We'll break down how to know if it's late or just not coming this month and some common reasons why. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Medically reviewed by Debra Rose Wilson, Ph. How Does Depo-Provera Work? Progestin, the hormone in the shot, prevents pregnancy in three ways.
What are the side effects of Depo-Provera? Depo-Provera can cause irregular bleeding and other side effects. Irregular bleeding The most common side effect of the birth control shot is irregular bleeding. The most common bleeding problems include: breakthrough bleeding heavy periods lighter periods or no periods 1. Breakthrough bleeding Some women will experience bleeding or spotting between periods for several months after beginning the shot.
Heavy periods You may find that the shot makes your periods heavier and longer. Lighter periods or no periods After a year of using the birth control shot, up to half of women report they no longer have periods.
Other side effects Beyond bleeding, other side effects are often rare and mild. These side effects can include: abdominal pain weight gain a change in appetite a change in mood a change in sex drive hair loss acne an increase in facial and body hair breast tenderness breast soreness headache nausea dizziness weakness fatigue Most women will adjust to the hormone levels of a birth control shot in several months or after a few rounds of treatment.
What causes these side effects? Risk factors to keep in mind. Ibuprofen or estrogen to stop bleeding from the Depot-Provera shot. Bleeding after the Depo-Provera shot wears off. Read this next. Is It Spotting or a Period? Causes, Symptoms, and More Spotting is lighter than a period and may indicate that you have an underlying condition.
Medically reviewed by Nicole Galan, RN. Medically reviewed by Alan Carter, Pharm. Pills, IUD, and More. Medically reviewed by Darren Hein, PharmD. How Late Can a Period Be? Medically reviewed by Fernando Mariz, MD.
Bleeding irregularities that typically occur may include:. Ibuprofen and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs NSAIDs can help reduce the inflammation and pain that may come with abnormal uterine bleeding. A review from the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews notes that taking a type of NSAID called mefenamic acid may help decrease the duration of bleeding in people undergoing Depo-Provera therapy.
Everyone responds to medications differently, so it is important to discuss dosage to relieve Depo-Provera-related bleeding and discomfort with a doctor. One of the easiest ways to cope with Depo-Provera-related bleeding is to recognize that it is a normal symptom. However, it is not normal to have very painful or heavy bleeding. People should see a doctor for evaluation in these cases.
While abnormal bleeding can be irritating and alarming, keep in mind that some irregular bleeding or spotting during the early months of Depo-Provera therapy typically means that the body is adjusting to the medication.
Knowing, and accepting, that some light irregular bleeding may happen can help most people manage this frustrating side effect. Irregular bleeding can ruin clothing. An unexpected heavy period is an experience that most people find unpleasant.
Being able to anticipate an abnormal flow when starting Depo-Provera therapy may help a person plan to wear pads, protective underwear, or tampons during the adjustment months. This can help save money and frustration. It can also be beneficial to carry around an extra pad or tampon, or even a pair of underwear, for the first year or so after starting Depo-Provera therapy. After injecting the medication, it takes at least 3 months to wear off.
For this reason, it is not possible to simply stop taking Depo-Provera. However, as soon as the 3-month mark passes, Depo-Provera quickly becomes ineffective. So, if side effects are severe, it may be best to simply stop the therapy and wait for the medicine to leave the system. It is relatively easy to stop Depo-Provera therapy without medical approval. However, it is still important to talk with a doctor about the consequences of stopping, such as becoming pregnant.
It is also vital to discuss the side effects with a doctor, especially regarding how long to anticipate symptoms for, before quitting the therapy. The side effects are usually minor and temporary. If appropriate, a doctor may recommend estrogen therapy for those with irregular bleeding during Depo-Provera therapy. In most cases, though, bleeding will stop after one year.
Stop using Depo-Provera one year before you want to become pregnant. Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life.
Cleveland Clinic. Depo-Provera birth control shot. Reviewed May 12, Spevack E. The long-term health implications of Depo-Provera. Integr Med. Effects of three contraceptive methods on depression and sexual function: an ancillary study of the ECHO randomized trial.
Int J Gynaecol Obstet. DMPA: Compliance and side effects in a tertiary care hospital. Int J Recent Acad Res. Cornet A. Current challenges in contraception in adolescents and young women. Current Opinion in Obstetrics and Gynecology. Your Privacy Rights. To change or withdraw your consent choices for VerywellHealth. At any time, you can update your settings through the "EU Privacy" link at the bottom of any page. These choices will be signaled globally to our partners and will not affect browsing data.
We and our partners process data to: Actively scan device characteristics for identification. I Accept Show Purposes. Table of Contents View All. Table of Contents. Before Starting. Side Effects. Getting Pregnant. Recap You will need a medical exam before starting Depo-Provera.
Recap Depo-Provera may cause side effects like prolonged bleeding and weight gain. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Sign Up. What are your concerns? 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. Related Articles. The Advantages and Disadvantages of Depo-Provera.
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