other Medicines:

Inform your doctor about any other medications, including over-the-counter products, as they may interact with Provera and affect its effectiveness.

Can you buy Provera over the counter? 

Provera is a prescription medication and is not sold over the counter. Following a health consultation, it can be purchased from an online pharmacy. The prescriber will evaluate the responses to ensure the medicine is suitable and safe before it is sent out.

Alternative Medications 

Norethisterone treats heavy periods, menstrual pain, endometriosis, and Premenstrual syndrome. It is a synthetic hormone that works like natural progesterone. It helps control the womb lining, making periods more regular and reducing related symptoms.

Utovlan, containing norethisterone, is a prescription medication used to delay periods by maintaining high progesterone levels. It’s the branded version of the generic Norethisterone tablet.

Primolut-N Tablet contains Norethisterone, a synthetic hormone that works like progesterone. It helps treat heavy, painful, or irregular periods, PMS, endometriosis, and even breast cancer. By balancing hormone levels, it controls the womb lining's growth and shedding, easing symptoms like pelvic pain and helping with menstrual problems.

How to take Provera

Follow your doctor’s or pharmacist’s instructions carefully. If you are unsure, ask for clarification. The dosage of Provera depends on your condition and should be the lowest effective dose. Your doctor may recommend taking it daily or in cycles with breaks.

Recommended Dosages:

• Endometriosis: 10 mg three times daily for 90 days, starting on the first day of your menstrual cycle.
• Amenorrhoea: 2.5–10 mg daily for 10 days.
• Abnormal Uterine Bleeding: 2.5–10 mg daily for 5–10 days, often repeated for 2–3 cycles.
• Menopause Symptoms (with estrogen): 10–20 mg daily for 10–14 days of each cycle, or 2.5–5 mg daily for 28 days.
  
  

Missed Dose

If it’s nearly time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Otherwise, take it as soon as you remember. Do not double the dose.

Overdose

In case of an overdose, contact your doctor or visit the nearest emergency centre, even if there are no symptoms.

Active Ingredient:

Provera Tablets contain medroxyprogesterone acetate as the active ingredient, which provides medicinal effects.

Inactive Ingredients;

Lactose monohydrate and sucrose for tablet formation

Maize starch to bind ingredients

Liquid paraffin for smoothness

Talc and calcium stearate to prevent sticking

Purified water for tablet preparation

Always read the patient information leaflet (PIL) in your pack for the complete list of ingredients, and to check for any you might be allergic to.

Provera Tablets may cause side effects ranging from mild to severe. If you experience any side effects, consult your doctor or pharmacist for advice or alternative treatment options. Higher doses increase the likelihood of side effects.

Common side effects include:

Headaches
Nausea
Spotting or unusual vaginal bleeding
Sleep problems
Hair loss
Acne
Breast tenderness
Rash
Fever
Fatigue
Weight gain

Rarely, Provera can cause severe allergic reactions, such as facial swelling or breathing difficulties. In such cases, seek emergency medical help immediately.

Before taking Provera, carefully read the Patient Information Leaflet. This medicine may not be suitable for everyone. Avoid Provera if you have breast cancer, blood clots, or liver issues.

Speak to your doctor if you have conditions like epilepsy, migraines, asthma, heart or kidney problems, diabetes, depression, lupus, or recent surgery.