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Variety of delivery options including next day & free delivery.
Pharmacy, clinic and prescribers based in Greater Manchester.
Start your treatment with a quick and free online consultation.
Fill in a quick online consultation for our licensed pharmacists to review.
Our pharmacists will review your treatment to ensure it’s suitable.
Your treatment will be delivered to your door quickly & discreetly.
| Medication Name | Medroxyprogesterone Tablets |
| Medication Form | Oral tablet |
| Used for | Period delay (off-label), heavy periods, painful periods, irregular periods, absence of periods, mild to moderate endometriosis |
| Who can use | Adult women (aged 18 years and over) |
| Active Ingredient(s) | Medroxyprogesterone acetate 10mg |
| Usual Dose | Varies by condition; as directed by your doctor |
| Common Side Effects | Headache, nausea, unexpected vaginal bleeding or spotting, breast tenderness, weight increase |
| Prescription Required | Yes |
| Patient Information Leaflet | Medroxyprogesterone Tablets Patient Information Leaflet |
Medroxyprogesterone tablets are prescribed for several menstrual and hormonal conditions.
Although it’s not licensed, medroxyprogesterone is sometimes prescribed off-label to delay your period. This is typically for women who can’t take norethisterone. Your doctor will advise on the appropriate dose and timing.
Medroxyprogesterone tablets can help regulate the menstrual cycle and reduce heavy or painful bleeding. They’re also used when periods stop altogether or become unpredictably frequent.
Medroxyprogesterone tablets are used to treat mild to moderate endometriosis, a condition where tissue similar to the womb lining grows outside the womb, causing pain and discomfort.
Medroxyprogesterone acetate is a synthetic progestogen, a hormone that mimics the action of progesterone, one of the natural female sex hormones your body produces.
Progesterone plays a central part in regulating your menstrual cycle. It helps control the build-up and shedding of the womb lining each month. When progesterone levels drop at the end of your cycle, your period begins.
By taking medroxyprogesterone tablets at a specific point in your cycle, you can artificially maintain progesterone levels and delay the drop that triggers your period. This is how it works to delay periods.
For heavy or irregular periods, medroxyprogesterone helps regulate the hormonal signals that control the menstrual cycle, resulting in more predictable and manageable bleeding.
In endometriosis, the sustained progestogen effect suppresses the growth of endometrial tissue outside the womb, reducing pain and other symptoms.
Medroxyprogesterone tablets are suitable for adult women aged 18 and over. They’re prescribed for a range of menstrual conditions, as well as off-label for period delay in women who can’t take norethisterone.
Do not take medroxyprogesterone tablets if you:
Speak to your doctor before taking medroxyprogesterone tablets if you have or have ever had any of the following:
Medroxyprogesterone tablets are not a contraceptive. If you’re sexually active, use an additional method of contraception such as condoms while taking this medicine.
Always take medroxyprogesterone tablets exactly as your doctor has told you. The dose and duration will depend on the condition being treated.
Your prescriber will advise on the appropriate dosage and timing. You’ll usually start taking the tablets a few days before your period is due.
The usual dose is 2.5mg to 10mg daily for 5 to 10 days, starting between day 16 and day 21 of your cycle. Treatment is typically given for 2 consecutive cycles. A few days after finishing the tablets, you may have bleeding similar to a period.
The usual dose is 2.5mg to 10mg daily for 5 to 10 days, starting on a day calculated to represent day 16 to day 21 of your cycle. This is repeated for 3 consecutive cycles.
The usual dose is 10mg tablets three times a day (30mg total) for 90 days, starting on the first day of your period. Some irregular spotting or bleeding during treatment is normal.
Like all medicines, medroxyprogesterone tablets can cause side effects, though not everyone gets them.
This may affect more than 1 in 10 people:
This may affect up to 1 in 10 people:
Stop taking medroxyprogesterone and seek immediate medical help if you experience any of the following:
Signs of a blood clot in the lungs:
Signs of a stroke:
Signs of a deep vein thrombosis (DVT):
Signs of a severe allergic reaction:
If you experience any side effects not listed here, speak to your doctor or pharmacist. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme.
Active ingredient: Medroxyprogesterone acetate 10mg
Other ingredients: Lactose monohydrate, sucrose, maize starch, liquid paraffin, talc, calcium stearate, purified water
These tablets contain lactose monohydrate and sucrose. If your doctor has told you that you have an intolerance to some sugars, contact your doctor before taking this medicine. The 2.5mg tablets also contain sunset yellow (E110), which may cause allergic reactions in some people.
It depends on why you’re bleeding. For heavy periods, medroxyprogesterone can help reduce and regulate bleeding by stabilising the womb lining. However, some women experience unexpected spotting or breakthrough bleeding during treatment, particularly in the early stages. If you have concerns about bleeding while taking medroxyprogesterone, speak to your doctor.
Provera tablets are a branded version of medroxyprogesterone acetate. Both contain the same active ingredient and work in the same way. The difference is simply the manufacturer and brand name. Your doctor or pharmacist may prescribe either the branded or generic version, depending on availability.
It can be, yes. When periods have stopped (amenorrhoea), medroxyprogesterone is sometimes prescribed to trigger a withdrawal bleed. A few days after finishing the course of tablets, bleeding similar to a period usually follows. This is sometimes referred to as a “withdrawal bleed” rather than a true period.
After finishing a 5-day course, your medroxyprogesterone levels will drop. This drop in hormone levels signals the body to shed the uterine lining, which typically results in a withdrawal bleed within a few days. If you’ve taken it for period delay purposes, your period should arrive shortly after you stop. If no bleeding occurs after finishing a course, speak to your doctor.
Page content authored by Amjad Khan, last reviewed by Mr Muhammad on 8th June 2026.
