Depo-Provera injection - your questions answered

A: Research suggests that women trying to conceive after stopping the Depo-Provera injection 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 - as you have now been off the injection for around a year and your periods have returned, there may be another reason for your irregular cycle, such as hormone imbalances (eg polycystic ovary syndrome). If you have not already seen your doctor it is a good idea to do so and to have initial hormone tests done, assuming you are trying to conceive. It can also help to use an ovulation predictor kit. Sticks can end up being expensive, but there is an interesting test (Calista), that lets you check saliva under a small microscope, which can be used over and over and which might work out cheaper.