Depo-Provera is a birth control method for women. It is made up of a hormone similar to progesterone and is given as an injection by a doctor into the woman's arm or buttocks. Each shot provides protection against pregnancy for up to 14 weeks, but the shot must be received once every 12 weeks to remain fully protected. It takes effect almost immediately if given in the first 5 days of your cycle. While the shot is INCREDIBLY effective against unwanted pregnancy – it does not protect you against STDs. Depo Shots costs anywhere from $30 to $100 depending on your insurance.

While it has quite a few side effects, the most common is the lack of menstrual cycles and spotting. After a year of use, about 50% of women will stop getting their periods. Their periods usually return when they discontinue the shots.

With Depo-Provera, you could become pregnant as soon as three to four months after your last shot. However, it may take some women up to a year or two to conceive after they stop using this type of birth control. This time frame seems unrelated to how long you had been using Depo-Provera.

Glow's plan: In future updates, Glow hopes to ask if you take Depo Shots. If so, it will set up notifications to alert you when it is time to make an appointment for a new shot. . Glow also hopes provide Depo-Provera specific insights and also track potential side-effects of the Depo-Provera: Irregular cycles, change in sex drive, change in appetite or weight gain, depression, hair loss or increased hair on the face or body, headache, nausea and sore breasts

Depo-Provera is an excellent form of birth control for women who do not want to take daily pills, save a little money, and are not concerned about STDs or getting pregnant in the near future. Tell us about your experiences with the Depo Shot? Do you like it? Have you had any side effects?