What Provera does (or doesn't do)

oreomon · 05-16-2009, 11:44 PM

Hey everyone!
I'm staring Provera in June. I'm taking 10 mg for ten days every other month. Right now my period has been coming every three months if not more. I've searched the forums for the side effects of people and it's been much help! However I confused if it'll also help the hair lost on the top of my head and the extra hair growth on my face. Has provera helped you with that or did you have to use something else to help/prevent it?
Thanks
Annie

Shutterbug · 05-20-2009, 05:27 PM

Provera is used to induce a menstrual cycle. You take it for 10 days, and approximately 3-10 days after you've stopped your last pill you should get a withdrawal bleed (your period.) I was given Provera because I have very irregular cycles, as well, and would only have them three or four times a year at most.

The first time I took Provera, I did not have a cycle for four months, and it was a very painful and heavy period for me. I'd recommend breaking out your bottle of Tylenol/Advil, just in case.

I believe for the other symptoms you are experiencing, you will need an additional medication for them. I, myself, am hypothyroid, and take Synthroid for it. A common symptom of thyroid issues is hair loss, although the hair growth on the face sounds like a hormonal imbalance/PCOS.

Hope I helped a bit. Let me know if you have any other questions.

oreomon · 05-21-2009, 02:58 AM

Thank you so much for a reply!
I was diagnosed with PCOS early this year but I think I’ve had this for years now. So I was hoping the Provera would help with that because I’m already on meds for Hidradenitis Suppurativa. The less meds the merrier! Did you have any other side effects to the Provera?
Thanks so much!

Shutterbug · 05-21-2009, 11:29 AM

Well, the good news is, a lot of doctors will put you on Provera to jump start your periods for you, so you get them more often than you were. Also, you may get a cycle or more on your own from the Provera. The last time I took it, I got a natural, normal period on my own about 28 days later. Of course, I never got one after that, but it seemed to jump start my body for one cycle.

I've been on Provera a few times before, and believe it or not, I had little to no side effects from it those times. Hubby and I were waiting for the side effects, and they never came. He actually said I was more patient on the Provera.

I just finished my Provera for 10 days yesterday, however, and this time I had a multitude of side effects. Very sore breasts, moody & emotional, lower back pain, fatigue, and worst of all...dizziness. The dizziness for me wasn't extreme, just a lightheaded, woozy type of feeling...still unpleasant though. I alleviated most of the side effects by taking it at night before bed, so I slept them off.

It seems Provera has different effects on different people, and even possibly different effects on your own body if you take it multiple times. Are on anything for the PCOS? I hear you about the less medications the better...this month I will have been on Synthroid, prenatal vitamins, Provera, Clomid, and Prometrium! I had to run out and get myself a pill organizer this month!