Considering the depo shot. Need info.?

Question

I'm considering the depo shot. I would like to know pros and cons. Also where do they give the shot? Does this shot (be honest) hurt?

Answer 1

i do not recommend the depo shot. for one it will make you gain weight.
my experience, I gained a lot of weight and lost hair. I got the depo after my son was born took it once and it took me 5 years to get pregnant with my daughter, i feel it is because of the depo shot.
No the shot itself does not hurt. It is a great form of birth control for preventing pregency if that is what you desire but if a family is what you desire i would consider another form of birth control that are not hormonal since it may mess with your reproductive system.

Answer 2

I took it when i was 16 and 17. It feels like a bee sting, only hurts for a moment. I experienced rapid weight gain, loss of cycle, and I passed old blood pretty often (gross) on Dep shot. But that was just my experience, yours may be different. I will say that I have heard a lot of women couldn't get pregnant later in life because they used the depo shot as birth control when they were younger. On the Plus side...you are a lot less likely to miss a dose! I currently use an IUD (Inter Uteral Devise) it is a small t-shaped thing you gyno puts under the outer skin of you uterus. it last 5 years and has all the same risks as other birth controls. So far so good!

Answer 3

The shot doesn't hurt. I was on the shot for 2 cycles. On the second shot I had an allergic reaction to it...nothing could be done about it...I had to wait 3 months to get better. Secondly, when I went off the shot to get pregnant, I found out that the shot had stopped my body from ovulating. I had to go on fertility drugs to start things up again and get pregnant

Answer 4

i don't find anything wrong with you getting the depo shot .you can get at any health centre that provides a family planning clinic .the only problem is you might gain weight,loss of periods when and if you try to concieve it might take you a long time.i took the shot three times am trying to concieve and i am failing trying for 9 months now itis not painful

Answer 5

It can cause weight gain,weight loss, risk of blood clots if it makes u stop having a period all together the best thing to do is get info from your gynecologist (no idea on spelling) me personally it made me gain weight at first but it easily came off you can get the shot in your arm or in your hip. i take mine in my arm and they alternate arms each time. it may also make u feel sick. i know someone that passed out after receiving it. if you are already not feeling well its better to reschedule it. and the shot hurts a little. it may make your arm sore for the next day or so

Answer 6

Everyone's body is different. I had one after the birth of my first child, 7 years ago. I only had that one shot, though. My body couldnt handle it. I didnt have weight gain, but it cause me to bleed constantly. It took months to get me regular, and that was AFTER the first shot wore off after 3 months.

But, my sister swears by the shot. She had it for years, and had no problems whatsoever.

I got mine in my thigh, and no it didnt hurt. Of course, needles dont bother me one bit, so that might be why! LOL

Answer 7

I got the shot years ago and I bled and spotted constantly. And it put me in a depression and the Doc said for me never to get it again. They put the shot in my hip area and of course every shot hurts a little but not anything major.

Answer 8

i was on the depo shot for 3 years and i loved it. i think there is no chance in hell to get pregnant while on the shot unless you were pregnant before you got it or if you are late getting the shot.

i didn't have a period at all for 3 years which i loved and i didn't gain weight on it.
i stopped taking it to get pregnant and i did a year later.

They give you the shot in the arm (they did me) or your upper thigh.
I recieved the shot for free at the health department and they do check you then you come back while on your period and they give you the shot.

Here is some info from the net:
The Basics

"The shot" is an injectable progestin-only prescription method of reversible birth control. It contains a hormone that is similar to the progesterone made by a woman's ovaries to regulate the menstrual cycle. The shot is also known as DMPA. The D stands for "depot," the solution in which the hormone is suspended. The hormone is medroxyprogesterone acetate. The common brand name for the DMPA shot is Depo-Provera.

