Who Cannot Get It
The birth control shot should not be used by women who:
- Have unexplained vaginal bleeding that they have not discussed with a health care provider
- Have a history of a stroke
- Diabetes with complications
- Lupus with antiphospholipid antibodies
Tell your health care provider if you have any of these risk factors or conditions, or any other medical concerns.
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.
Wearing Pads Protective Underwear Or Tampons
Irregular bleeding can ruin clothing. An unexpected heavy period is an experience that most people find unpleasant.
Being able to anticipate an abnormal flow when starting Depo-Provera therapy may help a person plan to wear pads, protective underwear, or tampons during the adjustment months.
This can help save money and frustration. It can also be beneficial to carry around an extra pad or tampon, or even a pair of underwear, for the first year or so after starting Depo-Provera therapy.
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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.
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.
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How Does Depo Provera Work
When a woman has Depo Provera, her body senses the presence of the hormone so that her own hormone production is switched off. Because of this, her ovaries will not release an egg and this is how pregnancy is prevented. This is very similar to how the Pill works. Depo Provera is also sometimes used in the treatment of endometriosis.
Other Things To Think About
Hormone levels are very low while using Depo Provera, so there is some concern that this may lead to thinning of the bones in women who use Depo Provera for a long period of time. The importance of this is not yet known, but the changes would be expected to happen more slowly than those that occur normally after menopause and reverse after the injections stop.
Although it is extremely difficult to prove a complete lack of risk, Depo Provera has not been shown to have any effect on the risk of breast cancer. It should be noted that protective effects against cancer of the ovary and uterine lining are very likely. No ill effects on the developing baby have been shown to occur if Depo Provera is given when a woman is already pregnant or in the very rare case where a woman becomes pregnant despite the injection.
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Who Can Use The Injection
Most women can have a contraceptive injection.
But it may not be suitable if you:
- think you might be pregnant
- do not want your periods to change
- want to have a baby in the next year
- have unexplained bleeding in between periods or after sex
- have arterial disease or a history of heart disease or stroke
- have breast cancer or have had it in the past
- are at risk of osteoporosis
Test Positive On An Ovulation Predictor Test
These are ovulation test kits you can buy in any pharmacy or online. They work a lot like a pregnancy test, in that you use your urine to test your hormones. While pregnancy tests look for hCG, an ovulation predictor test looks for the hormone luteinizing hormone . LH spikes just before you ovulate.
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Option #: Birth Control Pills
If youre part of the 10.6 million women currently using birth control pills, youve probably got a basic grasp on the two main types offered: combination birth control pills, which contain both estrogen and progestin hormones, and the minipill, which contains only progestin.
Its safe to say any birth control pill that contains hormones is going to help a woman have shorter, lighter periods, which, in turn, will help reduce the severity of cramps, says Dr. Amy Stoddard, an OB/GYN and assistant clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at UCLA. However, when it comes to really kicking out your cramps, youre going to want to stick with the combination pill. Though Dr. Stoddard agrees that both pills are effective, progestin-only pills have a lower track record of stopping ovulation, which means theyre less proven to help relieve cramps.
As for choosing between the dozens of birth control brands on the market , doctors agree that theres no brand of birth control pill thats inherently better when it comes to relieving cramps. In reality, it comes down to picking the pill with the most added personal benefits, like a brand specifically formulated to control acne, or one designated to help with unwanted hair growth. Which is why well say it once…and then again and again: You need to work with your doctor to figure out which type of pill is best for you.
How Is The Shot Taken
The first thing you need to do is get a prescription. This can be provided by your doctor or a health care provider after an appointment with you to review your medical history. You might also need a medical exam, depending on your physician and your medical history. The health care provider will provide the injection and temporary bruising may occur on your arm.
The cost of the exam can range from $0-250 and each visit after the exam can cost $0-150, depending on your medical coverage.
If you take the shot late , you may need to purchase a pregnancy test.
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What Are The Benefits
The shot is safe, simple and convenient to use. It provides an effective solution to prevent pregnancy for up to three months. Some of the other benefits include:
- Preventing cancer on the lining of the uterus
- No daily pills required
- Contains no estrogen
- Private method of birth control
- Improved sex life
- No prep work before having sex
Option #: Hormonal Iuds
Theres a reason why OB/GYNs are obsessed with IUDsthey freaking work. Not only do they have the highest rate of pregnancy prevention , but they also last for years, meaning theres virtually no user error or memory involved. And, for once, you’ve got tons of options to choose from: either hormonal IUDs, all of which contain the same type of progestin-only hormone called levonorgestrel, or the non-hormonal IUD, which uses copper filament to prevent pregnancy.
