Depo-Provera: an Alternative Method to Female Sterilization

Birth control has become a popular product for women over the last 40 years or so, and while we all use it for different reasons, I have found a new light to shed on one of them, called Depo-Provera. Depo-Provera is a hormone injection that women can get every three months to prevent pregnancy. Often times, when women do finally decide to get off of Depo-Provera, it can take up to a year and a half to get pregnant. This form of birth control can be used for many reasons, to regulate periods, to help women with Endometriosis, and of course, to prevent pregnancy. But after talking to my doctor recently about the options I have for female sterilization, I found that although Depo-Provera is a product primarily on the market for birth control use, it can also be a great alternative for women who are interested in female sterilization as well.

Depo-Provera, also known as the 'Depo shot' is a hormonal injection that is given once every three months and prevents pregnancy by preventing ovulation. After the first year of being on the Depo shot, you may notice little to no periods. For some women, this is not a desired affect of birth control, but for others, not only is the frequency of how often the shot is needed a wonderful reason to use the product, but having no periods can also be an added benefit.

Depo-Provera is not right for every woman, and with all drugs, it comes with its side effects. The most common side effect of the Depo shot is irregular bleeding, but over 50% of women have no periods at all after the first year of use. One of the greatest risks of using Depo-Provera is an increased chance of getting Osteoporosis after menopause. Depo-Provera has been known to cause calcium loss in some studies, and women who are on the Depo shot should take calcium supplements to help prevent any long term side effects. In addition to that, side effects such as weight gain, headaches, and dizziness can be common, although these symptoms do not necessarily show up in all women who use Depo-Provera.

On the brighter side however, I have found Depo-Provera to be the only birth control method that works for my body. Many women have several trial and error cases in finding the right birth control that works well for them, and for me, Depo-Provera has been the answer for many years. So, that brings me to the topic at hand; Female sterilization.

I am personally child free by choice. And with that, of course comes protecting myself from getting pregnant. There are a couple of different options on the market currently for female sterilization, and while they seem to be more or less 100% effective, I have chosen to decline these traditional methods and stay on Depo-Provera.

One of the most commonly known methods for female sterilization is getting your tubes tied, but there is also another method that called Essure. Essure is a non-surgical procedure where small coils are placed in the fallopian tubes, and body tissue then builds up around the small coils causing a block from sperm reaching a woman's eggs.

After recently talking to my doctor about both of these options, I have decided to stay on Depo-Provera instead. Depo-Provera is one of the most effective birth control methods on the market, and while I would love to know that I was 100% protected by one of the offered sterilization options, I also learned that many women who have these procedures done, later end up getting back on birth control to regulate their periods after sterilization. So for me, and for those of you who are comfortable with not having a period, Depo-Provera could be your answer. And of course, last but not least, one of the other added benefits to Depo-Provera versus a permanent sterilization option, is that with the Depo shot, you always have the power to change your mind. Should you decide someday that you do indeed want to have children, simply get off of Depo and let your body return back to its normal ovulation cycle.

If you are interested in learning more about Depo-Provera or other female sterilization options, please visit your local health care provider or go to www.PlannedParenthood.org for a variety of resources and information.