Irregular menstrual bleedingNo periodsAnxiety and mood changesWeight gainDelayed fertilityAbdominal painHeadacheLocal injection reactions
Side effects typically occur within the first year of using the Depo shot as your body gets used to the medication. More serious side effects, such as bone loss, can also occur with use.
Depo-Provera is an injection that is given every 12 weeks. When used correctly, it is as much as 99.7% effective. As a progestin-only birth control, it may be a great choice if you are unable to use estrogen-based birth control.
Read on to learn more about common Depo side effects that you should consider before starting the shot, as well as those you should bring to your healthcare provider’s attention if you already take it.
There is no way to predict who will experience this Depo shot side effect or how severe it may be. In some cases, ending the treatment is the only option.
For others, supplementation like Lysteda (tranexamic acid) and Ponstel (mefenamic acid) may provide short-term relief until the body gets used to Depo-Provera.
Clinical studies estimate that over a third of those on Depo-Provera will stop menstruating after six months of treatment. This number increases to 55% of individuals after a year and 68% by year two.
Many are willing to tolerate the initial bleeding with the hopes of not having a period anymore.
In clinical trials, nervousness was reported by 10.8% of those using Depo-Provera, and depression was reported by 1.5%.
If you have a history of depression, you should be monitored for mood-related side effects while using Depo-Provera. If you experience symptoms of depression, discontinue use.
To help with bone loss, healthcare providers often recommend calcium and vitamin D supplements, as well as a calcium-rich diet. Keep in mind that if bone loss occurs, it is considered permanent.
Depo-Provera has a black box warning, which is a label used to highlight serious medication risks, regarding this side effect.
That number increased to 8 pounds by year two and continued to increase. By year six, women on Depo-Provera gained an average of 16.5 pounds (or roughly 2.9 pounds per year).
This side effect is not seen in everyone, however.
If you would like to get pregnant, you may have to wait at least nine months before trying.
This can be a sign of ectopic pregnancy—a pregnancy that occurs outside of the uterus—which has been reported in some people who use Depo-Provera.
If you have severe abdominal pain while using this form of birth control, seek emergency care at once. Ectopic pregnancy is a life-threatening emergency.
These reactions tend to be relatively minor and resolve on their own within a day or two.
DizzinessWeakness or fatigue
These types of symptoms tend to get better the longer you take Depo-Provera and usually don’t need treatment.
