Question

I am 32 years old and recently experienced 2 missed periods. I visited my GYN and he prescribed Provera, as I am not pregnant.

I really wish not to take this for it has many negative side effects. This has never happened to me, can you please recommend something else or share ideas. Thank you
 

Answer

We would urge you to discuss your amenorrhea (missed periods) with your treating GYN, who can perform diagnostic investigations, as there is not only one cause of this condition, and treatment is prescribed depending on the cause.
 

Secondary amenorrhea (missed periods) happens when a woman who has menstruated previously fails to menstruate for three months. Amenorrhea has many other causes apart from pregnancy. To name some of these causes: Emotional or physical stress - Frequent strenuous exercise - Rapid weight loss - Obesity - Stopping birth-control pills - Polycystic ovary disease (a condition that causes abnormal levels of estrogen, luteinizing hormone and other hormones) - Cysts or tumors in the ovaries - Premature ovarian failure (menopause before age 40) - Chronic illness, such as colitis, kidney failure or cystic fibrosis - Chemotherapy for cancer - Menopause (the normal age-related end of menstruation) - Hysterectomy (surgical removal of the uterus)
 

Provera is a female hormone which is used to treat amenorrhea (lack of menstrual flow). It is important to realise however, that ALL medications have possible side effects, and whilst it is necessary to know what these are so you can report any untoward symptoms, each person is different, and therefore reacts differently to each medication, so side effects are not necessarily always experienced.
 

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