Birth Control Shot
Written by Jane Carrasco
What Is The Birth Control Shot?
The birth control shot, also known by the brand name Depo-Provera, is a long-acting form of the hormone progesterone given as an injection in the upper arm or in the buttocks.
How Often Do You Need A Shot?
The first shot should be given within 5 days after the beginning of a normal menstrual period, and shots should be repeated every 3 months. Each shot of Depo-Provera will protect you from pregnancy for 12 weeks. So you will need to go to your health care provider every 12 weeks for a shot. If you are two or more weeks late getting your shot, your health care provider may ask you to take a pregnancy test, or may advise you to use emergency contraception if you had vaginal intercourse in the previous 5 days.
How Does The Birth Control Shot Work?
The Depo-Provera shot works by stopping ovulation, or putting the ovaries into a resting state. Pregnancy cannot happen if there is no egg for the sperm to fertilize. The progestin thickens a woman's cervical mucus. The mucus blocks sperm and keeps it from joining with an egg.
How Effective Is The Shot?
Less than 1 out of 100 women will get pregnant each year if they always use the birth control shot as directed. It does not offer any protection from STD's or HIV/AIDS.
What Are The Benefits?
Depo-Provera makes it easy to move on with your everyday life and not have to worry about taking a pill at the same time each day. Other benefits include an improved sex life because it allows for spontaneity, women who cannot take estrogen and women who are breastfeeding can safely use the shot, plus it can help prevent cancer of the lining of the uterus.
But, there are risk factors involved so you must see a doctor and get an exam in order to be prescribed Depo-Provera. There is no way to stop the side effects of Depo-Provera and they may continue until the shot wears off, in 12 to 14 weeks.
What Are Some of the Side Effects of the Depo-Provera Shot?
# Irregular bleeding- Periods become fewer and lighter for most women. After one year, half of the women who use the birth control shot will stop having periods completely.
# Some women have longer, heavier periods.
# Some women have increased spotting and light bleeding between periods.
and
# nausea
# sore breasts
# change in sex drive
# depression
# headaches
# change in appetite, weight gain
Disclaimer
The information provided herein should not be used for diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical practitioner should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. The content provided is intended strictly for informational purposes to help patient understanding of medical terms and conditions.