PCOS Treatment What to Know About Provera (medroxyprogesterone acetate) A hormonal treatment for heavy or missed periods By Nicole Galan, RN Nicole Galan, RN Facebook LinkedIn Twitter Nicole Galan, RN, is a registered nurse and the author of "The Everything Fertility Book." Learn about our editorial process Updated on June 29, 2021 Medically reviewed Verywell Health articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and healthcare professionals. These medical reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Anita Sadaty, MD Medically reviewed by Anita Sadaty, MD Facebook LinkedIn Twitter Anita Sadaty, MD, is a board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist at North Shore University Hospital and founder of Redefining Health Medical. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Print Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Uses Before Taking Dosage Side Effects Warnings/Interactions Frequently Asked Questions Provera (medroxyprogesterone acetate) is a hormonal treatment taken by mouth in tablet form that may be prescribed for treating several conditions that include imbalances of female hormones, including heavy or absent menstrual periods. Provera is in a class of drugs called progestins and is a synthetic form of progesterone—a hormone naturally produced after ovulation (when an egg is released from an ovary). It works by correcting the hormonal balance and regulating ovulation. Provera is available by prescription only. It's also available in generic form. Pamela Moore / Getty Images Uses Provera is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat: An abnormal absence of menstrual periods due to another condition (secondary amenorrhea) Abnormal uterine bleeding, such as from polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), due to hormonal imbalance and not associated with conditions such as fibroid tumors or uterine cancer Endometrial hyperplasia (overgrowth of the uterine lining) after menopause, which can increase the risk of uterine cancer An injectable form of medroxyprogesterone called Depo-Provera is approved as birth control. Off-Label Uses Provera is also used for conditions that it hasn't received FDA approval for, including: Heavy menstrual bleeding Irregular menstrual periods Birth control Endometriosis Endometrial cancer Menopause-related symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, and vaginal dryness (used along with estrogen) Before Taking Your healthcare provider may consider Provera for you if you're diagnosed with any of the conditions it treats, and especially if you can't take estrogen. As part of the diagnosis and treatment process, your healthcare provider will likely perform a pelvic exam and may order numerous tests, including tests for levels of hormones including: Progesterone Estrogens (estradiol, estriol, and estrone) Follicle-stimulating hormone (which stimulates the growth of eggs in the ovary) The male hormones testosterone and DHEA Thyroid hormones (thyroid-stimulating hormone, thyroxine, triiodothyronine) The pregnancy hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) Imaging studies used in the diagnostic process may include: UltrasoundComputerized tomography (CT) scanMagnetic resonance imaging (MRI)Hysteroscopy (an examination of the uterus via a small camera inserted through the vagina) The specific tests your healthcare provider orders depend on your symptoms and stage of life (e.g., premenopausal or postmenopausal). If you've never taken estrogens, your healthcare provider may prescribe it first for certain conditions. If you don't tolerate estrogen or they're not effective enough, you may be switched to Provera or have Provera added to your estrogen regimen. Talk to your healthcare provider about all medications, supplements, and vitamins that you currently take. While some drugs pose minor interaction risks, others may outright contraindicate use or should be used with caution. Only For Those With a Uterus If you've had your uterus removed with a hysterectomy procedure, you have no need for progestin and won't be prescribed Provera or other drugs in its class. Precautions and Contraindications Provera isn't safe for everyone. You shouldn't start taking it if you have: Vaginal bleeding with an undiagnosed causeHormone-sensitive cancers (e.g., breast or uterine cancer) or a history of themHad a stroke in the past yearHad a heart attack in the past yearBlood clots or a history of themA bleeding disorderLiver problems or a history of themA possible or confirmed pregnancyA known allergy to medroxyprogesterone or any ingredients in Provera Inactive Ingredients in Provera Tell your healthcare provider if you're allergic to any of these Provera ingredients:Calcium stearateCorn starchFD&C Yellow No. 6 (found only in the 2.5 milligram tablet)LactoseMineral oilSorbic acidSucroseTalc Also, be sure to tell your healthcare provider: If you're planning to become pregnantIf you're breastfeedingIf you're planning to have surgeryIf you have any other medical problems These issues may affect whether you can take Provera, or if a break from the medication may be necessary (such as before surgery). Conditions that may require close monitoring while you're taking Provera include: AsthmaDiabetesEndometriosisEpilepsyHeart problemsHigh blood calcium levelsKidney problemsLiver problemsLupusMigrainesThyroid disease Other Progestins Other progestin drugs on the market include: Prometrium (micronized progesterone), which is approved for treating amenorrhea and, along with estrogens, for reducing menopause symptoms Oral contraceptives called the "minipill" that contain norethindrone, including brand names Camila, Errin, Heather, Incassia, and Jencycla Dosage Provera is available in three dosages: 2.5 milligrams (mg)5 mg10 mg Healthcare providers typically prescribe the lowest effective dose and for the shortest amount of time possible. The dosage used varies by the condition being treated. CONDITION DOSE DURATION TIMING NOTES Amenorrhea 5-10 mg/day 5-10 days N/A Withdrawal bleeding 3-7 days after discontinuing Abnormal uterine bleeding 5-10 mg/day 5-10 days Starting the 16th day of the menstrual cycle Withdrawal bleeding 3-7 days after discontinuing Endometrial hyperplasia 5-10 mg/day 12-14 days Starting the 1st or 16th