Medically Reviewed by Traci C. Johnson, MD on June 10, 2022 Depo-Provera is a
birth control method that you can get as a shot. You might hear people call it a contraceptive injection or birth control shot. It’s a manmade hormone,
medroxyprogesterone, which is similar to the natural hormone progesterone. You get the shot in your arm or buttock. If you get your shot at the doctor’s office, your clinician will inject Depo-Provera deep into your muscle or under your skin. You have to get it every 12 weeks to get full protection. After your first injection, doctors recommend that you use
a back-up birth control method (like a condom) for 7 days. You can also get a version of Depo-Provera that you inject at home. This version of the shot is only subcutaneous, which means it goes into your skin instead of deep into your muscle. Experts call the at-home shot Depo-sub Q Provera 104. It’s a prefilled, single-use syringe with a smaller needle than the one your doctor uses, so it may hurt
less. It also uses a lower dose of progestin than the 400 milligrams in the dose from your doctor. You’ll need to give yourself a shot in the thigh or belly every 12 weeks in order for it to work. Your doctor can show you (in person or through telemedicine) how to inject yourself and safely throw away sharp tools after your shot. It’s important to follow their guidance. At-home Depo-Provera is safe to use. It’s not likely, but if you notice a reaction at the injection
site, let your doctor know. You may notice a lump, dimple, or dent at the reaction site. You may also see redness, bruising, blistering, or itchiness. If you think something is not right, call your doctor right away. They can help clear up confusion or guide you while you use Depo-Provera at home. Both the original and at-home versions are 99% effective at preventing
pregnancy if you get it every 3 months, as directed. But because that isn’t always possible, typical effectiveness is around 94%. That means for every 100 women who get the shot, about 6 will have an accidental pregnancy. Here’s
how that stacks up against other types of reversible (nonpermanent) birth control: How long does the Depo-Provera shot take to work? Depo-Provera starts to work as birth control right away if you get it within the first 5 days of your period. What happens if I’m late getting my Depo-Provera shot? You’re more likely to
get pregnant if you’re more than 2 weeks behind schedule in getting your shot. Use another form of birth control to be safe. The hormone works on your pituitary gland, causing your ovaries to stop sending out eggs. Without eggs, you can’t
get pregnant. It also changes the lining of your uterus and the mucus in your cervix. That makes it harder for sperm
to reach any eggs that might be released. Side Effects of the Depo-Provera ShotThese are the same for both the original version and the at-home one. You might notice:
Changes to your menstrual cycle are the most common side effects. After a year of use, about 50% of women will stop getting their periods. If this happens to you, your period should come back when you stop getting the shots. Long-term use of Depo-Provera may cause you to lose bone mineral density, which makes you more likely to get osteoporosis. Your chances are higher if you've taken the shot for longer than 2 years, especially if osteoporosis runs in your family, if you drink a lot, if you smoke, or if you have other risk factors for the condition. A few
women have reported flu-like symptoms and unusual bleeding after stopping Depo-Provera, but there isn’t much research on whether these things are linked. Other women report symptoms similar to the known side effects. It’s OK for most people. But you shouldn’t get it if you have:
Your doctor will be cautious about giving it to you if you’re a teenager or if you have:
Can I Get Pregnant After I Stop Using Depo-Provera?You can become pregnant as soon as 3 to 4 months after your last shot. But it takes some people several months to conceive after they stop using this type of birth control. The time frame doesn’t seem to be linked to how long you got the shots. Benefits of the Depo-Provera ShotIn addition to preventing pregnancy, the benefits of Depo-Provera include:
Disadvantages of the Depo-Provera Shot
Depo-Provera Shot CostInjections may be free or cost up to $150 each, depending on your insurance. They may be cheaper at family planning clinics. Can I administer my own birth control shot?If you have the Depo shot that you can give yourself at home, you inject yourself in your belly or upper thigh. You'll get instructions that show you how to give yourself your shot. If you have any questions, you can ask the nurse or doctor who gave you your shot prescription.
Can you do the Depo shot at home?The birth control shot (Depo) prevents pregnancy for 3 months. You can now give yourself the shot at home instead of coming into the center. Both original Depo and SubQ Depo: You need to get a shot every 3 months.
How do I get the birth control shot?Where can I get Depo-Provera®? This type of birth control is a prescription medication that must be ordered by your healthcare provider (often your Ob/Gyn or women's health provider). In many cases, the injection is given in your provider's office by a nurse or a nurse that can come to your home.
Where do I inject my Depo shot?The recommended dose is 150 mg of Depo-Provera CI every 3 months (13 weeks) administered by deep intramuscular (IM) injection using strict aseptic technique in the gluteal or deltoid muscle, rotating the sites with every injection.
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