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- ARTICLESWhat your doctor may not tell you about Provera - DANGERS
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Some of the information below is from the article "Provera or The Toxic
Drug" according to Dr. Lee and other parts are according to the Physician’s Desk Reference or as noted. Though the cost of depo-provera is $45-85 per injection, the actual cost of taking it is much more. It is the physical, emotional and psychological cost that has no dollar amount. Natural progesterone cream is about $40 for a 3 month supply; including shipping AND it is the natural choice.
- Adverse reactions to Depo-provera / side affects of depo provera
- Ingredients of Depo-provera and what they do and what they mean
- Interesting_tidbits
- Warnings about Depo-provera
- Precautions of Depo-Provera
- Weight_loss and weight gain_and Depo-provera
- Info from the Provera website
More important than reading the whole article is that I want to list the adverse reactions listed on their site first. This is often what women are looking for on our site. Also, I would like to note that the progesterone creams NOT progestins, listed on our site are natural and bio-identical to the progesterone your body would make if it were functioning at a higher, healthier level.
Here are the ADVERSE REACTIONS to DEPO-PROVERA (depo-provera side effects aka what are the costs involved in taking depo-provera?):
- See warnings for possible adverse effects on the fetus. (We prefer the name BABY since what you do for TTC is not "fetus dancing" but "baby dancing".)
- Breakthrough bleeding
- Spotting (visit reasonsforspotting.com for info about this subject.)
- change in menstrual flow
- amenorrhea (lack of menstrual period)
- headaches (migraines)
- nervousness
- dizziness
- edema (water retention)
- change in weight (increase or decrease)
- changes in cervical erosion and cervical secretions (this is one I never want to hear about my cervix - EROSION. It is the invitation of cancer but that is not mentioned in that way here.)
- cholestatic jaundice, including neonatal jaundice (over production of bile in the liver)
- breast tenderness and galactorrhea (fluid from the breast)
- skin sensitivity reactions consisting of urticaria, pruritus, edema and generalized rash
- acne, alopecia (hair missing from an area of the body) and hirsutism (hair on face, neck, chest, arms etc for women that is male-like in nature)
- anaphylactoid reactions and anaphylaxis (Extreme sensitivity to a substance according to Wiktionary.com)
- mental depression
- pyrexia (fevers)
- fatique
- insomnia (unable to sleep or fall asleep)
At Depoprovera.com as I update this page today, they have a sign saying they are updating theirs and are unavailable. The parts from the pfizer website have a light background. The darker background notes are mine.
Depo-provera is made by man. It is not manufactured naturally in the body by God but is made by the Pfizer.com When something is made of inorganic material or the molecular structure is changed, does it make sense that the outcome will also change? Why yes, of course.
Here are the ingredients and notes on them:
back to FAQ list
- medroxyprogesterone acetate - progestin (fake, laboratory progesterone)
- myristyl gamma picolinium chloride - According to Investigative Ophthamology http://www.iovs.org/cgi/content/abstract/34/7/2360 when testing this drug on the retina of rabbits - CONCLUSIONS. MGP, the preservative used in Depo-Medrol (and Dprovera) (Upjohn, Kalamazoo, MI), is highly toxic to the rabbit retina. Read the article and judge for yourself.
- polyethylene glycol 3350 - we cannot find a definitive answer about this except that it is used as a thickener
- sodium sulfate anhydrous - reactions are noted if contact is made with the eyes. it does not seem to have a clear explanation in any place I can find but seems to suggest it has a drying effect due to the "an hydrous".
Ex: Apples provide fiber, vitamins and enzymes, applesauce is changed in the cooking process and the enzymes that help the liver and colon digest and use the nutrients are gone as well as the fiber necessary to sweep the intestines. MORE SO with prescription drugs that begin, as in this case as wild yam, an organic substance and are then altered. At least with applesauce you still get the vitamins.
Here is the first thing on the PDF from pfizer.com:
Women who use Depo-provera Contraceptive Injection may lose significant mineral density. Bone loss is greater with increasing duration of use and may not be completely reversible.
Does it occur to you that "may lose" and "significant" don't go well together? I have to ask if they really mean "may" lose or do they mean SIGNIFICANTLY because "may" is significantly overshadowed by the word "significantly"; is it not? They go on to say that Depo-Provera Acetate should be used for long-term (longer than 2 years) birth control, only if other methods are inadequate. Depo-Provera is also known as medroxyprogesterone acetate.
This also should send up warning signs since it is very commonly used for a 2 year period or more and therefore is regularly not a good idea.
Depo-Provera gets it name from the fact that is provera "deposited", "injected" into the body rather than oral progesterone or suppositories. Thus the depo part of the name.
Interesting tidbits:
Medroxyprogesterone acetate is used in what is called a "chemical castration" of men who are sex offenders. It is used to lessen their virility and sex drive. According to studies in men also, continued use resulted loss of bone density and an increase in body fat and long term risk of cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis.
Medroxyprogesterone stops the secretion of pituitary gonadotropin which keeps the follicular maturation. Basically, it keeps your body from the benefits of maturing follicles and eggs.
This last paragraph refers to something close to what happens naturally when you are pregnant. BUT decide if you think the following statements on their site continue on the same lines as pregnancy.
- Known or suspected pregnancy or as a diagnostic test for pregnancy. Basically don't use IF you are pregnant or to determine IF you are pregnant. (Miscarriage is sure to follow.)
- Undiagnosed vaginal bleeding
Don't use if you already have bleeding which has not been identified. - Known or suspected malignancy of breast.
Progesterone is helpful in preventing breast cancer AS IS pregnancy. - Liver dysfunction or disease.
This is because it is not processed properly by the liver. You will notice from TV commercials that the liver comes up a lot.
