What Provera Tablets are and what they are used for

• Provera contains the active substance medroxyprogesterone acetate, which is one of a group of medicines called ‘progestogens’. Progestogens are similar to the natural female hormone, progesterone.
• Provera has several uses. You can take Provera to treat or manage:
  • Heavy periods
  • Painful periods
  • Irregular periods or periods that are more frequent than normal
  • Absence of periods
  • Mild to moderate endometriosis (where tissue from your womb is found outside your womb)

Check if you have heavy periods

You may have heavy periods if you:

• Need to change your pad or tampon every 1to 2 hour, or empty your menstrual cup more often than is recommended.
• Need to use 2 types of sanitary product together, such as a pad and a tampon.
• Have periods lasting more than 7 days.
• Pass blood clots larger than about 2.5cm (the size of a 10p coin).
• Bleed through to your clothes or bedding.
• Avoid daily activities, like exercise, or take time off work because of your periods.
• Feel tired or short of breath.

It can be normal to have heavy periods.

They can sometimes be heavy at different times, like when you first start your periods, after pregnancy or during menopause.

Sometimes they can be caused by:

• Conditions affecting your womb, ovaries or hormones, such as polycystic ovary syndrome, fibroids, endometriosis, adenomyosis and pelvic inflammatory disease.
• Some medicines and treatments, including some anticoagulant medicines and chemotherapy medicines.
• Stress and depression.

See a GP if:

• Heavy periods are affecting your life
• You’ve had heavy periods for some time
• You have severe pain during your periods
• You bleed between periods or after sex
• You have heavy periods and other symptoms such as pain when peeing, pooing or having sex

Patient Information Leaflet

Please read the patient information leaflet for further information.