Is Depo-Provera The Right Contraceptive For You?

Are you looking for a reliable and long-term but reversible birth control method? Depo-Provera, the birth control shot, is among the most effective contraceptives out there. You can effectively prevent pregnancy by getting an injection once every three months. Is Depo-Provera the right contraceptive choice for you? Let's take a look!

What Is Depo-Provera?

Depo-Provera, also called the "birth control shot" or "injectable birth control pill", is an injection that releases the artificial hormone progestin into the body. Each shot is supposed to last three months, meaning women who would like to use Depo-Provera in the longer term will need three-monthly injections to continue preventing pregnancy. Depo-Provera can be administered to the arm or rear.

As with all progestin-based forms of contraception, Depo-Provera's mechanism of action is multi-fold. It prevents ovulation (the release of eggs), thickens cervical mucus, thereby creating an environment that is hostile to sperm, and alters your uterine lining in a way that makes implantation near impossible. Depo-Provera makes it incredibly harm for sperm to survive or even enter the uterus, in other words, though the fact that it prevents ovulation is enough to prevent pregnancy all in itself.

It's usually given during your period or within a few days of the end of your menstruation. Once administered under these circumstances, the shot becomes effective within 24 hours and remains active for at least 13 weeks.

The Benefits And Risks Of Depo-Provera

Depo-Provera has many advantages: it's effective within 24 hours, does not require constant attention, doesn't have estrogen and may reduce the risk of uterine and ovarian cancer. It does not interrupt your intimacy either. In addition, Depo-Provera is not detectable by anyone else. For women with abusive partners or those opposed to birth control, this makes Depo-Provera an excellent choice. After using it for a year or more, Depo-Provera is also very likely to lighten periods or make them stop altogether. This is a distinct advantage to many women, but particularly for those women who struggle with heavy or painful menstruation.

Weight gain is a common side effect many women really don't want to deal with. Long-term use of Depo-Provera and similar hormonal contraceptive methods are at an increased risk of osteoporosis. You will need regular shots if you choose Depo-Provera, and some women prefer alternatives such as the Nexplanon implant or intrauterine devices, which are effective for multiple years at a time. 

As with all hormonal birth control methods, Depo-Provera protects against pregnancy but not against sexually transmitted diseases. This is so obvious it barely deserves a mention, but it's also tremendously important. Women who have any chance of being exposed to STDs should strongly consider using condoms, as a stand-alone contraceptive or in addition to hormonal contraceptives such as Depo-Provera.

See Also: Want A Reliable Contraceptive You Don't Have To Remeber To Take? Nexplanon (Implanon) May Be For You

Depo Provera: Why You May Want To Avoid This Contraceptive

Depo-Provera Side Effects

Like any hormonal birth control method, Depo-Provera can cause a range of side effects. Some users will experience many of them, while others will have no noticeable negative side effects or will experience side effects only for a while.

The side effects of Depo-Provera include:

• Weight gain
• Irregular menstrual bleeding and bleeding between periods
• Headaches
• Nervousness
• Mood swings
• Hot flashes
• Acne
• Libido changes
• Breast tenderness
• Hair loss
• Dizziness
• Loss of bone density and risk of osteoporosis. 

As mentioned before, Depo-Provera causes many women who have been using this contraceptive for 12 months or longer to quit experiencing periods or to only occasionally experience periods. This can be classed as a side effect, but it's a positive side effect for many women. 

Depo-Provera is not suitable for all women. You should not use it if you have liver disease, unexplained vaginal bleeding, breast cancer, blood clots, and a number of other conditions. Always discuss whether you are a suitable candidate for any form of contraception you are considering with your healthcare provider in detail. The Medical Eligibility Criteria they use will help them determine whether you should or should not use a contraceptive.

Fertility After Depo-Provera: A Real Concern?

Women who would like to start trying to conceive should simply discontinue injections of Depo-Provera. While fertility (ovulation) returns right away for some former users, this has proven not to be the case for everyone. Just look around online forums for women who would like to get pregnant, and you'll soon hear about cases where women are still not experiencing regular cycles six months or even a year after their last shots. These stories aren't due to the fact that these women would have experienced fertility problems regardless of their previous use of Depo-Provera; this is a recognized problem.

Interestingly enough, the time frame for a return to fertility does not seem to be related to the duration for which a women was using Depo-Provera. This problem can strike even those who were using the birth control shot for a short period of time. Therefore, women who think they may possibly like to try to conceive within the next few years will probably want to consider alternative birth control methods.

Alternatives To Depo-Provera

Women who are interested in using Depo-Provera will find this form of contraception appeals to them for specific reasons. They want a contraceptive that doesn't require daily use and that they can essentially simply forget about for a while once they have received their shots. Those who want to try to conceive within the next few years may decide Depo-Provera is not for them. What alternatives are suitable for these women?

See Also: Permanent Contraception: An Overview

• Nexplanon (the latest version of Implanon) is a flexible plastic rod that also emits progestin to prevent pregnancy. It can be used up to three years at a time. Removal is simple and facilitates an immediate return to fertility. As such, Nexplanon is a wonderful alternative to Depo-Provera.
• Paragard is a hormone-free intrauterine device. This makes it suitable for those who are not good candidates for hormone-based contraceptives. It prevents pregnancy for up to 10 years after placement and can even be used as an emergency contraceptive.
• The Mirena Intrauterine System is another IUD, but this time one that also emits progestin. It can be used for up to five years at a time. After removal, fertility returns right away.