Clinical studies show that birth control shot, Depo-Provera is one of the most effective ways in pregnancy prevention.
Birth control shot is a way for women to prevent the risk of unwanted and unexpected pregnancy. There are various several methods of birth control; some types are also used in protection for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).
However, Depo-Provera is not used to protect against sexually transmitted diseases. Depo-Provera is a birth control shot for women.it is a branded progestin hormone-only contraceptive and is given by health care professionals via injection on the woman's arm muscle or buttocks every three months. Pregnancy prevention starts twenty-four hours after injection.
Each birth control shot provides protection against pregnancy for up to fourteen weeks. The primary mechanism of action of progestin-only contraceptives depends on the hormones activity and dose. High dose progestin-only contraceptives such as Depo-Provera, inhibits the follicular development and prevents ovulation.
The second mechanism of action Depo-Provera is inhibition of sperm penetration by changes in the cervical mucus. These changes theoretically prevent implantation.
Depo-Provera, a progestin-only contraceptive is ninety-nine percent effective in pregnancy prevention. However again, this birth control method does not protect against STDs. The benefits of the method are less risk of deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, stroke or myocardial infarction. Depo-Provera also decreases the risk of endometrial cancer, iron deficiency anemia, pelvic inflammatory disease, endometrioses, ectopic pregnancy and uterine fibroids. The birth control shot is said to decrease the incidence and severity of sickle-cell rises in women with sickle-cell disease.
Depo-Provera also sites some side effects. The frequently reported adverse reactions are menstrual irregularities, abdominal pain or discomfort, weight changes, headache, nausea, asthenia, depression and nervousness.
Prolonged use of Depo-Provera may result in loss of significant bone mineral density, increasing the risk of osteoporosis. So women are often advised to get adequate calcium and vitamin D to help prevent its long term effect.
For continual effectiveness of the drug, it is often advised to repeat the birth control shot before it lapses. This way, unexpected pregnancy will unlikely to happen.
In today's time where intimacy seems to be a common cause for unwanted pregnancy, it is always a smart choice to use birth control shot like Depo-Provera for prevention. As they say, prevention is always a better and smartest way in any circumstances.
