Where Can I Ask Questions About the Depo Shot?

The Depo-Provera shot, known as the Depo shot for short, is a hormonal contraception administered by way of an injection. Each Depo shot lasts for approximately 13 weeks and you must keep up to date on your shots to ensure the Depo-Provera is effective. It is important to get as much information as you can about benefits and risks the shot before deciding if it is right for you.

Talk to Your Doctor

First and foremost, you should talk to your family doctor before starting any new form of birth control. Depo-Provera is only available by prescription and must be administered by a health care professional, so you will need to speak with your doctor to start taking it. Your doctor will be able to provide you with information about the shot’s risks and benefits, and because she is likely to be familiar with your medical history, she will be able to suggest any possible interactions or problems you may have with taking it.

Visit Planned Parenthood or Other Women’s Clinic

If you do not have a family doctor or are not insured, look up free or subsidized women’s clinics such as Planned Parenthood. There, you will be able to talk to someone knowledgeable about different forms of birth control including Depo-Provera. Employees of these clinics will know about its benefits and side effects, and once you provide some information about your background and current methods of birth control, they will be able to help you decide if the Depo shot is right for you.

Use the Internet

Pfizer, the manufacturer of Depo-Provera, provides information on its website at pfizer.com. When you begin to research the shot, the Internet can be a good place to start. Remember that Pfizer’s aim is to sell the shot, so while their website does mention risks and side effects, it is still important to speak to your doctor for an unbiased opinion. You may also be able to find opinions from people who have used the shot as their primary birth control, but remember that accounts by users of forums or blogs are not necessarily reliable and your experience may be different.

Track Down Studies

All drugs must go through rigorous testing before being sold to the public. The findings of these tests usually are published and are available if you know where to look. Again, you can use the Internet to track down studies, or contact the manufacturer (in this case, Pfizer) and ask about any published studies about the shot’s efficacy and side effects.

Talk To Users

You may know someone who is on or has been on Depo-Provera. Talk to close friends or family members about their method of birth control and learn their experiences with the shot. Again, it is still important to speak with your doctor to make the final decision, and note that something in your medical history may cause your experience with the shot to be entirely different. As an initial source of information, though, talking to people who have been on the shot can be helpful.