day of the menstrual cycle Re-evaluate need for continued therapy every 3-6 months Endometriosis 10 mg/day 10 days Starting 16th day of the menstrual cycle N/A Menopause symptoms 10-20 mg/day As long as symptoms persist N/A N/A Source: Prescribers' Digital Reference Dosages may not be established for off-label uses. Always follow your healthcare provider's instructions for prescription medications. Modifications If you have significant liver impairment from alcoholic cirrhosis, Provera is discouraged. If it is prescribed, your dosage may be lower than the standard dose. If you take thyroid replacement hormone, your dosage of that medication may need to be adjusted after you start Provera. Also, your healthcare provider may want you to get more frequent lab work to check your thyroid hormone levels. How to Take and Store Provera has to be taken at certain times, so be sure to follow your healthcare provider's instructions for taking it. If you forget to start Provera when you're supposed to, if you miss a dose, or if you have any questions about dosage or timing, talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist for guidance. Provera should be stored at room temperature (between 68 degrees and 77 degrees F). Any vaginal bleeding in a postmenopausal female with a uterus should be evaluated to rule out cancer. Side Effects Provera can cause side effects in some people. Some of these are common and not considered dangerous, while others are cause for calling your healthcare provider right away. Common Common side effects of Provera don't require immediate medical care, but you should contact your healthcare provider if any of these become severe, don't go away after you've been on the drug for a while, or are a significant problem for you: HeadachesTender breastsBreast milk secretionIrregular vaginal bleeding or spottingAcneFacial hair growthHair lossInsomniaTirednessNauseaPMS symptomsUnintended weight loss or gain Severe Other, less common side effects may be more serious. Call your healthcare provider immediately or seek emergency medical attention if you experience: Pain, swelling, redness, and warmth in one leg Difficulty speaking or slow speech Dizziness or feeling faint Weakness or numbness in a limb Shortness of breath Coughing up blood Sudden sharp or crushing chest pain Fast or pounding heartbeat Sudden vision changes or blindness Double or blurred vision Bulging eyes Skipped periods Depression Jaundice (yellow eyes and skin) Fever Skin rash Hives Itching Difficulty breathing or swallowing Swollen face, mouth, tongue, or neck Swollen hands, feet, or lower legs If you take Provera with estrogen, be sure you're aware of the estrogen side effects, as well. Warnings and Interactions Provera by itself is not a contraceptive and won't prevent pregnancy. Use another form of birth control, such as a condom, while you're taking this drug. You may not be able to take Provera while also using hormonal birth control. When Provera is combined with estrogens, the FDA has required that the following serious warnings be included with packaging information: Estrogen and progestin should not be used to prevent heart disease or dementia. After menopause, estrogen plus progestin may increase your risk of heart attack, stroke, invasive breast cancer, pulmonary emboli, and deep vein thrombosis. After age 65, estrogen plus progestin may increase the risk of dementia. (It's unknown whether this risk applies to those under 65.) Provera may interfere with the results of certain lab tests, including: Thyroid hormone levelsGlucose toleranceCholesterol and triglyceride levelsHormone concentrationsBinding proteins Drug Interactions Provera shouldn't be taken with Cytadren (aminoglutethimide) or other CYP3A4 inducers/inhibitors, as they may alter the way your body responds to progestins. Other drugs may pose problems as well. Be sure your healthcare provider knows everything you're taking, including over-the-counter drugs and nutritional supplements. Using the same pharmacy for all of your prescription medications can help you avoid negative drug interactions. Frequently Asked Questions What is Provera used for? Provera is used to treat abnormal periods or irregular vaginal bleeding. It is prescribed to bring on menstruation, to reduce heavy bleeding, to prevent uterine lining overgrowth, and to decrease the risk of uterine cancer in females taking estrogen. How long does it take Provera to induce a period? When used to treat amenorrhea, Provera is taken for up to 10 days during the second half of the planned menstrual cycle. Your period should start three to seven days after your last dose of Provera. Is Provera 10 mg a birth control? Provera is not approved by the FDA as a contraceptive, however, it is sometimes prescribed off-label as birth control. Depo-Provera, the injectable version is used as a contraceptive. Does Provera stop periods? Provera is used to regulate periods and can also be used to delay periods. You will not have a period while taking Provera, however, bleeding will begin several days after you stop taking Provera. Does Provera cause weight gain? Both weight gain and weight loss are listed as possible side effects of Provera. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit 8 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Depo-Provera CI: Highlights of prescribing information. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Progestin-only hormonal birth control: Pill and injection. National Institutes of Health, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child health and Human Development. What are the treatments for endometriosis? American Cancer Society. Hormone therapy for endometrial cancer. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Menopause: Medicines to help you. Thomas MP, Potter BV. The structural biology of oestrogen metabolism. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol. 2013;137:27-49. doi:10.1016/j.jsbmb.2012.12.014 U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus. Medroxyprogesterone. Prescribers' Digital Reference: PDR. Medroxyprogesterone acetate - drug summary. Additional Reading U.S. Food and Drug Administration: FDA AccessData. Provera (medroxyprogesterone acetate tablets, USP). 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