Depo-Provera vs. Implanon

Depo-Provera (medroxyprogesterone acetate) and Implanon (etonogestrel) are forms of the female hormone progesterone, used as contraceptives to prevent pregnancy.

Depo-Provera is also used to reduce pain cause by endometriosis, and to ease pain and symptoms in women with metastatic uterine or kidney cancer.

Depo-Provera and Implanon are different methods of contraception. Depo-Provera is an intramuscular (IM) injection administered every 13 weeks and Implanon is a small plastic rod implanted into the skin of your upper arm. The rod can remain in place and provide continuous contraception for up to 3 years.

Common side effects of Depo-Provera include:

• changes in menstrual periods,
• weight gain,
• nausea,
• stomach cramping or pain,
• bloating,
• dizziness,
• headache,
• tiredness,
• drowsiness,
• irritability,
• breast tenderness,
• decrease in breast size,
• acne,
• hair loss,
• decreased sex drive,
• hot flashes,
• joint pain, or
• injection site reactions (irritation, pain, skin changes, or a hard lump).

Tell your doctor if you have serious side effects of Depo-Provera including:

• mental/mood changes (such as new or worsening depression),
• changes in sexual interest or ability,
• swelling of the ankles or feet,
• bone pain,
• unusual changes in vaginal bleeding (such as continuous spotting, sudden heavy bleeding),
• persistent nausea or vomiting,
• severe stomach/abdominal/pelvic pain,
• unusual weakness or tiredness,
• dark urine,
• yellowing eyes or skin, or
• seizures.

Common side effects of Implanon include:

• nausea,
• stomach cramping/bloating/pain,
• dizziness,
• headache,
• mood changes,
• depression,
• breast tenderness or pain,
• acne,
• hair loss,
• weight gain,
• problems with contact lenses,
• sore throat,
• flu symptoms,
• back pain,
• nervousness,
• menstrual cramps,
• changes in menstrual periods,
• vaginal itching, and
• vaginal irritation or discharge.

Other side effects of Implanon include:

• pain,
• bruising,
• numbness,
• infection,
• tingling,
• minor bleeding, and
• scarring at the site where the rod is placed

Depo-Provera (medroxyprogesterone acetate) is a form of progesterone, a female hormone used as contraception to prevent pregnancy. Depo-Provera is also used to reduce pain cause by endometriosis, and to ease pain and symptoms in women with metastatic uterine or kidney cancer.

Implanon (etonogestrel) is a contraceptive used to prevent pregnancy.

Depo-Provera may interact with aminoglutethimide (Cytadren). Other drugs may interact with Depo-Provera. Tell your doctor all prescription and over-the-counter medications and supplements you use. Depo-Provera must not be used during pregnancy. It may take longer for you to get pregnant after you stop using this medication. This drug passes into breast milk.

Implanon may interact with phenylbutazone, modafinil, St. John's wort, antibiotics, seizure medicines, barbiturates, and HIV medicines.

The recommended dose of Depo-Provera is 150 mg every 13 weeks administered by deep intramuscular (IM) injection in the gluteal or deltoid muscle. Depo-Provera should not be used as a long-term birth control method (longer than 2 years).

The medicine in Implanon is contained in a small plastic rod that is implanted into the skin of your upper arm. The medicine dose is released slowly into the body. The rod can remain in place and provide continuous contraception for up to 3 years.