So two things. I went to the doctor today for a physical and asked to look at my weight records. My highest weight was actually 149 pounds (6 years ago). So I've lost more weight then I thought Also my doctor said I'm at a good place right now to maintain, which is good to hear. I'd still like to loose more, but so be it if I don't.

Today I started Depo Provera. Has anyone been on it/is on it? They'll keep a flow sheet for me of my weight and blood pressure every time I come in to make sure that I'm not gaining to much weight from it - which was a concern of mine.

I'm a bit nervous... any insight would be great!!! Thanks!

You're going to get a wide range of responses, many negative, many positive.

Personally, I'm a huge fan. I've been on and off Depo for about a decade now. I've experienced absolutely no ill effects and find it hard to imagine having to deal with a "daily pill" style of BC.

One of the huge positives for me is that I haven't had a period in about 3 years now. I don't even have any "feminine hygeine" products in the house. No PMS, no pre-TOM weight gain to stress over.

I've gained weight, I've lost weight...none of which I attribute to the drug's potential effects.

I'm the same as Rocketbunny. I love depo and have been on it for 9 years now. No TOM which is awesome. They say be careful though if you have depression as it can cause it to be worse (I had a friend who had to go off of it because of that). I plan to stay on it as long as possible though! I've also gained and lost weight but I wouldn't say it has anything to do with the depo.

HATED IT! I didn't gain any weight but it made me CRRRRAAAAAAAAAZZZZZZZZZZZZYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!! Plus I just feel like there is something unnatural about no longer having a period. That's just me though.

Good luck!

Garstar, please read AGELESS by Suzanne Somers and then make an informed decision about what is best for you and your body.

I have had 3-4 friends on this and all of them gained 50-60lbs on it so I wont try it!

I've been on it for years and didn't gain any weight from it. The average weight gain is 5lbs per year on Depo per my doctor. I still get slight PMS and bloating when it's time to get the next shot, but it's nothing at all like it used to be.

The major concern with long term Depo use is bone loss. My doctor has me take 1200mg of calcium + D every day which studies have shown counter balances the potential bone loss from the Depo. If your doctor didn't suggest it, I'd ask about it the next time you go.

I can't imagine going back to daily pills and monthly periods, personally.

I took the injection July 9th and loved not having a cycle. Then 5 weeks ago I started bleeding and have not stopped. I had several females tell me they bled for months and months but was hoping I would be an exception. It's not heavy bleeding but it is constant and has not let up. Very frustrating and I will never take it again. But hopefully your body will react differently.

I took it and had such ill effects from it, I am still trying to recover today. And that was 5 years ago. If you remember my story at all, the "shot" that started my nightmare was Depo. I would say please, please research and read everything you can. There is no one right answer that applies to everyone. However, I am living proof that something so innocent, can leave so many years of pain behind. Just please, do your research.

Lurker for a long time. Can't believe my first post is about depo!

Anyway, I was on depo for about 8 years. Loved it! Loved not having a period, one less thing to worry about.

I decided to go off depo about a year ago because I've been on the weight loss battle for some time, and I thought I'd see if that was a factor. No boyfriend at the time, so might as well right.

Well, I didn't lose any more weight off depo. Made absolutely no difference whatsoever.

I would recommend taking Ca++ supplements while on depo - the bone loss issue.

Also, depo has affected some women's moods as someone else mentioned. So keep that in mind, but it's not common.

Women tend to have less spotting if they've been on other birth control prior to starting depo. But most end up with no period at all.

But if you're worried at all about it, talk to your doctor for sure.

love deeepooooooo been on it for this whole yr... but since im single now... no need.. im off it now.....

I was on it for about 3 yrs at one time and i loved.. the weight gain and loss is nothing.... i lost alot of weight in basic training while i was on it and have been able to lose weight with no problems...

some say it messes with your metabolism but i dont know... i just know as long as i work out and eat healthy fat is coming no where near me...

I loved not pmsing though... no TOM bloat no cramps... i loved it... been off for like 2 months now and still seeing no red..lol... loving it.

Was thinking about getting on it just to not have a period at all... but its not that serious lol.... no need to take meds if you dont have to...

Thanks so much for the responses everyone!

Well been on it for about 2 weeks now, everything is going well. No weight gain, i was moody for the first few days but now I feel just fine. I talked with my doctor at length about it, and I'm upping my calcium, thanks again!

Depo ruined my body, not only weight, but weaker bones, my periods have never returned to normal (7 years out), and infertility....my advice to anyone, don't do it. My doctor apologized for giving it to me.

Depo is BY FAR the absolute worst thing I have EVER done to my body. I was on it for two and a half years, and had no idea it was the root of ALL the things going wonky with my body.

1. weight gain- with NO change to my eating habits, and actually being more active, I gained 75lbs in two years.
2. Depression- though I admittedly had slight issues with depression previously, on Depo, I actually had thoughts of suicide and lashed out A LOT at the people around me. I also started to really hate activities I once loved.
3. Acne- actually, I never had acne in high school. at all. But I did on depo. thank goodness it's cleared up now.
4. Insomnia- literally laying in bed, desperate to sleep for 8...9...10.. hours at a time, with no luck. It's enough to drive one mad, not to mention tired all the time.


I had no periods which was nice, until I started feeling like I'm not even a real woman anymore, which may have been due to the whole depression thing too but it certainly did NOT help. I have been off of it for 3 months, did a raw detox diet and still NO signs of a period.

I had no idea that any of this could be because of depo until I met with a doctor, describing all of my issues, and he actually ASKED if I was on depo, because apparently he's seen it totally ruin women and their bodies.

My MIL did depo as well... it took her SEVEN years to get pregnant after. Now, maybe this isn't a concern if you don't want kids anytime soon, or if you're done having kids, but I'm sorry, something that can totally screw your body up THAT bad just isn't safe.

I have several friends who have done depo as well, and while I've heard of people who have no complaints, I don't actually KNOW anyone who didn't have at least one serious issue with it. My girlfriend from high school had ONE injection, bled for five months straight, then didn't have a period for over a year. She's been irregular for 3 years, and was formerly like clockwork.



...best of luck to you, some women love it, and have no issues, but be very aware of your body....

OMG. I'm one of those people who have had a horrible experience with Depo. The first time I was on it, I gained about 35 pounds. I was on it for a year that time. Although I hated the weight gain, I loved that I didn't have a period the whole time. The weight gain, vaginal dryness and no sex drive were the side effects.

Maybe two or three years after that I gave Depo another try. Oh boy! It was one of the worst experiences of my life. I gained weight (of course), but the worst of it was I bled for three months straight . My doc would give me pills (forgot what hormone) for a few days to make it stop, but as soon as I stopped taking the pills TOM would start right back up. If that wasn't enough, the Depo had me so depressed that I was having suicidal thoughts and ended up having to see a psychiatrist. Obviously when it was time for my next shot, I didn't get it. I will never, EVER try Depo again.

garstar, I hope I didn't scare you. Just wanted to share my experience with this horrible birth control. But maybe it's just me. I've learned over the past few years that I seem to be highly sensitive to any hormonal birth control.

ETA: I just realized this post is from 2009. Maybe it being bumped (and the responses) will help someone else.