Birth control shots are a type ofhormonal contraception. They provide pregnancy protection that lasts 30 days to 12 weeks with a single injection, depending on the drug used. This is a notable benefit overoral contraceptivesthat require you to remember to take a pill every day.There are several different birth control shots used around the world, but only medroxyprogesterone acetate shots likeDepo-Proveraand Depo-SubQ Provera 104 are approved for use in the United States.Each birth control shot differs in terms of the hormones used and how long they offer protection.This article goes over both Depo shots, as well as the other birth control shots used internationally. It details their efficacy rates, how often you need to get another shot, and potential side effects.Birth control shots are not a safe option for everyone. Be sure to speak to your healthcare provider about whether they are appropriate for you. Be sure to share your complete medical history.

Birth control shots are a type ofhormonal contraception. They provide pregnancy protection that lasts 30 days to 12 weeks with a single injection, depending on the drug used. This is a notable benefit overoral contraceptivesthat require you to remember to take a pill every day.

There are several different birth control shots used around the world, but only medroxyprogesterone acetate shots likeDepo-Proveraand Depo-SubQ Provera 104 are approved for use in the United States.Each birth control shot differs in terms of the hormones used and how long they offer protection.

This article goes over both Depo shots, as well as the other birth control shots used internationally. It details their efficacy rates, how often you need to get another shot, and potential side effects.

Birth control shots are not a safe option for everyone. Be sure to speak to your healthcare provider about whether they are appropriate for you. Be sure to share your complete medical history.

Depo-Provera Shots

Depo-Provera (also known as DMPA or a Depo shot) is the brand name for medroxyprogesterone acetate. It belongs to a group of drugs calledprogestins, which are synthetic versions of the hormoneprogesterone.

Depo-Provera is 99% effective at preventing pregnancy if taken as directed, but its real-world efficacy is around 94%.

Each Depo-Provera injection lasts for around 12 weeks, so you’ll need another shot every three months.

There are two versions currently available in the U.S.:

In addition to preventing pregnancy, Depo-SubQ Provera is approved to treatendometriosis.

Medroxyprogesterone acetate is also available as a pill under the name Provera. It is approved to treat secondary amenorrhea (abnormal cessation of menstruation), abnormal uterine bleeding due to a hormonal imbalance (not due to fibroids or uterine cancer), and endometrial hyperplasia (thickening of the uterine lining).

Depo-Provera shots are also associated with an increased risk ofbreast cancerand should not be used in people with known or suspected breast malignancy.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Depo-Provera

Noristerat

Noristeratis the brand name for norethisterone enanthate, also known as norethindrone enanthate. It is anotherprogestin-onlyinjectable contraceptive and was introduced shortly before Depo-Provera in 1957.

Norethisterone enanthate is also sold under the brand names Doryxas, Norigest, Nur-Isterate, Syngestal, and Unidepo.

Noristerat is included on theWorld Health Organization’s List of Essential Medicines. While it is not available in the United States, Noristerat is widely used in the United Kingdom, Latin America, Africa, and parts of Europe.

Noristrat only provides pregnancy protection for about eight weeks.This means that you need to have a shot every two months, making it less convenient than other injectables.

However, a possible benefit of the shorter protection period is that people who use Noristrat are able toreturn to fertilityfaster once they stop treatment, often within three months.

When Can You Get Pregnant After Stopping Depo-Provera?

Combined Injectable Contraceptives

Combined injectable contraceptives (CICs) have both progestin and a synthetic form ofestrogencalled estradiol in them. These are the same hormones that are used incombination birth control pills, thebirth control patch, and theNuvaRing.

CICs are not approved in the United States. They are mainly available in Africa, Asia, and Latin America under different brand names, including:

CICs are given every 28 to 30 days into the buttock or shoulder.

These shots are said to be 99% effective. However, research has shown that because they only provide protection for 30 days and are, therefore, less convenient, people often miss a shot. This lowers effectiveness.

CICs also contain less progestin than Depo-Provera or Noristerat, so people are more likely to have monthly cycles with this type of birth control.

Overview of Combined Contraceptive Injections

SummaryIf you’d prefer to have a birth control option that’s not a daily pill, you might consider having birth control shots instead. You have a few options for birth control injections, and your provider can help you decide which one is right for you based on your contraception and other health needs, as well as your preferences.9 Common Depo-Provera Side Effects

Summary

If you’d prefer to have a birth control option that’s not a daily pill, you might consider having birth control shots instead. You have a few options for birth control injections, and your provider can help you decide which one is right for you based on your contraception and other health needs, as well as your preferences.

