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Questions and Answers: Birth Control
- Depo Provera
[General
Birth Control | The Pill | Depo
Provera | NuvaRing |
Lunelle | Ortho-Evra]
Was on
Depo for 6 years and switched birth control. Don't have my period,
so how do I tell if I'm pregnant?
If I am on Depo for a long period of time, can I develop an immunity?
If I'm on Depo, why did a home ovulation test tell me I was ovulating?
How long will
it take me to get pregnant after stopping Depo?
Is ovulation possible
while on Depo?
I had my last Depo shot in December
2003, and I still have no period.
I'm on Depo and I haven't gotten my period
for a month. Am I pregnant?
I had the Depo shot and my period has
been happening for 7 days. Why?
Can I get Depo at the Wellness Center?
If I might be pregnant and I get
the shot, what will happen?
I had unprotected sex the day of my injection.
Could I be pregnant?
Will Depo affect the perm in my hair?
Was Depo recalled?
If I'm on Depo, spot, and have sex, can
I get pregnant?
QUESTION: I've
been on depo for the last 6 years and I just decided to switch
to a different form of birth control. My boyfriend and I had
sex without a condom but he didn't climax inside of me. I don't
have my period, but i started spotting a few days before this,
but like I said I don't have my period so there's no way to
tell if I'm pregnant or not. Is there a way other than waiting
two weeks and getting a pregnancy test? (March 24, 2005)
ANSWER: Having unprotected sex may result in pregnancy and/or
sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The only way to know
if you are pregnant or not is to take a pregnancy test. For
more information on pregnancy, please visit our Pregnancy
FAQ.
QUESTION: If you are
on the Depo Provera shot for 6 years can your bodyget immune
to the shot like it can to pills? (March 3, 2005)
ANSWER: There is no research that shows the body builds
up a resistance or immunity to hormonal birth control methods,
like the Depo Provera shot, or any type of birth control pills.
If you are interested in switching birth control methods, it
is recommended that you speak with your clinician.
QUESTION: i recieved
a depo injection in Dec 04 did a home ovulation test and it
showed i was as the peak of ovulation could this be right or
a false reading cause with depo your not suppose to ovulate?
(February 28, 2005)
ANSWER: Ovulation test kits typically detect a surge
in Luteinizing Hormone (LH). A surge of LH occurs right after
a woman ovulates. These test kits are fairly reliable for women
with regular menstural periods; however, using the ovulation
test kits while using certain types of birth control OR using
the test kits too soon after stopping a hormonal birth control
method could produce false positive results. (In this case,
a false positive would mean the test kit shows a woman is ovulating,
when in fact she is not).
QUESTION: I have been
on the shot since March of 2001. I have not had a shot since
October 2004. I have not started my period again and after reading
all the horror stories on the net I am afraid that I will not
be able to get pregnant. Is this normal and I am just worrying
or should I see a doctor? (February 28, 2005)
ANSWER: Depo Provera, more commonly known as Depo,
or the shot, is an effective form of birth control. One of the
side effects of Depo is a delayed return to fertility. It may
take some women up to one year after their last shot to return
to a normal cycle of ovulation and menstruation. If you are
concerned about a delay in fertility, it is recommended you
speak with your clinician
QUESTION: is ovulation still
possible while on the depo shot? (February 24, 2005)
ANSWER: Depo-Provera is a progesterone contraceptive
method which prohibits ovulation; if ovulation does not occur,
pregnancy is not possible. Depo-Provera is approximately 99%
effective in preventing pregnancy, but does not protect against
any sexually transmitted infections.
QUESTION: I WAS
ON DEPO PROVERA AND I HAD MY LAST INJECTION IN DECEMBER 2003.
IT IS NOW FEB 2005 AND I HAVE HAD ONE HORRENDOUS PERIOD IN ALL
THAT TIME. MY HUSBAND AND I WANT TO START A FAMILY BUT I DON'T
EVEN KNOW WHERE TO START DUE TO THE FACT THAT I HAVE NO PERIODS.
I ALWAYS WAS REGULAR AS CLOCKWORK BEFORE. ITS GETTING ME DOWN
NOW CAN ANYONE EXPLAIN OR ADVISE IN SOME WAY? (February 7,
2005)
ANSWER: Many women return to having regular periods approximately
6 months after quitting Depo-Provera; however, Depo-Provera
can delay fertility for six months to one year after the shot
has been discontinued. Some women become pregnant after a few
months, other women take longer to return to a state of ovulation,
which makes it difficult to predict how Depo-Provera will affect
you. If you have any questions or concerns about the irregularity
of your period, it is recommended that you talk to your clinician.
QUESTION: i am 15 and
iam on the shot for birth control and it been A month and i
havent got my period dose that meen am pergent? (November
19, 2004)
ANSWER: Irregular, heavy, or no bleeding are common
side effects of Depo Provera, otherwise known as 'the shot'.
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, weight gain, hot flashes,
decreased interest in sex, breast tenderness, acne, hair loss,
and back ache.
If you are concerned about the changes in your menstrual cycle,
or if you think you might be pregnant, it is recommended you
see your clinician.
QUESTION: On the
1st October 2004 i had a contraceptive injection, my first one
and I had never used contraceptives before. I am 31 years old
and perfectly healthy. I have always had regular periods and
was told that one of the side effects of this injection might
be a cessation of periods altogether or at least lighter and
less painfull periods. Well a month a a half later I finally
did get a period but I've had it now for 7 days whichis unusually
long, although it has been a very mild one. Anyone know anything
about this? (November 16, 2004)
ANSWER: Irregular, heavy, or no bleeding are common
side effects of Depo Provera, otherwise known as 'the shot'.
