Depo Shot Side Effects & Potential Pregnancy: What to Do

Question
i need to know i got my first  depo shot dec.14th i had no symptoms at first til 2 months later nausea,fatigue,headaches,cramping,i haven't had a period since dec 1st and i haven't had a period since then i need to know if i could be pg i never had these symptoms before on the shot and i've always had my period every month like usual i took 3 test 1 had a faint line and the other 2 said neg. i got a blood test done hopefully it's good news

Answer
Dear Shelly,

The blood test that you had done will be your definitive answer. A blood pregnancy test is much more accurate than urine tests. As for the symptoms, these can be caused by the Depo as well. The symptoms you describe sound hormonal in nature and, I suspect are related to the Depo Provera rather than a pregnancy. Depo Provera stops the ovaries from releasing eggs. Depo Provera causes the cervical mucus to thicken and changes the uterine lining, making it harder for sperm to enter or survive in the uterus. These changes prevent fertilization.

Irregular, heavy, or no bleeding are common side effects of Depo Provera. After a year of use, many women stop having periods. Lack of a period becomes increasingly common with longer use. Other side effects of Depo Provera can include headaches, nervousness, mood changes, bloating, hot flashes, decreased interest in sex, breast tenderness, acne, hair loss, and back ache. 70% of women using Depo Provera do gain weight. Almost half of the women using Depo Provera gain more than 5 pounds after one year of use. Many women gain more than 10 pounds. Even though you have lost weight, you may be experiencing the bloating that is a side effect.

Unfortunately, even if you decide that Depo Provera is not the right birth control method for you, side effects may linger until the drug is completely gone. After the last shot of Depo Provera, it can take 6 months for the drug to completely leave the body. For many women who eventually decide to have a baby, this ends up being a big issue since those effects will often also affect their fertility for several months after the last shot. However, on the flip side of that, there are women who have conceived a pregnancy if they are late in getting their injection by even a week. It all depends on the woman. But, in my experience, the longer Depo is used, the longer it can sometimes take for regular menstrual cycles to return to normal.

I hope this has helped you and answered your question. I wish you well.

Brenda