Depo-Provera ®, which is an injection of the hormone progestin, offers 99 percent effectiveness for preventing pregnancy .
Injections of Depo-Provera are given every three months in the doctor's office.
These are advantages of this method of birth control:
- The cost is comparable to the pill.
- It is as effective as the pill without having to be taken every day or interfering with spontaneity.
- The effects of Depo-Provera ® are easily reversible.
- Because it contains only a progestin hormone, not the mix of estrogen and progestin in birth control pills, women who are unable to take estrogen may find it appealing.
With its progestin make-up, however, Depo-Provera ® often causes women to gain about 4 to 6 pounds in the first year and to have irregular or even absent periods. Also, if women wish to stop taking Depo-Provera ® and become pregnant, some may not resume fertile cycles for six to 18 months.
Depo-Provera ® isn't for everyone, but many women, especially those who have completed their families or can accept a potential delay in regaining fertility may find it a good choice.
For information about obstetrics/gynecology services at WPAHS:
AGH Women's Health
WPH Women's Health
WPH-Forbes Campus Women's Health
Last Updated: February 26, 2009