Sexual Health Birth Control Prescription Options Side Effects of Depo Provera Shots 4 Common Ones To Consider By Dawn Stacey, PhD, LMHC twitter linkedin Dawn Stacey, PhD, LMHC, is a published author, college professor, and mental health consultant with over 15 years of counseling experience. Learn about our editorial process Dawn Stacey, PhD, LMHC Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Brian Levine, MD on January 13, 2020 linkedin Brian Levine, MD, MS, FACOG, is board-certified in obstetrics and gynecology, as well as in reproductive endocrinology and infertility. Learn about our Medical Review Board Brian Levine, MD on January 13, 2020 Print Depo Provera (depot medroxyprogesterone acetate, or DMPA) is a contraceptive that's given by injection four times a year. Each depo shot releases progestin, a synthetic form of the female hormone progesterone, that protects a person from getting pregnant for between 11 weeks and 14 weeks. There are two types, the original Depo Provera shot and Depo-subQ Provera 104 (which has been found to be an effective treatment for endometriosis as well as a contraceptive). Pamela Moore/Getty Images There are many advantages of using Depo-Provera. As long as the injections are given on time, both types are 99.7% effective. It allows for sexual spontaneity and people who are breastfeeding can safely use it. But it's not without side effects. For instance, it can take as many as nine or 10 months to regain your fertility after you take your last shot. And in clinical studies, a very small percentage of people have skin reactions to the shots: dimpling or lumpiness around the injection site. If you don't mind getting shots and you're looking for a form of birth control that you don't have to think about every day, Depo Provera could be a great option for you. To help you decide if you'd like to try it, here are some common side effects to consider. Spotting and Breakthrough Bleeding After getting your first injection of Depo Provera, your body will likely go through changes as it adjusts to the hormone. For some people, this can mean irregular bleeding (spotting) or even prolonged bleeding that's similar to a regular period. This is perfectly normal, especially during the first three months of using Depo Provera. There's no way to know before you try the contraceptive if spotting or bleeding will be an issue for you, but you can always switch to another form of birth control if it is and it bothers you. Spotting and Bleeding With Depo-Provera Weight Gain This is one side effect that people often cite when they quit taking Depo Provera. During the first year, on average most people who go on Depo Provera gain between 3.5 pounds and 5 pounds. It does seem that body weight and fat appear to increase with the use of DMPA. This gain usually is temporary though. Research has shown that people who used nonhormonal contraception after discontinuing Depo Provera lost the weight within two years. Weight Gain With Depo Provera No More Periods In clinical studies, 39 percent of people found that their periods completely stopped by the end of six months of using Depo Provera. After nine months, about half of people's periods had stopped. Among the remaining people, 57% reported that their periods had stopped by the end of a year. Bone Loss The package inserts for both Depo Provera and Depo-subQ Provera 104 contain a mandated black box warning about the possible reduction of bone mineral density due to the loss of stored calcium in bones. The longer you're on Depo Provera, the more bone loss you're likely to have. Make sure you talk to your gynecologist about this potentially serious side effect. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Schrager S, Falleroni J, Edgoose J. Evaluation and treatment of endometriosis. Am Fam Physician. 2013;87(2):107-13. Pfizer. DEPO-subQ PROVERA 104® (medroxyprogesterone acetate) injectable suspension, for subcutaneous use Information for Patients.