Methods
How long does Depo take to wear off?
Quick answer
One Depo (DMPA (Depot medroxyprogesterone acetate, the 3-monthly injection (Depotrust, Lyndavel).)) shot is meant to protect you for 13 weeks, but its effects fade slowly. Do not count on protection once the next shot is overdue. Your periods and fertility can take several months, and for some people up to about a year, to return to normal.[src]
Three things wear off at different speeds
People asking this usually mean one of three things, and each has a different answer. Depo in the Philippines is sold as Depotrust and Lyndavel, both DMPA given as an injection.[src]
- Protection from pregnancy. Each shot is given every 13 weeks. The WHO handbook says a repeat shot can still be given up to 4 weeks late without extra protection.[src] After that, treat yourself as unprotected and use condoms. Use the injection date calculator to track it.
- The effect on your period. Irregular bleeding is the most common side effect, and many long-term users stop bleeding altogether.[src] After the last shot, the bleeding pattern can stay unusual for months before your natural cycle settles.
- The effect on fertility. This is the slow one. The hormone keeps suppressing ovulation in some people well past the 13 weeks. Fertility can take up to about a year to return after the last shot, longer than with the pill, implant or IUD.[src] The delay is temporary. DMPA does not cause permanent infertility.[src]
A rough timeline after your last shot
| Time since last shot | What is usually happening |
|---|---|
| 0 to 13 weeks | The shot is working as intended. |
| 13 to 17 weeks | Within the WHO window for a late repeat shot. Not a time to rely on it if you are not getting another one. |
| After about 4 months | Pregnancy is possible, even if your period has not come back. Use another method if you do not want to get pregnant. |
| Months 4 to 12 | Ovulation and periods return for most people somewhere in this range. It varies a lot from person to person. |
The key trap: no period does not mean no ovulation. Many people get pregnant before their first period returns, because ovulation comes about 2 weeks before a period. If you stop Depo and do not want a baby yet, start another method right away. See switching methods without a gap.
Can you make it wear off faster?
No. Once the shot is in, it cannot be removed, and no food, herbal tea or vitamin speeds it up. This is the big difference from the implant and IUD, which stop working within days of removal. Side effects such as bleeding changes or mood changes also cannot be switched off early, which is worth thinking about before a first shot. Some users also report weight gain on DMPA. [TODO: source: ACOG or FSRH statement on DMPA and weight gain] Filipinas on Reddit share mixed DMPA experiences, from no problems to months of spotting.[src]
If you want to stop
- Want a baby within a year? Tell your doctor, and plan to stop well ahead, since fertility can take up to about a year to come back.
- Do not want a baby? Start a new method on the date your next shot was due, not later.
- No period 12 months after the last shot? See a doctor to check for other causes.
Frequently asked questions
Ilang buwan bago mawala ang epekto ng turok?
Ang proteksyon ng isang turok ay para sa 13 linggo. Pero ang epekto sa regla at sa pagbubuntis ay puwedeng tumagal nang ilang buwan, hanggang mga isang taon para sa iba. Pansamantala lang ito.
Can I get pregnant 3 months after my last Depo shot?
Yes, it is possible once the shot is overdue, even if your period has not returned. If you do not want to get pregnant, get your next shot on time or start another method.
Is it normal to have no period after stopping Depo?
Yes, for several months. If you still have no period 12 months after your last shot, or you think you could be pregnant, see a doctor and take a pregnancy test.
This guide is for information. Talk to a doctor before starting, stopping or switching birth control.
Sources
- Family Planning: A Global Handbook for Providers, WHO and Johns Hopkins CCP
- When will fertility return after using hormonal contraception?, Patient.info
- Injectable in the Philippines, Find My Method
- Share your DMPA experience, r/beautytalkph