What are Medroxyprogesterone 10mg Tablets?
Medroxyprogesterone 10mg tablets contain medroxyprogesterone acetate, a type of progestogen hormone used to manage various menstrual and hormonal conditions. In our pharmacy, it is supplied for delaying a period. Medroxyprogesterone is the generic equivalent of Provera, which has now been discontinued by Pfizer.
How to buy Medroxyprogesterone 10mg Tablets online
You can use our online prescription service to buy Medroxyprogesterone tablets with same-day collection and next-day delivery options available. We are a regulated GPhC registered pharmacy based in the UK. Upon completing your order, our independent prescriber will review your assessment. If approved, our pharmacy team will dispense your order, which will be dispatched the same day using your chosen delivery method.
Uses of Medroxyprogesterone 10mg Tablets
Medroxyprogesterone can be prescribed for several conditions, including:
- Treatment of irregular menstrual periods
- Management of abnormal uterine bleeding
- Part of hormone replacement therapy (HRT)
- Treatment of endometriosis
- Prevention of endometrial hyperplasia in postmenopausal women taking oestrogen
From our pharmacy, it is supplied only for delaying a period. If you need it for any other reason, please speak to your GP.
Using oral medroxyprogesterone to delay a period is off-label: this use is outside its licensed indications. A prescriber can recommend it after assessing your medical history, medicines and pregnancy risk. It does not prevent pregnancy, and breakthrough bleeding can still occur.
How to take Medroxyprogesterone 10mg Tablets for period delay
For period delay:
- Start taking one tablet three times a day 3 days before your period is due.
- Tablets can be taken with or without food.
- Continue only for the duration agreed with your prescriber, then stop as directed.
- Your period should return within 2-3 days of stopping the tablets.
Typical pack requirements:
- 30 tablets = delay period for around 7 days
- 60 tablets = delay period for around 17 days
Medroxyprogesterone is not a contraceptive. Use additional contraception if you do not want to become pregnant. It should not be taken alongside the combined contraceptive pill. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is nearly time for your next dose — in that case, skip the missed tablet.
Do not take it if you are pregnant or may be pregnant. Tell your prescriber about breast cancer, liver disease, previous blood clots, stroke or heart attack before treatment. Oral medroxyprogesterone is contraindicated with certain clotting conditions, including a previous unexplained venous clot. Seek urgent help for a painful swollen leg; call 999 for sudden chest pain, breathlessness or signs of a stroke.
How does Medroxyprogesterone work for period delay?
Medroxyprogesterone acetate works by mimicking the body's natural hormone progesterone. It delays menstruation by maintaining high levels of progesterone in the body, which prevents the lining of the womb from shedding. Normally, a drop in progesterone triggers a period, but continued use of medroxyprogesterone maintains progesterone levels, delaying bleeding until you stop the tablets.
Side effects of Medroxyprogesterone 10mg Tablets
When taken short term for period delay, side effects are usually mild and temporary:
- Nausea
- Breast tenderness
- Abdominal cramps
- Bloating or fluid retention
- Acne
- Tiredness
Seek urgent medical help if you develop signs of an allergic reaction such as rash, swelling of the face or throat, difficulty breathing, dizziness, or severe stomach upset.
Medroxyprogesterone vs Provera
Provera was a branded version of medroxyprogesterone acetate made by Pfizer. Provera 10mg tablets have now been discontinued in the UK and Pfizer have since re-released them as a generic tablet.
Medroxyprogesterone vs Utovlan (Norethisterone)
Medroxyprogesterone and Utovlan (norethisterone) may both be prescribed for period delay, but they are not interchangeable for everyone. Norethisterone is licensed for this use; oral medroxyprogesterone is used off-label. If norethisterone is unsuitable, a clinician must assess whether medroxyprogesterone is appropriate. It is not automatically safe for someone with blood-clot risk factors.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the maximum length of time I can delay my period?
Your period can usually be delayed for up to 3–4 weeks with medroxyprogesterone, but this should only be done under medical advice.
Will Medroxyprogesterone protect me against pregnancy?
No, medroxyprogesterone is not a contraceptive. Use additional contraception to prevent pregnancy.
On what day of my cycle should I start taking Medroxyprogesterone?
Start taking the tablets 3 days before your period is due to begin.
Can I take Medroxyprogesterone while pregnant or breastfeeding?
Do not take medroxyprogesterone if you are pregnant or may be pregnant. If you are breastfeeding, discuss whether this treatment is appropriate with your prescriber before taking it.
Sources and further information
- NHS Specialist Pharmacy Service: Choosing a medicine to delay periods (checked 8 September 2026)
- eMC: Medroxyprogesterone Acetate 10 mg Tablets professional information (checked 8 September 2026)
- Medroxyprogesterone SPC
