What Does Depo Provera Do?
Depo-Provera is a prescription birth-control medication. It is administered as an injection every three months. Depo-Provera works by preventing eggs from being released by the ovaries. While Depo-Provera is effective at preventing pregnancy, it does not offer protection against sexually transmitted diseases.
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About Depo-Provera
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Depo-Provera is usually given as a shot in the upper arm or buttocks. The shots must be administered by a health-care professional every three months. If you miss an injection, you may not be protected from pregnancy. The first injection is given during the first five days after a normal menstrual period, within the first five days after giving birth if you aren't going to breastfeed, or in the sixth week after you give birth if you plan to breastfeed.
If you plan to discontinue Depo-Provera injections to get pregnant, normal function of your ovaries will return, but it may take nine to 10 months to get pregnant after your last injection. You should not use Depo-Provera for longer than two years due to the risk of osteoporosis.
According to the Mayo Clinic, the Depo-Provera injection is approximately 97% effective at preventing pregnancy, and each injection can cost $30 to $75.
Side Effects
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Side effects of Depo-Provera can include weight gain, weakness, tiredness, changes in menstrual periods, irritability, depression, insomnia, stomach bloating or cramps, hot flashes, leg cramps, joint or back pain, acne, loss of hair on scalp, changes in sexual desire, flu or cold symptoms, and breast tenderness, swelling or pain.
The injection can cause side effects at the injection site, including scarring, redness, lumps, irritation and pain. The Depo-Provera injection can cause vaginal side effects including a white discharge and itching, burning, irritation, redness and swelling. Contact your physician if these side effects become severe or bothersome.
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Serious Side Effects
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Less common but more serious side effects of Depo-Provera include sudden upset stomach, vomiting, severe headache, dizziness, double vision, bulging eyes, trouble speaking, seizure, yellowing of the eyes or skin, extreme tiredness, heavier or longer than normal menstrual bleeding, and weakness or numbness in a leg or arm. Serious side effects need to be reported to your physician immediately. If they are severe, seek emergency medical attention.
Other Dangers
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Signs of a blood clot in a vein, called a deep vein thrombosis, can include severe tenderness or pain below the waist and tenderness, redness, warmth, swelling or pain in one leg only. Signs that a blood clot in a vein has dislodged and traveled to the lungs, called a pulmonary embolism, can include shortness of breath, a sudden crushing or sharp chest pain, and coughing up blood. This can be a life-threatening condition, and you should seek emergency medical attention.
Signs of an allergic reaction include rash, hives, itching, trouble swallowing or breathing, and swelling of the throat, tongue, lips or face. Signs of infection at the injection site can include constant pain, warmth, pus, bleeding or swelling.
Long-Term Risks
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Depo-Provera can reduce the amount of calcium your bones are able to store, and this condition may not return to normal after you stop the injections. This loss of calcium may cause weak and thin bones, called osteoporosis, at some point later in life. To reduce this risk, eat foods high in vitamin D and calcium.
A slight increase in breast cancer risk may occur in women younger than 35 who began receiving Depo-Provera within the last four to five years.
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