Depo-Provera is one of the most effective contraceptives that prevent undesired pregnancies.
But can you get pregnant on Depo shot? Getting pregnant on Depo shot (DMPA) is a rare incidence. This hormonal shot releases progestin hormone that prevents ovulation and alters the cervical mucus to prevent unwanted pregnancies. Inaccurate use, such as not using additional barrier protection if the shot is taken after the first five days of menstruation for a few days or delay in taking a shot, can be a reason for most pregnancies on Depo shot. Read on to learn more
about reasons for getting pregnant on Depo-Provera shot, how to avoid such incidents, and ways to prevent pregnancy. Depo-Provera is a female contraceptive injection containing a synthetic progesterone hormone called depo-medroxyprogesterone (DMPA). Usually,
150mg of the drug is administered through a deep intramuscular injection (1). The injection is given by a doctor or a nurse in the upper arms or buttocks. One depo shot is given within five days of menstruation and it remains effective for about
12 weeks. But a depo shot cannot be taken if you have any of these health issues (2): You should inform your doctor if you have any of the above health issues or if you are taking other medications because Depo-Provera goes into your body and changes the way your menstrual system works. As mentioned earlier, Depo-Provera is a synthesized form of progesterone. When the
body senses the presence of progesterone, it will stop producing the hormone naturally, thereby inhibiting the release of the egg. The contraceptive injection works in more than one way: The shot, once taken, is effective for 12 weeks or three months. The depo shot is the most effective contraceptive with an accuracy of 97% (3). If you take it every 12 weeks, it can be 99.7% effective. However, no birth control
method is 100% effective. If you haven’t taken a shot after 12 to 13 weeks, you may have to use alternative contraceptive methods to avoid pregnancy. Also, go for a pregnancy test before taking the shot after a gap. Though the shot is very effective, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advises the users to take it for not more than two years as it weakens the bone mass density, so supplementary calcium may be taken. However, the World Health Organization does not put any such restrictions (4). But the drug is not free of side effects. What Are The Side Effects Of A Depo Shot?Depo-Provera’s side effects include (5):
Other mild side effects are:
The side effects of the depo shot are significant, and there is a reason why you might have these issues if you take the injection. Why Does A Depo Shot Have Side Effects?When a high dose of progestin is injected, it takes some time for the body to cope with this synthetic hormone. Since this contraceptive medication has a long-lasting effect, you may experience certain side-effects. However, as the shots become regular, you might notice a reduction in the level of discomfort as the body gets used to the presence of progestin. The side effects also subside if you stop taking the shots. One thing to note about the side effects is that they are similar to the symptoms of pregnancy. Depo shot side effects that are similar to pregnancy symptoms:Do not panic if you have the below effects after having the injection:
As long as the side effects are just minor irritants, it is alright. However, if they become severe, talk to your doctor. When To Call The Doctor?Contact your doctor immediately if you experience:
The doctor might recommend an alternative to depo shot if she thinks that the injection isn’t suiting you. You may discuss the matter in detail with the doctor. What to ask your doctor?
