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The shot is an injection that you get in the arm. It's also called "Depo" or "Depo-Provera."
It's a birth control method that lasts for 3 months.
The shot works by preventing the ovary from releasing an egg. If the egg isn't released,
it's impossible for the *** and the egg to join together. The shot also helps by thickening
the mucus in the ***, so that the *** can't get through.
The shot is a good choice for patients who want something that's long-lasting, something
that's highly effective and safe. It's really convenient for some patients because
you come into the office, you get the injection, and you're set for 3 whole months—you
don't have to think about it, you don't have to carry anything around, you don't
have to take a pill every day. It's also very private for patients for that very reason—nobody
knows that you have it.
Many women get the shot and don't have any side effects or problems at all. One of the
most common side effects of the shot is irregular bleeding. It's not unusual for women to
spot irregularly for the first 6 to 12 months when they're on the shot. After approximately
a year, about 50 percent of the women that get the shot actually stop having their periods
altogether (which actually a lot of women like).
Because the shot is long-lasting, it can take a while to get pregnant after having your
last shot, so that's definitely something you'll want to consider.
If you're worried about being able to afford the shot, you should see if you're eligible
for a program at Planned Parenthood which will give you low- to no-cost birth control
and other reproductive health care. To see if you're eligible, visit ppmns.org.