Depo-Provera Risks
Depo-Provera should not be used as a method of birth control for more than two years. Even the Pfizer, the maker of Depo-Provera, admits this.
The reason you shouldn’t use Depo-Provera for more than two years is that Depo-Provera decreases bone mineral density. You will lose calcium in your bones if you take Depo. This loss gets increases the longer you take Depo-Provera. The bone density loss is irreversible, even after you have stopped taking Depo-Provera.
The loss of bone mineral density is one reason that Depo-Provera is not recommended for adolescents, because it can affect the growth of healthy bones.
Although it is recommended that you take calcium and vitamin D when you are on Depo-Provera, there has been no proof that this counters the bone mineral density loss.
Depo-Provera has not been clearly associated with a higher risk of cancer. There might be a slight correlation between breast cancer and cervical cancer and taking this medication. However, Depo-Provera has been proven to limit endometrial cancer (cancer of the uterine lining).
Some people have allergic reactions to Depo-Provera, and have anaphylactic reactions. This is why Depo-Provera is always administered in a doctor’s office or clinic.
See also our page on the side effects of Depo-Provera.
