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Provera and Pain: What Users Say

Pain: mentioned by 17 users (5.4%)

Based on user experiences from 316 Provera reviews, the following table shows the most commonly mentioned side effects.

All user comments are moderated by Drugs.com. Each review is verified for relevance and screened for inappropriate content. Side effects are user-reported and not clinically verified.

bleeding 34.2%
cramps 23.7%
blood clots 11.7%
headaches 7.6%
spotting 6.3%
pain 5.4%
nausea 4.7%
heavy periods 4.4%
tiredness 3.8%
bloating 3.2%

Reviews for Provera

Commonly mentioned side effects
  • SHa...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • January 24, 2020

For Amenorrhea "Taking Provera was the worst decision I ever made. My period was very heavy. I was told by my OBGYN that it was going to delay my period, but it made me worse than I was before taking it. Day 5 of my period and still a heavy flow. Still have pain. I found out after taking it I will have another period 3-7 days after having a 10-day cycle. I can’t have this much bleeding."

1 / 10
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  • Lee...
  • June 12, 2019

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I'm 41 years old. I've been taking Provera for a month now. It stopped my bleeding the first month, but then it came back in full force, and I haven't stopped bleeding yet, and it's been a month. I was put on it because of my anemia and fibroids because my blood was low due to the loss of blood. I have been feeling very weak, bleeding heavily, and having horrible pain, going back to the doctors due to the pain and bleeding. I cannot take the pain, and I stopped taking the pill."

1 / 10
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44 Report
  • Luv...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • April 28, 2021

For Amenorrhea "I am 35 years old. No children, never been pregnant. I was diagnosed with PCOS in 2014. I started taking this drug to jumpstart my period as it had been almost 4 months without it. My doctor recommended I start birth control to try to regulate my period. I started this on April 15th. By April 22nd, I started to get pains on my upper right side, almost cramping like near my rib cage. It’s been a week with these on-and-off again pains. I finished the medication on the 24th and started bleeding Tuesday. The pain still comes and goes. I am a little nervous as to what this could be. Does anyone have this kind of experience with this drug?"

8 / 10
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Frequently asked questions

  • Anonymous
  • January 23, 2011

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I started taking Provera January 7th because I had 3 different periods in the month of December, regular (changed every 2-3 hrs), to light (barely noticed it, changed every 4-5 hrs), to extremely heavy with huge clots (literally changed every time I stood up because there would be a gush of blood). I was told to take it for about 2 weeks and that I would have a period afterward. I stopped bleeding, but I got my period a couple of days before the 2 weeks were up. The side effects I've had are nausea (seriously sick to my stomach, the mere thought of food almost made me regurgitate), and my body was extremely sore, and it made me tired. I still have pills, and honestly, I'm not sure if I should still be taking it, but I guess the pills work."

5 / 10
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  • MAW...
  • June 10, 2016

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "After four months with no period, I went to the doctor and was put on Provera. By the time I got to my second pill, my period already started. I've never bled or been in so much pain. The doctor told me to take between 5-7 since I got it early. As of today, I've officially been on my period for three weeks. I now realize the wickedness behind pharmaceuticals. They don't fix you, they cause more problems. My advice to everyone: look up a functional medicine doctor near you. They can fix your cycle, help you get pregnant, fix your thyroid. Whatever the issue is, they will get to the bottom of it, and they will heal you. Naturally. I wish I knew what I know now before getting on these man-made drugs with more side effects than I can list."

1 / 10
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  • Bec...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • August 30, 2021

For Amenorrhea "I started Provera in my journey to regulating a period for pregnancy. I started taking the pill, I did ten days of the medication, and the third day after my last pill, I got my period. It started off light and easy, and I was very hopeful for finally kick-starting my period that I didn't have for 5 months. About 5 days into this withdrawal, blood turned into a full-blown period, it was AWFUL. It was painful, and I was SOAKING all the way through extra thick pads, and it clotted so bad I was nervous seeing it. I couldn't complete normal tasks of daily living because I would stand up, and it felt like my entire insides were falling out, and I ended up using silhouette diapers to help from the bleed-through. Granted, I'm very thankful for the medication working like it should, but be ready for the period that comes. More times than none, I was so nervous to stand, nervous to sit, nervous to try and stray away from a restroom or home due to the extreme blood I was losing. Has anyone else experienced this?"

