Depo-Provera Injections are used to prevent pregnancy. That is a well-known brand name for medroxyprogesterone acetate, which is a contraceptive injection that contains the hormone progestin. It is given as an injection every three months to get its full protection, which works up to 12 to 14 weeks. The shot will only work if you get it on time, so it’s vital to stay on schedule. Depo-Provera suppresses ovulation and keeps your ovaries from releasing an egg. To use Depo-Provera Injections, you will have to visit your doctor.
The doctors and other health care providers at Women’s Center Fort Lauderdale recommend Depo-Provera Injections if you need to avoid using estrogen, you don’t want to take birth control pills every single day, or you have some health problems like uterine fibroids, anemia, seizures, sickle cell disease or similar.
Depo-Provera Injections are 97% effective, which means that 3 out of 100 people using these injections will get pregnant each year. But, if you have your injections on time, they can be more than 99% effective.
For using this kind of contraception, you first have to consult with the doctor about the starting date. The doctor will likely give you your first injection within seven days of the start of your period, to ensure that you are not pregnant when you are getting Depo-Provera injection.
Depending on your start date, your doctor might recommend you use a backup method of birth control for a week after your first Depo-Provera injection. It isn’t necessary after subsequent doses as long as they are given on schedule.
Advantages of taking Depo-Provera Injections
The Depo-Provera Injection has many benefits, it is easy to get, and once you have it, it’s super convenient. If you use it correctly, you will only have to think about birth control four times a year. It’s good for people who don’t want to take a birth control pill every day. Some other advantages are:
- High effectiveness
- Unobtrusive
- Reducing the risk of ectopic pregnancy
- Improvement in menstrual symptoms
- Improved hemoglobin levels
- Decreased risk of PID
- Decreased risk of endometrial cancer
- Decreased bleeding associated with myomas
Side Effects of Depo-Provera
Some of the things you should consider about Depo-Provera Injections are:
- Headaches
- Decreased libido
- Depression
- Weight gain
- Delayed return to fertility
- Breast tenderness
- Skin rash
All of these side effects usually decrease or stop within the first few months after the first injection.
You will be advised to return to the clinic every 12 weeks as long as this contraceptive protection is desired. Follow-up visits include an evaluation to detect possible side effects and to document your menstrual cycle pattern over the past three months, as well as the blood pressure and weight check.
