Depo injection how does it work

How does it work? How well does it work? What will I notice? Can I still become pregnant after stopping the injections? If you are planning a pregnancy soon it may be best not to use Depo Provera. Who can use it? Most people can use Depo Provera, even those who cannot use the combined contraceptive pill. Who should not use it? If you have had breast cancer you should not use Depo Provera. If you are planning a pregnancy in the next few months you may prefer to use a different type of contraceptive.

What are the advantages? Lasts for 13 weeks. No daily pill taking. No one else needs to know you are using it. Helps if you have heavy or painful periods. What are the disadvantages? Are there any possible side effects? The research does not show that the injection causes any change in mood, libido or headaches.

It should be noted that protective effects against cancer of the ovary and uterine lining are very likely.

No ill effects on the developing baby have been shown to occur if Depo Provera is given when a woman is already pregnant or in the very rare case where a woman becomes pregnant despite the injection. Depo Provera can be used by most women who do not have any serious medical problems and by many women who use other forms of contraception.

It may also be suitable for women who cannot take the combined pill for medical reasons. Information about long acting reversilble contraception LARC , including contraceptive injections, is also available in Arabic, Chinese, Hindi and Vietnamese — see Downloads section on this page.

Long acting reversible contraception, such as intra uterine devices IUDs , contraceptive implants and contraceptive injections, may be the choice for you. If you're having sex and don't want to get pregnant, you need contraception. Contraception is also called birth control or family planning. This fact sheet discusses your options. Women are encouraged to discuss their health needs with a health practitioner. If you have concerns about your health, you should seek advice from your health care provider or if you require urgent care you should go to the nearest Emergency Dept.

How does Depo Provera work? How well does it work? Side effects During a normal menstrual cycle, your hormones cause the lining of your uterus to thicken in preparation for a pregnancy. Other effects A small amount of weight gain sometimes occurs, although many women have no change and some lose weight.

Some women may be troubled by headaches, abdominal discomfort and mood changes. Some women have a reduced interest in sex, particularly women who are prone to depression. It might affect bone mineral density. This loss might be especially concerning in teens who haven't reached their peak bone mass. And it's not clear whether this loss is reversible. Because of this, the U. Food and Drug Administration added strong warnings to the injection packaging cautioning that Depo-Provera and Depo-SubQ Provera shouldn't be used for longer than two years.

The warning also states that using these products might increase the risk of osteoporosis and bone fractures later in life. If you have other risk factors for osteoporosis, such as a family history of bone loss and certain eating disorders, it's a good idea to discuss the potential risks and benefits of this form of contraception with your doctor, as well as learn about other contraceptive options.

Other side effects of Depo-Provera usually decrease or stop within the first few months. They might include:. Many experts believe progestin-only contraceptive methods, such as Depo-Provera, carry significantly lower risks of these types of complications than do contraceptive methods that contain both estrogen and progestin.

You'll need a prescription for Depo-Provera from your health care provider, who will likely review your medical history and possibly check your blood pressure before prescribing the drug.

Talk to your health care provider about all your medications, including nonprescription and herbal products. If you want to give yourself Depo-Provera injections at home, ask your health care provider if that's an option.

Consult your health care provider about a starting date. To ensure you're not pregnant when you're injected with Depo-Provera, your health care provider will likely give you your first injection within seven days of the start of your period. If you've just given birth, your first injection will be done within five days of giving birth, even if you're breast-feeding.

You can start Depo-Provera at other times, but you might need to take a pregnancy test first. Prepare for your injection. Your health care provider will clean the injection site with an alcohol pad. After the injection, don't massage the injection site. Depending on your start date, your health care provider might recommend that you use a backup method of birth control for seven days after your first injection.

Backup birth control isn't necessary after subsequent injections as long as they're given on schedule. Schedule your next injection. Depo-Provera injections should be given every three months. If you wait longer than 13 weeks between injections, you might need to take a pregnancy test before your next injection.

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