Depo-Provera: Weighing the Pros and Cons of the Birth Control Shot

Depo-Provera, otherwise known as the birth control shot, is given to you once every three months. This method of birth control is very common. Although there are many advantages that are associated with using Depo-Provera as a form of birth control, there are also very many disadvantages as well. Here, we will take a closer look at some of the many things that you should be sure to take into consideration before you choose to go on the birth control shot yourself.

Pro: Depo-Provera is known to be very effective at preventing pregnancy. According to the statistics, only about three women out of every one thousand will get pregnant each year with the Depo-Provera shot.. When it is done correctly, Depo-Provera can be a very effective birth control method. It is important to keep in mind that it takes two weeks for the birth control shot to work effectively, so alternate birth control methods, such as condoms, should be used when you receive your Depo-Provera injection every month.

Con: The birth control shot is required every three months. One of the reasons that this may be a slight disadvantage to you is because you need to remember to have this shot every three months. You will have to make an appointment and visit the doctor this frequently, which is not something that everyone enjoys. If you hate shots more than anything or if you fear them, getting a shot this often can also be a disadvantage.

Pro: You don't need to remember to take your birth control pill every single day of the month. Not only do many people find this as a very big advantage due to its convenience, but it is also believed that this is the main reason that the birth control shot is known to be very effective. There is likely to be a higher risk of you forgetting to take your birth control pill during one of the days of the month than you forgetting to go for the birth control shot every three months.