Women's Health

Provera for heavy periods

11/18/2008 12:31PM

Question:

I am almost 53 and perimenopausal. My periods last 6 or 7 days rather than the 5 or 6 days in my younger years and since I started menstruating at age 13 my cycles were always every 24-28 days. Over the last 5 years I have developed heavy periods (no intermenstrual spotting) and during this time I have been taking Provera cyclically 10 mg in the a.m. and 10 mg p.m. days 12-27 for 6 months - then off 6 months etc.. My question is when I start the Provera cyclically for the first 3 months all is fine. When I reach month 4, 5 and 6 I have spotting or an extremely light flow everyday until my actual period. So for the last 3 months I have continuous spotting before and after my period. Once I stop the Provera, everything goes back to normal i.e., a period lasting 6 or 7 days without any spotting or flow until my next scheduled period. The above pattern has been happening for the 5 years that I`ve been on the Provera cyclically (6 mos on 6 mos off) Why do I get the continuous spotting/very light flow during cyclic Provera months 3, 4, and 5 and no problems the rest of the time? Is this supposed to happen? If not do I need a higher Provera dose?

Answer:

There is no simple answer to your question. There are several possible reasons for the spotting. The best thing to do is to discuss it with your doctor, and he or she will investigate it further. It sounds like your doctor is taking good care of you.

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Response by:

Cynthia B Evans, MD
Associate Professor
Division of General Obstetrics and Gynecology
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
College of Medicine
The Ohio State University