Provera

[Dvs24]

I've recently been diagnosed with endometriosis. My consultant has issued me with provera tablets as treatment. I was wondering if anyone has had any experience with taking these? Im a little apprehensive of the possible side effects. Many thanks

[Sunset-lady]

I was put on continuous provera with estrogen from September to December this year. Firstly, it's not a long term treatment plan as it's not recommended for more than a year. As to its effectiveness it really depends on your symptoms. I was put on it to control bleeding. It worked eventually for around 4 weeks but prior to that I hemorrhaged terribly. Then it stopped working. It's synthetic progeston and makes your body think it's pregnant. So expect your breast size to increase and painful breasts. I put on 15 pounds too which really upset me. This doesn't happen to everyone but it made me constantly hungry. You also need to monitor your mood. I was fine for nearly 3 months but then I tried to lower my estrogen (my doctor advised me) and things went mental. I lost the plot. I became depressed, manic irrational and very strange. I upset my family but i just couldn't see it until my husband sat me down one day and said something is not right. I came off it and went back to utrogestan (bio identical progesterone) and I was much better. I'm now on zoladex. My mental health is good so far but I'm still bleeding heavily. It does work for a lot of women and I don't know if it was the provera or the lowering of my estrogen that sent me spiralling but keep a journal and really watch your mood. If you're on it for bleeding (I have stage 4 endometriosis and fibroids, cysts and adenomyosis) then you might be lucky. Everyone is different. Good luck x

[Dvs24 in reply to Sunset-lady]

Sorry to hear you had such a bad experience, unfortunately I'm hearing this alot which is why I've been concerned about taking it. I've taken my first 3x tablets today but considering not taking anymore after reading this. I hope things have settled for you now.

[Vee2508]

I was put on Provera back in August and was prescribed a three month course, however, my experience was dreadful. I did not bleed for the whole month of August but ended up bleeding heavily for 15 days in September and 31 days in October. The Provera ended up making my cycle worse rather than better, I ended up in A&E from how much I had bled and how much agony I was in and got diagnosed as anaemic. I saw my consultant after and he told me to stop them because unfortunately I was one of the more unluckier people whose condition had worsened and am due for my first laparoscopy next Monday. I hope that your experience is better and that it does actually help you, I just felt that I should just share my experience just in case you don’t have such a good experience yourself, just so that you know that the Provera can cause worsening menstrual cycles.

[Dvs24 in reply to Vee2508]

Sorry to hear you had such a bad experience with it. I've started the medication today but I'm now unsure whether to carry on with it. I've heard many stories the same, and appears to be more of a negative effect than positive. All the best with your laparoscopy.

[Sunset-lady]

What dose are you on? I think you have to just see how you react. Everyone reacts to hormones differently. A lotvof women get on better with synthetic progeston than utrogestan. Everyone responds individually so I would take it and monitor my bleeding, my mood, food intake, hunger, sleep etc. Also speak to your friends and partner (should you have one) and ask them to monitor you too. If you feel yourself getting snappy, angry, irrational or paranoid have another look at it. Have you seen and endometriosis specialist? I paid privately to see one and he took me off provera as he said it was like throwing petrol on a fire with stage 4 endometriosis. However it was my GP and surgeon who put me on it. Push to see a specialist xxx

[Cailleach]

I took Provera for quite a long time (maybe two years? ) I was absolutely fine on it. Eventually I found I was getting breakthrough bleeding. It really depends on the individual as others have said. I’d give it a bit longer.