Accepting That It Is A Normal Symptom
One of the easiest ways to cope with Depo-Provera-related bleeding is to recognize that it is a normal symptom.
However, it is not normal to have very painful or heavy bleeding. People should see a doctor for evaluation in these cases.
While abnormal bleeding can be irritating and alarming, keep in mind that some irregular bleeding or spotting during the early months of Depo-Provera therapy typically means that the body is adjusting to the medication.
Knowing, and accepting, that some light irregular bleeding may happen can help most people manage this frustrating side effect.
Which Way Is Right For Me
If you want to cut down on the number of periods you have per year, then experts suggest standard birth control pills, patches, or the vaginal ring. To stop your period long-term, birth control shots, long-term pills, and the IUD typically work best. Speak with your doctor about it. Youâll work together to figure out which method is best for you.
Can The First Depo Shot Stop Your Period
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Reasons Why You May Have A Missed Period On Birth Control
- Reviewed By: Shannon DeVita DNP, FNP-BC, CPNP-PC, Julie Lamonoff, CNM, OBGYN-NP
Is something wrong if you don’t get your period while taking birth control pills? Maybe, but more likely there’s a reasonable cause for it.
We know that it’ll take some convincing, though, because, let’s face it – you’re taking birth control to prevent pregnancy, and this is an important question.
Is Bleeding Or Spotting On The Birth Control Shot Normal
Spotting and bleeding when on the birth control shot is a common side effect that is often experienced by users within the first six to twelve months of use. Depo-Provera, the birth control shot, delivers a high dose of progestin so women can prevent pregnancy. Progestin is a synthetic version of the sex hormone progesterone, which naturally occurs in the body. Depo-Provera shots have also been used to treat conditions linked to the reproductive system, including endometriosis.
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Path To Improved Health
Depo-Provera works for about 3 months at a time. To prevent pregnancy, you have to get 1 shot from your doctor 4 times a year, about 12 to 14 weeks apart. If you get it in the first 7 days of your cycle, it works right away. If you dont, youll need to use another form of birth control for 1 week. Your doctor will confirm you are not pregnant before giving you the injection.
Most women who use Depo-Provera have changes in their menstrual periods. These may include:
- Bleeding or spotting between menstrual periods.
- An increase or decrease in menstrual bleeding.
- No menstrual bleeding at all.
About half of women who use Depo-Provera stop having periods after 1 year. This is not harmful. Menstrual bleeding usually returns to normal when you stop using Depo-Provera. It may take about 9 to 10 months to get pregnant after your last shot.
Contact your doctor right away if you have abnormally heavy or nonstop bleeding. Other possible side effects of Depo-Provera include:
- weight gain
- osteoporosis
- blood clots
- A history of heart attack or stroke.
- Unknown vaginal bleeding.
- An allergy to the drug in Depo-Provera.
When Should Irregular Bleeding Be A Cause For Concern
While heavy bleeding may be completely normal, if you seem to be bleeding heavily for more than two weeks, you should contact your healthcare provider. They will help you determine if this issue is problematic or just a normal part of your bodys reaction to the shot. They may also want to check your iron levels to make sure they are still sufficient.
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Re: Seizures After Taking The Depo
I have been on Depo for half a year and noticed that my seizures actually stopped while I was on Depo. I never fully stopped my periods…not yet. My Dr. says I will. I had asked if I should change because I didn’t like the constant spotting. He told me that Depo is actually helpful in preventing seizures and, if I stopped, the return of my normal periods could trigger my old seizure pattern. When I asked why, he said that it was because Estrogen weakens seizure immunity and progesterone actually strengthens the system against seizures. While it doesn’t prevent them, it certainly doesn’t hurt anything. My guess is that, with your period starting again, your estrogen levels are nearing normal and causing a risk for seizures again. At least, that is according to my doctor. Don’t know if that helps, but it is what I found out today.
Almalibra
Can You Get The Depo Shot If You Have Breast Cancer
You shouldnt get the Depo-Provera shot if you: have or have had breast cancer. are pregnant. have experienced bone-thinning or bone fragility issues, including breaks and fractures. take aminoglutethimide, which is a medicine used to treat Cushings disease. want to get pregnant soon.
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I Got The Depo Shot Two Weeks Ago And Now My Period Is Late Is That Normal
I got the DEPO shot two weeks ago, I got my last period a month and a half ago, I have not gotten my period yet.. Is this okay? Should I be worried? Ive been experiencing some cramping the past week but I havent had any blood come out. Is this normal?
Its normal for the shot to change your period, or even stop you from getting one at all while you use it, so its very likely you have nothing to worry about.
But if you had sex without a condom or any other kind of birth control after your last period and before you got your shot, or during the first week after you got the shot, take a pregnancy test just in case. If you didnt start the shot while on your period, its possible to get pregnant if you have sex without a condom or other back-up method of birth control during the first week.
Tags:the shot, late period
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It May Take Up To 10 Months After Stopping The Birth Control Shot To Get Pregnant
It only takes 15 weeks after your last shot for pregnancy protection to wear off. How soon you get pregnant after stopping the depo shot is different for everyone. For some people it can take up to 10 months for their ability to get pregnant to return to normal and for others it can happen much sooner.
Your first period after stopping the depo provera shot can take several months to return. It can also take time for your period to go back to the way it was before you started using the shot. Everyones body is different, and reacts to going off the shot differently, so theres no way to know when you will get your period back after your last depo shot. Its possible to get pregnant before your period returns, so use another method of birth control if you dont want to get pregnant after stopping the depo shot.
