Expert: Diane Cheryl - 11/14/2011

Question
I am 17 and I got the Depo birth control shot about a month ago. I did not bleed from it at all. I still haven't bled since I got it. My best friend bled for 3 weeks. Because I haven't, does that mean it didn't work? My boyfriend lives in NC, myself in MD and I haven't seen him since I got the shot. We have been together for 3 years and just had sex this past summer. I wanted to protect myself and thought this was the best way. I am just concerned that because I haven't bled, it didn't work. How do I know for sure if it worked or not after only one shot?

Answer
Dear Bri,

I don't know if it is common to bleed after your depo shot. That might not be common and just happened to your friend. I would recommend not having that shot again if you are really not that sexually active. That shot puts hormones in your body that can cause side effects and may affect your normal cycle. I can't tell you if it worked or not. But please email me at CHERYL51@aol.com so we can talk more about all this.

Sincerely,
Diane Cheryl