Depo-Provera®
is a form of long acting birth control which is given every
three months as an injection. It prevents pregnancy for 12
weeks.
It
consists of a progesterone hormone called medroxyprogesterone
acetate (DPMA).
How
does it work?
Depo-Provera®
works by inhibiting ovulation. It also causes a decrease in
sperm transport and implantation by inducing changes in the
endometrium and cervical mucus.
Ideally,
Depo-Provera®
is given within 5 days after the onset of your menstrual
period. If it is given after the seventh day of the menstrual
period, an additional form of contraception is recommended for
at least a week.
Depo-Provera®
is injected in the arm or buttock.
How
effective is it?
If
used correctly, it has an effectiveness of 99.7%.
Depo-Provera®
does not protect
against sexually transmitted illnesses, including HIV.
What
are the advantages?
-
Depo-Provera®
is convenient. Only one injection is required every three
months
-
Decreased
risk of endometrial cancer
-
Useful
for those women who cannot take estrogen. (Depo-Provera®
doesn't contain estrogen.)
-
Very
few interactions with other medications
What
are the most common side effects?
The
most common side effect is a change in menstrual periods. Some
women may have lighter periods while on Depo-Provera®.
Others do not have any menstrual periods at all. Some
individuals have unpredictable periods, spotting, or irregular
bleeding.
Some
women may experience an increase in acne, mood changes, mild
weight gain, and headaches. Other less common side effects may
include nausea, sore breasts, increased appetite, nervousness,
dizziness, fatigue, vaginal dryness, and change in sex drive.
A possible side effect of long term Depo-Provera®
use is decreased bone density. Depo-Provera® may also cause
HDL cholesterol (the "good" cholesterol) to
decrease.
After
stopping the Depo-Provera®, some patients experience
difficulty conceiving. This is temporary, but may last for up
to 18 months.
Some
women temporarily do not have menstrual periods for several
months after stopping the Depo-Provera®.
Depo-Provera®
can have harmful effects on a fetus. Therefore, if there is
any remote possibility of pregnancy, we recommend a pregnancy
test before giving the injection. If you are late for your
injection, we recommend that you use a back-up form of
contraception. A pregnancy test is also recommended if you are
late for your injection.
Who
should not get Depo-Provera®?
Women
who
-
are
pregnant
-
have
undiagnosed vaginal bleeding
-
have
active thrombophlebitis or a history of blood clots
-
have
hypersensitivity or allergy to medroxyprogesterone
-
have
a history of liver disease
-
have
breast cancer
How
much does it cost?
At
the Student Health and Wellness Center, each injection is
$76.00.*
If you have the Johns Hopkins
University Student Health Insurance
Plan (sponsored by The Chickering Group), the cost is $8.00
per injection. You must present your Johns Hopkins
University Student Health Insurance card in order to receive
this lower fee.
*Last
updated
04/07/2008
. Prices subject to change.
