Nadine Abdel-Ghafar

Depo Provera
Describe the method of birth control (what is it? What does it look like?)
It is also known as DMPA or Depot Medroxyprogesterone Acetate. This contraceptive is a hormone injection that lasts for 3 months to prevent pregnancy. It contains progesterone and no estrogen and is usually given in the arm, hip, upper thigh, or abdomen, delivering a high level of progesterone into the body. Depo Provera stops the ovaries from releasing eggs. It also causes the cervical mucus to thicken and changes the uterine lining, making it harder for sperm to enter or survive in the uterus. These changes prevent fertilization. Depo Provera is a very private form of birth control because it cannot be seen on the body and requires no home supplies. It does, however, require a clinic appointment every 3 months.

How does this method of birth control work? (What enables your method to protect against pregnancy and/or STI/STD.?)
Stops ovaries from releasing an egg (ovulation) Thins the lining of the uterus. It does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases and should thus be used with condoms or other contraceptives You dont have to worry about remembering to take it everyday. You only need to take it 4 times a year. 50% of women will stop having periods after the first year of using this contraceptive. For women with heavy and painful periods this is a positive side effect. It can be used by breastfeeding mothers since it doesnt not affect the milk production. It reduces the risk of endometrial cancer, ovarian cancer and pelvic inflammatory disease. Does not interrupt sex play Women will have a less chance of being anemic Fewer and less heavy periods with less cramps

Positive implications
-

Negative implications:

Decreases bone mineral deficiency, encouraging osteoporosis It doesnt protect against STDs or STIs. Women have to visit doctor every 12-13 weeks to receive their next injection Causes irregular bleeding Women may suffer an allergic reaction towards this injection If a woman is pregnant with child and continues to take this injection, there is an increased chance of premature death

Side Effects:
- 70% of women using this contraceptive gain weight - Irregular, heavy, or no bleeding are common side effects of Depo Provera. After a year of use, many women stop having periods. Moreover, lack of a period becomes increasingly common with longer use. - Nervousness, headaches mood changes, bloating, decreased interest in sex, breast tenderness, acne, hair loss, and back aches, are also common side effects.

How effective (%) is this method of birth control in the prevention of pregnancy and STIs/STDs?
It is 99.7% effective in preventing pregnancy. However, its use alone does not protect against StIs/STDs and should thus be used alongside other contraceptives such as condoms.

Nadine Abdel-Ghafar

What is the availability and cost of this type of birth control?

This injection is administered by either a health care provider or a nurse. The cost is about $40 for each injection that lasts about 3 months. You should not take Depo Provera if you have any of the following conditions: - Pregnant or think you are pregnant - Vaginal bleeding with unknown reasons Liver diseases - gall balder disease - Past or current breast cancer - High blood pressure - Diabetes - Hepatitis - Heart disease

Bibliography

Nadine Abdel-Ghafar

"Injection (Depo-Provera) | Contraceptive Methods | Contraception | Adults | sexualityandu.ca - Your Link to Sexual Well-Being." sexualityandu.ca - Your Link to Sexual Well-Being. N.p., n.d. Web. 2 May 2010. <http://www.sexualityandu.ca/adults/contraception-2-3.aspx>. "Depo-Provera - Uses, Side Effects, Interactions - Drug Factsheets - C-Health." C-Health. N.p., n.d. Web. 2 May 2010. <http://chealth.canoe.ca/drug_info_details.asp?brand_name_id=755>. Depo Provera 3-Month Shot - from Cedar River Clinics." Birth Control Comparison Chart from Cedar River Clinics covers every contraception method. All options with complete descriptions in Spanish and English on cervical cap, the patch, the pill, diaphragm, depo-provera, the shot, female and male condom, fertility awareness, spermicide, sterilization, vasectomy, tubal ligation, IUD, intrauterine device, withdrawal, breast feeding, continuous birth control pills, vaginal ring, fertility awareness, natural family planning.. N.p., n.d. Web. 2 May 2010. <http://www.birth-control-comparison.info/bcdepo.htm>. "October 2008 | blog.bioethics.net." blog.bioethics.net: a Nature Top 50 science blog from The American Journal of Bioethics. N.p., n.d. Web. 2 May 2010. <http://blog.bioethics.net/2008/10 Robin. "Desperately seeking answers - Depo Provera Causing Hair Loss?." Hair Loss, Living and Surviving with the Condition.. N.p., n.d. Web. 2 May 2010. <http://www.surviving-hairloss.com/desperately-seeking-answers-depo-provera-causing-hairloss.html>.