This NHS content is written for people in England. Medicine names, availability, prescribing and services may differ in other countries.
Medroxyprogesterone (also known as medroxyprogesterone acetate) is a type of medicine called a progestogen. Progestogens are similar to a natural hormone made in the body called progesterone.
Medroxyprogesterone works in the same way as natural progesterone, but has stronger effects.
It's used for hormonal conditions, including heavy periods, endometriosis, polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS) and symptoms of the menopause. It's also sometimes used for hot flushes caused by treatments for prostate cancer.
Medroxyprogesterone tablets are only available on prescription.
Other types of medroxyprogesteroneMedroxyprogesterone also comes as an injection that's used as contraception.
It also comes mixed with another hormone called oestrogen. This is used as a type of hormone replacement therapy (HRT), for menopause symptoms.
High dose medroxyprogesterone tablets (100mg, 200mg and 400mg) are used to treat some types of cancer.
View the original NHS website page ↗. Refreshed 19 August 2026.
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