Depo-Provera is an injection of a hormone called progestin and NO estrogen. It is similar to the body's natural hormone progesterone. Depo Provera injections prevent a woman's ovaries from releasing eggs. Depo-Provera is more than 99 percent effective and is generally considered the most effective reversible method of birth control. Used alone, it DOES NOT protect you against sexually transmitted infections! The use of a condom is highly recommended because of this reason.
Injections of Depo-Provera are given every 12 weeks to prevent pregnancy. You can get these shots from a doctor or clinic. Women who have a Depo-Provera injection must not be pregnant at the time of the first injection. To avoid this, it is best to have the first injection:
-in the first five days of your menstrual period
-within five days of an abortion
-within five days of giving birth
If you do not have the injection at one of these times, you should use another method of birth control as back-up for two full weeks so you don't get pregnant. Depo-Provera is safe for use during breast-feeding.
Most women have some irregularities in the menstrual bleeding after starting Depo- Provera injections. Periods often stop altogether after six to twelve months using Depo-Provera . The effects of Depo-Provera can last for some time after you choose to stop the injections, as it takes some time for the hormone to clear out of your system. While most women get their periods within 6 months of their last injection, some women take up to two years to get their periods back.
Advantages
-women who have health conditions that prevent them from taking birth control pills can often take Depo-Provera
-very effective at preventing pregnancy
-you don't have to interrupt sex
-the woman controls this method of birth control
-you don't have to remember a daily pill
-very safe
Disadvantages
-you are NOT protected against sexually transmitted infections
-you may have irregular menstrual bleeding or more frequent bleeding
-you must return to the clinic/doctor every 12 weeks for your injection
-you may experience side effects
-women with some medical conditions cannot use Depo-Provera (Women should not use this method if they have abnormal vaginal bleeding, liver diseases such as jaundice or hepatitis, or breast cancer.)
-while unlikely, you may not be able to get pregnant for up to two years after using Depo-Provera
Side Effects
Some women who use Depo-Provera experience side effects. If these side effects interfere with your life you may wish to consider other methods of birth control. Women on Depo-Provera may experience:
-irregular menstrual bleeding or more frequent periods (Most women have no periods at all after 6-12 months.)
-weight gain of more than two pounds each year when Depo-Provera is used (This weight gain may continue for a number of months after you stop using Depo-Provera.)
-headaches
-breast tenderness
-bloating
-depression
-unwanted hair or hair loss
-Large studies have not shown any link between Depo-Provera use and breast cancer but research is still being done in this area. Researchers are also studying whether Depo-Provera can decrease a woman's bone mineral density increasing her risk of osteoporosis.
SOURCE: http://www.womenshealthmatters.ca/centres/sex/birthcontrol/depo.html
Here is a great site with more information on Depo Provera:
http://www.fwhc.org/birth-control/bcdepo.htm
Pepe Jeans
After two years my hair is finally starting to get thick again. Depo is great for not getting pregnant. It's good birth control, plus it makes you so fat, bald, and pimply that nobody will want to have sex with you anyway.
1I literally had my cycle for 3 months...it was awful! I would not suggest. Oh and I gained like 15 in that time. It was a BAD experience for me.
2oooh that stuff is bad news, it made my best friend fat and angry for years and remember when christina aguilera got a little chunky, that was depo. im not a big fan of birth control until there is a form of birth control for men that will make them gain weight, cry, breakout and possibly cause cancer or infertility, im sticking with condoms and knowing who the hell im sleeping with.
3************************************************************
Indentured servant a slave to slave, thank god for my hopeful heart and for mutual feelings
I had to stop using depo because I had craaaazy joint pain. It was fantastic not having PMS migraines, but all in all it's just not worth all the side effect.
4effects, plural. Derp.
5I just started getting the depo shot 2 months ago, and I was worried because I was under the impression that my cycle would stop by the third month. It has been non-stop since the day I got the shot! When will it stop??????????? I have 4 kids, I need birth control but I want something that will stop my cycle. By my next appt. will I have no period? Help!!!!
6Luxury Diva,
I have read that irregular bleeding is common in the first few months of use. Some women have no bleeding, some women have spotting, and some women experience heavier bleeding. The bleeding usually decreases with time. By one year, 50% of women will stop having periods altogether. So in your case, you are probably having heavier bleeding which may last a little bit longer, it really depends on the person. Unfortunately, I don't think there is anything you can take or do right now to stop your period, it will just take some time for your body to adjust to the hormones. Talk to your doctor to see if there are other alternative therapies that can be suggested to you. Good luck and I feel for ya!
7Luxury Diva,
I have read that irregular bleeding is common in the first few months of use. Some women have no bleeding, some women have spotting, and some women experience heavier bleeding. The bleeding usually decreases with time. By one year, 50% of women will stop having periods altogether. So in your case, you are probably having heavier bleeding which may last a little bit longer, it really depends on the person. Unfortunately, I don't think there is anything you can take or do right now to stop your period, it will just take some time for your body to adjust to the hormones. Talk to your doctor to see if there are other alternative therapies that can be suggested to you. Good luck and I feel for ya!
8Luxury Diva,
I have read that irregular bleeding is common in the first few months of use. Some women have no bleeding, some women have spotting, and some women experience heavier bleeding. The bleeding usually decreases with time. By one year, 50% of women will stop having periods altogether. So in your case, you are probably having heavier bleeding which may last a little bit longer, it really depends on the person. Unfortunately, I don't think there is anything you can take or do right now to stop your period, it will just take some time for your body to adjust to the hormones. Talk to your doctor to see if there are other alternative therapies that can be suggested to you. Good luck and I feel for ya!
9whoa sorry about that!!
10I started on Depo after my last kid and nearly ended up in jail because of it. I am NOT kidding. It must have been the mixture of postpartum depression and the DEPRESSION AND ANZIETY ATTACKS that are a side effect of the drug. I felt like I wanted to throw the baby up against a wall, so I laid her down gently and told my DH I was going out for a walk. I ended up at a convenience store and sat on the curb boohooing and hormonal. It gives you these moody rollercoaster feelings. One minute you are so sad and crying, the next, you feel rage and want to tear something up. This cop pulls up and thought I was on drugs after he talked to me. I didn't know what was wrong with me. He takes me to the hospital, and I try to call my DH to tell him where I was, and the cop gets over to the phone,his head 2 inches from my face. I tell him to get away, and I kick a chair. He throws me on the ground and hauls me off to jail. Before we even get there, my husband and a nurse have both called and told them I was having an adverse reaction to the Depo. They let my husband come get me, he takes me back to the hospital and they give me a shot to knock me out. The bad thing was, they can not counter-act the Depo, it just has to wear off. I had to take Valium for a few months until it did. It really tears your emotions to pieces. At the hospital they said they get women in with bad effects from Depo all the time. One out of ten is going to have terribly anxiety attacks and emotional upheaval. It is worse after childbirth when your hormone levels are going through severe changes anyway. My neighbor told me after that, that her granddaughter had a spell in school, right after taking the depo shot, turning over desks and crying uncontrollably. I have NEVER experienced anything like that, and hope never to again. I stay away from hormonal birth control now. The Pill made me sick every morning, and I got pregnant while taking it because I would puke before it took effect. I would rather be pregnant than go through the hell of Depo-provera ever again.
The Beautiful Reality of it all.
11Luxury Diva,
12If you have been bleeding heavily for 2 months, you should ask you doctor about this risk of iron deficiency anemia. You may need to take iron supplements or alter your diet to avoid further problems.
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