Depo Shot Experiences?

Question

i am in a monogamous realtionship. we are both adults and have been tested for STDs. we want to take a more "natural" approach to our lovemaking. in other words, no longer use condoms. i am already on birth control and have been on it for 9 months, but depo is somewhat more effective and fool proof. i hear about side effects online but i want to hear people's personal experiences. side effects, following pregnancies, getting pregnant on the shot, etc.

Thanks All,
~Rikki

Answer 1

Rikki - I wouldn't touch it!

Doctors are wrong about this one. Depo provera is not safe!

Unbeknownst to many women on birth control, Depo-Provera has been on the radar for the FDA and other research-based health organizations for several years. Last year, the FDA ordered the maker of Depo-Provera to revise the packaging and promotional materials to contain the new "black box" warning which states, "Use of Depo-Provera Contraceptive Injection may cause you to lose calcium stored in your bones. The longer you use Depo-Provera Contraceptive Injection the more calcium you are likely to lose. Depo-Provera Contraceptive Injection contains a powerful variant of the hormone progestosterone which is released through a hypodermic shot given every few months.

Several studies have indicated that this hormone can increase the loss of bone density in women of all ages, including teen and young adult women who are in critical stages of natural bone growth. Osteoporosis and the loss of bone density typically effect women later in life making them susceptible to fractures throughout the skeletal system. Health care professionals advise those taking Depo-Provera to discuss a bone density test with their physician and advise using Depo-Provera for no more than 2 years or using a birth control alternative.

Here is one young lady's experience:
50lb weight gain (half off most of it now years later)
Extreme Excitability, Nervousness (first two years terrible)
Panic Attacks, Paranoia (first two years)
Shortness of Breath (horrible first two years - still with me today)
Great loss of libido (first two years, getting better every year)
Painful intercourse (for about two years)
Severe lack of lubrication (at least 2 yrs., getting better)
Lowered immune system (still suffering but not as severe)
Loss of hair (the first year with shot, then subsided)
Now (current) unwanted hair on breasts, toes, face
Violent headaches (coming from pain at base of skull)
Extremely sore, stiff, crippled muscles all over body (still today but MUCH better than 97,98,99)
Blurry vision - trouble getting my eyes to focus on objects
Dizziness (still today - but MUCH improved)
Inability to bend over (feel like I will pass out)
Severe neck and shoulder pain (still today)
Jaw pain.. facial pain (like TMJ symptoms) 5+ years
Breast Tenderness & Pains - Fibrocystic breasts (still today)
Heart palpitations - irregular heart beat (still today)
Chronic sinus and yeast infections (still today)
Concentration and memory problems (still today)
Acne - not (teenager type acne - large boil/cyst like acne)
Suicidal thoughts because daily debilitating pain was too much

Answer 2

I was in the shot for 7 years and i can say that it has its good points and bad points. I didn't have to worry about a period the whole time, it was much more convenient to go get the shot once every three months than remembering to take a pill everyday. On the other hand my doctor told me that it has been proven that depo causes osteoporosis and if you are going to take it not to stay on the shot for more than 2 years. They say it could take up to 18 months to get out of your system if you want to have kids but I have been off almost a year now and just found out that I am two months pregnant. So I guess its the way your body handles it because everyone is different. Also, my doctor told me it makes your body think you are pregnant and you will gain weight so exercise regularly and you shouldn't have too much of a problem with letting gaining weight be a problem. I gained 30 lbs. and it started in my stomach so I exercised to maintain it and never had a problem after that

Answer 3

I had the depo shot 4 times and once after getting pregnant not while I was on it however I had side effects and mine was I bled constantly like a period the whole time it was in my system and after telling my shitty GP she said no worries we will just try it again and if the same thing happens I will give you a shot of estrogen any way after three months of bleeding I just said last time I would rather condoms so be prepared the side effects can be really crappy however I am only one person and everybody has different make up so you might get a completely different reaction so good luck. If you want to find out more ask your pharmacy for a pamphlet on Depopravera it will tell you more.

Answer 4

Just speaking from personal experience, the side effects were not good for me. I used the depo shot for about a year and during that time I gained about 25 lbs and I was on a roller coaster ride of moodiness. Anything I mean ANYTHING would make me cry. I vaguely remember crying because I was late to work. It was NOT me. I also had some spotting but that wasn't a big deal since I always wore a liner. Everything leveled off after I stopped taking it. No problems getting pregnant after (6 months later).

Answer 5

Ok I personally use the Implanon. It's a small rod placed in the inside of your upper arm. Lasts for 3 years and unlike the depo shot if you have symptoms or side effects it can be taken out without too much drama. Sometimes people report 'spotting' and others experience no periods whatsoever (BONUS) So whatever you choose I hope it's what your looking for and goodluck x x

Answer 6

I loved the depo-shot but you can only be on it for a max of 2years now. Before that rule I was on it for 5 years. Obviously I don't have any kids and I never had to use a condom. If I did get any side effects from it they were so small I didn't notice them. It was much more convenient to only have to go to the clinic every 3 months.

Answer 7

I was on depo for 7 years. This shot has its' pros and cons.
I waited until after three months before having sex without a condom. I wanted to make sure that it was really in my system I guess.

Pros-no period, natural sex without the worry of getting pregnant

Cons-I gained 50 lbs. in seven years, loss of sex drive (this could have not been the fault of the shot though), FDA now says that this contributes to bone loss

The only problem that I am having now is that I cannnot get my cycle to start again. I am now married to the man that I began dating in high school. We want to start trying to have children. I have recently been diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, which means that I will probably need some help getting pregnant. I do not think that the depo caused this though. I do think that if I had not stopped my cycle to begin with, I wouldn't be having near the problems, and may have been diagnosed with this sooner. Who knows though?

I don't know if I would have changed this all, even knowing what I know now. I feel that being in a monogamous relationship, and being able to experience true intimacy with my partner may have been worth some of the risks. Make sure that you talk to your partner about this. Include him in this decision. Make sure he knows the pros and cons of this kind of birth control as well as you.

Also, if you do want to begin trying to get pregnant, make sure that you get off the shot a year before actively trying. It takes time for your fertility to return to normal. Talk to your OBGYN about this, and see what he/she recommends as well.

Answer 8

It's an individual thing. Good idea to ask your doctor about side effects before you begin the shots. It causes intermittent bleeding and you never know when. Can cause bloating and tender breasts. You, not your partner, will carry the burden of a more 'natural' approach...

Answer 9

I was on it for year. Gained 30 lbs. Periods were few and far between and very light. The weight gain was extreme and the biggest turnoff. 10 years later have not been able to get back to pre-depo weight.

Answer 10

I was on it for a year, I gained weight, I had a period very light but just about the whole time. After I stopped getting it, I got the flu symptoms really bad for 2 months. Achy body, fever, all that crap... I personally hated it, and DO NOT recremend it to anyone...Although I do recremend the RING, It works great...