How fast does the depo shot work

Contact your doctor right away if you have abnormally heavy or nonstop bleeding. Other possible side effects of Depo-Provera include:. Due to an increased risk of osteoporosis, you should limit the use of Depo-Provera to 2 years. Eat foods high in vitamin D and calcium to increase your bone density. Depo-Provera may increase your chance of having breast cancer if you begin using it before the age of Women who are breastfeeding can use Depo-Provera.

You should not use it if you are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or have:. Depo-Provera is effective at preventing pregnancy if you get the shots on time. The success rate can be higher than other forms of birth control, including diaphragms, condoms, and pills. Depo-Provera does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases STDs. Last Updated: September 11, This information provides a general overview and may not apply to everyone. Talk to your family doctor to find out if this information applies to you and to get more information on this subject.

Emergency contraception is a method of preventing pregnancy if used within a short period of time after having sex. Natural family planning NFP is a form of pregnancy planning. It does not involve medicine or devices. It tracks…. An intrauterine device IUD is a form of birth control used to prevent pregnancy. There are 2 types of…. Visit The Symptom Checker. Read More. Over the course of a year, about 6 out of typical couples who use the birth control shot will have an accidental pregnancy.

The chance of getting pregnant increases if a girl waits longer than 3 months to get her next shot. In general, how well each type of birth control method works depends on a lot of things. These include whether a person has any health conditions or is taking any medicines that might affect its use. It also depends on whether the method is convenient and whether the person remembers to use it correctly all of the time. The birth control shot does not protect against STDs. In fact, some studies show that the birth control shot may possibly increase the risk of getting certain STDs, although scientists do not understand why.

Couples having sex must always use condoms along with the shot to protect against STDs. Many girls who use the birth control shot will notice a change in their periods. Side effects that some girls have include:. The U.

Food and Drug Administration FDA has issued a safety warning about the use of the birth control shot. Studies link this shot to a loss of bone density in women, although bone density may recover when a woman is no longer getting the shot.

The loss of bone density seems to be worse when the shot is used for longer periods of time. Your doctor will usually give the shot in your upper arm or buttocks, whichever you prefer. Otherwise, you need to use a backup birth control method for the first week. If 14 weeks or more have passed since your last shot, your doctor may perform a pregnancy test before giving you another shot. The Depo-Provera shot is a highly effective birth control method.

Most women taking the shot have progressively lighter periods. This is perfectly safe. Others may get longer, heavier periods. Women who use Depo-Provera may also experience decreased bone density. This happens more the longer you use it and stops when you stop using the shot. Your doctor may recommend you take calcium supplements and eat foods rich in calcium and vitamin D to help protect your bones. Though rare, serious side effects can occur. The primary benefit of the birth control shot is its simplicity.

However, there are also some drawbacks to this method. They can help you balance the facts about each option with your health history and lifestyle considerations to help determine which method is best for you. Learn ways to manage the birth control shot side effect of irregular bleeding and when you should see a doctor. Both the birth control pill and the birth control shot, Depo-Provera, contain hormones. Learn more and decide if one is right for you.