10 / 10
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  • Mum...
  • July 13, 2021

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "So I started using Provera 2 years ago to help with my heavy periods. Heavy clots would have to change my pad every 30 minutes, and this would last for 2 months. I got a pelvic scan, they couldn't find anything. They said it's me being overweight, 120 kg, and having imbalanced hormones. So the docs prescribed me Provera 10 mg 3 times a day, alongside Tranexamic acid, 1 pill every 8 hours. It made my periods go light each day, then eventually stopped. Some months I missed them, would get normal periods. So it's 2021, and yes, back to heavy periods again. This time it's lasting 3 months, and it is making me feel really weak. Lately I have been taking the same thing: Provera 10 mg 3 times a day with Tranexamic acid, 1 pill every 8 hours. It hasn't worked, still heavy bleeding. I am getting pains now. The docs then prescribed me 2 Provera 20 mg 3 times a day. It's day 2 now, it sort of calmed down my period. It's a medium flow, a little bit heavy. Just being patient and see how this goes, and waiting for a 2nd pelvic scan."

9 / 10
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  • Sad...
  • December 17, 2020

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I have been diagnosed with PCOS since I was 21, my periods are very irregular. Been to the gynae on July 27, 2020, since I hadn't gotten my period since December 2019. He prescribed Provera for 7 days, and I got my period about 3 days later, with lots of pain and a heavy flow. It did stop on day 7 of my period, though. Came August and September, my period came normally without the help of Provera. However, I didn't get it in October and November, and the pregnancy test was negative. So I decided to go see the doctor again, and yet again he prescribed Provera, but this time along with Fertomid (to be taken on days 3-7 of the period). I didn't get my period after 4 days of my last Provera pill. This time it was very light. So, as instructed, I took Fertomid on Day 3 of my period, and it's already Day 10, and I'm still bleeding. Has anyone experienced this before? Does anyone have any suggestions? I would really appreciate it."

5 / 10
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  • Ang...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • June 12, 2024

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I've had non-stop period for 37 days. Was put on ten days of Provera, slowed bleeding down. Finished meds, period became full-blown again. Went nine days, no relief, got back on meds for another ten days, day 6 seems to be slowing. Lo and behold, this afternoon full force bleeding, clots and all. I'm 62 years old, went two years with no periods, thought I was done but no, here we are worse than ever. I see OB/GYN on Monday, I pray for relief soon. Only pain is my right lower back will hurt, only in the afternoon, then it stops, I'm okay til the next afternoon. I took low oval pill from 21 to 52, hardly ever had a period, but surely making up for it now. I pray for all women going through this, get relief and fixed. I'm supposed to be done with this mess."

8 / 10
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  • Jac...
  • May 13, 2018

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I'm 44. I have had symptoms of menorrhagia for several years now. I was hospitalized because my hemoglobin was 5, received a couple of blood transfusions and iron during that stay. I was then referred to an OBGYN who put me on Provera 10 mg twice a day. As I was about to start a period and already spotting, I noticed when I started Provera it stopped that, and it was fantastic. Well, it's now 2 weeks and 2 days after a D&C, and I'm bleeding pretty heavily with large size and numerous clots, and not cramps but pain and pressure. I kind of lost track of when my actual period should start, so I don't know if what I'm experiencing is the Provera trying to normalize my previously terrible periods because they were much worse than this. But this is still pretty bad. If I am having a period on Provera right now, it's not doing a whole lot for me anymore."

