Provera Tablets

To delay your periods – you should start taking Provera tablets 2-3 days before your period is due. Provera is taken 3 times a day. Carry on taking the tablets for the duration of time that you would like to delay your periods. A few days after you stop taking Provera, you should get your period.

How Provera works – Provera works because it contains an artificial version of the hormone progesterone. Progesterone is one of several hormones which control the menstrual cycle. A drop in the level of progesterone is the signal for your body to start your period. So, taking Provera would prevent this drop in progesterone and delay your period.

Use Provera as advised – it’s important to remember that each of the uses of Provera require a different dose of Provera. In some cases, Provera is taken as injections rather than tablets. So, we do not recommend that you use Provera for anything other than the reason you were prescribed it.

Please note – period delay is an ‘off-label’ use for Provera.

All the medications that we offer are fully licensed within the UK. Some medications, like this one, we prescribe for conditions or circumstances that are outside of the licence (also known as ‘off-label’). Prescribing ‘off-label’ is common practice by healthcare professionals to ensure a medication can safely benefit as many patients as possible. This is always based on updated information and evidence since the product first became available.

You can buy Provera through our online consultation service – simply navigate to the page for ‘Period Delay’ which is found in our ‘Women’s Health’ section of our website navigation. The advantage of using our service is that you can get your supply of Provera from your own home at a time that is convenient for you. No need to book an appointment – we will simply fit around your schedule.

You can also get Provera through your GP – you will need to make an appointment with your normal GP. In your appointment, the GP will ask questions about what you would like to achieve by taking Provera and some questions about your general health. Then, if you and the GP agree that Provera is the best treatment for you, the GP will prescribe you with your supply of Provera. Take your prescription to any pharmacy – if they have it in stock you can get your supply in minutes. If not, you can usually get your supply the next day.

Other online services can provide you with Provera – you should only buy medication from regulated sources such as ours. Do not be tempted by unregulated services that can offer you medicines at a lower price – this is because there is no guarantee that the medicines that you receive is safe and effective.

Different women find that they have very different experiences whilst on Provera one woman said this about her experience:

“I have been on it for over a week at a dose of 60mg per day and have had no side effects. So for me it is amazing!!!”

However, others have not been so positive:

“[I got] pimples, headache, sleepiness, spotting, and shortness of breath”

Some women may experience side effects when they are taking Provera – common side effects of Provera include breast discomfort, changes in libido, changes in mood, dizziness, headache, indigestion, feeling sick (nausea), being sick (vomiting), and weight gain. If you find that you experience any of these side effects and can’t tolerate it, we recommend that you go back to your doctor to see whether there is a more suitable alternative.

There is a possible risk of breast cancer associated with the use of Provera – speak to a doctor if you are worried about this. Provera can also make some heart conditions and diabetes worse.

When to get help – if you experience any visual changes when taking Provera, seek medical attention immediately. This is a rare but potentially serious side effect.

Generic norethisterone/Utovlan – another popular option for women who want to delay their period is norethisterone tablets, also known as Utovlan. Both Utovlan and Provera are taken three times a day. Utovlan also carries the risk of experiencing side effects, some of which are very similar to Provera. Utovlan has higher risks of blood clots when compared to Provera, especially for women who have other risk factors, which is why your doctor may recommend that you take Provera instead of Utovlan.

The contraceptive pill – women who already take the combined contraceptive Pill can use it to delay their periods. When taking the Pill, women either have a week’s ‘break’ where they take no Pill at all or take a ‘dummy’ Pill which contains no hormones. In this week women will get a withdrawal bleed which is similar to a period.

Women who want to delay their periods take two Pill packets ‘back-to-back’ without a break. If you are already taking the Pill this method may be the most convenient for you as you are already used to taking the medicine. You will not get any additional side effects that are associated with taking a new medication. Speak to your doctor if you want to take the Pill for this purpose.

The rhythm method – women who prefer not to take any medications at all can use the rhythm method where they track their periods. This way, they can avoid planning events during the times that they know they are due a period.

Using the rhythm method doesn’t carry a risk of side effects at all as you are not taking any additional medications. However, the rhythm method is best used when a woman’s period is regular. Some women (especially those who have just started their periods or those close to the menopause) find that their periods are irregular and this method is not the most reliable for them.