9 Common Depo-Provera Side Effects

7 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Schivone G, Dorflinger L, Halpern V.Injectable contraception.Curr Opinion Obstetrics Gynecol. 2016;28(6):504-509. doi:10.1097/gco.0000000000000329National Library of Medicine: DailyMed.Depo-SubQ Provera—medroxyprogesterone acetate injection, suspension[drug label].National Library of Medicine: DailyMed.Depo-provera—medroxyprogesterone acetate injection, suspension[drug label].World Health Organization.22.1.2 Injectable hormonal contraceptives. In: World Health Organization Model List of Essential Medicines (21st Edition).Dean J, Kramer KJ, Akbary F, et al.Norethindrone is superior to combined oral contraceptive pills in short-term delay of menses and onset of breakthrough bleeding: a randomized trial.BMC Womens Health.2019;19(1):70. doi:10.1186/s12905-019-0766-6Johns Hopkins Center for Communication Programs.Family planning: a global handbook for providers. Chapter 5 - monthly injectables.Jamali B, Kiapoor A, Firoozbakht M, Kazeminavaei F, Taghlili F.Comparing the satisfaction and efficacy of Cyclofem and contraceptive pills among females in Northern Iran: A randomized controlled trial study.J Adv Pharm Technol Res.2014;5(4):152-157. doi:10.4103/2231-4040.143025

7 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Schivone G, Dorflinger L, Halpern V.Injectable contraception.Curr Opinion Obstetrics Gynecol. 2016;28(6):504-509. doi:10.1097/gco.0000000000000329National Library of Medicine: DailyMed.Depo-SubQ Provera—medroxyprogesterone acetate injection, suspension[drug label].National Library of Medicine: DailyMed.Depo-provera—medroxyprogesterone acetate injection, suspension[drug label].World Health Organization.22.1.2 Injectable hormonal contraceptives. In: World Health Organization Model List of Essential Medicines (21st Edition).Dean J, Kramer KJ, Akbary F, et al.Norethindrone is superior to combined oral contraceptive pills in short-term delay of menses and onset of breakthrough bleeding: a randomized trial.BMC Womens Health.2019;19(1):70. doi:10.1186/s12905-019-0766-6Johns Hopkins Center for Communication Programs.Family planning: a global handbook for providers. Chapter 5 - monthly injectables.Jamali B, Kiapoor A, Firoozbakht M, Kazeminavaei F, Taghlili F.Comparing the satisfaction and efficacy of Cyclofem and contraceptive pills among females in Northern Iran: A randomized controlled trial study.J Adv Pharm Technol Res.2014;5(4):152-157. doi:10.4103/2231-4040.143025

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Schivone G, Dorflinger L, Halpern V.Injectable contraception.Curr Opinion Obstetrics Gynecol. 2016;28(6):504-509. doi:10.1097/gco.0000000000000329National Library of Medicine: DailyMed.Depo-SubQ Provera—medroxyprogesterone acetate injection, suspension[drug label].National Library of Medicine: DailyMed.Depo-provera—medroxyprogesterone acetate injection, suspension[drug label].World Health Organization.22.1.2 Injectable hormonal contraceptives. In: World Health Organization Model List of Essential Medicines (21st Edition).Dean J, Kramer KJ, Akbary F, et al.Norethindrone is superior to combined oral contraceptive pills in short-term delay of menses and onset of breakthrough bleeding: a randomized trial.BMC Womens Health.2019;19(1):70. doi:10.1186/s12905-019-0766-6Johns Hopkins Center for Communication Programs.Family planning: a global handbook for providers. Chapter 5 - monthly injectables.Jamali B, Kiapoor A, Firoozbakht M, Kazeminavaei F, Taghlili F.Comparing the satisfaction and efficacy of Cyclofem and contraceptive pills among females in Northern Iran: A randomized controlled trial study.J Adv Pharm Technol Res.2014;5(4):152-157. doi:10.4103/2231-4040.143025

Schivone G, Dorflinger L, Halpern V.Injectable contraception.Curr Opinion Obstetrics Gynecol. 2016;28(6):504-509. doi:10.1097/gco.0000000000000329

National Library of Medicine: DailyMed.Depo-SubQ Provera—medroxyprogesterone acetate injection, suspension[drug label].

National Library of Medicine: DailyMed.Depo-provera—medroxyprogesterone acetate injection, suspension[drug label].

World Health Organization.22.1.2 Injectable hormonal contraceptives. In: World Health Organization Model List of Essential Medicines (21st Edition).

Dean J, Kramer KJ, Akbary F, et al.Norethindrone is superior to combined oral contraceptive pills in short-term delay of menses and onset of breakthrough bleeding: a randomized trial.BMC Womens Health.2019;19(1):70. doi:10.1186/s12905-019-0766-6

Johns Hopkins Center for Communication Programs.Family planning: a global handbook for providers. Chapter 5 - monthly injectables.

Jamali B, Kiapoor A, Firoozbakht M, Kazeminavaei F, Taghlili F.Comparing the satisfaction and efficacy of Cyclofem and contraceptive pills among females in Northern Iran: A randomized controlled trial study.J Adv Pharm Technol Res.2014;5(4):152-157. doi:10.4103/2231-4040.143025

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