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Depo-Provera (also known as DMPA or Depot Medroxyprogesterone Acetate) is modern hormonal contraception which can be used for long period (one shot for 3 months pregnancy prevention). Depo-Provera is usually injected in the arm or hip or upper thigh or abdomen – it is delivering a high level of progesterone into the body.
Depo Provera stops the ovaries from releasing eggs and causes the cervical mucus to thicken and changes the uterine lining, making it harder for sperm to enter or survive in the uterus. These changes prevent fertilization.
Depo Provera is 97-99.7% effective as birth control but unfortunately Depo Provera has several unpleasant side effects including BROWN DISCHARGE as well as some serious health risks (osteoporosis, obesity, breast cancer).
Health Benefits of Depo Provera should also be mentioned. Women on Depo Provera have a decreased risk of endometrial cancer, ovarian cancer and pelvic inflammatory disease. You may have less menstrual cramping and pain, fewer periods and less chance of anemia.
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DEPO PROVERA Side Effects
 Irregular, abnormal, heavy or no bleeding are common side effects of Depo Provera. High doses of female hormone progesterone are fully changing women normal monthly hormonal rhythm. After Depo Provera shot ovaries stop producing and releasing eggs which is causing the uterus endometrium and the cervical mucus to thicken. Thickened tissues could be the main cause of annoying long-term brown discharge. After a year of use, many women stop having periods but still continue having irregular brown discharge.
Actually the brown spotting and/or brown discharge are pretty common side effects of Depo Provera.
70% of women using Depo Provera gain weight. Almost half of the women using Depo Provera gain more than 5 pounds after one year of use. Many women gain more than 10 pounds. Increased body fat could contribute to already changes hormonal status and could increase the possibility of brown discharge.
Other side effects of Depo Provera can include headaches, nervousness, mood changes, bloating, hot flashes, decreased interest in sex, breast tenderness, acne, hair loss, and back ache.
After the last shot of Depo Provera, it can take over 6 months for the drug to leave the body. During this period women also could experience brown discharge which could linger until the Depo Provera is completely gone.
If it has been more than 13 weeks since you received the Depo-Provera, it is no longer working as a contraceptive method and you could have brown discharge as a worning. If you want to continue using Depo-Provera, you will need to see your health care provider for the injection. With continued use, some women find that the brown discharge improves and that they have longer time periods when they have no bleeding at all. Depo-Provera works well to prevent pregnancy and is very convenient to use. However, it is not for everyone, especially if you can't tolerate on-going brown discharge and/or irregular bleeding. There are many other effective methods of contraception with less unpleasant side effects.
DEPO PROVERA Advantages
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Private. |
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Effective after 24 hours. |
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Does not require regular attention. |
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Does not interrupt sex play. |
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Has no estrogen. |
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May decrease risk for ovarian and uterine cancers. |
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Women can start Depo Provera 6 weeks after giving birth. |
DEPO PROVERA Disadvantages
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Causes loss of bone density and risk of osteoporosis. |
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Does not protect against sexually transmitted infections, including HIV/AIDS. |
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Requires injections every 3 months. |
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Delay of return to fertility. |
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Irregular bleeding. |
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Most women experience weight gain. |
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