Confused! Provera Question....

[julietchicago]

I went in for a pap and some blood work 2 weeks ago. I suspected I had PCOS, actually I was pretty sure I did, but my blood work all came back OK. No signs of PCOS. DH and I have been TTC for awhile now w/ no luck. My periods became irregular when I had a significant weight gain in 2002-2003.

I have been dieting and exercising and my period came back, although still a little irregular. But it's back. It came back in May and then again in July.

My doctor was going to put me on Metformin if my blood work showed PCOS. But since it didn't, she has suggested Provera.

I think I remember taking Provera once in the past to induce my period.

Here's my question - Isn't Provera something that is prescribed to induce your period after not having it for awhile?

My doctor wants me to take if for 6 cycles, and if we haven't conceived after that she will add Clomid.

Has anyone taken Provera for multiple cycles? Is it commonly used for multiple cyles in a row, or just a one time thing?

TIA!:confused:

[Chelsea524]

I have taken Provera a couple times, years apart. I have only ever heard of it for inducing your period. Was it maybe Progesterone she meant? That is supposed to help your LP I think (never used it but I think thats what its for) but no, I have never heard of provera used to help concieve and in multiple months in a row without first seeing what your body would do on its own that cycle, usually a dr would perscribe it if you get to cd 45+ and your period is not showing any signs of coming.

Would you take it the entire cycle or just at the end? Its usually a perscription of 5 or 10 days.

[Scooter]

I can't really answer your question, although I can't remember ever reading about a Dr prescribing Provera to help conceive. I just wanted to say that Provera is progesterone, it's just a brand name of a form of that hormone. Progesterone can help you by keeping the uterine lining in place after you conceive, and also by tricking your body into starting AF if the cycle is annovulatory. So I'm just not sure how it could help you with the conception part, but maybe someone else here's heard of this before?

[jenji]

I took Provera (Progesterone) for a few cycles this year because I had the forever cycle with not ovulation or AF. Dr. thought it might kick start my body back into regular cycles, but no dice. turns out I had some other problems, but today I just started my first non-progesterone-induced AF since February.
I don't really know the impact of Progesterone for conception though. if it does increase your luteal phase, maybe your Dr. is thinking that would help with more time for implantation?

[julietchicago]

Thank you everyone for your responses.

I had a perfect 28 day cycle this past month. 2 normal periods in a row. I'm concerned that maybe I shouldn't even take the Provera when the time comes (suppose to take it day 14 of my cycle, which is the 31'st). If my body is regulating on it's own, why take the Provera? I'm going to call my doctor and talk to her about it. She originally prescribed it to me because I was having long cycles and AF was MIA, but my recent change in eating habits/exercise may have done the trick :confused:

I'm not sure why she suggested I take it for six months. I'm going to call tomorrow and speak w/ her. ;)

[Cath]

Julie -

I've never heard of provera used in quite this fashion. to further what Scooter and Chelsea said, it is common to use progesterone for luteal phase support in TTC cycles. I've only heard of using natural progesterone for support, and provera is synthetic progesterone. Prometrium is the brand I've heard most people take.

good luck.