You may have read my experiences of taking Norethisterone previously to delay my period. Recently I needed to do this again but fortunately my doctor prescribed something different as they said there was an increased risk of blood clots with Norethisterone so this wasn’t generally prescribed by them anymore. The other tablet, Provera, was progesterone only and meant to have less side effects. I was due on my period a few days after I picked up the prescription so I got started right away and began taking the tablets three times a day to prevent my period from starting.
The tablets definitely work, I did not get my period during the time I took the tablets. However, I STILL haven’t had my period and it’s been over a week since I stopped taking them. I now have no idea when my period will come again, which is leaving me in a situation where I don’t know whether to bring tampons with me, or whether any plans will need to change, which is less than ideal.
In terms of side effects, I essentially had (and currently still have) the same symptoms as I do when I am about to get my period, a crampy stomach ache that won’t shift, bloating and constipation as well as awful PMT, but halfway through taking the tablets this ramped up so much that I had massive mood swings, making me seriously bitchy and not fun to be around at all. One minute I would be getting annoyed over the silliest, smallest things, and the next I would be crying, in floods of tears because of something equally minor. It was exhausting for me and for my husband.
I have also been absolutely ravenous, feeling like I need to eat constantly, and craving sugar more than I ever have before. For these reasons, as well as the fact that the tablets seem to work too well as I have no sign of my actual period days and days after stopping taking them, I wouldn’t overly recommend, unless you really, really don’t want to have your period on a certain date (whether that’s for a wedding, a holiday or just another special occasion). Saying that, everybody reacts differently and you may not have the extreme side effects I did. I have felt uncomfortable and on the edge of starting my period every day for over two weeks now, which is not fun and has also made me anxious, going to the bathroom more than usually to check if I have in fact come on. It’s not a fun way to spend your time, and I do think that perhaps it would have just been easier to have had my period, which is how I felt when taking Norethisterone as well.
Being prescribed the tablets was very simple, I rang up my doctor, explained my situation and reasoning for wanting to delay and then was prescribed the tablets over the phone, ready to pick up from the pharmacy. The tablets do need a prescription, you cannot buy them over the counter, though you may be able to go through online pharmacists rather than your doctor, it’s worth researching, especially if you are short on time. Also bear in mind that you need to start taking the tablets a few days before your period is due, so plan ahead as they cannot stop a period in its tracks, only delay it from starting.
Happy to answer any other questions you might have about taking Provera, please just drop me a message!
