Can you get pregnant on Lupron Depot?

Key Points

• Yes, you may still become pregnant if you are using Lupron Depot. Lupron Depot is not a method of birth control. Even though you may not have a period, unprotected intercourse could result in pregnancy.
• You should use non-hormonal birth control such as condoms, a diaphragm with contraceptive jelly, or a copper IUD to prevent pregnancy while you are using Lupron Depot. Talk to your doctor about use of birth control before you start treatment. Contact your doctor right away if you think you are pregnant.
• Lupron Depot may also cause harm to an unborn child. Do not take Lupron Depot if you think you are pregnant or think you may be pregnant, or if you have undiagnosed uterine bleeding. Talk your doctor immediately if you think you may be pregnant.

Your doctor will give you a pregnancy test before you start treatment if one is needed.

Lupron (leuprolide) Depot is a prescription medicine used to reduce pain and lesions associated with endometriosis. It is also approved to treat the symptoms of prostate cancer in men, to treat uterine fibroids in women, and to treat precocious (early-onset) puberty in pediatric patients.

Leuprolide acetate is classified as a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist and works by lowering the amount of the sex hormones estrogen / progesterone in females and testosterone in males. It acts as a potent inhibitor of gonadotropin secretion (LH and follicle stimulating hormone [FSH]) when given continuously in therapeutic doses. Once treatment is stopped, hormone levels typically return to normal.

Related: Lupron Depot Warnings, Precautions and Side Effects

Related questions

• How long should you take Lupron for prostate cancer?
• Will I get my period while on Lupron?
• What does Lupron do for IVF?

When will my period return after stopping Lupron?

Your normal menstrual cycle should return after you stop Lupron Depot, but the amount of time that it returns can vary between women. Periods will return in most females by the end of the third month after treatment stops.

In one study, 166 patients were treated with monthly Lupron (leuprolide) Depot 3.75 mg injections for 6 months total. In this group, 95% (95 out of every 100 women) started their cycle within 3 month after stopping treatment.

Overall, in studies, 7% of women started their menstrual cycle in the first month after treatment ended with Lupron Depot 3.75 mg. By the second month after treatment ended, 71% had started their period, and by the third month after treatment ended 95% of women had started their normal cycle.

Related: Medications for Endometriosis

This is not all the information you need to know about Lupron Depot (leuprolide acetate for depot suspension) for safe and effective use and does not take the place of talking to your doctor about your treatment. Review the full Lupron (leuprolide) Depot information and discuss this information and any questions you have with your doctor or other health care provider.