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What Causes Prolonged Periods And Cramps When On Depo Shots?
Question: I had a Depo Provera shot in July 6 weeks after my son was born I was 19 days late and started my recent period in early november. I'm still on my period with cramping that started today. Started out normal color and now it is a very dark color. Should I worry or is this normal. I also don't use tampons.
Brief Answer:
Rule out pregnancy , first
Detailed Answer:
Hello and Welcome
I appreciate your concern
Bleeding unrelated to Menstrual Periods / breakthrough bleeding is a common adverse effect of depo provera. Failure rate with the depo provera shot is less than 1 percent , meaning its highly unlikely that pregnancy can occur after the depo shot but in a case of abnormal vaginal bleeding , Pregnancy should always be ruled out first before workup for any anatomical abnormalities e.g fibroids or DUB ( Dysfunctional Uterine Bleeding ) etc.
Get a home pregnancy test done today and then repeat it after two days. If both are negative then relax. If you are still worried , go for blood hcg and subsequent confirmation via obstetric ultrasound as false negatives owing to user and systemic error can occur.
wishing you best of health
thanks
Dr. M.S.Khalil
Rule out pregnancy , first
Detailed Answer:
Hello and Welcome
I appreciate your concern
Bleeding unrelated to Menstrual Periods / breakthrough bleeding is a common adverse effect of depo provera. Failure rate with the depo provera shot is less than 1 percent , meaning its highly unlikely that pregnancy can occur after the depo shot but in a case of abnormal vaginal bleeding , Pregnancy should always be ruled out first before workup for any anatomical abnormalities e.g fibroids or DUB ( Dysfunctional Uterine Bleeding ) etc.
Get a home pregnancy test done today and then repeat it after two days. If both are negative then relax. If you are still worried , go for blood hcg and subsequent confirmation via obstetric ultrasound as false negatives owing to user and systemic error can occur.
wishing you best of health
thanks
Dr. M.S.Khalil
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
During the considered late time of menstrual cycle (19 days) I many of the home pregnancy tests and all were negative...should I still test again?
Brief Answer:
Beta HCG tests are more reliable.
Detailed Answer:
Hello again,
Home pregnancy tests are roughly 95% accurate at 10 weeks if done properly according to
instructions written over test kit. So, Yes, you may repeat the test and if negative, you can rely confidently on the result.
But as I stated earlier, blood hcg levels are more reliable compared to home pregnancy tests. To have peace of mind and to be sure, you should give blood sample for beta hcg test and get an obstetric ultrasound done in consult with your doctor.
Thanks.
Dr. M.S. Khalil
Beta HCG tests are more reliable.
Detailed Answer:
Hello again,
Home pregnancy tests are roughly 95% accurate at 10 weeks if done properly according to
instructions written over test kit. So, Yes, you may repeat the test and if negative, you can rely confidently on the result.
But as I stated earlier, blood hcg levels are more reliable compared to home pregnancy tests. To have peace of mind and to be sure, you should give blood sample for beta hcg test and get an obstetric ultrasound done in consult with your doctor.
Thanks.
Dr. M.S. Khalil
Note: Revert back with your gynae reports to get a clear medical analysis by our expert Gynecologic Oncologist. Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Ashwin Bhandari
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