Birth Control Forum - Side effects of Depo Provera

Womens Health > Birth Control Forum > Side effects of Depo Provera

Birth control is helpful in preventing pregnancy. Need to know more about birth control? Start here to learn more about popular methods of birth control....

Q: Side effects of Depo Provera

asked by: DoctorQuestion on August 13th, 2009

hello doctor,
i am new in this forum.
my concern is about the side fx of depovera (read:subject)
my first and only shot of depovera was last march which was effective till june. i had bleeding practically a month after it was in effect. after june 4 (its expiration) or thereabouts, the bleeding stopped. now it's already the 2nd week of August but still i do not have my period back. is it normal? i had some "spotting" 2 weeks ago which was just for about 2 days. i did the home pregnancy test kit 2 days ago, and i'm not pregnant. do i need to re-check again with a doctor this time? or is it just normal for period/s to stop for awhile? please not that i did not use depovera for long, only once. it was also my very first and for now, my only contraceptive ever. so very worried if i am pregnant although i do not have and feel any symptoms. i guess the closest symptom i could have right now is just my increased appetite. please enlighten...
thank you very much.
"Mommamiya

Replies(3)

Dr. Goce Aleksovski , MD

replied on August 16th, 2009

Birth Control Answer A7073

Referring to the data you provided (not having menstrual period after taking one shot of Depo Provera (generic name: medroxyprogesterone), spotting before two weeks only for two days), you might be experiencing menstrual irregularities as a side effect of medroxyprogesteron. Menstrual irregularities might range from amenorrhea to unusual bleeding (or both). Other side effects might include: weight changes, dizziness and headache.

The spotting for only two days might have been your menstrual period changed under the influence of medroxyprogesteron.

You might want to visit your gynecologist for a physical examination and hormonal laboratory tests. Checking for pregnancy is advised, too, because the data that were given are not sufficient to either confirm or rule out pregnancy, and certain hormones (which might be recommended to treat the hormonal imbalance) are not supposed to be taken in pregnancy.

DISCLAIMER: "Ask a Doctor" questions are answered by certified physicians and other medical professionals who volunteer their time on eHealth Forum. For more information about experts participating in the "Ask a Doctor" Network, please visit our medical experts page. You may also visit our Birth Control , for moderated patient to patient support and information.

The information provided on eHealth Forum is designed to improve, not replace, the relationship between a patient and his/her own physician. Personal consultation(s) with a qualified medical professional is the proper means for diagnosing any medical condition.

Comments (2)

This question has been answered by the doctor. This topic is now open for public discussion, however no comments below this point will be answered by a doctor.

Learn About Us

Get Help

Join In

Do More

We comply with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health
information:
verify here.

The site is not a replacement for professional medical opinion, examination, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your medical doctor or other qualified health professional before starting any new treatment or making any changes to existing treatment. Do not delay seeking or disregard medical advice based on information written by any author on this site. No health questions and information on eHealth Forum is regulated or evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and therefore the information should not be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease without the supervision of a medical doctor. Posts made to these forums express the views and opinions of the author, and not the administrators, moderators, or editorial staff and hence eHealth Forum and its principals will accept no liabilities or responsibilities for the statements made. Schizophrenia health sitemap.
This page was last updated on January 1, 2009.
© 2008 eForums, Inc