Depo-Provera & Symptoms of Being Pregnant
Depo-Provera is a hormonal birth control injection given every three months. The primary purpose is to prevent pregnancy. However, just as any other birth control, Depo-Provera is not entirely preventative. A woman can still become pregnant. However, the pregnancy symptoms may go unnoticed for a while due to the similar side effects of the Depo-Provera.
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Absent Menstrual Period
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For some women, the Depo-Provera may cause their periods to become lighter or stop completely, usually beginning when it has been taken for a year. Certain women may experience this side effect early on, eliminating the idea of possibly being pregnant and disregarding missing periods as a birth control symptom.
Breast Tenderness
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Breast soreness or tenderness is a typical early sign of pregnancy and also a side effect of Depo-Provera. Persistent tenderness that will not go away or that is not followed by a period should raise the question of pregnancy.
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Nausea
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Nausea is a common symptom of pregnancy and one of the negative effects of this birth control method. A woman can write off her nausea as food poisoning or associate it with some other illness.
Weight Gain
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Slight weight gain in the abdomen may be a sign of pregnancy. A woman on Depo-Provera may simply believe her birth control or an increased appetite is the cause.
Fetal Movement
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Fetal movement is not a side effect of Depo-Provera and should immediately be examined as a possible pregnancy. This symptom, however, may be passed off as gas or indigestion.
Denial
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The side effects of this birth control and early pregnancy symptoms are tremendously similar, which could cause denial and confusion. Since the pregnancy rate when on Depo-Provera is less than 1 percent, many women believe they are completely protected.
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