7 / 10
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  • Pik...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • July 25, 2017

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I use Provera once a day for ten days. On the eighth day, I started getting pain, like if something was just scraping my uterus out. However, I haven't seen a period in six months (believe me, I was happy at that point in time). Now, TBH, the use of Provera in my case was to help with the shedding of the uterus, which has not happened for six months, so guys, just saying, pain is expected, also heavy bleeding. However, after seven days of bleeding, they put me on oral contraceptives, and the bleeding stopped two days after. However, prior to this, I also used Provera before; I was having breakthrough bleeding for nearly one year. TBH, it wasn't nice, but because of being at school, and time going to the hospital, it was just at the bottom of my list. I took Provera for ten days also."

7 / 10
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10 Report
  • yda...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • November 8, 2016

For Endometriosis "I have been on Provera 10 mg for almost 3 months now. My first monthly period was painful and heavy. My second was regular, plus I clotted a lot. With my 3rd cycle, I only spotted off and on for 3 days. I haven't seen a cycle since. Besides the cramps and the spotting every now and then, I highly recommend this medicine. I have to take Provera 10 mg daily for 6 months to remove precancerous cells off my uterus. I have a 12-year-old son, and now my husband and I are praying for another child, which will be his first biological child. Has anyone besides me missed a cycle while on Provera? I have taken two home pregnancy tests a week apart, and they both said the same thing (negative)."

8 / 10
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  • Sca...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • March 22, 2019

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I'm taking it for almost 2 weeks now and bleeding while taking it. Is the blood clot and cramping normal? The pain is killing me I don't know what to do! I was diagnosed with hyperplasia without atypia and multiple fibroids too."

5 / 10
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  • Kal...
  • March 27, 2016

"I'm 24 years old and have always had a pretty regular period. I missed a period last month and immediately went to the doctor to make sure everything was okay. He confirmed it was probably stress due to the numerous issues I listed and prescribed Provera 10 mg once a day for 10 days. He said this would make me have a period after the 10 days so that my next period wouldn't be so bad. Day 1, didn't sleep for 27 hours. Day 2, I got extremely weak but couldn't sleep at all, and the cramps started rapidly. Day 3, I'm in tears from all the pain and pressure in my lower stomach and back. Day 4, I can't get up from the heating pad, no appetite, face is broken out in red blotches, I'm bloated and feel huge, and my mood is terrible. I will not take another pill. Ever."

1 / 10
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  • Tam...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • September 10, 2021

For Endometrial Cancer "I’m on this for early-stage womb cancer. An attempt to salvage my womb and reverse the growth of tissue with cancer in it. The first 2 weeks were fine. I slept well and felt calm. After 2 weeks, I began getting vaginal cramping and a pelvic cramping/jabbing sensation. I then got a period that lasted for around 2.5 to 3 weeks. I read that this is the uterus lining breaking down and being expelled. I have also read the uterus lining will rebuild. I’m getting spotting/blood every day. I’m not sure if this is normal or indicative of something to worry about?! Having read comments on here, no other women have taken Provera for the same condition as me. Most women go for a hysterectomy straight away. The Provera is working fine for me… the vagina and urethra have become super sensitive. The pelvic pain continues. I assume this is a side effect. I feel lethargic every day, another side effect."

9 / 10
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  • IEA...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • January 10, 2023

For Birth Control "My obstetrician prescribed this medication to me because I had missed my period for three months. She gave me a 10-day course of 10 mg, and after the 10 days, I got my period five days later. It was extremely painful, which she had warned me about due to the long gap in my menstrual cycle. She prescribed a second round the following month, but I haven't gotten my period yet, even though it's been two weeks since I finished the 10-day course. I am trying to conceive, so this is disappointing. I have contacted my obstetrician and am waiting for the next step."

5 / 10
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  • Anonymous
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • August 13, 2021

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I am 20. I was put on Provera 5 mg for 7 days for abnormal uterine bleeding. My doctor started me off with the Ovral contraceptive, and on my 2nd week, I started spotting and I carried on for 2 weeks. He put me on Provera, and I’ve been on it for 3 days now. So far, my pains got better, but my bleeding increased, but it’s not that bad. I’m still taking the contraceptives and Provera at the same time. If anything changes, I’ll update."

5 / 10
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Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or remove inappropriate content. Reviews appearing to come from parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any medication and should not replace the expertise and judgment of healthcare professionals.