Why are you having a brown discharge after stopping Depo?
By
Dr Natalia Marceli Stephanes (PhD)
Author bio
Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes PhD is a Pharmacist with expertise in Drugs Administration and Toxicity; Discovery of New Drugs; Cancer Treatment; Biochemical Analyzes and Hematological Analyzes. She writes and reviews content on these topics.
Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes’ Highlights:
- Pharmacist at the Department of Health of Santa Catarina State, Brazil
- PhD with a focus on oncology treatment
- Years of experience in commercial pharmacy
- Bachelor, Master and PhD degrees in Pharmacy at the Federal University of Santa Catarina
Professional Experience:
From her undergraduate studies to her Master’s and Doctorate degrees in Pharmacy, Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes has participated in numerous scientific studies in the field of oncology and onco-hematology at the University Hospital of the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil. Her research has focused on understanding the molecular and biochemical bases of malignant neoplasms and investigating safer and more effective therapeutic alternatives.
Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes has also served as an assistant professor of haematology for undergraduate students at the Federal University of Santa Catarina. Additionally, she held the position of professor of Hospital Pharmacy at the Qualificar Technical School in Brazil, where she developed instructional materials for use in the Pharmacy Postgraduate Program at the Leonardo Da Vinci University Center.
In addition to her academic experiences, Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes possesses a strong expertise in commercial pharmacy, with in-depth knowledge of medications, their routes of administration, desired effects, adverse effects, and toxicity.
Currently, Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes works as a Pharmacist at the Health Department of Santa Catarina State, where her role entails providing pharmaceutical scientific consulting services to judges.
Education:
- 2016 Bachelor in Pharmacy at the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil
- 2018 Master in Pharmacy at the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil
- 2023 PhD in Pharmacy at the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil
The main publications of Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes are:
Falchetti M ; Delgobo M, Zancanaro H, Almeida K, Das Neves RN, Dos Santos B, Stefanes NM, et al. Bishop Omics-based identification of an NRF2-related auranofin resistance signature in cancer: Insights into drug repurposing. Comput. Biol. Med [Internet]. 2023; 152:106347.
Feuser PM, Matos dos Santos PC, Cordeiro AP, Stefanes NM, Walter LO, Maioral MF, Santos-Silva MC, et al. Antineoplastic activity of free 4-nitrochalcone and encapsulated in poly(thioether-ester) nanoparticles obtained by thiol-ene polymerization in two human leukemia cell lines (Jurkat and K562). J Drug Deliv Sci Technol [Internet]. 2022; 67:102924.
Jacques AV, Stefanes NM, Walter LO, Perondi DM, Efe FL, Souza LFS, Sens L, et al. Synthesis of chalcones derived from 1-naphthylacetophenone and evaluation of their cytotoxic and apoptotic effects in acute leukemia cell lines. Bioorg. Chem [Internet]. 2021; 116:105315.
Duarte BF, Vieira DSC, Lisboa ML, Stefanes NM, Grando LJ, Santos-Silva MC. Características clínico-epidemiológicas de pacientes portadores de carcinoma de células escamosas de boca. Arquivos Catarinenses de Medicina. 2021; 50(2): 232–245.
Machado V, Jacques AV, Stefanes NM, Santos-Silva MC, Biavatti MW. Anti-leukemic activity of semisynthetic derivatives of Lupeol. Nat. Prod. Res. 2021; 35(22):4494-4501.
Bigolin A, Maioral MF, Stefanes NM, Mascarello A, Chiaradia-Delatorre LD, Nunes RJ, Yunes RA, et al. A novel sulfonamide derivative as a strong and selective apoptotic agent against hematological malignancies. Chem. Pap. 2020; 74:2965–2976.
Bigolin A, Maioral MF, Stefanes NM, Zatelli GA, Philippus AC, Falkenberg MB, Santos-Silva MC. Cytotoxic mechanisms of primin, a natural quinone isolated from Eugenia hiemalis, on hematological cancer cell lines. Anticancer Drugs. 2020; 31(7):709-717.
Maioral MF, Stefanes NM, Neufeldt PD, Chiaradia-Delatorre LD, Nunes RJ, Santos-Silva MC. Aldehyde biphenyl chalcones induce immunogenic apoptotic-like cell death and are promising new safe compounds against a wide range of hematologic cancers. Future Med. Chem. 2020; 12(8):673–688.
Perondi DM, Jacques AV, Stefanes NM, Maioral MF, Sens L, Pacheco LA, Cury NM, et al. A novel thiosemicarbazone as a promising effective and selective compound for acute leukemia. Anticancer Drugs. 2019; 30(8):p 828-837.
Rengifo AFC, Stefanes NM, Toigo J, Mendes C, Argenta DF, Dotto MER, Santos-Silva MC, et al. PEO-chitosan nanofibers containing carboxymethyl-hexanoyl chitosan/dodecyl sulfate nanoparticles loaded with pyrazoline for skin cancer treatment. Eur. Polym. J. 2019; 119:335-343.
Rengifo AFC, Stefanes NM, Toigo J, Mendes C, Santos-Silva MC, Nunes RJ, Parize AL, et al. A new and efficient carboxymethyl-hexanoyl chitosan/dodecyl sulfate nanocarrier for a pyrazoline with antileukemic activity. Mater. Sci. Eng. C [Internet]. 2019; 105:110051.
