Provera can help initiate a regular menstrual cycle.
Hormone disorders cause various problems for many women. Provera is the brand name for medroxyprogesterone, a female hormone similar to the natural progesterone produced by the body. Provera has many uses and is often prescribed to replace progesterone when the body does not make enough. According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, Provera can be used to initiate a normal menstrual cycle in women who have not menstruated for at least six months and who are not pregnant or going through menopause. There are important steps to follow when using Provera to begin your menstrual cycle.
Instructions
1. Call your gynecologist to schedule a complete physical check-up. Because some hormonal medications can increase your risk of cancer, this exam will include a vaginal exam and screenings for hormone specific cancers. Physicians often perform a breast exam on patients beginning hormone therapy due to breast changes that can occur from hormonal medications.
2. Give a complete family history of diseases to your doctor, including any kinds of female cancers for which members of your family have been treated. This is important because you should not take Provera if you have a history of hormone-related cancers, such as breast or uterine cancer, according to Drugs.com. Provera can cause birth defects, so tell your physician if you think you could be pregnant.
3. Inform your doctor if you have had any allergic reactions to hormonal medications. Common allergic reactions include hives, difficulty breathing and swelling of your face, lips or tongue. Seek emergency treatment for life-threatening allergic reactions, such as difficulty breathing due to swelling of the airway.
4. Confirm with your physician what day you need to begin taking Provera. Progestin hormones are often started on a particular day of the menstrual cycle, allowing the medication to work with your body and not against it. Discuss your normal menstrual cycle with your physician, including the date of your last cycle.
5. Take Provera with a full glass of water exactly as it is prescribed by your doctor. According to HealthSquare.com, Provera is usually taken once daily for five to 10 days every month to initiate a regular menstrual cycle. Vaginal bleeding usually begins within seven to 10 days after withdrawal from Provera therapy.
6. Report any adverse affects to your gynecologist such as swelling in the legs, leg pain, chest pain, fainting or nausea. Educate yourself on the side effects of Provera therapy by reading the patient information leaflet provided by the pharmacy where your prescription was filled. It may take several cycles of treatment to see the full benefits of Provera therapy.
7. Attend regular appointments with your physician to evaluate your progress on Provera therapy. Inform your physician if your condition worsens or does not improve. Provera is just one of the medications used to help initiate regular menstrual cycles, so don't be afraid to report that the medication does not work for you.
Tags: menstrual cycle, your physician, Provera therapy, with your, allergic reactions, hormonal medications