If you're one of those people who said goodbye to contraceptive pills and got the depo shot instead, then welcome aboard! The depo shot is indeed convenient as it requires no daily tracking or remembering. But what happens when you bid the injection bye -bye and decide that it's time for a baby? Can you conceive without a period? Do you need to wait months before getting pregnant? Will ouija boards help? Let's find out.
Understanding the Depo Shot
Before we dive into conception, let's have an overview of what happens when someone gets injected with Depot-Medroxyprogesterone Acetate (DMPA) also known as "Depo-Provera."
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When administered correctly, DMPA halts ovulation by thickening cervical mucus which keeps sperms from swimming in search of their prey. Moreover, it softens uterine lining inhibiting implantation. In simpler words; No egg + no sperm = No preggo!
As much as 50% of users report changes on their menstrual cycle while using Depo shots. Some experience light bleeding/ spotting while others don't get periods at all throughout their depot journey .
So now we know why some women are Team-No-Periods during depo usage, but how does stopping ovulation affect pregnancy afterwards?
Aftermath Of Saying Goodbye To The Injection
Once your last dose expires ,the Deposterone hormone effects will start fading away gradually leaving room for your body hormones take over which might be hard to predict since DMPA requires consistent administration..err maybe mine was just too lazy.
Some lucky ladies may resume normal monthly cycles within three months almost immediately following the last jab ,whereas it can tales up to a year for Depo effect on their bodies to reverse. Oh hormones, they can never make things easy.
But what's the relation between periods and conception? Can one get pregnant without having a single period after stopping the shot?
Conceiving Without Your Period
Even though there's no 100% guarantee that pregnancy will be swift or even happens at all, it doesn't necessarily mean that ovulation won't occur in time you'll least expect it . There are two ways:
Ovulation May Return Before Menstruation
Hormone levels differ per person. In some instances, Ovaries may start producing eggs before even shedding of uterine lining starts resulting in miscarriage without even knowing being pregnanteven happening .
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On the other side, conceiving while still not experiencing regular cycles makes tracking ovulation Mission Impossible.(Not Tom Cruise skills required)
However predicting fertility window and maximizing chances with an over-the-counter (OTC)-ovulation predictor kit(OPK), using cervical mucus changes plan B after unprotected intercourse should save your day.Life saving just like Chapstick under dry lips!. These items are available over counter at local Pharmacy stores but I suggest you carefully use them as directed.. Or else say bye-bye baby when Not ready.
How long until fertility returns?
We said earlier Depo shots effects change differently from woman to woman since everybody's body has different metabolism rate , stress level and health routine among other factors which affects hormone longevity ..but how much longer do we wait before our 'reproductive System' gets functional again after expiry of depot last jab?
Some sources estimate:
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After three Months 50% women become fertile within 10 months.post-prescription
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Up to One year 90% women will become pregnant within two years
So,rather than waiting for months on end, it's necessary to consult your health care practitioner immediately you decide "Let's go baby-making''. They'll you help keep track of ovulation and give a gestational time frame unique (did I mention also exciting?) as per the individual case.
Final Thoughts:
Depo shot is indeed an excellent contraception method. It can control menses or even stop them completely while providing efficacy. However, once someone decides to have a baby getting back into normalcy might take quite some time counting from 3-12 month range.
In conclusion :
- Periods don't predict fertility post-depo
- One doesn't need periods to know About Ovulation with OPK.
- The human body never ceases to amaze with hormones grace!