Depo-Provera Birth Control

There are several advantages and disadvantages of using Depo-Provera^® (medroxyprogesterone intramuscular injection) as your method of birth control.

 

Depo-Provera is a synthetic version of the hormone progesterone and is injected into a muscle. Because it does not contain estrogen, Depo-Provera may be a good option for women who should not use estrogen. Another benefit of this form of birth control is that Depo-Provera is a long-acting contraceptive -- each shot will help prevent pregnancy for three months. This may be convenient for women who do not like to take a daily birth control pill.

 

However, because it is a long-acting form of birth control, Depo-Provera takes many months to be removed completely from the bloodstream. Therefore, it might take several months or longer to be able to conceive after your last Depo-Provera shot.