Depo Provera??

Question

I have been on the Depo Provera before and the doctors says that the Depo Provera effect my bons thats why i am on the Imlants now is that the right why ?

Answer 1

Studies released in 2004 show that Depo Provera is associated with a loss of bone density resulting in an increased risk of osteoporosis. The bone loss appears not to be reversed when the woman goes off Depo Provera. Depo is not recommended for long term use and especially not recommended when the young woman is still growing her bones. Women on Depo are advised to exercise and take in plenty of calcium. If you have taken Depo Provera for more than two years, you might want to get a bone density test. (see article on Building Healthy Bones and factsheet on calcium-containing foods )

Some women have allergic reactions to Depo Provera.

If a woman becomes pregnant while using Depo Provera, and continues her pregnancy, there may be an increased risk of premature birth.

The effects of Depo Provera on breast cancer are still unknown.

Health Benefits:

Women on Depo Provera have a decreased risk of endometrial cancer, ovarian cancer, and pelvic inflammatory disease. You may have less menstrual cramping and pain, fewer periods, and less chance of anemia.

Side Effects
70% of women using Depo Provera gain weight. Almost half of the women using Depo Provera gain more than 5 pounds after one year of use. Many women gain more than 10 pounds.

Irregular, heavy, or no bleeding are common side effects of Depo Provera. After a year of use, many women stop having periods. Lack of a period becomes increasingly common with longer use.

Other side effects of Depo Provera can include headaches, nervousness, mood changes, bloating, hot flashes, decreased interest in sex, breast tenderness, acne, hair loss, and back ache.

After the last shot of Depo Provera, it can take over 6 months for the drug to leave the body. Side effects may linger until the drug is completely gone.

Drug Interactions
Few medications lower the effectiveness of Depo Provera. Women with Cushing's syndrome may take medications that interfere with Depo Provera. If you are taking any medications, tell your clinician. When taking medications that may interfere with Depo Provera, consider adding a backup method of birth control, like condoms or spermicide. As with all drugs, it is useful to inform all your medical providers if you are taking Depo Provera.

Advantages back to top

Private.
Effective after 24 hours.
Does not require regular attention.
Does not interrupt sex play.
Has no estrogen.
May decrease risk for ovarian and uterine cancers.
Women can start Depo Provera 6 weeks after giving birth.
Disadvantages

Causes loss of bone density and risk of osteoporosis.
Does not protect against sexually transmitted infections, including HIV/AIDS.
Requires injections every 3 months.
Delay of return to fertility.
Irregular bleeding.
Most women experience weight gain
Future Fertility

Women who want to become pregnant may stop using Depo Provera at any time. For some women, fertility returns immediately. For others, it may take 6-18 months or longer for the body's hormone cycle to go back to normal.

Going Off Depo

The book Contraceptive Technology says: "It is not possible to discontinue Depo Provera immediately. Weight gain, depression, breast tenderness, allergic reactions, and menstrual irregularities may continue until Depo Provera is cleared from a woman's body, about 6 to 8 months after her last injection. After discontinuing Depo Provera, women may also have a 6 to 12 month delay in return of fertility."

You might try cleansing techniques to detox or eliminate the synthetic hormone from where it is stored in your body's tissues: drink lots of water every day, eat lots of fresh raw organic vegetables, drink raw vegetable juice, sweat in a steam room or sauna, get lots of exercise and fresh air. You can also ask at a health food store about herbal formulas or teas that help detoxify your body or that balance female hormones, or talk with a naturopathic physician or herbalist.

IF you decide to switch from Depo Provera to another hormonal method like the birth control pill, the vaginal ring, or the contraceptive patch, it is recommended that you start your new method on the date the next injection is due. Use a back-up method of contraception such as male condoms, female condoms, or abstinence for the first seven days of pill use.

Prevent Coercion There is no antidote to the Depo Provera shot. Women who are given Depo Provera should be well informed about the drug and know that there are other options for birth control. In this country and in other countries, women have been pressured into taking Depo Provera without knowing what it was. Know your options.

Answer 2

I have never heard of that before. I was on the depo once and only once. I bled so bad on it that the doc's thought I was having a misscarriage and I wasn't. I don't know if it mess's w/ your bones but I do know it messes w/ your cycles, other woman I know have said the same thing as I have.

Answer 3

Depo does leech calcium from your bones. It is reccommended you take an extra 1200 mg of calcium every day you're on Depo.

Answer 4

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Answer 5

I haven't had a period for three years. I've only gained 10 pounds in three years. That's not really bad.