Getting off the Depo - Provera

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-21-2005
Getting off the Depo - Provera
6
Tue, 03-28-2006 - 10:07pm
I have had three depo shots (ends May 3rd) and I am interested in getting off the short and getting pregnant again. I read some articles that say that it could take up to 2 years before this happens?? Is this true?
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Tue, 03-28-2006 - 10:43pm

Hi colins_mom05, welcome!

There can be a significant delay in the return of fertility when coming off Depo-Provera and any delay is unrelated to the length of time the woman was using it. The Depo prescribing information: http://www.pfizer.com/pfizer/download/uspi_depo_provera_contraceptive.pdf says this about the return of fertility:

“DEPO-PROVERA CI has a prolonged contraceptive effect. In a large US study of women who discontinued use of DEPO-PROVERA CI to become pregnant, data are available for 61% of them. Based on Life-Table analysis of these data, it is expected that 68% of women who do become pregnant may conceive within 12 months, 83% may conceive within 15 months, and 93% may conceive within 18 months from the last injection. The median time to conception for those who do conceive is 10 months following the last injection with a range of 4 to 31 months, and is unrelated to the duration of use. No data are available for 39% of the patients who discontinued DEPOPROVERA CI to become pregnant and who were lost to follow-up or changed their mind.”

Thanks for stopping by. If you have more questions, please ask. Wishing you the very best in TTC. Let us know how you're doing, ok?

Good luck,

      Jill

    

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-21-2005
Tue, 03-28-2006 - 10:48pm
Wow Jill this was very helpful! thanks.
iVillage Member
Registered: 09-10-1998
Wed, 03-29-2006 - 1:25pm

I know that my story is not what every woman encounters, but I thought I would share with you my experience of going off Depo and getting pregnant. I have been on Depo twice, for 2 1/2 years each time. The first time I went off, it took me four months to get pregnant and the second time three months. Now, I know that every woman is different, but I just thought I would let you know how it went for me.

Good luck on getting pregnant!

Laura

Laura
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Wed, 03-29-2006 - 1:38pm

Hi laurabee24, welcome!

Thanks for sharing! It's good that you as a satisfied Depo user posted to share your positive experiences with it. Please come back and let us know how you're doing.

Thanks again,

      Jill

    

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-10-1998
Wed, 03-29-2006 - 1:42pm

Hi Jill,

I actually didn't go back on Depo after my DS was born two years ago. I couldn't handle the weight gain (gained 40 pounds) and the loss of libido; loved the no periods part, but not enough to stay on it.

I have been on Mircette for about a year now and am doing okay on it.

Thanks for the welcome!

Laura

Laura
Avatar for keepyrheadup
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Thu, 03-30-2006 - 5:13am
Hi there - just to let you know that I was on Depo for 3 years continu'ly and stopped to get preggo as well. I conceived BOTH time at 7 month (after last shot) mark and successfully carried to term. 2 years is what I like to call a "safe" answer for physicians. It is possible to conceive earlier - trust me! and good luck!