Provera to bring on a period

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-14-2006
Provera to bring on a period
3
Thu, 04-12-2007 - 9:44pm

DD15 had her first gyno appointment today. She hasn't had her period in 6 months - and it's never been regular. While I know some irregularity is normal for teens - no period since early August feels weird, so we went to the doc.

The ObGyn prescribed Provera to bring on a period, and then some blood work and a sonogram to see what's going on.

My DD exercises almost every day, and eats a very low fat diet - I guess these could affect her period.

Any experience with this? Any teens who have taken Provera?

Sue

Avatar for heartsandroses2002
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Fri, 04-13-2007 - 10:14am

I have heard of some girls taking provera to bring on a period, though not long term. My sil was perscribed provera years ago to bring on her period - turned out she was pregnant and ended up terminating the pregnancy due to possible serious complications brought on by the provera - apparently babies can develop abnormally when provera is present during gestation. But that isn't what you've got going on obviously.

If after the testing and provera she is still exeriencing trouble, her DR may suggest a low dose BCP to keep her cycle regular. If nothing is going on medically, however, there really is no great danger in her not getting her period regularly.

And yes, diet and extreme exercise can sometimes inhibit a normal menstrual cycle. I remember watching a program on TLC and they interviewed many female gymnasts who hadn't gotten their periods in YEARS due to their extreme workout/practice schedule. Definitely something to keep in mind, IMO.

I hope all the tests come back okay and the provera kick starts her cycle should you choose to use it.

Avatar for sharo63
iVillage Member
Registered: 02-10-2006
Fri, 04-13-2007 - 10:29am
I am in my forties now but have been on Provera at several points in my life to bring on a period...The first was around your DD's age. I had VERY irregular periods basically stemming from not ovulating Which translated to trouble getting pg later (But ultimately had 3 kiddos so don't fret horribly there!) I think the blood work route is good and I would recommend a reproductive endocronlogist (even though she doesn't want to reproduce now)...the diet and exercise connection is big and very closely related to body fat because that is where your hormones get stored (in those fat cells). So changes either way in body fat can reak havoc but if she has always had low Body fat? My dd seems not to have inherited my issues but was told in a BTW moment at the dr. that she wouldn't get a period until she was about 100 pounds (seems to be the gold standard).
Any other questions I would be happy to answer and you probably don't live in upstate NY but I know some awesome docs here!
Good luck!
Sharon
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-28-2003
Fri, 04-13-2007 - 7:51pm

Hi,

My DD hadn't gotten her period by age 15, so her pediatrician referred her to the gyn, who gave her Provera, mostly to see if she COULD have a period (thank goodness, she did!). Like the PP, I have also been on it from time to time in my life as I have also been very irregular. My gyn gave me a supply of Provera to use any time I went more than 3 months without a period -- evidently it's healthier to shed the lining than not. I didn't have to use it too many times, as over time I did become semi-regular, though I did have to use clomid to get pregnant. Based on the results of a blood test, my DD has been diagnosed with Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome. If you read about PCOS on the web, there is a whole laundry list of symptoms, most of which my DD doesn't have. What she does have is slightly elevated testosterone levels, which keep her from ovulating (I suspect that was my situation, and possibly my mother's, but of course, back in the stone age they had no such diagnosis). We're still experimenting with BCPs for my DD to see which will work for her -- the first one gave her incredible mood swings and we had 3 weeks of craziness. The one she's on right now is not so bad, but still not great. If none of the BCPs work out for her, she will probably have to use Provera every 3 months to shed the lining. It gave her a heavier period than the BCPs do, but without the mood swings.

HTH!

Hugs,

Lynn