Sound familiar? These are same for both sexes. Progestins (a name for the group of these chemically altered progesterone compounds) are not the same as the beautiful healthy benefits of your body's own progesterone.
back to FAQ list
Here are the warnings which are even scarier:
- Pregnancy: ... in patients with a fertilized defective ova may cause a delay in spontaneous abortion (aka miscarriage)
- Intrauterine Exposure: ... exposure to progestational drugs in the first trimester of pregnancy and genital abnormalities in male and female fetuses. (AKA for those trying to conceive; a BABY) They go on to explain that the male may be "more female" and the female more "male" or as they put it virilization of the external genitalia.
- Thromboembolic disorders: This has to do with blood disorders, clots, strokes etc.
- Ocular disorders: Having to do with the eyes especially with complete or partial loss of vision and includes down to something smaller like migraines.
- Lactation: Drugs have been found in the breast milk of nursing mothers.
- Multi-dose Use: Special care is necessary to avoid contamination when there are multiple doses in each vial.
Precautions: We will not list them in the same way but fluid retention is to be watched as it can influence conditions such as epilepsy, migraines, asthma, cardiac or renal (kidney) dysfunction. Vaginal bleeding, depression, masking of climacteric (synonymous with menopause)
What follows is the original information from provera.com but we were not able to access that since their site is undergoing changes and not available at the time of this writing. The rest of the information above from the pfizer.com website.
Weight loss and depo-provera:
If you are using depo-provera, you may very likely have gained weight; some report 50-60 lbs in a couple years. We can suggest some sites for your to check out:
The Diet Workshop.net for a list of healthy supplements or Lose While You Snooze . com and read about their collagen weight loss product to boost your protein and help you lose fat at night in your sleep.
(provera.com when this article was first written) Why is this drug prescribed?
Depo-Provera is derived from the female hormones progesterone. You may be give Provera ifyour menstrual periods have stopped or a female hormones imbalance is causing your uterus to bleed abnormally.
Other forms of medroxyprogesterone, such a Depo-Provera, are used as a contraceptiveinjection and prescribed in the treatment of endometrial cancer.
Some doctors prescribe Provera to treat endometriosis, menopausal symptoms, premenstrual tension, sexually aggressive behavior in men, and sleep apnea, (temporaryfailure to breathe while sleeping).
Most important facts about this drug
You should never take Provera during the first 4 months of pregnancy. During thisformative period, even a few days of treatment with Provera might put your unborn baby atincreased risk for birth defects. If you take Provera and later discover that you were pregnant when you took it, discuss this with your doctor right away.
How should you take his medication?
Provera may be taken with or between meals.
Do not change from one brand to another without consulting your doctor pharmacist.
Your doctor will probably have you take Provera for 5-10 days and hen stop; you shouldhave your period within 3-7 days after the lst dose.
If you are being treated for lack of regular menstrual periods, your doctor may haveyou start taking Provera at any time. If you are being treated for abnormal uterinebleeding due to a female-hormone imbalance, your doctor will probably have you starttaking Provera on day 16-21 of your menstrual cycle (ie 16-21 days after the start of yourlast period). You should have your period within 3-7 days after the last dose.
What side effects may occur?
Acne, anaphylaxis (life-threatening allergic reaction), blood clot in a vein lungs, or brain, breakthrough bleeding (between menstrual periods), breast tenderness or sudden or excessive flow of milk, cervical erosion or changes in secretions, depression, excessive growth of hair, fever, fluid retention, hair loss, headache, hives, insomnia, itching,lack of menstruation, menstrual flow changes, spotting, nausea, rash, skin discoloration, sleepiness, weight gain or loss, yellowed eyes and skin.
Why should this drug not be prescribed?
Do not take Provera if you are sensitive to it or have ever had an allergic reaction toit.
If you suspect you may have become pregnant, do not take Provera as a test forpregnancy. Doctors once prescribed Provera for this purpose, but no longer do so for 2reasons:
Quicker, safer pregnancy tests are now available. If you are in fact pregnant, Provera might injure the baby.
Do not take Provera if you have:
Cancer of the breast or genital organs Liver disease or a liver condition A dead fetus still in the uterus Undiagnosed bleeding from the vagina Do not take Provera if you have, or have ever developed blood clots.
Special warnings for this medication
Before you start to take Provera, your doctor will give you a complete physicalexam, including examination of your breast and pelvic organs. You should also have a cervical smear. (pap test.)
Provera may cause some degree of fluid retention. If you have a medicalcondition that could be made worse by fluid retention - such as epilepsy, migraine,asthma, or a heart of or kidney problem - make sure your doctor knows about it.
Provera may mask the onset of menopause. In other words, while taking Proverayou may continue to experience regular menstrual bleeding even if your menopause hasstarted.
Provera may make you depressed, especially if you have suffered from depressionin the past. If you become seriously depressed, tell your doctor; you probably stop takingProvera.
It you are diabetic, Provera could make your diabetes worse; your doctor willwant to watch you closely while you are taking this drug.
There is some concern that Provera, like birth controls pills, may increase yourrisk of blood clots in a vein. If you experience any symptoms that might suggest the onset of such a condition - pain with swelling, warmth, and redness in a leg vein, coughing orshortness of breath, vision problems, migraine, or weakness or numbness in an arm or leg -see your doctor immediately.
Tell your doctor right away if you lose some or all of your vision or your startseeing double. You may have to stop taking the medication.
Special Information if you are pregnant or breastfeeding:
You should not take Provera during pregnancy. If you are pregnant or plan tobecome pregnant, inform your doctor immediately.
Provera appears in breast milk. If you are a new mother, you may need to choosebetween taking Provera and breastfeeding your baby.
For more info on natural alternatives to Provera read the first four articles under Progesterone Articles