Is it possible to get pregnant after depo provera

I really want another baby Read More. Load More Comments. Close this dialog window Add a comment. Add your comment Cancel Submit. Close this dialog window Review for. Back to story Comment on this project. Tell us what you think Depo-provera aka depot medroxyprogesterone acetate or DMPA is a common form of progesterone-only birth control that can be great for those who want something quick and effective without the hassle of daily or weekly administration.

The active hormone is progestin, which is simply a man-made version of our natural progesterone hormone. High levels of progesterone signal the ovaries to stop ovulating and also cause the cervical mucus to thicken, preventing sperm from ever reaching an egg if ovulation does occur. The shot creates a reserve or depot hence the name—clever, right? The one big downfall of depo, however, is it can take some time before normal fertility resumes.

This is the big reason why I always ask women who are not done having children and want to go on depo how soon they would like to be pregnant again. This is because of how unpredictable the return to normal fertility can be. While you can definitely get pregnant three to four months after a depo shot wears off, not everyone does.

It can sometimes take up to ten months or more to ovulate again, and it can take up to 18 months for normal periods to restart.

The good news? Chances of pregnancy are still great, even if it may take a little more time. Why do some women take longer than others to return to normal fertility? Just like anything else in life, every patient has a unique experience. Depo Provera prevents pregnancy by stopping the ovaries releasing an egg each month. There are also changes to the lining of the uterus endometrium.

This means three out of people using Depo Provera will get pregnant each year. Your bleeding may be irregular or longer than usual, especially in the first three to six months. This is safe for your body and there are pills to stop this if it happens. This is safe. Your natural fertility can take some time to return to normal. On average this will be six months but it can take up to one year.

If you get pregnant while using Depo Provera, and decide to continue with your pregnancy, there is no additional risk of damage to the baby. Once you have had an injection of Depo Provera, it lasts at least 13 weeks which can be a nuisance if you experience a side effect. It can cause irregular or longer than usual bleeding.

This is more common when first starting to use Depo Provera and often improves with time. Depo Provera has been associated with a reduction in bone density. This improves after stopping Depo Provera. Options for prevention and management of heavy menstrual bleeding in adolescent patients undergoing cancer treatment.

Committee opinion no. Obstet Gynecol. Fertility after discontinuation of contraception: a comprehensive review of the literature. Owen M. Physiological signs of ovulation and fertility readily observable by women. The Linacre Quarterly. Ovulation, a sign of health. Use of ovulation predictor kits as adjuncts when using fertility awareness methods FAMs : a pilot study. Fertility awareness-based methods: another option for family planning.

New York, NY. Cameron S. Subcutaneous depo-medroxyprogesterone acetate. Prevalence of infertility and help seeking among 15 women and men. Human Reproduction. Depot medroxyprogesterone acetate for contraception. Your Privacy Rights. To change or withdraw your consent choices for VerywellFamily. At any time, you can update your settings through the "EU Privacy" link at the bottom of any page.

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