1. < Women's Health

Questions about protection with Depo Birth Control

Posted by bris04 @bris04, Oct 3, 2023

I started Depo Provera on July 25, 2023, and I got the shot while I was on my period (or on the last days of my period). My second shot isn't due until October 25, 2023. I had sex with my boyfriend and he finished in me on two occasions. The most recent one, however, freaked me out a little more just because I was scared of being pregnant. The second time he finished in me occurred maybe like two weeks ago, but then about 5 days ago, I started "spotting" brown until it eventually turned into blood, which I can only assume is my period? During the time from the first shot to when I started spotting/bleeding 5 days ago, I hadn't been spotting or bleeding at all. What does this mean?? Is it possible that I'm pregnant? I'm scared.

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Mentor
Lori, Volunteer Mentor | @loribmt | Oct 9, 2023

Hi @bris04 It’s a real panicky feeling when you think you may be pregnant even while using protection. Happened to me too, many years ago. Depo-provera is given every 3 months and as long as you stay on that schedule it appears to have a good track record in preventing pregnancy. So the likelihood of you being pregnant is probably low considering you had your last shot at the end of July. You may be experiencing some spotting.
Here’s a little information from Healthline.com about the Depo-provera shot.
https://www.healthline.com/health/birth-control/depo-shot-bleeding-how-to-stop-it
It’s good that you’re taking the prevention to avoid getting pregnant when you’re not ready to have a child. It always seems to end up being the responsibility of we women to make sure that doesn’t happen. But what you could do to add a little extra protection, especially as the timing of the next shot draws closer, is to suggest your BF use a condom. It’s a little more comfort to know there’s an extra barrier there just as a backup. And of course, it’s helpful for avoiding any STDs.
Have you taken a pregnancy test, just to make sure?

REPLY
1 reply
bris04 | @bris04 | Oct 14, 2023
In reply to @loribmt "Hi @bris04 It’s a real panicky feeling when you think you may be pregnant even while..." + (show)
@loribmt

Hi @bris04 It’s a real panicky feeling when you think you may be pregnant even while using protection. Happened to me too, many years ago. Depo-provera is given every 3 months and as long as you stay on that schedule it appears to have a good track record in preventing pregnancy. So the likelihood of you being pregnant is probably low considering you had your last shot at the end of July. You may be experiencing some spotting.
Here’s a little information from Healthline.com about the Depo-provera shot.
https://www.healthline.com/health/birth-control/depo-shot-bleeding-how-to-stop-it
It’s good that you’re taking the prevention to avoid getting pregnant when you’re not ready to have a child. It always seems to end up being the responsibility of we women to make sure that doesn’t happen. But what you could do to add a little extra protection, especially as the timing of the next shot draws closer, is to suggest your BF use a condom. It’s a little more comfort to know there’s an extra barrier there just as a backup. And of course, it’s helpful for avoiding any STDs.
Have you taken a pregnancy test, just to make sure?

Jump to this post

Hello! Thank you for your response! I have not taken a pregnancy test, I’m too scared to. I know I probably should though. Today has been 2 weeks since I started the bleeding I mentioned in the first post. Is this still considered spotting?

REPLY
1 reply
Mentor
Lori, Volunteer Mentor | @loribmt | Oct 14, 2023
In reply to @bris04 "Hello! Thank you for your response! I have not taken a pregnancy test, I’m too scared..." + (show)
@bris04

Hello! Thank you for your response! I have not taken a pregnancy test, I’m too scared to. I know I probably should though. Today has been 2 weeks since I started the bleeding I mentioned in the first post. Is this still considered spotting?

Jump to this post

Hi @bris04, If you’re still having bleeding, that’s not a sign of being pregnant. Occasionally, at conception when a fertilized egg attaches to the wall of the uterous, there can be what’s called Implantation Bleeding but that is spotting and doesn’t last for more than 3 days. And by spotting, I mean it is just a little brownish or pink tinged staining on your underpants or mini pad. It’s not the same as your period.

I really think you can exhale now. It doesn’t sound like you’re pregnant. The article I posted for you before about Depo provera talks about breakthrough bleeding being very common with the first shot.

Here’s an excerpt. “ Some women will experience bleeding or spotting between periods for several months after beginning the shot. Seventy percent of women using the birth control shot experience episodes of unexpected bleeding during the first year of use.”

70% is a fairly high number of women who have this happen and since your first shot was in July you fit into this category perfectly. It will eventually diminish and some women, after the first year, actually no longer have a period. It takes time for you body to adapt to the new hormone changes. Certainly if this continues for another week or so you can call your gynecologist just to confirm it’s a usual side effect. (Not a pregnancy 🙂)

Here’s the full article again. https://www.healthline.com/health/birth-control/depo-shot-bleeding-how-to-stop-it#sideeffects

I know how stressful this can feel but I really do think this is just the breakthrough bleeding that’s common for women fairly new on this birth control treatment. As the article states, Depo Provera is highly effective so I hope this brings you a little peace of mind.

REPLY
1 reply
bris04 | @bris04 | Oct 15, 2023
In reply to @loribmt "Hi @bris04, If you’re still having bleeding, that’s not a sign of being pregnant. Occasionally, at..." + (show)
@loribmt

Hi @bris04, If you’re still having bleeding, that’s not a sign of being pregnant. Occasionally, at conception when a fertilized egg attaches to the wall of the uterous, there can be what’s called Implantation Bleeding but that is spotting and doesn’t last for more than 3 days. And by spotting, I mean it is just a little brownish or pink tinged staining on your underpants or mini pad. It’s not the same as your period.

I really think you can exhale now. It doesn’t sound like you’re pregnant. The article I posted for you before about Depo provera talks about breakthrough bleeding being very common with the first shot.

Here’s an excerpt. “ Some women will experience bleeding or spotting between periods for several months after beginning the shot. Seventy percent of women using the birth control shot experience episodes of unexpected bleeding during the first year of use.”

70% is a fairly high number of women who have this happen and since your first shot was in July you fit into this category perfectly. It will eventually diminish and some women, after the first year, actually no longer have a period. It takes time for you body to adapt to the new hormone changes. Certainly if this continues for another week or so you can call your gynecologist just to confirm it’s a usual side effect. (Not a pregnancy 🙂)

Here’s the full article again. https://www.healthline.com/health/birth-control/depo-shot-bleeding-how-to-stop-it#sideeffects

I know how stressful this can feel but I really do think this is just the breakthrough bleeding that’s common for women fairly new on this birth control treatment. As the article states, Depo Provera is highly effective so I hope this brings you a little peace of mind.

Jump to this post

Thank you so so much! You have no idea how much I appreciate your help. You really have given me some peace of mind ◡̈

REPLY
machakamasunbah | @machakamasunbah | Apr 30 2:40pm

Can I fall pregnant 1 day in depo and 6days after mentruation

REPLY
1 reply
Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | May 1 12:00pm
In reply to @machakamasunbah "Can I fall pregnant 1 day in depo and 6days after mentruation" + (show)
@machakamasunbah

Can I fall pregnant 1 day in depo and 6days after mentruation

Jump to this post

@machakamasunbah, welcome. It sounds like you are concerned about pregnancy. Am I understanding your question correctly. You are 6 days after completing your menstrual cycle and you had a contraceptive injection (Depo-Provera shot) a day ago. Am I correct?

Often health care providers recommend that you use a backup method of birth control for seven days after your first injection. Is this your first shot of Depo?

REPLY
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