Depo-Provera can cause some of the same nuisance side effects as the Pill and Norplant implants: depression, headaches, weight gain, nervousness, and dizziness. As with the implant system, irregular bleeding is by far the most common side effect.
As you continue to use Depo-Provera, you'll notice less and less spotting or breakthrough bleeding, and finally will have no period at all. At the end of one year, 57 percent of women using Depo-Provera have no period, and by the end of two years, 68 percent have stopped menstruating.
Another significant side effectprobably the most undesirable oneis weight gain. Here is an example of the amount of weight gained by the average Depo-Provera user:
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After 1 year: 5.4 pounds gained
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After 2 years: 8.1 pounds gained
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After 4 years: 13.8 pounds gained
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After 6 years: 16.5 pounds gained
It seems that the weight gained by Depo-Provera users is related more to an increase in appetite than fluid retention. Reducing your fat and calorie intake and exercising regularly can help you prevent weight gain while using this method.