Side Effects of the Birth Control Shot

Women who want to use a hormonal form of birth control but do not want to take a pill every day have the choice of getting a birth control shot. The shot contains progestin, a hormone that prevents conception. Depo-Provera is the brand name of the birth control shot that is available in the United States. According to the Brown University health services, the birth control shot protects against pregnancy for 11 to 12 weeks. At the three-month mark, a woman needs to have another injection to receive continued protection. As with oral contraceptives, this injected form of birth control can carry some side effects. Specific side effects and their level of intensity will vary from woman to woman.

Irregular Bleeding

Irregular bleeding is a common side effect associated with the birth control shot. Women may experience spotting or light bleeding between periods. According to Kidshealth.org, an information service provided by the Nemours Foundation, some women who use progestin injections may skip periods and not menstruate at all. When a woman does get her period, she has an increased likelihood of heavy blood flow for a longer duration.

Aches and Pains

Progestin birth control shots can cause a variety of aches and pains due to the extra hormones entering the body. Planned Parenthood adds that some women will experience headaches and breast pain. Brown University health services states that pain or achiness in the abdominal region that feels similar to pregnancy may also be a side effect.

Weight Fluctuation

A woman's weight may fluctuate while she is using an injectable form of birth control. According to Brown University, 90 percent of women see a change in their weight after receiving these shots. One-third of the women who experience this side effect gain weight, while about 20 percent lose some weight.

Depression

Some women who use the birth control shot may become depressed. This side effect, as with others stemming from the shots, can be difficult to deal with simply because the medication is long-lasting. Women who experience depression should have a strong network of support in place to help them deal with their sadness as the shot wears off. People who become depressed while on this form of birth control should switch to another form of contraception once the 12-week dose has worn off.

Decreased Bone Density

Decreased bone density and the threat of osteoporosis is a side effect that may occur when using injectable contraception. The loss of bone density can be reversed once a woman stops using the medication, according to Kidshealth. Supplementing the diet with calcium tablets or chews may help slow the progression of osteoporosis.