What is Provera®?

Provera is a synthetic form of progesterone.

It's also known as medroxprogesterone acetate or MPA.  It is a synthetic version of progesterone more commonly known as a “progestin”.  Provera is the oldest and most commonly used synthetic progestin for HRT (hormone replacement therapy). It's a synthetic hormone-like drug in which chemical groups have been added to create a patentable profitable drug.

Once medroxprogesterone (MPA) is taken, the drug levels in blood peak in 1-4 hours and fall after 24 hours.  The pills are in different doses; 2.5 milligrams (mgs), 5 mgs, and 10 mgs.  The concern of the Standard of Care is that progestins work to decrease the heart health benefits of estrogen; because of this doctors tell women to take the smallest amount of progestin possible.  Usually 5 milligrams is the recommended dose for cyclical therapy though some doctors do prescribe 2.5 milligrams.

Provera is prescribed to offset the effects of synthetic estrogen on the uterine lining. Both natural progesterone and progestins prevent the overgrowth of uterine lining.  Both natural progesterone and progestin prevent any mutant or irregular cells from developing uterine cancer in the uterine lining.

Women who take an synthetic estrogen and progestin product have no greater risk of developing uterine than a woman who has never taken an synthetic estrogen and progestin product.

Most women do not do well taking Provera.  They experience PMS-like symptoms- bloating, irritability, restlessness, breast tenderness, depression and/or nausea.  Provera was the least refilled prescription ever in the history of modern pharmacy.

In the 1970’s a doctor wrote a letter to NJM asking if other physicians saw any endometrial cancer in their patients on Premarin alone who still had their uteruses. An unprecedented outpouring of response flooded the Journal’s offices. Premarin alone, in intact women, was causing an epidemic of uterine cancer. Since Wyeth was liable and, seemingly, no one could make women voluntarily take Provera®, a combination pill called PremPro was invented.
PREMPRO is available in several dosage strengths, including the following two low dose formulations:

PREMPRO 0.3 mg/1.5 mg

PREMPRO 0.45 mg/1.5 mg

And, there are two other dose options:
 

•      0.625 mg/2.5 mg
 

•      0.625 mg/5.0 mg

It was PremPro and Premarin that was donated by Wyeth-Ayerst to the WHI for study.