A typical side effect of depo-provera, or “the shot,” is irregular periods. Some women experience infrequent spotting (light bleeding). Others have regular periods.  Some women may not have their period at all. Each person’s body reacts differently to hormonal birth control methods. If you thinking about starting a method contact your doctor or call make an appointment 303.442.5160 for a personalized consult.

One of the most common side effects of the shot or Depo-Provera is irregular bleeding. The shot contains a high level of progestin hormone which can interrupt a regular menstrual cycle. Many women experience light spotting, longer periods or no period at all. That begin said, it also takes the body a few months to adjust to a different level of hormone. Give your body some time to adjust, ideally 2-3 injections or 6 – 9 months. There are also other effective methods of birth control that might work better with your body. Contact your doctor or make an appointment at Teen Clinic for a consult about other birth control options.

…but now I get my periods about  twice a month! The Last time I got my period was on the ends of November, I had unprotected sex and now it’s almost January! What should i do?

Unprotected sex can put you at risk for a pregnancy and STI transmission if a partner is infected. If you are experiencing irregular periods, it would be a good idea to speak with a health care provider. You may also want to take a home pregnancy test or visit Teen Clinic for a free pregnancy test. There are many different types of hormonal birth control options. Check out our pages on Birth Control & Prevention methods to explore your options. For a personalized consult, make an appointment at Teen Clinic by calling 303.442.5160.

…and it made my period irregular. I just got my period again. I don’t know if it’s my actual period or spotting relating to pregnancy. The color is brownish. What does this mean?

If you had unprotected sex, you may be at risk for pregnancy. The shot or Depo-Provera is 97-99.7% effective at preventing pregnancy for 3 months. If you had sex when you were current on your shot (you received the injections on time, every time) you are protected from pregnancy. If you had sex without a condom while you were not on the shot, it’s a good idea to take a pregnancy test at home or at Teen Clinic. As you’ve experienced, one of the side effects of Depo-Provera is irregular bleeding. If you are unhappy with these side effects, make an appointment with your doctor or at Teen Clinic for a consult about other birth control options. And remember – hormonal birth control methods do not prevent the transmission of STIs. Getting tested for STIs is another recommended safer sex practice.