Depo Provera is a progestin-only birth control injection given every 3 months (about every 13 weeks). It is highly effective when injections are received on schedule and does not require you to remember a medication every day. If you are unsure when your next injection is due or have questions about using Depo Provera, please contact our office.
Your next Depo Provera injection is generally scheduled every 13 weeks. There is some flexibility around the exact date, so you do not have to return on precisely the same calendar day every three months.
What if I am late for my injection?
If you are late for your scheduled injection, please contact our office to arrange your next dose. Depending on how much time has passed since your last injection, we may recommend a pregnancy test and/or temporary backup contraception before restarting Depo Provera.
Changes in menstrual bleeding are very common with Depo Provera. You may have irregular spotting or bleeding, especially during the first several months. With continued use, periods often become lighter and many people eventually stop having periods altogether.
Other possible side effects include headaches, breast tenderness, mood changes, and changes in appetite. Weight gain can occur with Depo Provera and may be more noticeable for some patients than with other birth control methods.
Everyone responds differently. If side effects are persistent or bothersome, another birth control method may be a better fit.
Bone health: Depo Provera can cause a decrease in bone mineral density, particularly with longer-term use. Bone density generally improves after stopping Depo, although recovery may not always be complete.
Meningioma: Meningiomas have been reported with repeated use of medroxyprogesterone acetate, particularly with longer-term exposure. A meningioma is a usually noncancerous tumor involving the tissues surrounding the brain or spinal cord. This appears to be uncommon, but it is an important consideration when deciding whether Depo is the best option for prolonged use.
Future fertility: Depo Provera is reversible, but fertility can take longer to return after stopping it than with most other birth control methods. Ovulation may not resume immediately after the last injection wears off, and for some people it can take several months or longer. If you think you may want to become pregnant in the near future, this is worth considering when choosing whether to continue Depo.
These considerations do not necessarily mean that Depo needs to be stopped after a specific amount of time. We can periodically reassess whether it continues to be a good choice for you.
Please contact us if you have questions or concerns while using Depo-Provera, particularly if you experience:
Very heavy or prolonged bleeding, such as soaking through a pad or tampon every hour for several hours
Bleeding that is persistent or especially bothersome and you would like to discuss treatment options
Severe or persistent pelvic or abdominal pain
Concern that you may be pregnant
Significant mood changes or other side effects that are affecting your quality of life
A new medical condition or medication that you think may affect whether Depo-Provera is still a good choice for you
Changes in bleeding are very common with Depo-Provera, particularly during the first several months of use. Spotting, irregular bleeding, or eventually having no periods at all can be normal and usually does not mean that anything is wrong.
If you are late for your next injection, please contact us for guidance. Depending on how much time has passed, you may need a pregnancy test or temporary backup contraception before receiving your next dose.
If you're unsure whether something you're experiencing is normal, please don't hesitate to reach out. For severe or urgent symptoms, please seek prompt medical evaluation rather than waiting for a MyChart response.
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