there are a variety of possible explanations for sudden onset spotting on depoprovera: 1. new infection with chlamydia--this is less likely unless you have a new sexual partner or a partner with multiple other partners. 2. stress--many women using hormonal birth control (pills/patches/ring/shot) have had an apparent correlation between life stress and spotting on their birth control method. i have also seen this occur in a couple of my postmenopausal patients. yet there are no good studies in the medical literature on this phenomenon. if there is a connection between life stress and the adrenal gland hormones that can be converted to weak estrogens that might be a trigger for breakthrough bleeding. 3. "normal" effects of the depoprovera shot on the lining of the uterus--simply stated if the uterine lining is like grass or lawn estrogen is like the fertilizer (causes a thickening of the lining) and progesterone is like the lawnmower (keeps the lining thin by three different mechanisms). this is why depoprovera (high dose synthetic progesterone) brings about a thin lining and why birth control pills (relatively progesterone dominant) bring about shorter lighter periods. if the lining of the uterus gets very thin it can prompt more breakthrough bleeding. since it has been a month of constant spotting i would urge you to return to the gyn or clinic who administers your depoprovera. they can check for infections (if needed) and can give you a more "for sure" answer about the spotting. if someone is having very heavy breakthrough bleeding a short course of low dose estrogen pills can sometimes terminate the spotting. .
i have been on depoprovera for 4 months. for the last month i have been spotting often. what could be happening?