The Effectiveness of Depo Provera

Depo-Provera is a contraceptive that is given through injection. The shot is administered every 12 to 14 weeks.

Like other internal birth control methods, such as the pill, Depo-Provera originally was intended as a means of birth control. However, it has been found to be effective for other conditions and symptoms as well.

For Preventing Pregnancy

• If you choose Depo-Provera as your method of preventing pregnancy, you can be assured that it is highly effective. Even if a woman is late in receiving her next scheduled dose, the risk of pregnancy still is very low.

  Depo-Provera is effective in preventing pregnancy 97 percent of the time. In other words, out of 100 women taking Depo-Provera, only three of them who have been using it for one year will become pregnant.

For Treatment of Endometriosis

• Endometriosis is a painful condition whereby the tissue that lines the uterus in preparation for receiving a fertilized egg breaks off from the uterus and attaches itself to other organs in the pelvic region. If you suffer from endometriosis, you know how painful it can be, and how hard it may be for you to conceive.

  A form of Depo-Provera, however, called depo-subQ provera 104, has been proven to help manage the pain that is associated with endometriosis. Its administration every 12 to 14 weeks effectively stops you from having a period. This results in the lining of the uterus becoming thinner in density. The less tissue that is formed, the less there is to break off and reattach elsewhere.

For Menopausal Symptoms and Effects

• Depo-Provera has been proven effective for the treatment of menopausal symptoms. These can include hot flashes and loss of bone mineral density. If you suffer from hot flashes, you will be very encouraged by this news.

  Further, because a decline in bone mineral density can lead to osteoporosis---a condition that causes a woman's bones, especially weight-bearing bones such as the hip, to break more easily---women who are entering or going through menopause can use Depo-Provera to prevent this.

For Reducing Frequency of Periods

• It doesn't matter how old or young you are, if you don't have to have a period every month and its absence won't cause any long-term effects, it's a very enticing reason to take this medication.

  The majority of women who take Depo-Provera see a reduction in both the flow and frequency of their periods within three to six months of starting it. For most women, periods stop altogether within the first year and don't start back until the shot is discontinued.

For Treating Polycystic Ovary Disease

• Polycystic Ovary Disease or Syndrome can cause infertility, light or irregular periods, and other feminine health problems. Depo-Provera treats this condition by ensuring that the uterine lining remains at an acceptable thickness, while helping to dispel excess tissue.