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Periods after depo
I came off the depo injection 11 weeks ago, after taking it for four years. Since then, I've started to get some spotting but haven't had a period yet. I've never had tender breasts before but they're agony at the moment.
The depo contraceptive injection contains a slow-release store of a synthetic progestogen hormone (medroxyprogesterone acetate), which is initially given during the first five days of a menstrual cycle (to rule out pregnancy) and repeated every 12 weeks as required. The injection works in the same way as the mini-pill but is more effective (failure rate is lower than one per cent) as it stops ovulation in most cycles.
However, irregular bleeding is common and spotting often occurs. Over 50 per cent of long term users experience an absence of periods by the end of their first year of use. Because the injection is slow-release, it does not stop acting immediately. Research suggests that women trying to conceive after stopping depo progestogen take at least four months longer to become pregnant compared with women stopping other methods of contraception. In some cases, fertility may take up to a year or longer to return, so the discomfort you are experiencing could indeed be linked with ovulation. However, as the breast pain is so severe, do see your GP for a proper assessment to find out the underlying cause.
However, irregular bleeding is common and spotting often occurs. Over 50 per cent of long term users experience an absence of periods by the end of their first year of use. Because the injection is slow-release, it does not stop acting immediately. Research suggests that women trying to conceive after stopping depo progestogen take at least four months longer to become pregnant compared with women stopping other methods of contraception. In some cases, fertility may take up to a year or longer to return, so the discomfort you are experiencing could indeed be linked with ovulation. However, as the breast pain is so severe, do see your GP for a proper assessment to find out the underlying cause.
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