DEPO-PROVERA

Depo-Provera is an approved form of birth control. It contains provera, which is a man-made hormone similar to the naturally occurring hormone progesterone. With one dose, it can provide highly effective birth control for a 3-month period.

Depo-Provera is given by a shot in the arm or buttocks, and must be given once every 3 months to be effective. It prevents pregnancy by stopping ovulation. It stops the eggs in the ovaries from ripening and being released each month. Depo-Provera also causes changes in the lining of the uterus.

Depo-Provera is one of the most effective and reliable methods of birth control available. In fact, less than one percent of women become pregnant while using Depo-Provera. But it does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases.

Depo-Provera works for 3 months and does not require a woman to remember to use it. So it is impossible to get pregnant due to misuse of Depo-Provera. The only way to misuse Depo-Provera is to not get the shot every 3 months.

Depo-Provera must not be given to a pregnant woman. For this reason, the first shot is given only during the first 5 days after the beginning of the menstrual period. It may be given the first 5 days after the birth of a baby, unless the mother is breastfeeding. A breastfeeding woman, who is not giving any supplement bottles, may have the shot up to 6 weeks after the birth. Depo-Provera has been found in very small amounts in breast milk, but it has not been found to cause any bad effects to the baby.

Depo-Provera begins working in just 24 hours, and continues working for 14 weeks. Injections are recommended every 13 weeks to make sure the level of Depo-Provera does not become so low that pregnancy happens.

Depo-Provera is often recommended for women who want a long-acting birth control. It is also a good choice if she cannot use other methods of birth control. Women who want to become pregnant should stop taking Depo-Provera 1 year before trying to conceive.

Depo-Provera should not be used by women who:

are pregnant or think they may be pregnant
have abnormal vaginal bleeding that has not been diagnosed
have liver disease or problems
had cancer of the breast or think they may have it
had recent blood clots in the legs or lungs or
had an allergic reaction to medications that contain provera or a similar hormone

Some health problems may be made worse by using Depo-Provera. Women should discuss the safety of taking Depo-Provera with their healthcare provider, if they have any of the following: migraine headaches, depression, heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, diabetes, seizure problems, or asthma.

Women who use Depo-Provera are advised not to smoke. Smoking may increase their risk for medical complications, like heart attack and stroke.

Women who take Depo-Provera may have irregular periods. They may include heavy bleeding, spotting, or no bleeding at all. After months of use, many women stop having periods. This change is usually not permanent. The periods should return after Depo-Provera use is stopped.

Other side effects of Depo-Provera may include:

slight weight gain
abdominal pain or discomfort
increased blood sugar in women with diabetes
headache
weakness or tiredness
dizziness
nervousness or depression
nausea
insomnia
acne or
decreased sex drive

Unfortunately, if any of these changes occur, they must be "lived with" until the injection wears off. There is no way to reverse the effects of Depo-Provera once it is given.

Other disadvantages and risks of using Depo-Provera include:

For pregnancy to occur, it takes an average of 10 months from the date of the last shot of Depo-Provera. But it can take anywhere from 4 months to several years.
Long-time users experience a slight thinning of their bones.
Depo-Provera does not provide protection against sexually transmitted diseases.

A provider should be seen for any of the following symptoms:

heavy periods
unusual swelling or pain in the calf
severe headache
severe chest pain
sudden shortness of breath
coughing up blood
weakness of an arm or leg
nervousness
lower abdominal pain or discomfort
dizziness
vision problems or blurred vision or
weakness or tiredness

For more information, contact your provider or visit the website of EngenderHealth, a non-profit organization dedicated to making reproductive health care accessible to women and men around the world, at www.engenderhealth.org.

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

HIL File FAMI5315.Rf2 VRS# 5315 Data Version 7.0