Depo-Provera, or the birth control shot, is an injected form of contraception that works for three months. This type of birth control uses medroxyprogesterone, a synthetic form of the hormone progestin. Planned Parenthood notes that when a woman always receives her Depo-Provera shot every three months, she has less than a 1 percent chance of getting pregnant. In some patients, Depo-Provera can cause serious problems that require medical attention.
Bone Density Loss
A woman using Depo-Provera risks losing calcium stored in her bones. Without enough calcium in her bones, the woman risks developing osteoporosis later in her life. Osteoporosis symptoms include bone pain, stooped postures and fractures. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) warns that women should not use Depo-Provera for more than two years, as longer use increases the risk of bone-density loss. The doctor may also check the woman's bone density before giving her the injection.
Ectopic Pregnancy
Although Depo-Provera effectively prevents pregnancy when used correctly, some women may become pregnant if they miss an injection or wait longer than three months for the next dosage. Planned Parenthood warns that women who become pregnant while using Depo-Provera may have an ectopic pregnancy. With an ectopic pregnancy, the fetus grows outside of the woman's uterus, which puts the mother's life at risk.
Injection Site Problems
Some women may have a reaction at the site of the Depo-Provera shot. The NIH notes that a woman may have some pain or redness after receiving her dosage of Depo-Provera, though these side effects usually go away. Planned Parenthood states that if the woman has pain for days after the injection or if she sees pus or bleeding at the site of the injection, she may have a serious problem that requires medical attention.
Major Depression
Another possible danger with Depo-Provera is major depression, a mood disorder in which the person has sadness for at least two weeks, according to Planned Parenthood. Symptoms of major depression include agitation, concentration problems, fatigue, sleeping difficulties and feeling worthless. Major depression can cause physical and emotional problems for the patient, and untreated depression may lead to suicide.
Seizures
The NIH states that while uncommon, some users of Depo-Provera start having seizures. Abnormal electrical activity in the brain causes the seizures. The symptoms of a seizure range from a staring spell to a loss of consciousness, which leads to confusion. Some patients may fall during the seizure, which can result in physical injury.
