Bleeding with Depo-provera
Question
I was put my second dose of depo provera. I can’t stop bleeding since my first dose on May 9. And recently I was put on my second dose on July 20th, and for 2 weeks I can’t stop bleeding heavy. So can you help me with my problem and get back to me as soon as possible.
Beatrice
Answer
Last Updated: July 12, 2013
Depo-provera can cause unusual and heavy bleeding in some women, like what you have experienced. Because it is an injection, there is no way of getting it out of your body, and you will have to let it run its course. However, in the future, I think you should consider healthier alternatives for family planning. Charting your cycles with the modern techniques of Natural Family Planning is as effective as the pill to avoid a pregnancy, but has the tremendous advantage of no harmful side effects. In addition, the excellent record of your cycle can help diagnose menstrual disorders, and will help guide the treatment.
If you have not done so already, I strongly urge you to discuss your bleeding with your doctor, so you can come up with a healthier alternative in the future.
I wish you well, Lynn Keenan, MD
If you have not done so already, I strongly urge you to discuss your bleeding with your doctor, so you can come up with a healthier alternative in the future.
I wish you well, Lynn Keenan, MD
Answered By:
Lynn Keenan, MD
Lynn Keenan, MD, Immediate Past President of the CANFP Executive Board, is a Clinical Professor at the UCSF/Fresno Internal Medicine Residency Program (now retired), Board Certified in Sleep and Internal Medicine, and Vice President of the International Institute for Restorative Reproductive Medicine. She earned her BSN at UCLA, her MD at Temple University School of Medicine, and completed her Residency in Internal Medicine at UCSF/Fresno. Dr. Keenan served on the Executive Board of CANFP since 2004, as President of CANFP since 2010, and graciously agreed to continue her service to CANFP on the Advisory Board at the beginning of 2019, upon her retirement from the Executive Board of CANFP
