Medroxyprogesterone - generic for Provera - is a prescription medication used to treat amenorrhea (the absence of a monthly period), overgrowth of the uterine lining (endometrial hyperplasia), and irregular uterine bleeding. Medroxyprogesterone contains progesterone, a hormone released by the ovaries that helps regulate monthly menstruation cycles. Synthetic forms of progesterone are commonly found in birth control pills.

In addition to its use in the treatment of irregular menstrual bleeding and endometrial hyperplasia, medroxyprogesterone may be prescribed to help reduce the risk of uterine cancer in women who are currently taking estrogen.

It’s important to note that while medroxyprogesterone contains progesterone, it is not a method of birth control. Similarly, medroxyprogesterone will not protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs), or other infections of the female reproductive system.

While adverse reactions to medroxyprogesterone are uncommon, some patients who take the drug may experience mild side effects, including:

Breast tenderness, or secretion from breasts Changes in menstrual flow Spotting Abnormal uterine bleeding Acne Drowsiness Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep Nausea

Before you start treatment with medroxyprogesterone, tell your doctor about any pre-existing conditions you have or any medication you are taking.

Medroxyprogesterone may interact with other drugs, or worsen the symptoms of medical issues you may be having. It’s important that you let your doctor know about these factors, so they can determine whether or not medroxyprogesterone is right for you.

This is not a complete list of side effects. For more information on adverse reactions, you may experience while taking medroxyprogesterone, visit the National Institutes of Health’s DailyMed webpage.

Medroxyprogesterone is commonly prescribed as a 5 mg - 10 mg oral tablet meant to be taken once a day. To keep consistency, it is recommended that you take medroxyprogesterone at about the same time every day.

For women taking medroxyprogesterone as a supplement to estrogen replacement therapy, 5-10 mg is prescribed to be taken 12-14 days per month.

Do not increase your dosage or discontinue your use of medroxyprogesterone without talking to your doctor first. An overdose of medroxyprogesterone may cause adverse side effects, and suddenly stopping use may result in serious hormone changes in the body.

Medroxyprogesterone is currently only available via prescription. This means the use of this drug must be authorized by a licensed health care provider.

Providers on Sesame can write a prescription – or refill an existing one – during a virtual or in-person visit. Depending on the medication, you can arrange for same-day pickup at a pharmacy near you. Book an online consultation with a real, licensed provider on Sesame today to determine whether or not medroxyprogesterone is right for you.

Note that all prescriptions are at the discretion of your health care provider. Providers on Sesame cannot prescribe controlled substances.

Yes! Providers on Sesame can prescribe medroxyprogesterone online and send it to your local pharmacy if appropriate.

For a personalized menopause care plan and treatment, you can also access medroxyprogesterone prescriptions through Sesame’s menopause subscription if appropriate. The subscription includes video visits with a provider of your choice and lab work to assess your hormonal health. It also includes access to prescriptions to treat menopause symptoms like hot flashes, vaginal dryness, insomnia, mood swings and more.

Note that all prescriptions are at the discretion of your doctor.