Depo Shot and Plan b? ? ?

I realise that this is an old post, but I’m answering it in case you or anyone reading this may find it useful:.

If you had your first shot during the first 5 days of your period, then you did not need to wait before you were covered against pregnancy.

If you were outside of the first 5 days of your period when you were given your first Depo shot, then you needed to wait 7 days before you were covered.

Once you follow those rules, you are covered by Depo for 12 weeks, regardless of any bleeding you experience in between shots.

You do not have periods on Depo. A period is flushing out the lining of your womb, including an unfertilised egg.
You do not produce an egg when on Depo. What you are experiencing is break-through hormonal bleeding. This can last until you have your 3rd Depo shot. By then, it usually has stopped altogether.

You may get hormonal symptoms on Depo, such as spotting, heavy bleeding, bleeding after sex, pregnancy like symptoms (because Depo tricks your body into thinking you're pregnant, to prevent you releasing eggs each month), such as bloating, sort breasts, lower back ache (Depo softens the ligaments in your back, as if preparing it to expand to make room for a growing baby), mood swings etc. Most of these symptoms pass as you get your next couple of shots.

Plan B can also cause bleeding, & then can make your next period later & sometimes heavier than usual.

If you choose to come off Depo, you may well find you get these same hormonal symptoms for months, whilst your body readjusts. It can take up to 18 months to regain your fertility.

Hope that helps.