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, weight gain, hot flashes,
decreased interest in sex, breast tenderness, acne, hair loss,
and back ache.
If you are concerned about the changes in your menstrual cycle,
it is recommended you see your clinician.
QUESTION: Can I get
my Depo-provera at the wellness center (August 24, 2004)
ANSWER: The mission of the Wellness Center is to assist
members of the UIC community in developing and maintaining optimal
well-being: Wellness. The Wellness Center primarily provides
health education to students, faculty and staff, covering the
eight dimensions of wellness (emotional, spiritual, physical,
occupational, environmental, sexual, intellectual and social).
The Wellness Center does not provide any clinical work, such
as physical exams, writing prescriptions, etc.
UIC students can receive discounted birth control from the UIC
Eye and Ear Infirmary. New students (and current students) may
obtain a prescription from the Family Medicine Clinic (FMC)
(to be filled at the Eye and Ear Infirmary Pharmacy) in one
of two ways:
1) The student may schedule an appointment at the FMC for a
gynecological exam. At this exam, the attending clinician will
prescribe birth control pills, at the patient's request. The
prescription written may be filled at any pharmacy, but if the
student fills it at the UIC Eye and Ear Infirmary Pharmacy,
the discounted price will apply.
2) If the student already has a prescription for birth control
pills from a different clinician, the student may schedule an
appointment at FMC; at this appointment, the attending clinician
will ask for a copy of the student's most recent pap smear/pelvic
exam. Upon presenting this information, the attending clinician
will write a new prescription for the birth control pills for
the student, and she may have that prescription filled at the
Eye and Ear Infirmary Pharmacy, in order to receive the discounted
price. Before scheduling an appointment with the FMC and/or
the Eye and Ear Infirmary Pharmacy, you should call and verify
that they will prescribe the same birth control pill that you
currently take. The brands/types of birth control pills they
can fill at Eye and Ear Infirmary Pharmacy are limited, so it
would be beneficial to call ahead before you invest your time
in transferring your prescription!
If you have any questions, you can call Family Medicine Clinic
at 312/996.2901 or the Ear and Eye Infirmary Pharmacy 312/996-6540.
QUESTION: I have unprotected
sex with my boyfriend all the time and sometimes he "ejaculates"
inside me. I’m starting to think I’m pregnant and I have an
appt. to take the shot in 2 weeks. If I am pregnant and go ahead
with taking the shot, will I have a miscarriage? What will happen
to the baby? (September 10, 2003)
ANSWER: When you go into the clinician to receive the
shot, you may want to let them know that you have been having
unprotected sex and may be pregnant. It is not recommended for
women to begin taking Depo, or most other prescription birth
control methods, when there is a potential chance of pregnancy.
They will probably take a pregnancy test and if you are pregnant
you can discuss your options.
The shot would not necessarily cause a miscarriage,
but (as with some prescription medication) could potentially
harm the baby's development.
QUESTION: I got on Depo in
April. I had sex that same day I got on it and my boyfriend
nuts in me. We have been having unprotected sex since and he
has been nutting in me. Here it is May, and I haven't seen my
period yet I have been hungry my stomach has been hurting I
feel like I'm going be sick I have been having attitudes can
I be pregnant?
ANSWER: Please consult your clinician. If you
do not have a clinician and are a UIC student you are able to
go to the UIC Family Medicine Clinic. Please visit the Wellness
Center's website at www.wellctr.uic.edu to find contact
information on Family Medicine as well as other clinics in Chicago.
QUESTION: Can the Depo Provera
shot effect your hair, when getting perms?
ANSWER: One of the less common side effects
for Depo Provera is a possible change in hair growth. Although
a change in hair growth can be a side effect, it is not stated
if there is an effect on hair when getting perms.
QUESTION: When and has
the depo provera shot been recalled? I have been on it for 3
yrs. I have many problems. I took it for endometriosis. Is there
something else I can take?
ANSWER: Fortunately, Depo Provera (depo) has
not been recalled. Lunelle, which is a fairly new shot available
and is administered once-a-month (versus depo, which is a 4
times a year shot), has voluntarily been recalled by the company
(Pharmacia). And only the pre-measured shots (not the vials)
were recalled.
Please visit the following sites for more information on the
recall of
Lunelle:
Planned Parenthood -
http://www.plannedparenthood.org/about/pr/021010_lunelle.html
www.lunelle.com
If you are unhappy with your contraception option, it is best
to talk to your
partner and clinician about finding the right option for you
in your present
situation. There are many contraception methods available, including
newer methods like the patch, Lunelle, the Nuvaring, among others.
QUESTION: What if you
is on the shots and you spot and have sex and the boy nuts inside
of you and you start back to spot can you get pregnant like
that?
ANSWER: I'm not sure I understand the question
correctly, but this is my interpretation of it.
The subject was birth control shots. Well, there are two kinds,
Lunelle and Depo Provera (Depo). Lunelle is fairly new and a
once-a-month shot whereas Depo is administered every 12 weeks
(or 3 months). A physician administers both shots. I think your
question is about pregnancy and if you can be pregnant if you
are on the shot, you have your period, have sex where your partner
ejaculates inside of you, and then you start your period again.
The answer to the question I just stated is very unlikely. It
is very normal for women to have spotting while on Lunelle or
Depo and it is also very normal for women to cease having a
period. But, since every woman is different, some women might
cease having a period after the first month on Lunelle/Depo
whereas it might be a few months before another woman will cease
to have her period.
If you are worried about being pregnant, your best bet to ease
your mind is to see your physician and take a pregnancy test
to find out.
If I misinterpreted the question, please submit it again stating
your question clearer.
[General Birth Control | The
Pill | Depo Provera | NuvaRing
| Lunelle | Ortho-Evra]
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