I was at my goal weight for 6 years. I got the great idea that I wanted my periods to stop So I decided to get the depo shot. My Dr. said I might gain 5-10 pounds in a year using the shot, I thought ok I can get it off with a little more exercise. YEAH HE WAS WRONG!!!! Try over 10 pounds a month!!!! I have gained an extra 40 pounds in 3 months!!!! Needless to say I did NOT go back for another shot. Now the weight is on and so is my period again I was 309 pounds and went down to 165. I have stayed around 170 and thats where I feel good. I AM NOT GOING TO LET THIS SHOT BRING ME DOWN!!! I am scared, I don't want to waste all of my hard work. ANY ADVICE??? I am over 200 pounds again for the first time in 6 years!!
I used it awhile back & put on a bunch of weight. It also seemed to kill off my libido.
The good thing was that my boobs got huge (apparently this is a very rare side effect)! Of course now I'm off it the boobs are back to normal, so is my libido.
Instead of getting the depo shot, try asking your doctor/provider/obgyn for a birth control pill. I am currently on Yaz and it actually took my week and a half TOM and shortened it to 2.5 days. I am happy as a clam!
My SIL gained almost 60 pounds on Depo, lost her sex drive and started having serious mood swings. Her doctor actually thought she had developed bi-polar disorder. She stayed on the Depo for five years, didn't have a period the entire time. She came off of it a few years ago, the mood swings have settled down and she has lost almost all of the weight. She takes Seasonale, now.
Yeah, that's why I refuse to even try the shot. If it screws you up, you STILL have to live with (and it's consequences) for 3 months... if the pill is messing up, at least you have a choice!
I had a bad experience on Depo, too... I stayed on it for a few years anyway, because I didn't realize it was to blame for my symptoms. I never had any weight-related issues, though.
You might want to look into the Mirena IUD... it releases low doses of hormones (since they mostly act locally, you don't need as much) and I guess it makes periods lighter for most women, and some don't get their period at all.
I went completely non-hormonal this time around, with the Paraguard IUD, and I love it... but if you normally have heavy or painful periods it's definitely NOT the way to go.
Depo should be taken OFF the market. Not only did it screw up my whole cycle, I gained 60 pounds using Depo. I have been off the shot for four years now and I STILL don't have regular periods. I know what you're going through, it SUCKS. I won't ever been on any type of birth control again, thanks to Depo.
I was on Depo for 2 years about 14 years ago. I gained 100 lbs (!) it killed my sex drive, horrible mood swings, and I still have lingering neurological effects (daily debilitating migraines). It took my body several years to recover, it was a year after I stopped before I got a period again and it was irregular for several years. It was the devil for me too!
I've been on and off Depo since college. It usually takes me about 6 months after the last shot to start getting periods again. I'm ok with that because I LOVE being free of TOM so much. My doctor has warned me that that I need to give it at least a year off Depo before getting pregnant, but I'm not there yet.
Anyway. I've gained weight on Depo (while not controlling eating), and I've lost weight on Depo (great results on Weight Watchers). I do not blame Depo for my weight gain or loss. It hasn't been a factor for me (and I'm on Depo now).
I love not having to remember to take a daily pill, not having to purchase or keep around ANY feminine hygiene products, not having to deal with TOM mood swings or cramps, and basically not having to think about BC except every three months when I have my injection appointment. I can't even remember the last time I had a period and I'm just fine with that. I haven't ever experienced any side effects other than slight spotting during the month or two after starting it. That's gone by the 2nd shot. My sex drive/libido is just fine, just ask my very satisfied BF.
Anyway, there were so many negative reviews, I just had to put up my very very good experience. Depo may not be for everyone, but it's for me.
Last edited by rocketbunny; 07-17-2009 at 01:08 PM.
My SIL said Depo was the most effective birthcontrol she ever was on because she want to kill her husband if he came within 1000 feet of her.
I love mirena but it is truly only recommended if you have already had a child. I know they do give it to some women who havent sometime but I think there are higher risks of complications.
Right after I stopped Depo I got a copper IUD. (I didn't want anything else to do with hormones!) I was 21, married, no kids but discussed it with the doctor and he agreed it was a good choice for me. Luckily when I was ready to have children (starting at age 28) I got pregnant easily, there were no lasting effects from the Depo.
Depo Provera is the DEVIL!!!
So I decided to get the depo shot. My Dr. said I might gain 5-10 pounds in a year using the shot, I thought ok I can get it off with a little more exercise. YEAH HE WAS WRONG!!!! Try over 10 pounds a month!!!! I have gained an extra 40 pounds in 3 months!!!! Needless to say I did NOT go back for another shot. Now the weight is on and so is my period again
I was 309 pounds and went down to 165. I have stayed around 170 and thats where I feel good. I AM NOT GOING TO LET THIS SHOT BRING ME DOWN!!! I am scared, I don't want to waste all of my hard work. ANY ADVICE??? I am over 200 pounds again for the first time in 6 years!!
