-Provera® is a birth control shot that is administered in the arm and lasts three months so you only have to think about it four times a year (every 12 weeks). The birth control shot does not contain estrogen, another type of hormone that is in many types of birth control, including the pill, patch, and ring. This means the shot can be a good choice for women who cannot take estrogen and for women who are breastfeeding. For most women, periods become fewer and lighter. After one year, half of the women who use the birth control shot will stop having periods completely. Some women have longer, heavier periods. Some women have increased spotting and light bleeding between periods.
Effectiveness: Less than 1% of women will get pregnant each year if they always use the birth control shot as directed and less than 3% of women will get pregnant each year if they don’t always use the birth control shot as directed.
Pregnancy: Because the birth control shot is long lasting, it can take a long time to get pregnant after getting your last shot – anywhere from nine months to more than a year. So, Depo-Provera® is not a good birth control method for you if you are thinking of getting pregnant soon.