Worried about taking Provera for late period

[angelcat2003]

At the start of the year I was diagnosed with PCOS. I have very long cycles as a result. This cycle I'm on has been really long and I've been getting pms symptoms for a while because of the length of the cycle. I'm going on holiday in less than a week and would like to have a period before I go, to get rid of some of the pms symptoms. I was prescribed Provera to induce a period, but I'm worried about the side effects. The leaflet with the tablets lists hair loss as a common (1 in 10) side effect. I don't want to lose my hair, it means everything to me. The NHS lists hair loss as a 1 in 100 chance. It's left me feeling anxious and confused because of the difference between the NHS listing and the leaflet. NICE lists alopecia as a very common/common side effect. My doctor said that because I'm taking it for a few days that anything happening is low, but last year I only took a few antibiotic tablets and now I have permanent tinnitus. I also have a cold as well, and I don't know if I can go through the stress of taking provera and also having this cold, which has given me a bad headache, a blocked nose and sleepless nights. Has anyone else taken provera and what was your experience?

[Citizenerased83]

Hi angelcat2003, I've taken provera about 5 times to induce a period as I also have pcos. I had no side-effects at all. I'm sorry about your experience of taking antibiotics. I hope you'll be fine on provera and can enjoy your holiday. X

[distracted1 in reply to Citizenerased83]

Does taking provera work like it's supposed to? I ask bc my teen was just diagnosed with pcos and is taking it but her Dr said there is a chance it will not induce a period...

[Citizenerased83 in reply to distracted1]

Hi there, it's worked for me everytime I've used it. Fingers crossed it works for your daughter. I know everyone is different though but hope it works for her.

[Jiggybit]

Hi!

I had to take Provera 10 years ago to induce a period so that I could take Clomid to force an ovulation in order to try and conceive … it worked! I had no side effects then.

I now have it prescribed to bring on periods like you. My gynae said that I need a period at least every 3 months so I only have to take them if that doesn’t happen, luckily it has most times. The only noticeable issue I have with them is the severity of my period - I’ve never known anything like it!

I will say that whilst Provera hasn’t caused me any issues, PCOS hasn’t been great to me. I have noticibly thinner hair now, excess body hair growth and awful skin because of it 😕 I hope that you have a better experience.

Take care x

[Solly-44]

Hi, whenever I’ve taken Provera to induce a period it arrives 5-8 days after I finish the course. So it seems very unlikely you’ll get your period before going away in less than a week? Something to bear in mind if you don’t want it to arrive when you’re away! X

[Emelisa]

I've taken provera twice to induce period for ivf. I didn't notice any hair thinning but was recommended to make sure drank enough water as easily get headaches. Weirdly I was the opposite to Jiggibit- my period the second time was soo light had to have a scan to check it had actually gotten rid of lining. I think the other time bleed was more but was over year ago. I took it for 10 days and had a bleed about a day or two after stopped. How long have you got it prescribed for?

[GreyhoundGirl20]

Hi, I've taken provera to induce period a few times now, for 14 days each time. I have never had any hair loss related side effects. I'm not sure if it was the stress of taking it, or if they were side effects themselves, but I have found that being on provera makes my emotional state more changeable than before, so if you are already stressed about being ill, going on holiday etc, don't be overly hard on yourself if you're a bit more up and down than usual. Hope all goes well for you and you have a good holiday