Key Facts
- The Depo-Provera® shot is very effective in preventing pregnancy.
- It is important to get your shot every 13 weeks (3 months).
- Periods can be heavier initially, and then lighter, or absent while on Depo-Provera®.
- Depo-Provera® doesn’t cause depression, but it can worsen depression symptoms.
Depo-Provera® is a female hormonal method of birth control. It’s very effective in preventing pregnancy. Depo-Provera® contains a synthetic (man-made) form of the hormone progesterone, called depo medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA). The Depo-Provera® injection gives 3 months of protection against pregnancy. You should get one injection every 3 months (13 weeks) to get the best protection against pregnancy. It’s safe to get your injection up to 3 weeks earlier if you can’t get your next injection in exactly 13 weeks.
| Out of 100 people using Depo-Provera® | |
| Typical use: 6 people become pregnant |  |
| Perfect use: 1 or fewer people become pregnant |  |
When do Depo-Provera® hormonal injections start to work?
Most teens get their first Depo-Provera® injection during the first 5-7 days of a normal menstrual period. You are then protected from pregnancy right after you get the injection. Another way to start Depo-Provera® is “Quick start” – you get the first injection when you haven’t had sex for two weeks (or used a condom 100% of the time) or have a negative pregnancy test. You then need to use condoms for at least 7 days after the injection for additional protection.
How does Depo-Provera® prevent pregnancy?
The injected DMPA suppresses your pituitary gland which stops your ovaries from releasing eggs. Without these eggs, pregnancy can’t happen. The injections also change the lining of your uterus and the mucus in your cervix. By changing your cervical mucus, the hormones make it more difficult for sperm to reach the egg.
How effective are Depo-Provera® injections?
If Depo-Provera® injections are given at the same exact time every 3 months, this method is more than 99% effective at preventing pregnancy. This means that if 100 people get Depo-Provera® injections at the right time, less than 1 person will become pregnant in a year.
It’s important to mention that life doesn’t always go as planned and we can’t always control that. It is OK if you are several days to a week late for your injection. So if you’re late on your injection (by several days to a week) it will only be 94% effective in the prevention of pregnancy. This means that if 100 people receive a Depo-Provera® injection late, then 6 of them will become pregnant each year. The longer you wait to get your next Depo shot, the less effective it becomes. In the meantime, use a barrier method such as an internal (male) or external (female) condom, until you are able to get your next shot. Depo-Provera® injections do not protect against sexually transmitted infections. So you need to use a condom to lower the chance of getting STIs.
Are there other benefits of Depo-Provera® injections besides the prevention of pregnancy?
Yes. Depo-Provera® injections can cause a decrease in menstrual cramps, lighter menstrual periods (or no periods, which is considered safe and may beneficial for many people)), and less chance of anemia.
Where can I get Depo-Provera® injections?
Your health care provider can give you Depo-Provera® injections. They will first want to do a physical exam and ask you about your medical history and your family’s medical history. This way, your health care provider can find out if Depo-Provera® injections are a good type of contraception for you. The first Depo-Provera® injection is usually given during the first 5-7 days after a normal menstrual period begins. When you begin Depo-Provera® injections, the cost may range from $0-$250, and most insurance plans cover the cost. After your initial visit and injection, cost will range from $0-$150 for the injection, and again most insurance plans cover the cost.
Are there side effects from Depo-Provera® injections?
There are possible side effects from Depo-Provera® injections. They can be different for each person. They include:
- Irregular menstrual periods – longer or shorter menstrual periods, heavier or lighter periods
- Loss of menstrual periods(the longer you get Depo-Provera® injections, the greater chance you will have no menstrual periods at all)
- Weight gain (teens can gain about 5 pounds each year for the first 3 years). You can help maintain your weight by eating a healthy diet and getting regular exercise. Teens who are already overweight are more likely to gain weight while taking Depo-Provera®.
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Mood changes, worsening depressive symptoms
- Bloating
- Abdominal pain/discomfort
If you get any of these side effects, talk with your health care provider. It’s important for you to know that most people will have very irregular periods, especially during the first 6 months you are on Depo-Provera®.
Should I be worried about my bones while I am on Depo-Provera®?
Researchers have found that teens are more likely to lose bone density while taking Depo-Provera®; however, bone density fortunately improves in most people after they stop Depo-Provera®. It is unclear if this loss in bone density results in an increased risk of fractures. People also lose bone mass during pregnancy so each person needs to think about the risks of pregnancy compared to the benefit of effective birth control with Depo-Provera®. Your teen years, especially the years you are going through puberty (11 to 15 years), are particularly important for you to gain bone density. So until we know more, the best advice is to use Depo-Provera® at least two years after you start your menstrual periods, take in 1300 mg of calcium in your diet, take a multivitamin of 400 to 800 units of vitamin D each day, get lots of weight-bearing exercise, and maintain a healthy weight (don’t be too thin). Talk to your health care provider about all options for birth control, especially after you have been on Depo-Provera® for 2 years or you have a strong family history of low bone mass (osteoporosis). Patients at risk for osteoporosis should consider using an alternative form of contraception. If you are 18 years old or older, there is less concern about Depo-Provera® but you should still take in calcium and vitamin D and get plenty of exercise. No matter how old you are, make sure not to smoke while taking medicine that contains hormones.
Should I be worried if I stop getting my menstrual period while I am on Depo-Provera®?
No. Many people stop having their menstrual periods after about 6-12 months of getting Depo-Provera® injections. This is no reason to worry. It’s not a medical problem and it does not mean you are pregnant. It just means that your ovaries are resting, and the lining of your uterus does not grow, so there is no menstrual bleeding. You will get your menstrual period back within 6-18 months after you stop taking the Depo-Provera® injections.
Can any woman get Depo-Provera® injections?
No. Depo-Provera® injections cannot be used by people who:
- Are pregnant
- Have unexplained vaginal bleeding
- Have a serious liver disease
- Have breast cancer
But the good news is that people who can’t use estrogen can still use Depo-Provera®. Depo-Provera® may also benefit patients with sickle cell disease by decreasing sickle cell attacks. Depo-Provera® may also lessen the number of seizures in people with epilepsy.
What if I want to get pregnant? Should I use Depo-Provera®?
If you want to get pregnant in the next year, you may not want to use Depo-Provera®, since it can prevent pregnancy for 6-10 months after the last injection. However, if timing is not an issue and you don’t want to get pregnant for a couple of years, then you can use Depo-Provera® (if it’s right for you) until up to one year before you want to get pregnant.
If I decide to stop getting Depo-Provera® injections, when should I start using another type of contraception?
If you want to stop getting Depo-Provera® injections, all you need to do is just stop. Even though, the progesterone in the Depo-Provera® injection actually protects against pregnancy for more than 3 months, it’s very important to play it safe and start using another type of contraception 3 months or sooner after your last injection.
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