If you are not currently satisfied with the way your method of birth control affects your body, you should discuss switching to a different type of birth control with your doctor. One of the alternative available to you is Depo Provera, more commonly known as the Depo shot or the shot.  Here are three of the advantages that you'll experience by using this method of birth control.

#1 Depo Provera Only Contains Progesterone Not Estrogen

The Depo Provera shot contains a type of progesterone. Progesterone is a natural female hormone that prevents your body from releasing an egg and thus getting pregnant. This hormone can also make your uterine lining the mucus in your cervical thicker, which makes it more difficult for any potential sperm to reach and fertilize an egg inside of your ovaries. 

If you have issues with taking birth control pills that contain progestin and estrogen, this can be a good alternative because it only containers progesterone. Some women don't respond well to extra estrogen, and this can be a great non-estrogen form of birth control.

#2 You Don't Have To Take It Every Day

Another large advantage of using Depo Provera is that you don't have to take it every day like you do a birth control pill. If you struggle to take the pill every day or have a schedule that changes around often and prevents you from being able to take a birth control pill at the same time every day, the Depo Provera shot can be a great alternative.

With the Depo Provera shot, you only have to get the shot every 13 weeks, which equals out about once every three months. There also is generally a two week window around that date within you need to get the shot to continue to be protected against an unplanned pregnancy. This means that you only have to make an appointment and think about your birth control about four times a year, instead of every day. This takes away the mental strain of having to think about your birth control every day.

#3 The Depo Shot Is Very Discrete

The third advantage to using Depo Provera is that it is very discrete. You don't have to carry pills around in your purse or pull pills out to use in front of anyone. You don't have to have any packaging around your home that indicates that you are on birth control. You only have to go to your doctors and get a shot about four times a year.

Discuss with your doctor if Depo Provera would be the right birth control method for you. Your doctor knows your precise medical history and can help guide you to the right birth control choice. Always remember, that all forms of birth control should be paired with the use of condoms to prevent the spread of STI and to increase your protection against an unwanted pregnancy.