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Provera: Depo Provera
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Depo Provera is not given to pregnant women. If an unexpected pregnancy occurs 1 to 2 months after a Depo Provera injection, the baby is more likely to have a low birth weight or other health problems; birth defects are possible if you use the drug during the first 3 months of pregnancy. Children born to women who were taking Depo Provera show no signs of poor health or development. Because Depo Provera does not prevent the breasts from producing milk, it can be used by women who are breastfeeding. However, to minimize the amount of Depo Provera that is passed to the infant during the first weeks of life, the drug is not given until 6 weeks after childbirth. Studies show Depo Provera is not harmful to the infant then or later in life.
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Depo-Provera use is associated with a decrease in bone mineral density (BMD). This decrease appears to be most rapid in the first two years of use. The loss of BMD appears to be largely reversible once Depo-Provera is discontinued. This does not seem to lead to reduced bone mineral density at the age of menopause. Depo-Provera is associated with a decrease in bone mineral density in adolescents during a critical period of bone increase. BMD decrease during adolescence may result in ultimately lower peak bone mass. For this reason, the FDA placed a Black Box Warning on Depo-Provera regarding the risk of bone density loss in adolescents, and in all women after extended years of use.
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The pamphlet distributed by UpJohn, the company that makes Depo Provera, states that using Depo Provera may be associated with a decrease in the amount of mineral stored in your bones. This can increase the risk for developing fractures. The use of Calcium Suplements is , therefore, recommended. Studies have shown no increased risk for cancer of the breast, ovary, uterus, cervix or liver. However, UpJohn states that women under 35 years of age, whose first exposure to Depo Provera was within the past 4 years, may have a slightly increased risk of breast cancer similar to that seen with the pill.
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Depo-Provera may help "buy time" for women in difficult situations, but it is not the quick fix solution. Social and other supports are needed to address the often underlying issues of poverty, abuse, and low self-esteem. As well, some providers too readily assume a woman will be "non-compliant" in taking other forms of birth control. Immigrant, refugee and Aboriginal women have complained about providers offering them Depo-Provera as a first choice contraceptive, not taking time to discuss other alternatives and discouraging them from having more children. All clients, but particularly women marginalized in the health care system, need time and sensitive counseling to ensure informed choice. Since Depo has the potential to be misused and its effects remain in the body beyond three months, it should not be a first-choice contraceptive, but considered only after all other alternatives are explored.
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All women who use Depo-Provera notice changes in their menstrual periods. During the first year, menstrual periods are usually irregular and spotting or bleeding may occur between periods. After six to 12 months of Depo-Provera use, most women have few periods, and many stop having periods altogether. The absence of periods while using Depo-Provera is not harmful. These changes are not permanent, and periods will return after the Depo-Provera is stopped.
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Depo-Provera is a shot for women that prevents pregnancy. It uses a man-made form of the female hormone progesterone. (Progesterone is one of the hormones used in birth control pills.) After a shot of Depo-Provera, the high level of progesterone in the body prevents the ovaries from releasing an egg for the next 3 months. If the ovaries do not release an egg, you cannot become pregnant. The hormone ... changes the lining of the uterus, which helps prevent a fertilized egg from attaching to the uterus. Less than 1% of women using Depo-Provera become pregnant.
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Depo Provera