PCOS...irregular cycle....Letrozole w/without Provera

[Readyfreddie30]

Hi everyone,

I'm currently trying to conceive (first time) but confused about my doctors advice.

A bit of background, I have PCOS and very irregular periods. My last period was 7 months ago. My doctor gave me the option of going on Letrozole right away or taking Provera first then Letrozole. They said its up to me and either would be fine. If I went for Letrozle now, I would need to take the tablets everyday for 5 days since I don't have a regular cycle. They said I can always include Provera at a later date so I've decided to start Letrozole right away. Does anyone with PCOS and irregular cycles have experience taking Letrozole without Provera?

Sorry for the long message. This is my first post.

Hey

I'm in a similar position, I am currently trying to conceive for the first time, I have PCOS and my periods stopped over a year ago. I have just picked up my letrozole and provera, so I am completely new to all this but I find it a bit strange that you can take letrozole without provera as I have been informed to take letrozole on days 2-6 of my cycle, so how does it work when you haven't got periods?

Good luck though! :)

I'm in exactly the same boat, no periods for almost a year. I have been on provera then letrozole D2-6 as well, currently on cycle 2.

I have heard of people using letrozole or clomid without having a period... I suppose it depends on whether the Dr thinks you need to have a bleed? I wish I could just take the letrozole as provera takes ages to work for me, and makes me feel pretty awful.

Good luck! Nice to find some people in the same position

I also have PCOS and am taking Letrozole currently. I was also prescribed provera because my periods were very irregular/nonexistent - and my consultant advised that I would need to take the provera first, wait for a period to start, and then take the Letrozole, because, as you say, the Letrozole needs to be taken on days 2-6 of the cycle, so that you can be sure you’re in the right phase.

It might be worth checking with your doctor again though, I’ve seen a couple of consultants and each one seems to have their own methods and preferences, so it might be that they’re basing their advice on something they’ve found effective in the past.

Thanks so much for your responses. Its really helpful to hear of others who are in a similar position to myself. I read numerous medical journal articles on Letrozole and information provided by other general practitioners and you are all correct that its strange that taking Letrozole without Provera as an option was strange. I have advised my Dr that I would like to take Provera. I should get my prescription in about a week. I will update this thread. In the meantime please feel free to share updates of your journeys

I'm also glad others have responded, I have been searching this website through out my fertility process to read others stories but none were like mine, until today! Taken first provera so it will be a while until I have any updates.
Good luck all :)

@Random148 How exciting! I'm really pleased to hear. All the best with your journey I've got my fingers and toes crossed for you!

Hi everyone, I finally received my prescription for Provera so will collect this evening. Could you let me know how your doctors prescribed you to take this? The fertility clinic seems very impatient over the phone and rushes me through the conversation. On the prescription it just says 5 days 3 months. I have a friend who used Provera in the past and she said she had to take it for 10 days and then stop and wait for her period to come. Any advice would be great, thanks!

@Readyfreddie30
Hey the advice on my box is that I take the provera once a day for 7 days and its a 10mg tablet, so similar to your friend I wait for period to come after the 7 days. However I was given 21 tablets so not sure when the other 14 are for.
The 3 months part might be to do with that you do a course every 3 months if you don't get natural periods as I know you should have so many periods a year to ensure your uterus lining doesn't become pre-cancerous. Not 100% sure if this is why yours says 3 months though. Hopefully there will be more details when you collect them

Hope this helps :)

Hi! Just collected Provera Still not sure about the 3 months supply. The pharmacist was also unsure so I'll ring the clinic tomorrow.

I've been given 15mg to take everyday for 5 days. They come in the form of 5mg tablets to take 3x a day. Will start tonight! :)

Actually ill start tomorrow since its 3x a day :)

@Readyfreddie30 Let me know what they say about the 3 months supply as that could be why I was given three lots of Provera too.

Good luck! :)

I just spoke with the clinic and they said the 2 months are extras. So if i dont ovulate after the Provera + Letrozole the first time, we could try again. I might just need a higher dose of Letrozole. This way I won't have to pay for extra Provera.

Just took the first Provera this morning:) have you moved on to Letrozole now?

Ah okay I thought that would be the case when I was thinking about it yesterday.

I took my last Provera yesterday so just got to wait now until cycle days 2-6 to take the Letrozole :)

Yayy!! Good luck!! :)

Hello!
I also have the same situation as you- PCOS, no period for months and trying to conceive. I am on day 5 of provera and then I’m supposed to take letrozole on days 2-6. I still haven’t bled and am worried it won’t happen :( does anyone know if I can still take letrozole after provera, even if I don’t bleed? Good luck on your journey 🙏

@LivvyRel The bleed comes about a week after you stop taking provera and then you take the letrozole, so don't give up hope. There's still plenty of time. It works by basically resetting your cycle. How long were you told to take the provera for? I think i had to take it for either 7 or 10 days (i cant quite remember).

I'd be nervous about taking letrozole without the bleed, because how do you know you are at the right place in your cycle otherwise? I wouldn't want to waste one of the letrozole cycles. But maybe someone else will be along who has some experience with this happening.

Good luck - it's very hard at the time but worth it in the end. DD was conceived with provera and letrozole, and is about to have her first birthday! 💐

@Sunnyshoeshine thank you so much for your reply and giving me hope! Happy birthday to your gorgeous baby❤️ I was instructed to take provera for 5 days and that the bleed should come on day 5 or 6, then day 1 is the first bleed, then I was told to take letrozole from days 2-6. I didn’t realise the bleed could take a while to come. Maybe I should keep taking provera for a few extra days. I’ll give my obgyn a call but just wanted to see if anyone here had any experience. Thanks again 🙂

My period came three days after finishing provera (taken for 5 days). You need to take letrozole while on your period. If it hasn't arrived a week after taking provera I would consult with your doctor before taking more provera.

It's been awhile since writing this post. I'm currently 18 weeks pregnant 🙂good luck to you!!

You will need to check with your Dr but I was in a similar position - last year I went 4 months without having a period and I have diagnosed PCOS.

I started taking Inositol (it’s a supplement you can just buy online), vitamin D and Zinc and my periods are now 28 - 34 day cycles.

worth a look at the vitamins are so cheap and definitely won’t do any harm! (No baby success sadly as we’re starting TTC at the end of the year)

Just seen your update!! Congratulations! Ignore all my advice hahaha

so I did end up getting (a very painful) period. And currently on day 3 of letrozole.
does anyone know, If this cycle is unsuccessful and I don’t fall pregnant, when can I take the provera again? I’m guessing after day 30 (provided I don’t get my period naturally)