Depo-Provera is used to prevent pregnancy and manage medical conditions linked to the menstrual cycle. A healthcare professional might suggest Depo-Provera if: You don't want to take a birth control pill every day. You can't or don't want to use estrogen. Pfizer RxPathways connects eligible patients to a range of assistance programs that offer insurance support, co-pay help, and medicines for free or at a savings. Access information designed for healthcare professionals, including details about Pfizer medicines and patient support materials. Women who use Depo-Provera Contraceptive Injection (Depo-Provera CI) may lose significant bone mineral density. Bone loss is greater with increasing duration of use and may not be. Depo-Provera is a birth control method that you can get as a shot. Learn more about the benefits, how well it works, and its side effects. Depo-Provera is a drug, manufactured by The Upjohn Co., whose active ingredient is medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA). FDA first approved the drug in 1959 to treat amenorrhea,5 irregular uterine bleeding, and threatened and habitual abortion. What Is Depo-Provera? 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. Depo-Provera is available in generic form. Depo-Provera CI is an intramuscular injection (shot injected into a muscle) and is used as a contraceptive to prevent pregnancy. Depo-Provera does not protect against HIV infection (AIDS) and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Depo-Provera CI is a progestin hormone birth control method that is given by injection (a shot) to prevent pregnancy. How well does Depo-Provera CI work? Your chance of getting pregnant depends on how well you follow the directions for taking your Depo-Provera CI. Depo-Provera helps to treat vasomotor symptoms, which occurs during menopause. They include hot flashes, night sweats, heart rate and mood changes, and difficulty sleeping. Commonly referred to as the “birth control shot,” Depo-Provera® is an injectable form of birth control. It’s a shot of progestin that you get every three months, most commonly in your arm or butt. You don’t have to take a daily pill, and it’s very effective when you take it as scheduled.