Abstract: Frequently Asked Questions about "Provera to induce periods for Irregular Menstrual Cycles & Fertility?" Does Depo-Provera make you ovulate? What is it? Why use Provera? How does Provera work and what doesn't it do? Can Provera affect my unborn baby should I get pregnant?

Full Article:

Provera to induce periods?
Irregular Menstrual Cycles & Fertility
by Shana R. May

What is Provera?
Medroxyprogesterone Acetate aka Depo-Provera® Provera®. is synthetic form of progesterone.

How does Provera work to induce a menstrual period?
In short, it first gives your body the progesterone boost it needs to prepare for implantation and then when you stop taking the Provera, the lack of progesterone induces the shedding of the uterine lining (which causes the bleeding). For a more in depth and still easily understandable explanation, read the article from iVillage "Provera to Induce Period" by Dr. Mark Perloe.

Why use Provera?
Using Provera helps give your doctor an idea of what's going on with your body. By bleeding after stopping the Provera, it indicates that:

1. your ovaries make enough estrogen to cause your uterine lining to thicken (and prepare to sustain a pregnancy)
2. the cervix and uterine lining are structurally normal
3. you are not currently pregnant
   

Provera may also be useful for post-pill amenorrhea and to help regulate irregular periods when you are TTC. It has been suggested that Provera has been used to help increase the thickness of the endometrium, but Dr. Mark Perloe suggests that "treatment is rarely successful". (see his article "Thin Endometrium")

What does Provera NOT do?

1. Provera does not make you ovulate.
2. Provera does nothing to address ovulation problems.
3. Provera does not help treat any underlying conditions that might be associated with infertility.
   

What if there's no bleeding after using the Provera?
If you do not bleed after discontinuing the Provera, it may mean:

1. the hypothalamus and pituitary may not be signaling the ovary to release the follicle/estrogen
2. or the ovary itself may not be working (called ovarian failure)
3. or there may be a problem with the uterine lining, such as
   1. Asherman's syndrome (uterine scarring)
   2. Anatomical abnormalities that you may have been born with (such as the absence of the uterus or upper vagina)
      

What else should you be doing?

• Starting on a prenatal vitamin if you are trying to conceive
• Watch for cervical mucus -- indicating ovulation -- a couple of weeks after quitting the Provera. This mucus is stretchy and slippery, similar to an egg white in consistency.

What about other infertility problems?
Other things you should be doing include other testing that you should discuss with your doctor, such as:

• making sure that you don't have a cyst that could be creating progesterone of its own, therefore, inhibiting menses
• testing for thyroid dysfunction
• testing for excessive male hormone levels
• testing for FSH levels
• male partner's seman analysis

Are there any dangers of taking Provera while trying to get pregnant?
Some doctors believe that taking Provera in early pregnancy may cause an increase in birth defects, but other doctors disagree with this claim. The safe bet is to make sure that you aren't pregnant before starting each cycle of the Provera treatments.

Is there a higher chance of miscarriage while taking Provera?
I read one woman's post claiming that her doctor said that one form of Provera might be linked to increased miscarriage, while Peg Plumbo, CNM, said of Provera that "although this [Depo-Provera] medication is labeled "not for use in pregnancy," it is often given to women in early pregnancy who are at risk of miscarriage, although its value is questionable for this". After reading the drug information on Provera, I would ask your doctor as the injectible form of the drug seems to be the most questionable.

Inspirational Reading:
Birth story: Bethany & Morgan: Getting pregnant using provera & clomid inspirational story.

Related Reading:
support: mommyguide's TTC Forums
article: Determining Ovulation: How to know if you're ovulating?
article: Do you have an infertility problem? When to start worrying!
sections: Preconception Channel

Shana R. May is the mother of three children who were both breastfed and bottle-fed. Shana dealt with pre-ecalmpsia symptoms throughout all three of her pregnancies. With an extensive researched knowledge of infertility, parenting & high-risk pregnancy, she has written hundreds of articles published online today. Shana is also the founder of mommyguide.com and a number of other websites written specifically for mothers. Although Shana's background is in web & design solutions, she prides herself as an educator to mothers and enjoys diversifying her knowledge.

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