Make sure to discuss the pros and cons of depo shots before moving on or away from it. Advantages And Disadvantages Of A Depo ShotHere are some advantages of a depo shot:
The disadvantages include:
One of the biggest disadvantages of depo shots is that you have to wait for months to restore your fertility in case you are planning a pregnancy. How To Get Pregnant On Depo Shot?If you plan for pregnancy while on depo shots, you need to stop it months before you get pregnant. According to the FDA, the median time to conceive after discontinuing the shots is ten months. However, you may conceive as early as four months or as late as 31 months (2). The synthetic hormone needs to leave your body so that fertility can be restored. However, the length of the drug’s usage does not influence your chances of getting pregnant. If you have decided to conceive, then you must skip the next shot. But what happens if you have unknowingly taken the shot when you are pregnant? And can you opt for a shot while breastfeeding your baby? Answers follow. Is Depo Shot Safe During Pregnancy And Breastfeeding?In addition to being a contraceptive, a depo shot is also an abortifacient, which means it can abort your pregnancy. The man-made hormone inhibits hCG secretions, thus restricting follicular maturation. It also thins down the endometrial lining. Therefore, the FDA stipulates that the injection be given only after the doctor confirms that you are not pregnant. Also, it may be given within the first five days of your menstrual cycle. Depo while breastfeedingDepo-Provera does pass into the breast milk in small amounts but has no impact on the nursing babies (7).There have been no reports of any long-term effects on the behavior or development of the baby. However, if you are breastfeeding, you should not take the first shot until at least six weeks after delivery. 1. Do any medicines reduce the effect of the depo shot? Aminoglutethimide (Cytadren), a drug used to suppress adrenal function in women suffering from Cushing’s syndrome, may reduce the effectiveness of the depo shot (8). 2. How can I know if my ovulation has restarted after stopping depo injections? Getting positive results on an ovulation predictor test, tracking the basal body temperature, and having a regular menstrual cycle may indicate the resumption of ovulation after stopping Depo-Provera injections (9). Depo shots are hormonal contraceptives that can effectively prevent pregnancy. However, they aren’t the safest choice as they can cause side effects such as headaches, fluid retention, mood changes, and irregular or no periods. Though as you take the shots regularly, the symptoms might reduce. Nonetheless, depo shots are similar to other hormonal contraceptives. So weigh your options carefully before making a decision. Getting pregnant on depo shots is possible but rare. You need to stop taking depo shots months before you get pregnant. Speak to your doctor to understand your options better. Infographic: What If You Missed Your Shot And Had Unprotected Sex?If you are more than two weeks late for the DMPA depo-shot and have had unprotected sex, an emergency contraceptive may be required to prevent pregnancy. Go through the infographic below to know more about methods of emergency contraception. References:MomJunction's articles are written after analyzing the research works of expert authors and institutions. Our references consist of resources established by authorities in their respective fields. You can learn more about the authenticity of the information we present in our editorial policy.
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Shreeja holds a postgraduate degree in Chemistry and diploma in Drug Regulatory Affairs from the University of Mumbai. Before joining MomJunction, she worked as a research analyst with a leading multinational pharmaceutical company. Her interest in the field of medical research has developed her passion for writing research-based articles. As a writer, she aims at providing informative articles on health... more Dr. Shashwat Jani is a consultant obstetrician & gynecologist in Smt. N.H.L. Municipal Medical College, Ahmedabad. His field of interests are High Risk Pregnancy, Infertility and Endoscopy. He has written 12 chapters in reference books of Ob/Gyn and published 18 articles in Index journals. Dr. Jani has been invited as faculty in more than 200 national and international conferences. He... more Can I get pregnant if I'm bleeding on depo?If I'm bleeding while on Depo-Provera, could I be pregnant? If you're bleeding on Depo-Provera and you receive the shot regularly, the bleeding likely isn't a result of being pregnant. When used correctly, Depo-Provera is a 99%-effective birth control.
How do you tell if you're pregnant while on depo?Women who get pregnant while using birth control may notice the following signs and symptoms:. a missed period.. implantation spotting or bleeding.. tenderness or other changes in the breasts.. fatigue.. nausea and food aversions.. backaches.. headaches.. a frequent need to urinate.. What does it mean when you bleed while on depo?Irregular bleeding is normal on Depo-Provera. Around 57 percent of people who have this shot experience irregular bleeding or spotting 12 months after doing so, and 32 percent of people do at 24 months. This symptom usually improves the longer people use the medication.
What are the chances of getting pregnant on the depo shot?When used perfectly, the birth control shot effectiveness is more than 99%, meaning less than 1 out of every 100 people who use it will get pregnant each year. But when it comes to real life, the shot is about 96% effective, because sometimes people forget to get their shots on time.
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Can you get pregnant on the depo shot while bleeding
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