Why provera is prescribed

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:. Imaging studies used in the diagnostic process may include:.

The specific tests your healthcare provider orders depend on your symptoms and stage of life e. 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. 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.

Provera isn't safe for everyone. You shouldn't start taking it if you have:. Also, be sure to tell your healthcare provider:. 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:. Other progestin drugs on the market include:. Provera is available in three dosages:. 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. Dosages may not be established for off-label uses. Always follow your healthcare provider's instructions for prescription medications.

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. 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. 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 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:. Other, less common side effects may be more serious. Call your healthcare provider immediately or seek emergency medical attention if you experience:. If you take Provera with estrogen, be sure you're aware of the estrogen side effects, as well. 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:. Provera may interfere with the results of certain lab tests, including:. 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. 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.

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. 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. 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. Both weight gain and weight loss are listed as possible side effects of Provera.

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Depo-Provera CI: Highlights of prescribing information. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Progestin-only hormonal birth control: Pill and injection. Updated October Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction : hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

Avoid smoking while you are taking this medicine. Smoking greatly increases your risk of blood clots. Use Provera Oral exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed. Have regular physical exams and self-examine your breasts for lumps on a monthly basis while using medroxyprogesterone.

If you need major surgery or will be on long-term bed rest, you may need to stop using this medicine for a short time. Any doctor or surgeon who treats you should know that you are using medroxyprogesterone.

This medicine can affect the results of certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using medroxyprogesterone.

Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time. Health Topics. Health Tools. Provera Oral. Generic Name: Medroxyprogesterone oral. Reviewed: June 23, Tell your doctor if you have ever had: heart problems; liver problems; asthma; migraine headaches; a thyroid disorder; endometriosis severe pelvic pain ; jaundice caused by pregnancy or birth control pills; kidney disease; high or low blood levels of calcium; a seizure; diabetes; or lupus.

Do not breastfeed. Side Effects. Side Effects What are the side effects of Provera Oral?