Shot

DEPO-PROVERA is an injection you get from your health care provider about every three months — 84 days. When taken as scheduled—just 4 times a year—it's more than 99% effective—one of the most reliable contraceptives available.

DEPO-PROVERA uses a synthetic (manmade) version of the hormone, progesterone to prevent pregnancy. Like other hormonal birth control methods, including the pill, DEPO-PROVERA causes a resting state in your ovaries. Since your ovaries do not release an egg each month, you cannot get pregnant DEPO-PROVERA will not prevent STDs.

Most any woman who does not want to get pregnant for at least one year or more can use DEPO-PROVERA. It is especially suited for women who: Do not want to think about birth control every day.
Have trouble taking birth control pills at the correct time.
Do not mind coming to the clinic 4 times a year.

Because DEPO-PROVERA does not contain any estrogen, it is a better hormonal method for women who:

• Smoke regularly.
• Have high blood pressure.
• Have migraine headaches.
• Have trouble with estrogen side effects.

However, there are some women who should not use DEPO-PROVERA. Tell your health care provider if you:

• think you might be pregnant
• have had any unusual vaginal bleeding
• have a personal history of :
• breast cancer
• stroke
• blood clots
• liver disease

Your health care provider will advise you whether Depo-Provera is a good choice for you.

Most women have no side effects on DEPO-PROVERA. Some experience changes that may or may not be a problem for them, and may go away with time.

The most common:

• Irregular menstrual bleeding or spotting, usually for the first 3-6 months.
• No periods or bleeding at all — when your ovary does not release an egg, the lining of the uterus may not build up, so there is no blood to come out. Periods usually return within 6-18 months after you stop taking the injections.
• Weight gain
• Depression
• Headaches

Normally your bones are getting stronger during your teen years. On DEPO-PROVERA they actually get a little weaker (this happens during pregnancy too). Initial studies tell us you catch up some after stopping DEPO-PROVERA . Ways to help your bones while on DEPO-PROVERA include exercising and taking extra calcium.

When starting on DEPO-PROVERA a back-up method of birth control should be used for the first seven days after the first injection. A pregnancy test will be done with the first injection. If you may still be pregnant we want you to repeat the pregnancy test in two weeks.

If she does not get her shot on time, she could get pregnant. Using abstinence or another reliable birth control method is recommended when a shot is missed. Since it is never a good idea to receive Depo-Provera if a woman is already pregnant, she should come in and get a pregnancy test. If it is negative, we will give her a shot that day. She should come in and get another pregnancy test after two weeks.