Q: I am a 30 years old married woman with no children yet. Last year I was diagnosed with endometriosis and had to undergo a laparoscopic surgery to have the cyst removed. Post surgery, the doctor advised to take Depo Provera for 3 months, one shot each month in order to minimise the risk of recurrence of another cyst. I took the last shot last month. I came to know that one shot in every 12 weeks is the norm; can you suggest me why I had to take one each month?

1. Are 3 shots of Depo Provera good enough to prevent the cysts?
2. How long after stopping the Depo Provera injection one can get pregnant?
3. I read that it could take a year and I was quite shocked. Is that true? Also, will my age worsen the situation?
4. Does Depo Provera affect pregnancy or the child in any way?

A:

1. Depot Provera is given once every 3 months for contraception. The stage of endometriosis determines whether you are to be prescribed progesterone, danazol or GnRH antagonists. Dosage and duration of treatment with progesterone depends upon the stage of disease.
2. If given once every 3 months, it takes almost 6 months for ovulation to return, sometimes even one and half years.
3. Fertility decreases with advancing age, and also with endometriosis.
4. It is unlikely that you will conceive while on depot progesterone- as it suppresses ovulation.