Maioral MF, Stefanes NM, Bigolin A, Zatelli GA, Philippus AC, Falkenberg MB, Santos-Silva MC. Miconidine acetate, a new selective and cytotoxic compound with synergic potential, induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in leukemia cells. Invest. New Drugs. 2019; 37:912–922.
Srefanes NM, Toigo J, Maioral MF, Jacques AV, Chiaradia-Delatorre LD, Perondi DM, Ribeiro AAB, et al. Synthesis of novel pyrazoline derivatives and the evaluation of death mechanisms involved in their antileukemic activity. Bioorg. Med. Chem. 2019; 27(2):375-382.
Maioral MF, Bodack CN, Stefanes NM, Bigolin A, Mascarello A, Chiaradia-Delatorre LD, Yunes RA, et al. Cytotoxic effect of a novel naphthylchalcone against multiple cancer cells focusing on hematologic malignancies. Biochim. 2017; 140:48-57.
You can view some of Dr Natália’s work below and links to her professional profile below.
Research Gate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Natalia-Stephanes
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nataliamarceli/
Why are you having a brown discharge after stopping Depo?
You may experience brown discharge even after stopping Depo because the hormone stays in your system for about 3 months (1).
It may stay longer than that in some women, and as long as the hormone is present in your body, there is a chance of experiencing side effects like brown discharge, missed or irregular periods, heavy/light bleeding, etc. (1)
This is also a common possibility in women who have been using this birth control method for a long period of time. However, brown discharge is commonly reported with the use of Depo. It is not generally considered dangerous, but women are different and can react differently to birth control methods. (2,3)
When should you be concerned about having a brown discharge after stopping Depo?
If you continue to experience brown discharge after 4-5 months of stopping Depo, that’s when you need to consult your healthcare provider.
Birth control medications can sometimes scar you for a long time by disturbing your normal menstrual cycle. If that’s the case with you, it’s best to talk to your doctor and put a hold on any further use of birth control medications until your body goes back to normal.
Potential side effects of stopping Depo
When you stop using Depo-Provera, it’s common to experience certain side effects as your body adjusts to the change. Here are some possible side effects a woman may encounter (1):
Irregular Menstrual Bleeding
The most common side effect of stopping Depo-Provera is irregular menstrual bleeding. Your periods may become irregular, heavier, or lighter, and it may take some time for your menstrual cycle to return to its regular pattern.
Changes in Hormone Levels
Depo-Provera is a hormonal contraceptive, and stopping it can cause fluctuations in hormone levels. This can lead to symptoms such as mood swings, irritability, breast tenderness, or changes in libido.
Delayed Return of Fertility
After stopping Depo-Provera, it may take some time for your fertility to return to normal. It can vary from a few months to a year or longer before you can become pregnant. However, it’s important to use an alternative form of contraception if you do not wish to conceive right away.
Bone Density Changes
Long-term use of Depo-Provera may affect bone density, and stopping the medication may allow your bone density to return to normal levels over time.
It’s important to maintain a healthy lifestyle, including adequate calcium and vitamin D intake, regular exercise, and avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol consumption, to support bone health.
Other Possible Side Effects
While less common, some individuals may experience other side effects such as acne, weight changes, headaches, or bloating after stopping Depo-Provera. These effects are typically temporary and should resolve over time.
It’s important to remember that everyone’s experience may vary when stopping Depo-Provera. If you have any concerns or experience severe or prolonged side effects, it’s recommended to consult with your healthcare provider.
What to do if you are experiencing side effects after stopping Depo?
If you are experiencing side effects after stopping Depo-Provera and they are concerning or persistent, it’s important to reach out to your healthcare provider.
They may ask you questions about your symptoms, medical history, and the duration and severity of the side effects. Based on their evaluation, they can recommend appropriate steps to manage the side effects and alleviate any discomfort you may be experiencing.
If you wish to continue using contraception after stopping Depo-Provera, your healthcare provider can discuss alternative birth control options suitable for you.
Some options include oral contraceptive pills, contraceptive patches, contraceptive injections, intrauterine devices (IUDs), contraceptive implants, barrier methods (condoms, diaphragms), or fertility awareness methods (4,5).
Remember, your healthcare provider is the best resource to help you understand and manage any concerns related to side effects after stopping Depo-Provera and to discuss alternative birth control options.
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References
1.-
Sharts-Hopko NC. Depo-Provera. MCN Am J Matern Child Nurs. 1993 Mar-Apr;18(2):128. doi: 10.1097/00005721-199303000-00015. PMID: 8492647. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8492647/
2.-
Mukherjea M. Depo-Provera: clinical evaluation. Contracept Deliv Syst. 1981 Jul;2(3):259-69. PMID: 12278913. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12278913/
3.-
Wren LM. Depo Provera: still controversial. Int Health News. 1988 Feb;9(2):2-3, 8. PMID: 12179873. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12179873/
4.-
Bansode OM, Sarao MS, Cooper DB. Contraception. 2022 Jul 25. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan–. PMID: 30725634. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK536949
5.-
Teal S, Edelman A. Contraception Selection, Effectiveness, and Adverse Effects: A Review. JAMA. 2021 Dec 28;326(24):2507-2518. doi: 10.1001/jama.2021.21392. PMID: 34962522. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34962522/