Within the hormonal IUD category, youve got four different types on the market: Liletta and Mirena , and Skyla and Kyleena . Theyre all progestin-onlywhich we’ve already said isn’t usually as effective at blocking ovulation and crampsbut because IUDs sit within your uterus, they’re powerhouses for thinning your uterine lining, which, in turn, lessens bleeding and cramps.
Okay, okaybut what about the non-hormonal IUD? Is there a way to curb cramps and prevent pregnancy without flooding your body with hormones? Unfortunately, no. The copper, non-hormonal IUD is a huge no-no for dealing with period cramps. With the copper IUD, your period will be crampier and a little bit heavier over time, which is something to keep in mind when choosing your IUD, says Dr. Stoddard. The biggest benefit of the copper IUD is that it protects against pregnancy for a full 10 years, but if youre dealing with severe cramps already, you may not want to take a chance on making them more painful.
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Are There Side Effects From Depo
There are possible side effects from Depo-Provera® injections. They can be different for each woman. They include:
- Irregular menstrual periods longer or shorter menstrual periods, heavier or lighter periods
- Loss of menstrual periods
- Weight gain . You can help maintain your weight by eating a healthy diet and getting regular exercise. Young women who are already overweight are more likely to gain weight while taking Depo-Provera®.
- Headaches
- Mood changes, worsening depressive symptoms
- Bloating
- Abdominal pain/discomfort
If you get any of these side effects, talk with your health care provider. Its important for you to know that most women will have very irregular periods, especially during the first 6 months you are on Depo-Provera®.
What Kind Of Bleeding Might You Experience While On The Birth Control Shot
Irregular bleeding is one of the most common side effects reported by women when they first use the shot, but it is a symptom that often goes away over time. Women may experience three types of regular bleeding:
- Breakthrough bleeding: When on the shot, you may have spotting or bleeding in between your regular periods. This usually occurs for as long as six months to the first year after treatment has started, though it will typically cease to occur if shots are obtained on a regular schedule.
- Heavy periods: For some users, the hormone shot can make periods last longer and create a heavier flow. This is one of the least common types of irregular bleeding experienced with the shot and typically resolves within several months of use.
- No periods, or lighter less frequent periods: A large percentage of women report having no periods after they have used the birth control shot for at least a year. For those who dont have a cessation of their period, they are likely to start seeing much lighter periods after 12 months. Both lighter periods and the absence of periods are completely normal and safe.
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Are There Good Depo Shot Effects
Side effects arent always a bad thing many people use the shot because some of the side effects can be really helpful. The hormones in the shot can help with painful or heavy periods. The shot may ease cramps and PMS, and it will usually make your period lighter. Many people on the shot stop getting their period at all while theyre using it.
Its totally safe to not get your period while youre on the shot. The changes in your periods can sometimes make people worry about being pregnant. But the chance of pregnancy is very low as long as you always get your shot on time, every 3 months. If youre worried, you can always take a pregnancy test to be sure.
The shot can also help protect you from certain health conditions, like cancer of the uterus and iron deficiency .
When Taking The Birth Control Shot Are You Supposed To Get Your Period
By | Aug. 18, 2011, 3:07 p.m.
Category:
when takin the shot are u suppost to get ur period the followin month?
In the first six to 12 months of using the shot, its normal for your menstrual cycle to be irregular. For most women, periods become fewer and lighter. After one year, half of all women who use the shot will stop having periods altogether. Some women, however, experience increased spotting and light bleeding between periods. Some women may worry that they are pregnant if they do not have a regular period. But when the birth control shot is used correctly, it is very effective. If you are concerned about a possible pregnancy, you can always take a pregnancy test. Learn more about the birth control shot.
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How Effective Is The Birth Control Shot
According to Planned Parenthood, a person must have a birth control shot every 3 months, or approximately every 1213 weeks. This amounts to 4 times a year.
When a person uses the birth control shot perfectly, it is 99% effective. However, not everybody uses birth control correctly. Sometimes people forget to renew their birth control shot or are unable to get an appointment in time.
This lowers the birth control shots efficacy. Planned Parenthood indicate that, in reality, the birth control shot is about 94% effective. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ,
Advantages Of The Shot
- More than 94 percent effective with typical use
- Lasts for 13 weeks at a time
- Lighter periods
- May improve PMS
- You can get the shot immediately after giving birth
- Safe with breastfeeding
- You must go to the clinic every 11 to13 weeks for the shot.
- You can get pregnant if you are late getting your shot or miss a shot.
- Possible side effects are weight gain and changes in your mood.
- Your periods will be irregular. In rare instances women may have more days of bleeding than before they started the shot.
- Some women may have a delay in getting pregnant after stopping the shot.
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