Side Effects of Depo Prevera

Depo Provera is a hormone injection form of birth control administered to women. Depo Provera helps to prevent pregnancy for three months or longer. Some women may experience side effects due to the high amount of progesterone used in the injection.

Health Risks

• Some of the health risks involved with Depo Provera include "loss of bone density resulting in an increased risk of osteoporosis" according to the Feminist Women's Health Center. As with any drug, some women may experience an allergic reaction, and women who do become pregnant while on Depo Provera are at risk for premature birth.

Side Effects

• Weight gain occurs in 70 percent of women who use Depo Provera. Heavy and irregular bleeding, as well as no bleeding at all, have been reported by some women. Other women have reported headaches, mood swings, nervousness, hot flashes, decreased sex drive, acne, back aches, loss of hair and tenderness of the breasts.

Drug Interactions

• As with any drug, you should tell your doctor if you are taking any medication, prescribed or not. Your doctor will let you know if there is any risk of drug interactions that may lower the effect of Depo Provera.

Disadvantages

• One of the biggest disadvantages to Depo Provera is the fact that women have reported a delay of six to 18 months and longer for hormones to go back to normal. This causes a serious delay in fertility, which means it may take longer for women to get pregnant once coming off of Depo Provera.

Considerations

• Let your doctor know if you have a history of health problems, vaginal bleeding or suspect that you might be pregnant. Let your doctor know if you have "liver disease, gallbladder disease or a history of depression," states the Feminist Women's Health Center.