What is Depo Provera?Depo Provera is a contraceptive injection containing progestogen. Some people call it “the injection”, "the jab" or "DP". Show
Progestogen is similar to one of the hormones produced naturally in the ovaries. The injection is given every 13 weeks. How does it work?Depo Provera prevents pregnancy by stopping the ovaries releasing an egg each month. There are also changes to the lining of the uterus (endometrium). How well does it work?Typically, Depo Provera is 97% effective. This means three out of 100 people using Depo Provera will get pregnant each year. If you have your injections on time (every 13 weeks) it can be more than 99% effective. What will I notice?Your bleeding may be irregular or longer than usual, especially in the first three to six months. This is safe for your body and there are pills to stop this if it happens. About 70% of people will have no periods after four injections. This is safe. Can I still become pregnant after stopping the injections?Your natural fertility can take some time to return to normal. On average this will be six months but it can take up to one year. If you are planning a pregnancy soon it may be best not to use Depo Provera. If you get pregnant while using Depo Provera, and decide to continue with your pregnancy, there is no additional risk of damage to the baby. Who can use it?Most people can use Depo Provera, even those who cannot use the combined contraceptive pill. Who should not use it?
What are the advantages?
What are the disadvantages?Once you have had an injection of Depo Provera, it lasts at least 13 weeks which can be a nuisance if you experience a side effect. It can cause irregular or longer than usual bleeding. This is more common when first starting to use Depo Provera and often improves with time. Are there any possible side effects?The research does not show that the injection causes any change in mood, libido or headaches. Allergic reactions are possible but this is extremely rare. Weight changesSome people put on weight, some lose weight, most do not change weight Bone DensityDepo Provera has been associated with a reduction in bone density. This improves after stopping Depo Provera. CancerThe risk of endometrial cancer is reduced by 80%. There is no overall change in the rate of cancer of the cervix, the ovary or breast cancer. Does the injection protect you from sexually transmissible infections (STIs)?No. You need to use condoms (and lubricant) as well to protect against STIs. Medically Reviewed by Traci C. Johnson, MD on June 10, 2022 Depo-Provera is a
birth control method that you can get as a shot. You might hear people call it a contraceptive injection or birth control shot. It’s a manmade hormone,
medroxyprogesterone, which is similar to the natural hormone progesterone. You get the shot in your arm or buttock. If you get your shot at the doctor’s office, your clinician will inject Depo-Provera deep into your muscle or under your skin. You have to get it every 12 weeks to get full protection. After your first injection, doctors recommend that you use
a back-up birth control method (like a condom) for 7 days. You can also get a version of Depo-Provera that you inject at home. This version of the shot is only subcutaneous, which means it goes into your skin instead of deep into your muscle. Experts call the at-home shot Depo-sub Q Provera 104. It’s a prefilled, single-use syringe with a smaller needle than the one your doctor uses, so it may hurt
less. It also uses a lower dose of progestin than the 400 milligrams in the dose from your doctor. You’ll need to give yourself a shot in the thigh or belly every 12 weeks in order for it to work. Your doctor can show you (in person or through telemedicine) how to inject yourself and safely throw away sharp tools after your shot. It’s important to follow their guidance. At-home Depo-Provera is safe to use. It’s not likely, but if you notice a reaction at the injection
site, let your doctor know. You may notice a lump, dimple, or dent at the reaction site. You may also see redness, bruising, blistering, or itchiness. If you think something is not right, call your doctor right away. They can help clear up confusion or guide you while you use Depo-Provera at home. Both the original and at-home versions are 99% effective at preventing
pregnancy if you get it every 3 months, as directed. But because that isn’t always possible, typical effectiveness is around 94%. That means for every 100 women who get the shot, about 6 will have an accidental pregnancy. Here’s
how that stacks up against other types of reversible (nonpermanent) birth control: How long does the Depo-Provera shot take to work? Depo-Provera starts to work as birth control right away if you get it within the first 5 days of your period. What happens if I’m late getting my Depo-Provera shot? You’re more likely to
get pregnant if you’re more than 2 weeks behind schedule in getting your shot. Use another form of birth control to be safe. The hormone works on your pituitary gland, causing your ovaries to stop sending out eggs. Without eggs, you can’t
get pregnant. It also changes the lining of your uterus and the mucus in your cervix. That makes it harder for sperm
to reach any eggs that might be released. These are the same for both the original version and the at-home one. You might notice: Changes to your menstrual cycle are the most common side effects. After a year of use, about 50% of women will stop getting their periods. If this happens to you, your period should
come back when you stop getting the shots. Long-term use of Depo-Provera may cause you to lose bone mineral density, which makes you more likely to get osteoporosis. Your chances are higher if you've taken the shot for longer than 2 years, especially if osteoporosis runs in your family, if you drink a lot, if you smoke, or if you have other risk factors for the condition. A few
women have reported flu-like symptoms and unusual bleeding after stopping Depo-Provera, but there isn’t much research on whether these things are linked. Other women report symptoms similar to the known side effects. It’s OK for most people. But you shouldn’t get it if you have: Your doctor will be cautious about giving it to you if you’re a teenager or if you have: You can become pregnant as soon as 3 to 4 months after your last shot. But
it takes some people several months to conceive after they stop using this type of birth control. The time frame doesn’t seem to be linked to how long you got the shots. In addition to preventing pregnancy, the benefits of Depo-Provera include: Injections may be free or cost up to $150 each, depending on your insurance. They may be cheaper at family planning clinics. What are the chances of Depo failing?When used perfectly, the birth control shot effectiveness is more than 99%, meaning less than 1 out of every 100 people who use it will get pregnant each year. But when it comes to real life, the shot is about 96% effective, because sometimes people forget to get their shots on time.
How do I know if the Depo shot is working?The Depo shot begins working immediately with no need for backup birth control if you get it within seven days of the first day of your menstrual period. If you get your contraceptive injection outside of this time frame, you'll need to abstain, or use a backup method (like condoms) for a week after your first shot.
Can the Depo shot fail?Depo-Provera has a failure rate of less than 1% when it is used correctly and consistently. When used correctly only 3 in 1,000 women will get pregnant. You should take a pregnancy test if you are experiencing any pregnancy symptoms.
How reliable is the Depo shot?At a glance: the contraceptive injection
If used correctly, the contraceptive injection is more than 99% effective. It lasts for 8 or 13 weeks (depending on which injection you have) so you do not have to think about contraception every day or every time you have sex during this period.
What makes Depo less effective?Neither antibiotics nor antiseizure medicines reduce Depo-Provera's effectiveness. The only drug which reduces its effectiveness is aminoglutethimide (Cytadren), used to suppress adrenal function in some people with Cushing syndrome. Research indicates that Depo-Provera even reduces the frequency of seizures.
How effective is Depo if you get it on time?Depo-Provera is effective at preventing pregnancy if you get the shots on time. The success rate is more than 99%. It is as effective as having a tubal ligation (getting your “tubes tied”). The success rate can be higher than other forms of birth control, including diaphragms, condoms, and pills.
|