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Navigate: FAQ Home Page > Female -- Periods > Depo effectiveness and bleeding
Posted on: 08/26/2008
Question
hi, i'm 18 and when i became sexually active with my boyfriend i got the depo shot. I did not go back to get the 2nd shot, and now 3 months later i'm still spotting or bleeding a lot. I dont even know when my period comes or if it is just spotting. At first it's just spotting, then it becomes heavier. each time this happens it lasts about 2 weeks, then it starts again in another week and a half. My boyfriend and I use the pulling out method, and he has never come in me. My question is can i still get pregnant if i'm bleeding frequently? Is this bleeding from the depo? If yes, when will it go away?
Answer
Yes! You can get pregnant even when you are bleeding. Pulling out does NOT work as a form of birth control. (One of jokes that floated around when I was in training was "What do you call people who use withdrawal for contraception?" "Parents!")
From what I understand, your last Depo shot was 6 months ago--I would recommend you go to your doctor. You are probably going to need some help to stop bleeding.