Depo-Provera

What is Depo-Provera?
Depo-Provera is a hormone (progestin) that is injected by a health care professional into the woman’s buttocks or arm muscle every three months (pregnancy prevention begins 24 hours after injection).

How does it work?

Depo-Provera prevents pregnancy in three ways:

• It inhibits ovulation.
  
• It changes the cervical mucus to help prevent sperm from reaching the egg.
  
• It changes the uterine lining to prevent the fertilized egg from implanting in the uterus.

Does it protect against STIs?

No.

Does it protect against pregnancy?

Yes.

What are the chances of getting pregnant while using Depo-Provera?

• Typical use: 0.3%


• Perfect use: 0.3%

Advantages to using Depo-Provera?

• Has a similar effect to the pill and mini pill, but requires less effort. The female does not have to remember to take daily pills; she simply has to visit her health care provider every three months to receive the injection.


• Can be used by women who cannot take estrogen or who require medication for seizures


• Reduces menstrual cramps and anemia


• Helps prevent serious health risks such as endometrial cancer and ovarian cysts

Disadvantages to using Depo-Provera?

• The most common side effect is irregular bleeding in 70% of women in the first year, and in 10% of women thereafter. Absence of bleeding is common in 80% of women after two years.


• The less common side effects include:


• Increased appetite and weight gain


• Headaches


• Sore breasts


• Nausea


• Nervousness


• Dizziness


• Skin rashes or spotty darkening of the skin


• Hair loss or increased hair on face or body


• Increased or decreased sexual desire


• Vaginal dryness


• Bone loss if Deppo-Provera is started at a young age and is used more than 2-5 years. This bone loss is reversible if Depo-Provera is stopped.
  
• With Depo-Provera, it is not possible to stop the side effects until the shot wears, off which may take 12 to 14 weeks.


• If pregnancy is desired, it takes 12 to 18 weeks to get pregnant after the last shot is taken.


• In the rare case that pregnancy occurs during the use of Depo-Provera, there is an increased chance that the pregnancy will be ectopic.

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Additional Outside Sources

Below is additional information and resources. Some are links to other Internet pages, which might have information on health topics of interest to you. PAMF, however, does not sponsor or endorse any of these sites, nor does PAMF guarantee the accuracy of the information contained on them. In addition, PAMF has no control over the privacy practices of external Web sites. The user should read and understand the policies of all Web sites with respect to their privacy practices. These links are provided for your general information and education only, and should NOT be relied upon for personal diagnosis or treatment. If you have questions, please contact your health care provider.

Planned Parenthood. Birth Control [Online]. Accessed September 2007.

The National Women's Health Information Center. Birth Control Methods [Online]. Accessed September 2007.
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