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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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When Should A Depo Shot Be Taken?

hi good day, i used to use depo but now i switch to norifam the first shot i got heavy menstruation but after i got my second shot i just got spotting is it normal? im just worried .... is it true that the shot should be taken 3 days before the due date of your shot?
Thu, 6 Jul 2017
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hi,
Thanks for writing to HCM.
I understand your concern.
Depo shot is an injection which needs to be taken once every 3 months (every 12 weeks once and 4 times a year).
You can start using the birth control shot whenever you want.
If you get your first shot within the first 7 days after the start of your period, you’re protected from pregnancy right away.
If you get it at any other time in your cycle, you need to use another form of birth control (like a condom and spermicidal agents) for the first week after getting the shot.
Intermittent spotting is normally experienced by few who are on depo shot. If this happens repeatedly, then you need to seek medical advise promptly.
Ideally, the next shot needs to be taken about 2 to 3 days before 12 weeks. However, if you take later than 12 weeks, you need to use another form of birth control (like a condom and spermicidal agents) for the first week after getting the shot.
Hope the information provided helps.
All the best.
Regards,
Dr.Ashakiran.S.,
MBBS., MD.
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When Should A Depo Shot Be Taken?

Hi, Thanks for writing to HCM. I understand your concern. Depo shot is an injection which needs to be taken once every 3 months (every 12 weeks once and 4 times a year). You can start using the birth control shot whenever you want. If you get your first shot within the first 7 days after the start of your period, you’re protected from pregnancy right away. If you get it at any other time in your cycle, you need to use another form of birth control (like a condom and spermicidal agents) for the first week after getting the shot. Intermittent spotting is normally experienced by few who are on depo shot. If this happens repeatedly, then you need to seek medical advise promptly. Ideally, the next shot needs to be taken about 2 to 3 days before 12 weeks. However, if you take later than 12 weeks, you need to use another form of birth control (like a condom and spermicidal agents) for the first week after getting the shot. Hope the information provided helps. All the best. Regards, Dr.Ashakiran.S., MBBS., MD.