Birth Control Shot (Depo-Provera) Effectiveness, Side Effects.

”I have heard of contraception by injection. Is it as safe as the pill? Are there any side effects?”

Some women worry about their body’s reactions when they take Depo-Provera, an injectable contraceptive. What is this drug? Is it safe?

The contraceptive injection Depo-Provera® is derived from progesterone. It is given every 3 months to prevent pregnancy. Injection contraception is for people who find it difficult to take contraception regularly and do not want an intrauterine device.

The contraceptive injection Depo-Provera® is derived from progesterone.

The injection is made into the muscle of the arm, thigh or buttock. It must be done by a health professional. These are high dose progesterone injections. This will block ovulation and last for three months.

How To Get The Depo-Provera Birth Control Shot?

At the pharmacy, with a doctor’s prescription. The injections take place every 3 months by a doctor or a nurse and the costs vary between $30.00 and $45.00 per injection. Depo-Provera® is covered by the drug insurance plan and private insurance.

Efficiency Of Depo-Provera

Its effectiveness is 99.7% and is comparable to tubal ligation. To be effective, the injections must be given every 11 to 13 weeks. It is recommended to wait 7 days so that the effectiveness of the contraceptive injection is optimal. During this time, another method of contraception can be used. If the first injection is given within the first 5 days of the menstrual cycle, the injection is effective immediately in preventing pregnancy.

The use of Depo-Provera has many advantages as long as the injections are administered on time but it is not without side effects.

Depo-Provera Most Common Side Effects

• Bone Density Loss – Depo Provera package inserts contain a mandatory black box that warns of possible reduction in bone mineral density due to loss of calcium stored in the bones. The longer you take Depo-Provera, the more bone loss is likely to occur.
• Weight Gain – This is one of the side effects that women often cite when they are taking Depo-Provera. During the first year, most women who take Depo-Provera gain an average of 3.5 to 5 pounds.
• Bleeding Between Periods – It is possible to have light bleeding while using the contraceptive injection. Bleeding should decrease after the first few months of use.
• Headache.
• Nausea.
• Hot Flashes.
• Vertigo.
• Abdominal Pain.

Depo Provera warns of possible reduction in bone mineral density.

If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This also applies to any undesirable effect not mentioned in this article.

It is noted that the return to fertility may be delayed with this method of contraception. Indeed, it takes an average of 6 to 9 months after the last injection to find a complete menstrual cycle and thus be able to become pregnant.  

A full gynecological and clinical check-up will be carried out before DEPO PROVERA is administered to you. This medicine cannot be given to you if the test detects an increase in blood pressure, a change in certain tests carried out on the liver, a change in the level of sugar in the blood, obesity or if you have a history of thromboembolism.

Gynecological and clinical check-up will be carried out before Depo Provera is administered to you.

Certain drugs can reduce the effectiveness of Depo-Provera: aminoglutethimide (Cytadren), used for the treatment of adrenal tumors or Cushing’s syndrome, and rifampicin, an antibiotic used in the treatment of tuberculosis.

We know how it can be confusing to choose and use a new contraception method. We are here to help.

Dr James S Pendergraft | Orlando Women’s Center