I have heavy periods that make me anemic. I'm taking provera, but I've heard that hormones aren't safe for longterm use. Can I take provera for 2 to 3 years to see if I can avoid surgery?

Absolutely! If a couple of years of hormonal treatment is all that is needed to carry you over until menopause this can be a very safe and elegant approach to this troublesome problem. Prolonged use, over 5 years, may contribute to some problems such as bone loss or increased breast cancer risk, so typically around that 5 year mark is when I encourage you to reassess all your longterm treatment options with your provider.