A shot of DMPA can prevent pregnancy for 12 weeks. It


usually, prevents the ovaries from releasing an egg (ovulation)

less often, thickens cervical mucus to prevent sperm from joining an egg

alters the lining of the uterus, which, in theory, may prevent implantation of a fertilized egg

Effectiveness

The shot is one of the most effective reversible methods of birth control. Of every 1,000 women who use it correctly and consistently, only three will become pregnant during the first year of use. Three in 100 women will become pregnant with typical use.

Protection is immediate if you take the shot during the first seven days of your period. Otherwise, use a backup method of contraception for the first week. Protection lasts for 12 weeks.

The shot is not effective against sexually transmitted infections. Use a latex or female condom to reduce the risk.


Advantages & Disadvantages

Advantages

can be used by women who cannot take estrogen

can be used while breastfeeding

effective for 12 weeks

helps prevent cancer of the lining of the uterus

no pill to take daily

nothing to put in place before vaginal intercourse

Disadvantages


must receive shot every three months

pregnancies, which very rarely occur, are more likely to be ectopic (in a fallopian tube)

may not be used continuously for more than two years unless no other method is right for you

takes an average of nine to 10 months — or sometimes more than a year — to get pregnant after getting the last shot

Possible Side Effects

Irregular bleeding is the most common side effect for women using DMPA. It is more common in the first six to 12 months of use.

Periods become fewer and lighter for most women, and often stop altogether. The longer a woman uses the shot, the more likely her periods will stop. It may take up to a year for periods to return after a woman's last shot.

Some women will have longer, heavier periods.

Some may have increased light spotting and breakthrough bleeding.

DMPA use is associated with temporary bone thinning. Talk with your health care provider about the risks. To help protect your bones, get regular exercise and get extra calcium and vitamin D — either through your diet or by using supplements.

Less Common Side Effects


change in sex drive

change of appetite, weight gain

depression

hair loss, or increased hair on the face or body

headache

nausea

nervousness, dizziness

skin rash or spotty darkening of the skin

sore breasts

There is no way to stop the side effects of the shot c they may continue until it wears off (12–14 weeks).

Warning Signs

Serious problems are rare. Tell your clinician immediately if you have


a new lump in your breast

major depression

severe pain in the stomach or abdomen

unusually heavy or prolonged vaginal bleeding

yellowing of skin or eyes

Who Can Use the Shot?

Most women can use the shot.

It may be especially appropriate if you

want very effective long-lasting contraception

cannot take estrogen

are unable to use barrier methods routinely or take a daily pill

Usually women who use the shot need special medical supervision if they have


current serious blood clotting conditions

high blood pressure

high risk for heart disease

a history of severe depression

liver disease, such as hepatitis, abnormal results on liver function tests, or a history of liver tumors

You should not use the shot if you


cannot put up with irregular bleeding or loss of your period

are taking medicine for Cushing's syndrome

are or might be pregnant

have a known or suspected breast cancer

have unexplained bleeding from the vagina

want to become pregnant within the next year


Women should not use the shot continuously for more than two years unless no other method is right for them.


Women who use DMPA may have temporary bone thinning. It increases the longer they use DMPA. Bone growth begins again when women stop using the shot. Whether or not there is a complete recovery of bone mass is unknown.

Whether or not temporary bone thinning leads to greater risk of bone fracture from osteoporosis much later in life is also unknown.

To protect your bones, get regular exercise and get extra calcium and vitamin D — either through your diet or by using supplements.


How to Get the Shot

Your clinician will take your medical history. Depending on your medical history, you may need a partial or complete physical exam.

Your clinician will give you an injection — you may have a temporary bruise.

You will need an injection every 12 weeks for as long as you want to prevent pregnancy.


Good luck

Answer 9

the depo shot is okay it hurts alittle but it worked for me it might make you gain alittle weight

Answer 10

I WAS ON THE SHOT FOR NOT EVEN A YEAR. I GOT MINE AT THE HEALTH DEPT. THEY WOULDN'T GIVE IT TO ME ANYMORE BECAUSE IT CAUSES OSTEOPOROSIS. IT ALSO MAKES YOU GAIN WEIGHT. THE ONLY PRO I FOUND OF IT IS NO PERIODS. HA.