|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Dedicated to Women's Health |
Home | Site Map | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Depo-Provera (DP) is the most effective reversible method of contraception available today. While it is relatively new in the U.S., it has been used around the world since the 1960’s. DP is as effective as a tubal ligation but is reversible. It is convenient (injections every 12 to 14 weeks) and has many other benefits and a few side effects. As stated above, DP is given as an injection every 12 - 14 weeks. It is a hormone (not estrogen) that is very similar to one your body normal makes after ovulation. It prevents your ovaries from making eggs, thereby preventing pregnancy. After your first shot, you will make the appointment for the next shot BEFORE you leave the office. We will call you to remind you to come in. The shot can be given in the upper arm though we recommend the buttocks because it hurts less and doesn’t make your arm sore. Now, for some of DP’s benefits. DP is safe in women who have a history of blood clots or phlebitis (inflammation of the veins), high blood pressure, heart disease, sickle cell anemia or on seizure medication. In fact, for those with seizures, DP can improve your seizure control. For women who are breastfeeding, DP can increase the amount of breast milk (unlike birth control pills that can decrease breast milk production). DP also decreases your risk of endometrial cancer, decreases bleeding with your periods, decreases endometriosis and pelvic inflammatory disease, decreases the occurrence of ectopic (tubal) pregnancy and ovarian cysts and decreases the occurrence and growth of uterine fibroids. Now, for the side effects. THE MOST COMMON PROBLEM WOMEN HAVE WITH DP IS IRREGULAR BLEEDING. This can range from occasional spotting to prolonged heavy periods. Between 10 and 25% of women will stop DP because of this irregular bleeding. Not all women get irregular bleeding and it improves with each injection. About 30% of women never bleed from Day 1. After 1 year, many women stop having periods and by the 5th year, 80% of women are not having any bleeding. If this bleeding persists, we can give you a prescription to take estrogen for 7 days (it will not decrease the effectiveness of DP’s birth control) or will put you on a medication like ibuprofen (800 mg) regularly for 7 days. Women can also experience weight gain. The average is 4 pounds in the first year. There are some women who will gain more and many women will not gain any extra weight. If you watch what you eat (low fat please) and exercise (3 to 4 times per week) you can keep this at a minimum. Remember, women gain 30 to 40 lbs. With a pregnancy. Other side effects that women can encounter, much less commonly, are breast tenderness, depression and decreased sex drive. After discontinuing DP, it can take 6 to 8 months for it to be gone from your body. THIS DOES NOT MEAN IT WILL PREVENT PREGNANCY FOR THIS TIME. It means that you may not get regular periods or ovulate regularly for 6 to 8 months. Please remember, DP DOES NOT PROTECT YOU AGAINST SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES OR HIV. If you have a new partner, please use condoms until you both have been checked out. It is very important that you are not pregnant when DP is given. We will do all we can to make sure you are not pregnant. This means the first injection is given while you are still on your period. If DP is not given during the first 5 days of your period, a back-up method of birth control should be used for the first 3 weeks. If you wish to start DP, please call the office the first day of your menses (call Monday if it starts over the weekend. We’ll fit you in to get your first shot. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Dundalk ● Baltimore ● Catonsville | Tel. 410-633-6300 | info@hoffmanobgyn.com |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
