8 Things To Know About The Birth Control Shot
1. According to Planned Parenthood, the birth control shot is over 99 percent effective when it's used correctly, but in reality, it's closer to 94 percent because women often forget to get the shot. So that means about 6 out of every 100 people using the shot will get pregnant every year. So if you're thinking about going on the shot, you need to remember to make appointments with your doctor regularly to make sure you don't miss a shot. It's a good idea to think about what would be easier for you: Remembering to get a shot every 3 months or remembering to take a pill every single day?
2. Your period might go away while you're on it. The progesterone in it causes your uterine lining to thin which can make your period go away. When you stop taking the shot, your period will come back but it will probably be irregular for a while. But as your body removes the excess progesterone from your system, it will slowly become normal again.
3. It can still take a while to get pregnant after you stop getting the shot. In fact, it may take anywhere between 10 and 22 months. So if you plan on having children soon, you should probably stick to a birth control method that is better for short-term use, like the pill. Some women actually get pregnant a few weeks after quitting the pill.
4. It can hurt your bones. If you use the shot for over 2 years you can lose bone density which will make your more vulnerable to bone fractures. This may not be completely reversible even after you stop using it. Doctors recommend taking vitamin D and calcium supplements while taking the shot to help prevent this.
5. It can cause headaches. Although it's important to note that this can be caused by most types of hormonal birth control. But if you start to experience a lot of headaches right after starting any kind of birth control you should talk to your doctor to see if it's caused by the birth control or if something else could be going on.
6 You might become bloated. Unfortunately, stomach cramps and bloating are a common side effect of the shot because progesterone can slow down your digestion. But doctors say this doesn't last too long. These side effects usually go away with time.
7. It doesn't help clear up your skin as well as the birth control pill does. The shot is a progesterone-only birth control method but the pill uses a combination of progesterone and estrogen which helps improve your complexion. Testosterone can make acne worse and combination pills remove extra testosterone from your body.
8. It can lead to weight gain. That's probably the last thing any woman wants to hear but it's true. According to a study by the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, women that use the shot saw an average weight gain of 11 pounds over 3 years. Women that used other types of birth control only gained 3 or 4 pounds over the same amount of time. So if you decide to use the shot you will want to keep an eye on your weight. Taking the shot doesn't mean you will definitely gain weight but it does make you more vulnerable to weight gain. But as long as you check your weight regularly, eat healthily, and do moderate exercise you can avoid putting on extra pounds.
Despite these issues, most doctors say the shot is a good contraception choice. But just as any medication, you should discuss all of your options with your doctor to make sure you pick the birth control that's right for you.
References:
Planned Parenthood. Depo-Provera Birth Control Shot. Accessed at https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/birth-control/birth-control-shot on February 2, 2018.
Healthline. Choosing Between the Birth Control Pill or the Depo-Provera Shot. Accessed at https://www.healthline.com/health/birth-control/birth-control-pill-vs-shot on February 2, 2018.
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