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What Causes Delayed Menstruation Post Withdrawal From Depo-Provera Shots?
Question: I stopped taking my birth control shot (Depo Provera), I was due to get another one on the 3rd of February of 2016 and decided not to get it. I haven't been feeling the greatest, so I've taken a few pregnancy tests and they all come back negative. So my question, I guess, is, is there a chance of pregnancy and me not know? Or could there be something else wrong? I have not gotten since the time I started that birth control.
Brief Answer:
Even if you haven't gotten your period back yet- you still can get pregnant
Detailed Answer:
Hello, and I would be happy to answer your question today.
Depo-Provera can sometimes take 6 to 9 months to get completely out of your system, meaning that you may not have regular monthly periods resume for 6 to 9 months after discontinuing the shot. Unfortunately, that does not mean that you might not ovulate sometimes and are still at risk for pregnancy.
Pregnancy symptoms can vary widely between women, and many of the symptoms we associate with pregnancy like nausea, bloating, mood changes, breast tenderness and irregular periods can also happen as a side effect of discontinuing Depo-Provera. You mentioned that you are not feeling well, so if you have any similar symptoms I believe it is safe to assume that is due to hormonal fluctuations as your body adjusts to be off the shot.
So it is not surprising that you have negative pregnancy tests at this point, however I do strongly recommend you use another form of birth control if you are having unprotected sex.
I hope I was able to adequately answer your question today, and that my advice was helpful. If you need any further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Best wishes,
Dr. Brown
Even if you haven't gotten your period back yet- you still can get pregnant
Detailed Answer:
Hello, and I would be happy to answer your question today.
Depo-Provera can sometimes take 6 to 9 months to get completely out of your system, meaning that you may not have regular monthly periods resume for 6 to 9 months after discontinuing the shot. Unfortunately, that does not mean that you might not ovulate sometimes and are still at risk for pregnancy.
Pregnancy symptoms can vary widely between women, and many of the symptoms we associate with pregnancy like nausea, bloating, mood changes, breast tenderness and irregular periods can also happen as a side effect of discontinuing Depo-Provera. You mentioned that you are not feeling well, so if you have any similar symptoms I believe it is safe to assume that is due to hormonal fluctuations as your body adjusts to be off the shot.
So it is not surprising that you have negative pregnancy tests at this point, however I do strongly recommend you use another form of birth control if you are having unprotected sex.
I hope I was able to adequately answer your question today, and that my advice was helpful. If you need any further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Best wishes,
Dr. Brown
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
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