Provera Tablets

Provera is a medication that can safely delay your period. It contains the active ingredient medroxyprogesterone acetate, a man-made version of the natural female sex hormone progesterone.

What is Provera used for?

You may need to use Provera for managing:

• endometriosis
• heavy periods
• painful periods
• irregular or absent periods
• menopause, in combination with oestrogen, for hormone replacement therapy (HRT)

Provera is not licensed for use as a period delay medication, but it can be prescribed as one. Provera can be recommended as a safer alternative to other period delay medications, such as norethisterone (Utovlan), for women who can not use them.

ZAVA can only prescribe Provera for period delay.

Provera works to delay your period by increasing your progesterone levels. Usually, your progesterone levels drop which causes your womb lining to shed, resulting in a period. However, when you take Provera, the active ingredient keeps your progesterone levels raised to delay your period from happening.

How long does Provera take to work?

Provera starts to work straight away, but for it to effectively delay your period, you’ll need to start taking it 2 to 3 days before your period is due to start. This gives enough time for your progesterone levels to rise and delay the start of your period.

To delay your period, you should start taking Provera 2 to 3 days before you expect the first day of your period.

For each day that you want to delay your period, you should swallow 1 Provera tablet with a glass of water, 3 times a day. Do not take more than 3 Provera tablets in a day.

You should aim to leave 6 to 8 hours between each Provera tablet, so you’re taking it evenly throughout the day. If you forget to take a Provera tablet, take it as soon as you remember, but do not take 2 tablets at the same time to make up for the tablet you missed. Missing too many Provera tablets may lead to breakthrough bleeding.

Your period should start 2 to 3 days after you stop taking Provera.

What happens if you take Provera too late?

If you take Provera too late, it may not delay your period and you may experience some bleeding.

Can I take Provera during my period?

No, to delay your period, you’ll need to take Provera at least 2 to 3 days before your period is due to start. If you take Provera during your period, it will not delay or stop your period, but it may make it lighter or shorter.

Provera is available online with a private prescription from reputable online doctor services like ZAVA or you may be able to get it on the NHS.

Can I buy Provera online?

Yes, you can buy Provera online. It is a prescription-only medication, so you will need a prescription from a doctor to obtain Provera.

You should only request Provera online from trusted online doctor services like ZAVA. We are monitored and regulated to ensure you receive safe and genuine medication.

Getting a Provera prescription from ZAVA is quick and convenient, and there’s no need for a face-to-face appointment.

1. Complete a short online medical questionnaire – share details about your health so our doctors can ensure Provera is right for you.
2. Order and pay online – sign in or create your ZAVA account, select Provera, and securely make your payment.
3. Doctor review and approval – a UK-licensed doctor will check your health information and approve your prescription request if Provera is safe and appropriate for you.
4. Fast and discreet delivery – if approved, Provera will be delivered discreetly to your home or a local post office for collection.

Can I get Provera over the counter?

No, Provera is not available over the counter, you will need a prescription from a doctor in order to get it.

Can I get Provera on the NHS?

Yes, Provera is available on the NHS. You will need to make an appointment with your GP, and if they think Procera is safe and suitable for you to delay your period, you can get a prescription.

Provera is an effective way to delay your periods, as long as you begin taking it a few days before your period starts.

You need to make sure you take 1 Provera tablet 3 times a day for it to be effective.

If you take Provera tablets this way, you should not get your period until you stop taking them.

You may experience some side effects when taking Provera.

Common and very common side effects of Provera include:

• headache
• nausea
• unusual vaginal bleeding
• skin rash
• breast tenderness
• allergic reaction
• mood changes
• difficulty sleeping
• dizziness
• temporary weight gain
• acne
• feeling tired
• hair loss
• fever

Uncommon side effects of Provera include:

• hair growth on the face, neck, chest, back, stomach, or thighs
• breast discharge
• oedema (fluid retention)

Side effects where the frequency isn’t known may include:

• severe allergic reaction
• face swelling which can cause breathing difficulties
• delayed egg release with longer periods
• drowsiness
• vein swelling due to blood clots
• calf, ankle, or foot rash or swelling
• rash
• periods stopping or longer breaks between periods
• cervix abnormality
• lower sugar tolerance
• weight loss

For other possible side effects, please read the patient information leaflet that comes with your Provera tablets. If you experience any side effects while taking Provera, get in touch with a doctor straight away.

Provera may not be suitable for everyone. A doctor will assess if Provera is a medication for you to take.

You can take it if you have regular menstrual periods but you should not take Provera if you:

• are allergic to medroxyprogesterone acetate, progestogens, or any of the other ingredients
• are pregnant
• think you may be pregnant
• have ever had breast cancer
• have ever had blood clots in your veins or arteries
• have issues with the blood supply to your brain
• have liver problems
• have unexplained vaginal bleeding
• have porphyria
• are breastfeeding, as it can enter your breast milk

Speak to your doctor before taking Provera if you have:

• recently had an operation
• a personal or family history of blood clots
• intolerance to some sugars, such as lactose
• epilepsy
• migraines
• asthma
• heart problems
• kidney problems
• depression
• high blood pressure (hypertension)
• liver problems
• gallstones
• systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
• hearing problems

Provera may interact with other medications or supplements you might be taking. So you should tell your doctor if you are taking, or have recently taken, any other medications to check for any drug interactions.

Some medications that may affect how Provera works include those for:

• a condition called Cushing’s syndrome, such as aminoglutethimide
• thinning the blood, such as warfarin
• epilepsy, such as phenobarbital, phenytoin and carbamazepine
• ritonavir and nelfinavir, for HIV
• infections, such as rifampicin, rifabutin, nevirapine, efavirenz
• low moods such as St John’s Wort

If you’re not sure whether you can take Provera to delay your period, speak to your doctor or a healthcare professional for advice. For more information about who can take Provera, please read the patient information leaflet that comes with your Provera tablets.

If Provera is not right for you, there are alternative treatments that you can take to delay your period.

One alternative treatment is called Utovlan, which works in a similar way to Provera, but contains a different progesterone called norethisterone. Norethisterone is the generic form of Utovlan and is slightly cheaper.

Another alternative is that if you’re already taking a combined contraceptive pill, you can take 2 strips of 21 tablets back to back to delay your period. This means you will miss your 7-day break where you normally have a withdrawal bleed. But, you should check the patient information leaflet that comes with your combined pill for full details, or speak to a doctor for advice on the different ways you can take your combined pill to reduce the number of bleeds you have.