Expert: Diane Cheryl - 12/20/2010

Question
i got my FIRST depo birth control shot about a week after having my last period and had unprotected sex less then a month later. I should have gotten my period about a week ago.. and I still haven't gotten my period & am having all symptoms of pregnancy- bloating, mood swings, nausea (morning and randomly throughout the day), I urinate more frequently, and I've gotten headaches for the last three or four days straight! is this possible?
also I am a teen, I don't know if it makes the shot less effective or not..
I was also wondering if there is anything that could make the shot less effective?

Answer
Dear Lauren,

I don't know of anything that makes the shot less effective. I don't usually recommend depo or any kind of hormonal birth control. The reason is because of side-effects and health problems. Have you gotten your period yet? If not, have you taken a pregnancy test yet? If you need a free pregnancy test, you can get a free one at a local pregnancy resource center. To find a location, go to http://www.optionline.org or call 1-800-395-HELP. Also, you might want to try this website
http://www.heartbeatservices.org and click on the globe in the upper right hand corner.

Please let me know what happens. You can email me at CHERYL51@aol.com so hope to hear from you soon.

Sincerely,
Diane Cheryl