Effects of Depo-provera
Question
What are the after effects after you stop taking the depo…I been taking the depo for several years about six years occassionally stopping but I always went back because it worked for me…It stopped the horrible periods. I had never had a problem with weight and all that.
I decided to come off and use a less permanent method because I am thinking of having a child soon.
It has been five months since I took my last shot. I have been spotting the last few days but there is a mucus like discharge- no odor no itching burning or any discomfort…I am just wondering if this is something I should be concern about.
Answer
Last Updated: June 17, 2013
Thank you for your question.
The manufacturer of depoprovera has issued a new warning to all patients using depoprovera which “advises all women who have used the drug for more than two years that it may induce significant loss of bone density that not be reversible after stopping the drug. The literature also states that women may experience the brunt of that adverse effect many years after they have stopped using birth control. The use of depoprovera can also have long term effects on your fertility. 15% of women will not ovulate for 2 years after discontinuing depoprovera, instead of the usual few months. Congratulations on discontinuing this medication!
You were very astute to notice the mucus changes your body is producing now, as it attempts to recover from the use of this powerful, suppressive hormonal therapy. By your description, it sounds like you have observed the discharge of cervical mucus your body produces when your estrogen levels begin to rise normally as your body approaches ovulation. In a normal state, this lasts for a few days, and then subsides with ovulation, followed by a menses about 2 weeks later. Coming off of deproprovera, this process may stop and start many times, as your body returns to normal.
You can learn a very precise method of monitoring these changes which will benefit you in many ways. It will facilitate your goal of achieving pregnancy, as you will learn to identify precisely the days of fertility. Charting your cycles will also provide your physician with an invaluable tool in evaluating and treating you if the “horrible periods” you mention again become your pattern. You can consult the online directory of NFP professionals in California at www.canfp.org to find an NFP teacher to help you learn this method of fertility management, as well as a physician who would be interested in helping you obtain reproductive health.
Good luck to you.
Theresa Mitchell, RN
The manufacturer of depoprovera has issued a new warning to all patients using depoprovera which “advises all women who have used the drug for more than two years that it may induce significant loss of bone density that not be reversible after stopping the drug. The literature also states that women may experience the brunt of that adverse effect many years after they have stopped using birth control. The use of depoprovera can also have long term effects on your fertility. 15% of women will not ovulate for 2 years after discontinuing depoprovera, instead of the usual few months. Congratulations on discontinuing this medication!
You were very astute to notice the mucus changes your body is producing now, as it attempts to recover from the use of this powerful, suppressive hormonal therapy. By your description, it sounds like you have observed the discharge of cervical mucus your body produces when your estrogen levels begin to rise normally as your body approaches ovulation. In a normal state, this lasts for a few days, and then subsides with ovulation, followed by a menses about 2 weeks later. Coming off of deproprovera, this process may stop and start many times, as your body returns to normal.
You can learn a very precise method of monitoring these changes which will benefit you in many ways. It will facilitate your goal of achieving pregnancy, as you will learn to identify precisely the days of fertility. Charting your cycles will also provide your physician with an invaluable tool in evaluating and treating you if the “horrible periods” you mention again become your pattern. You can consult the online directory of NFP professionals in California at www.canfp.org to find an NFP teacher to help you learn this method of fertility management, as well as a physician who would be interested in helping you obtain reproductive health.
Good luck to you.
Theresa Mitchell, RN
Answered By:
Theresa Mitchell, RN
Theresa Mitchell, RN, taught the Creighton Model FertilityCare System in the Oakland region.
