Depo Provera

What is Depo Provera ?

Depo Provera (DP) is a contraceptive injection.  It is similar to the hormone progesterone which the ovaries produce naturally.  It is given every 12 weeks.  

How does it work ?  Depo Provera prevents pregnancy by stopping the ovaries releasing an egg each month.

How effective is it ?  Depo Provera is almost 100% effective.  This means that less than one woman out of 100 will get pregnant each year.

Who can use it ?  Almost all women can use Depo Provera including women who can not use the combined contraceptive pill.

Who should not use it ? 

Women who are planning a pregnancy in the next few months.

Women who have breast cancer.

Women who have a history of depression, or are overweight or diabetic will need to discuss with their doctor whether they can use Depo Provera.

What are the advantages ?

It works  Depo Provera is almost 100% effective.

It is convenient

. lasts for 12 weeks 

.  no daily pill taking

.  doesn't interfere with sexual intercourse

.  no one else needs to know you are using it 

.  antibiotics do not affect it.

 It is not permanent  Your fertility will return after you stop having the injection.

 Periods  

.  you may not have periods.  This is not harmful

 .  decreases PMS (pre-menstrual syndrome).

 Breast feeding  Depo Provera does not affect breast feeding

 Cancer

 The risk of endometrial (lining of the uterus) cancer is reduced by 80%.  There is no change in the rate of cancer of the cervix and the ovary from using Depo Provera.

What are the disadvantages ?

Periods  Some women have irregular or no periods.  A few have heavy or prolonged bleeding.  This can be treated.

Weight changes  Some women gain weight, mainly because of increased appetite.  The average is 2 kilograms.  Some lose weight.

Other possible side effects 

.  depression

 .  less interest in sex

 .  vaginal dryness

 .  headaches

 .  allergic reaction to the injection.

Once you have had an injection of Depo Provera the effects last at least 12 weeks.  Most of the side effects can be helped with treatment.

Return to fertility  The average time to return to normal periods and fertility is 6 months after the injection runs out.  However, it can be straight away or up to 2 years.

Bone density  If you are not having periods while you are using Depo Provera you may lose bone density (the strength of the bones).

Cancer  There is a slightly increased risk of breast cancer for women under the age of 35 using Depo Provera.  this is a 1 in a 1000 chance.  Women over 35 do not have this increased risk.

Using Depo Provera   The injection is given every 12 weeks. If you have your first injection during the first 5 days of your period you will be protected from pregnancy straight away.  If you have the injection at any other time during your menstrual cycle you will not be protected for 7 days.

It is important to have your injections every 12 weeks, because some women are able to get pregnant straight away.

After having a baby, wait 6 weeks before your first injection.  This reduces your chance of irregular bleeding.  

If you have Depo Provera and you are already pregnant there is no evidence it will harm the baby.

Depo Provera does not protect you from sexually transmissible infections.

Condoms help protect against sexually transmissible infections.