Understanding Irregular Periods After Vaccination: A Personal Experience

Question
I started taking the shot in January and your suppose to get it every 3 months.  I did for 3 times; I went in April, July, and the one in January.  I have not had my period in a few months I did spot a little bit.  But I haven't in a while.  I have taken MULTIPLE pregnancy tests and a very wide veriaty of kinds.  I even got the actual tests that doctors use at offices, all of them have told me that I am not pregnant.  So I have moved on and am trying with my boyfriend.  Is the some kind of hormone pill or anything in that order to increase my chances of getting pregnant?  And most of all how do I tell becuase I don't get a period.  I am just waiting for it to happen.

Answer
Hi Amber,

What you are experiencing is common when going off of depo. It can take up to 10 months, or sometimes longer, for periods to return after stopping depo. It can take an average of 9-10 months to become pregnant after the last shot, and it is common for it to take longer for some women. However, more than 90% of women who are trying to become pregnant after the shot do so within 2 years after the last shot. While there are fertility treatments for women who are having difficulty becoming pregnant, I think it your case it is too soon to consider that. You need to give your body more time to adjust to being off the shot and for your cycle to return. If after a year off being off the shot you still have not had your period or have not become pregnant, call your doctor for an appointment to discuss.

For most women, having a period signals that ovulation has taken place but no pregnancy has occurred. It is possible that you can become pregnant the first time you ovulate and then not get a period. I recommend discussing with your doctor ways to chart your ovulation to help determine if/when you ovulated.

I hope this helps. If you have further questions let me know.

-Mia