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How Effective Is Depo
Depo-Provera® is 96% effective in preventing pregnancy, which means that about four unplanned pregnancies will occur out of every 100 women every year. Women at greatest risk of accidental pregnancy while taking the birth control shot include younger women, such as adolescents . This is typically related to human error, such as not getting your shot on time or missing a shot. IUDs and implants placed in the upper arm are considered to be the most effective forms of contraception.
Advantages And Disadvantages Of The Injection
Advantages:
- each injection lasts for either 8 or 13 weeks
- it does not interrupt sex
- it’s an option if you can’t use oestrogen-based contraception
- you do not have to remember to take a pill every day
- it’s safe to use while you’re breastfeeding
- it’s not affected by other medicines
- it may reduce heavy, painful periods and help with premenstrual symptoms for some women
Disadvantages:
- your periods may change and become irregular, heavier, shorter, lighter or stop altogether this can carry on for some months after you stop the injections
- it does not protect you against STIs
- there can be a delay of up to 1 year before your periods return to normal and you can become pregnant
- some people may put on weight when they use Depo-Provera or Sayana Press contraceptive injections
- you may experience side effects like headaches, acne, hair loss, decreased sex drive and mood swings
- any side effects can continue for as long as the injection lasts and for some time after
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You Switched To A New Birth Control Pill Or Other Hormonal Contraceptive
Bleeding between cycles is likely when youre taking hormonal birth control pills or using other contraceptives, like an intrauterine device . Its especially likely in the first few months after you start a new contraceptive or if youre taking continuous and extended-cycle varieties, like ethinyl-estradiol-levonorgestrel .
Doctors dont know what exactly causes breakthrough bleeding while on traditional birth control pills. Some believe that its your bodys way of adjusting to the hormones.
Regardless, you may experience more breakthrough bleeding if you:
- miss pills throughout your cycle
- start any new medications or supplements while on the pill
- experience persistent vomiting or diarrhea, which can affect your bodys absorption of the hormones
With extended or continuous birth control pills, you take active pills throughout the entire month to effectively skip your period. This method is done either in an extended use pattern for two to three months or in a continuous use pattern for an entire year. The most common side effect of using birth control pills in this way is breakthrough bleeding in the first several months. You may even notice that the blood you see is dark brown, which may mean that its old blood.
While breakthrough bleeding may be normal and go away on its own over time, you should call your doctor if youre also experiencing:
- abdominal pain
Along with breakthrough bleeding, you may experience:
- pelvic pain or burning
- abnormal vaginal discharge
- foul odor
Its A Sign Of Perimenopause
Perimenopause is the time leading up to your final period. Youll reach menopause when youve gone 12 months without a period.
Until then, you may experience spotting, missed periods, long stretches of time between periods, and other irregularities. These changes are a result of your fluctuating hormone levels.
In some cases, spotting can also be caused by:
- Hormonal imbalance. When your hormones get off kilter, it can cause irregular periods and spotting.
- Stress. When your stress levels go up, your hormones can get out of whack.
- Vaginal dryness.Vaginal dryness can happen when your estrogen levels drop.
- Rough masturbation or sex. Rough sex play can injure the tissue inside the vagina and around the vulva.
- Cysts.Ovarian cysts develop when a follicle fails to release an egg and continues to grow.
- Fibroids.Fibroids are noncancerous growths that develop in or on the surface of the uterus.
- Pelvic inflammatory disease and other infections.PID is an infection of the reproductive organs, often caused by common sexually transmitted infections like chlamydia and gonorrhea.
- Thyroid disorders.Thyroid disorders occur when your body produces too much or too little thyroid hormone, which plays a role in your menstrual cycle.
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Number : Because Of Pregnancy
Okay, this is the reason we’ve all been waiting to hear. Note that doctors say that it’s common for women on birth control to have irregular or no periods, and further evaluation usually isn’t needed unless there are concerning symptoms. That said, every contraceptive has a failure rate. If you’ve missed birth control pills during the month and had unprotected sex, you should consider this possibility.
Here are a few common symptoms the Mayo Clinic says women experience in early pregnancy:
-
Missed period
-
Cramping
-
Constipation
If you’re wondering more about when to take a pregnancy test, click here for more info.
Note that if you’re breastfeeding, that could also be a reason you’re missing your periods on birth control. Entering menopause will also do that to you!
Can Any Woman Use Depo
Most women can safely use Depo-Provera®. However, the birth control shot isnt recommended for everyone. Women who have certain conditions may not be good candidates for the birth control shot. These conditions include:
- Lupus.
- Heart disease or stroke.
- Osteoporosis.
You should talk to your healthcare provider about any possible side effects of Depo-Provera®.
Most of these side effects are not common. Changes in your menstrual cycle is the most common side effect that women experience. You may experience irregular bleeding or spotting. After a year of use, about 50% of women will stop getting their periods. Its not medically necessary to have a period every month to be healthy. Periods usually return when you stop talking the shot.
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What Are The Side Effects Of Depo
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives difficulty breathing swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- menstrual periods that are heavier or longer than normal
- severe pain in your lower stomach
- swelling in your face, or your hands, ankles, and feet
- pain, bleeding, oozing , or skin changes where the injection was given
- symptoms of depression
- liver problems–upper stomach pain, itching, tiredness, dark urine, jaundice or
- signs of a blood clot–sudden numbness or weakness, severe headache, chest pain, sudden cough, coughing up blood problems with vision or speech, swelling or pain in an arm or leg.
Common side effects may include:
- changes in your menstrual periods
- weakness, feeling tired
- headache, dizziness or
- lumps or dimpling in your skin where injections were given.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.