Provera are branded period delay tablets that contain 10mg of the active ingredient, medroxyprogesterone, which is known as a progestogen. At this dose, Provera can be used to delay your period, which you can do by taking 1 tablet, 3 times a day, starting 3 days before your period is due to start.

Medroxyprogesterone is an artificial hormone that can sometimes be used by specialists at different doses to treat things like dysfunctional bleeding, endometriosis, and even some types of cancer. When used off-label, it can be used to delay periods, which is a common use of this medication. Off-label prescribing is safe and effective since it’s still a treatment that’s been approved by a doctor. It just means that the treatment is being prescribed in a way that is not covered by the medication’s licence.

“All medications we offer are fully licensed within the UK. Some medications, such as this, we prescribe for conditions, or circumstances that are outside of the licence, also known as ‘off-label’. Prescribing ‘off-label’ is a 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.” – Babak Ashrafi, Clinical Lead for Service Development.

Provera raises the levels of a hormone in your body responsible for controlling your menstrual cycle. This stops the natural shedding of your womb lining that leads to a period, delaying any period from happening while you’re taking the medication.

Provera contains medroxyprogesterone, an artificial version of the hormone progesterone, which occurs naturally in the body. However, medroxyprogesterone has stronger effects than natural progesterone. Since a drop in progesterone levels is what causes your womb lining to shed and lead to a period, Provera keeps progesterone levels high to prevent this from happening.

How long does Provera last?

Provera will only delay your period whilst you are taking it. You can use Provera to delay your period for up to 30 days. When you stop taking Provera, the progesterone levels in your body will drop back to normal levels and your period should start within 3 days of stopping the medication.

How long does Provera take to work?

For Provera to work effectively, you should start taking it 3 days before your period is due to start. This allows enough time for the progesterone levels in your body to rise and delay the start of your period.

How effective is Provera?

Period delay treatments may not be 100% effective. Both norethisterone and medroxyprogesterone can still cause breakthrough bleeding during use. Making sure you take your treatment exactly as prescribed is the best way to get the most out of it.

To delay your period, you should take one Provera 10mg tablet 3 times a day. Start taking Provera 3 days before your period is due to start. You should continue taking Provera 3 times a day until you no longer need to delay your period.

You can take Provera to delay your period by up to 30 days, at which point you should stop taking it. You should not take Provera to delay your period more than once every 3 months.

When to take Provera

To delay your period, you should start taking Provera 3 times a day, 3 days before the start of your period. You should try and take your tablets at the same times each day and try to space your doses evenly throughout the day. For example, you could take Provera at 8am, 2pm and 8pm.

Like all medications, Provera can cause side effects, however not everybody will get them.

Provera may cause the following side effects:

Common side effects (affecting more than 1 in 100 people):

• headache
• feeling sick (nausea)
• irregular bleeding, bleeding in between periods
• changes in the amount of bleeding during a period
• feeling low or nervous
• difficulty sleeping
• feeling dizzy
• feeling tired
• hair loss
• spots (acne)
• itchy skin
• changes to vaginal discharge
• breast tenderness
• higher body temperature

Uncommon side effects (affecting less than 1 in 100 people):

• increased hair growth
• milk production from the breasts
• fluid build-up

Serious side effects (affecting less than 1 in 1000 people):

• blood clot
• allergic reaction (anaphylaxis)

How long do Provera side effects last?

If you do get side effects from Provera, they are likely to become less severe as you keep taking Provera. However, they may last until you stop taking Provera. Speak to a doctor or pharmacist if you have a side effect that is bothering you or does not go away.

What to do if you get Provera side effects

If you get a serious side effect, you should stop taking Provera and seek immediate medical attention.

Signs of a blood clot can include:

• pain, swelling, redness, or warmth in an arm or leg
• suddenly short of breath
• sharp pain in the chest
• fast heart rate (palpitations)
• coughing up blood
• loss of vision in one or both eyes
• severe headaches

Signs of a serious allergic reaction can include:

• swelling of the lips, tongue, mouth, or throat
• difficulty breathing
• pale, blue or grey-coloured skin
• confusion, drowsy or dizzy
• fainting
• rash that is swollen, raised, itchy, blistered, or peeling

For less serious side effects, talk to a doctor or pharmacist if your side effects are bothering you or do not go away.

You can buy Provera online from Superdrug Online Doctor. You can also buy Provera from a pharmacy with a prescription from your GP.

Can I buy Provera online?

Yes, Provera is available to buy online from trusted and regulated services such as Superdrug Online Doctor. First, you will need to fill out a quick online form about your health. A doctor will review your answers and will approve Provera treatment if it is suitable for you. You can then collect Provera from a Superdrug Pharmacy or you can get it delivered to your house.

Can I buy Provera over the counter?

You cannot buy Provera over the counter. Provera is a prescription-only medication. This means that you will need to be given a prescription for it by a licensed health professional such as your GP, or order it from a service like Superdrug Online Doctor.

Can I get Provera on the NHS?

Yes, you can get Provera on the NHS. You will need to be assessed first by your GP. If they think Provera is suitable for period delay, you can get a prescription.

Provera is not suitable for everyone. A doctor can confirm if Provera treatment is right for you or not.

You should not take Provera if you:

• could be, or are pregnant
• currently or previously had breast cancer
• currently have a venous blood clot
• previously had an unprovoked venous blood clot
• have active or recent arterial blood clot (angina, heart attack)
• have abnormal liver function
• are allergic to Provera
• have porphyria

If you have any of the following conditions, you will need to be closely supervised if you take Provera:

• a history of, or risk factors for, blood clots
• risk factors for breast cancer, ovarian cancer, or endometrial cancer
• high blood pressure
• liver problems with normal liver function
• diabetes mellitus
• migraine or severe headache
• systemic lupus erythematosus
• epilepsy
• asthma
• otosclerosis

This is because Provera may cause these conditions to recur or become worse.

Provera may interact with other medications. You should let your doctor know if you are currently taking:

• aminoglutethimide
• blood thinning medication (e.g. warfarin)
• anticonvulsant medications (e.g. phenobarbital, phenytoin, carbamazepine)
• some anti-infection medications (e.g. rifampicin, rifabutin, nevirapine, efavirenz)
• ritonavir or nelfinavir
• St. John’s Wort

Other medications can be used to delay your period.

One alternative treatment is norethisterone, which can come as a generic (non-branded) tablet or under the brand name Utovlan. Norethisterone is also an artificial progesterone like the medroxyprogesterone in Provera and works in the same way. Like with Provera, you take 1 norethisterone tablet, 3 times a day, starting 3 days before your period is due to start.

You can also take the combined contraceptive pill to delay your period. You need to start taking the combined contraceptive pill once a day for several weeks before you wish to delay your period. Some people cannot take the combined contraceptive pill, so speak to a doctor if you wish to take the combined contraceptive pill to find out whether it is suitable for you.

What will my period be like after taking Provera?

Your period will usually start within 3 days of stopping Provera. Your period may be lighter or heavier than usual.

Can I get pregnant whilst taking Provera?

Provera is not a contraceptive therefore you can get pregnant whilst taking Provera. You should use contraception whilst using Provera if you plan to have sex.

What is the difference between Provera and Norethisterone?

Provera contains the active ingredient medroxyprogesterone. This is another artificial progestogen different from norethisterone. Norethisterone and medroxyprogesterone can both be used to delay periods, but norethisterone is the only progestogen licensed in the UK to delay periods. This is compared to Provera which can be prescribed off-label to delay periods instead.