Guide to What to Expect During the First Year of Depo Provera Use

Remember that if you miss a Depo Provera shot or if more than 13 weeks go by since your last injection (14 weeks if using Depo-subQ Provera 104), then be sure to use a backup method of birth control, such as condoms, female condoms, or the sponge.

If you wish to become pregnant, you should stop your Depo Provera shots one year before the time you plan to begin trying to get pregnant. This is because it takes an average of nine to 10 months (sometimes more than a year) to regain fertility and begin ovulating after receiving your last Depo Provera shot.

It is recommended that most women should not use Depo Provera or Depo-subQ Provera 104 for more than two years (due to the black box warning of bone density loss). A woman should continue with this method (for more than 2 years) only after weighing all other potential options, and it is determined that there are no other birth control methods right for her.

_Sources:

Pfizer. (2005). “Depo-SubQ Provera 104” and (2004). “Depo Provera: Contraceptive Injection”.

Jain, J. (2005). “Contraception: Subcutaneous depot medroxyprogesterone acetate for birth control and endometriosis pain”. OBG Management, Vol. 17, No 8.