What You Need to Know About Depo-Provera

Depo-Provera is a reversible method of prescription birth control. Also known as DMPA, Depo shot, or the birth control shot, this progestin-only contraceptive prevents pregnancy for up to three months with each shot.

Depo-Provera, also referred to as Depo, slowly releases a progestin known as medroxyprogesterone acetate which protects against pregnancy for a period of 11 to 14 weeks. It works by preventing ovulation and thickening the cervical mucus. This prevents sperm from entering the fallopian tubes and fertilizing an egg that may have been ovulated.

There are two versions of Depo-Provera. Each provides the same level of pregnancy protection.

Depo-Provera Injection

The original Depo-Provera formula must be injected into a muscle, either the buttock or upper arm. You must have a shot four times a year (every 11 to 13 weeks) to maintain Depo-Provera’s high effectiveness rate. One shot contains 150 milligrams of medroxyprogesterone acetate.

Depo-SubQ Provera 104 Injection

This version contains 31 percent less hormone than the original Depo shot at 104 milligrams of medroxyprogesterone acetate. Because it has a lower dose of progestin, it may lead to fewer progestin-related side effects.

You can easily switch from Depo-Provera to Depo-subQ Provera 104 at your next scheduled injection. If you do this, you will have immediate pregnancy protection.

Compared to other birth control methods, there are a number of reasons why Depo-Provera is appealing to many women.

• It is a highly effective and reversible prescription birth control option.
• It is a great option if you don't want the hassle of using a daily birth control method like the pill.
• You only have to get Depo-Provera injections four times a year. Once you get your Depo shot, you don't need to think about birth control for months.
• Depo-Provera may make your periods very light and may stop altogether after a few Depo injections.
• Depo-Provera does not interfere with having sex, so it allows for spontaneity.
• It is a private and discreet contraceptive choice. Nobody has to know that you use Depo-Provera because there are no wrappers or pill compacts.
• Depo does not contain estrogen, so it can be a good alternative if you cannot tolerate estrogen or use combination contraceptives.
• Women who are breastfeeding or are six-weeks postpartum can safely use Depo-Provera.

It's common for birth control to have disadvantages. Depo-Provera is no different, and it is important to know both the pros and the cons before you make a decision. Among the other disadvantages:

• Scheduling is important and you must remember to make your injection appointment every 12 weeks. If it's been more than 13 weeks since your last shot (or 14 weeks since your last Depo-subQ 104 shot), make sure to use a backup birth control method because you could be at risk for getting pregnant.
• Due to the possibility of bone density loss, it is also recommended that you shouldn't use Depo Provera or Depo-subQ Provera 104 for more than two years.
• Many women stop using Depo-Provera during the first year of use due to spotting/irregular bleeding and/or continuous bleeding. This side effect is especially common during the first three months of Depo use. Unfortunately, there is no way to know ahead of time whether or not you will experience these bleeding issues.
• In a small number of cases, women have experienced skin reactions in the area where they received the Depo shot. The skin around the injection may also get dimpled or feel lumpy.
• You would need to stop your Depo injections one year before you would like to become pregnant. It takes an average of nine to 10 months (and sometimes even a year or longer) to regain fertility and begin ovulating after receiving your last shot.
• Some studies show weight gain with Depo-Provera. The manufacturer states that women gain an average of 5.4 pounds the first year and will have gained 8.1 pounds by the end of the second year.
• Some women report mild pain associated with the Depo injection.

Unfortunately, there is no way to predict who will get side effects or any way to stop them once they occur. While the symptoms will usually resolve once the treatment is stopped, it may take 12 to 14 weeks to fully return to normal.

Over the first year of Depo shots, you may notice a few changes as your body adjusts. Additionally, some of the less common side effects include changes in sex drive and appetite as well as hair loss and/or increased hair on the face or body.

In a few women, it may cause depression, nervousness, dizziness, nausea, or headaches. A skin rash or spotty darkening of the skin or sore breasts may also occur.

If you are currently using another hormonal method, you can switch to Depo-Provera. You should receive your first Depo shot within seven days after the last day of using your current method. 

• If switching from combination birth control pills, arrange to get your first Depo shot within seven days after taking your last active pill.
• If switching from the Ortho Evra Patch, plan your Depo-Provera injection within seven days after removing your patch.
• If switching from the NuvaRing, schedule your first Depo shot within seven days after taking the ring out.

Depo Provera can be a safe birth control option for most healthy women. It is important that you discuss your complete medical history with your doctor before receiving an injection. Depo-Provera is not recommended for adolescent girls or for women who any of the following:

• Breast cancer
• Thrombophlebitis, a history of thromboembolic disorders, or cerebral vascular disease
• Risk factors for osteoporosis: bone disease, excessive alcohol or smoking, a family history of osteoporosis, anorexia, or use of steroid drugs
• Significant liver disease
• Undiagnosed vaginal bleeding
• A desire to become pregnant within the next year

While Depo-subQ Provera 104 is recognized as a safe and effective form of long-term birth control, it has other indications distinct from original Depo-Provera.

The efficacy of the drug extends to alleviating pelvic pain and tenderness, dysmenorrhea (menstrual cramps), painful intercourse, and the hardening and thickening of endometrial tissue.

Both Depo-Provera versions can also help lower your uterine cancer risk by approximately 80 percent. This protective effect may persist for around eight years once you stop using the drug.

Under the Affordable Care Act, most insurance plans must cover doctor visits related to birth control and the shot itself is free under most plans. Medicaid may cover the cost as well. Any changes to the Affordable Care Act may affect whether insurance plans cover contraception. Check with your insurance plan to see what your coverage and costs may be.

If you do not have coverage, you will need to pay out-of-pocket for the medical exam. Your cost may be as much as $250 for the first visit and as much as $150 for further visits.

You may incur additional costs if you are more than two weeks late for your next scheduled shot. Your doctor may require a pregnancy test before your next injection, so you will need to pay for that as well.

A Word From Verywell

Since it was first approved by the FDA, Depo-Provera has been a popular option for birth control. Whether or not it is right for you depends on many factors. Many women have found that a couple of years of regular injections makes managing birth control easier.

Speak with your doctor to see if it's a good fit and be sure to ask any questions you have along the way.