What’s Happening After Depo?
Question
I went and got the Depo-Provera shot on April 23rd, and at the time I was menstruating, but had stopped just a few hours later. I then began again about 4 weeks later, and have had it continuously ever since, although I have stopped taking any type of birth control after that one time. It is now November 2nd, and I am still bleeding, occasionally the flow is very light, more often medium to heavy, but now I am having a very thick dark brownish red discharge. What is going on??
P.S.
I am 19yrs old, and had my son on March 6th. I took only one type of birth control (Depo-Provera Shot), and I only took it once.
Answer
Last Updated: June 11, 2013
One of the main side effects of Depo-Provera is bleeding abnormalities – either irregular cycles, or continuous spotting. This is the main reason why almost half of the women who are given this medication choose to discontinue it within a year. The Depo-Provera shuts down your cycles, and the lining of the uterus builds up and sheds lining randomly, rather than in a coordinated way. Most women start having regular cycles within three to four months after a Depo-Provera injection. However, a significant minority of women have cycles that are disrupted for much longer, up to two years or even more. Cycle abnormalities after Depo-Provera are treated either with more hormonal therapy (oral medication), or simply with observation and waiting until the effects of the Depo-Provera are completely gone. You had a child about six months ago. Your doctor needs to be sure that there is no infection (chronic endometritis) or other condition causing the bleeding. You do not mention if you are breast feeding, but breast feeding can also cause cycle suppression and lack of ovulation that could also be contributing to your bleeding abnormalities.
Dr. Mary Davenport
Dr. Mary Davenport
Answered By:
Mary Davenport, MD, MS
Mary Davenport, MD, FACOG, an obstetrician/gynecologist from the Oakland Region of California, offers telehealth services over MyCatholicDoctor.com She graduated from Tufts University School of Medicine and completed her residency at UC San Diego. Dr. Davenport is a Fellow of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and serves on the Advisory Board of the California Association of Natural Family Planning.
