Depo Provera Shot
The Depo-Provera shot is an injection you receive every 3 months to prevent pregnancy.
Birth control shot
The Deop Provera shot at carafem
Depo Provera, DMPA, birth control shot, or simply “the shot” contains a progestin. This is similar to the hormone progesterone, which is naturally produced by the body. DMPA is given by injection every 12 weeks and is slowly absorbed into the bloodstream to prevent pregnancy. Depo-Provera is the brand name of DMPA.
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How it works
A simple method to prevent pregnancy
The depo shot is an injection you receive every 3 months to prevent unwanted pregnancies. It’s a safe, convenient method of birth control, and it works best if you always get it on time, aka within 3 months.
The Depo shot contains a progestin, which prevents ovulation and thickens the mucus of your cervix so that sperm can’t enter the uterus.
Financial aid
Financial help is available — some clients pay $0
Abortion care should be accessible to all who want it — cost should never be a reason you can’t get an abortion with carafem. We partner with abortion funds to offer financial assistance to those who qualify, and accept health insurance for in-person appointments.
Insurance
We accept insurance in our health centers
If you visit one of our physical health centers we are able to accept insurance. To make your visit as smooth as possible, please share your insurance details with us 24 business hours before your appointment. This gives us time to check your benefits and help you understand what’s covered. Please note: An insurance verification is not a guarantee of benefits.
Plans Accepted: Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, United Healthcare, Medicaid (Illinois & Maryland)
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Frequently asked questions
Depo is up to 99% effective. This means that of 100 people using DMPA consistently over a year, 1 person may become pregnant. The key with the shot is that you consistently get a new dose every 12 weeks or 4 times a year.
If you miss an appointment, you will need to rely on a backup method of birth control, like condoms or emergency contraception, until your next injection has taken effect.
When beginning the depo shot, it’s important to know where you are in your menstrual cycle. The depo shot can start protecting you right away if you get your first shot within the first week of your period. However, if you get it at any other time in your menstrual cycle, you need to use condoms for at least a week after getting the shot. From there, set up reminders or calendar events on your phone to help you remember to get your next shot at the right time.
Like all medicines, Depo Provera can have side effects. Many Depo users can adjust to the shot without long-term problems. Most negative side effects go away after just a few months as your body gets used to the hormone. Everybody is different, so your experience may vary.
Common side effects
One of the most common birth control shot side effects reported is a change to your usual period. Your period may last longer and include more spotting than usual. With extended use, you might experience progressively shorter periods or no period at all. Some depo users report experiencing nausea, acne, weight gain, headaches, sore breasts, or depression.
Loss of bone density
Depo-Provera may also lead to decreased bone density in some people. It happens more often with extended use, but it stops once you stop taking the shot. Your provider might recommend calcium supplements or dietary changes to help protect your bones.
Rare side effects
These side effects are much rarer, but if you experience them, you should seek medical attention: worsening or major depression, prolonged pain near the injection site, excessive vaginal bleeding, breast lumps, or migraines with a bright flashing sensation.
After you stop using Depo-Provera, it could take up to 10 months for you to become pregnant. Some people do get pregnant much sooner than this, but you should plan on not being able to conceive immediately after you stop using the Depo.