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. 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. 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. 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. The birth control shot (sometimes called Depo-Provera, the Depo shot, or DMPA) contains the hormone progestin. Progestin stops you from getting pregnant by preventing ovulation. 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. 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. 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 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.