If you have lost your period or experienced abnormal menstruation, it is possible your fertility doctor has recommended taking Provera. Provera is a solution that works for some, however, does it get to the root cause of why you have abnormal menstruation to begin with?
Each year, abnormal menstruation becomes more and more common, yet it is never normal. Hence the name. Yet many fertility doctors mask over it and offer a quick medical solution. When we look at the long list of side effects, we choose to recommend a different, more holistic approach.
The Side Effects
This is a incomplete list of all the reported side effects listed on Pfizer’s Provera medical guide.
Breast tenderness, breast milk secretion, breakthrough bleeding, spotting (minor vaginal bleeding) vaginal secretions, headaches, nervousness, dizziness, depression, insomnia, sleepiness, fatigue, premenstrual syndrome-like symptoms, thrombophlebitis (inflamed veins)
blood clot, itching, hives, skin rash, acne, hair loss, hair growth, abdominal discomfort, nausea, bloating, fever, increase in weight, swelling, changes in vision and sensitivity to contact lenses, hives, problems breathing, swelling of the face, mouth, tongue or neck.
The concern doesn’t stop there. Serious, but less common side effects include:
heart attack, stroke, blood clots, dementia, breast cancer, cancer of the uterus, cancer of the ovary, high blood pressure, high blood sugar, gallbladder disease, liver problems, changes in your thyroid hormone levels, enlargements of benign tumors ("fibroids"), new breast lumps, changes in vision and speech, sudden new severe headaches, severe pains in your chest or legs with or without shortness of breath, weakness and fatigue, memory loss or confusion
Why is Your Cycle Irregular?
Did your doctor ask you about your stress, mental health, emotional wellbeing? Did they talk to you about your blood markers or your digestive health? Did they do anything other than basic hormone and fertility testing?
The Fab Fertile approach is to get to the root cause of why your cycle is missing or abnormal. Your body chemistry is unique to you. Our bodies want to heal and if something is out of balance, there is a reason. Instead of attempting a quick fix with a medication that has more side effects than we think are worth it, our team’s approach is to start by looking at your body as a whole.
First, you complete comprehensive functional lab testing. Then we create a protocol that is unique to what your body is experiencing. Often with abnormal bleeding we see dysbiosis in the gut. Sometimes this includes Giardia, H. pylori and/or Candida. These are all things that if left alone could cause more issues + dramatic discomfort but when eradicated, lead to a healthy + happy gut. Usually there are many nutrient deficiencies and inflammation that can be addressed with diet and lifestyle changes as well as intentional supplementation.
One of the most beautiful things we see happen often is woman that have had abnormal menstrual bleeding for over a decade start our fertility diet, begin our foundational supplements and make intentional lifestyle goals based on their values. Soon after, they notice the return of cervical mucus, spikes in temperature and then their cycle returns or becomes more predictable.
Your body wants to heal. Your body wants to have a normal menstrual cycle. The question is, do you want to put in the work to learn what truly is going on inside your body preventing your cycle from normalizing now?
Let’s connect and talk about how the Fab Fertile Program could help you and your partner achieve pregnancy success! Book your free 15 minute call here.
