Would you the Depo Provera shot?

Question

I'm thinking about getting it, but I'm scared of all the consequences with it. Would you get it? If you've already had it, what was your experience with it?

Answer 1

I wouldn't because I've heard too many horror stories. Periods that wouldn't stop was one problem I heard of. Plus the fact that it's bad for your bones (depletes calcium) is a bit of a deterrent. It is recommended that you only use it for a limited time, I believe less than 2 years, because of the bone issue.

Answer 2

Don't do it. There are a lot of women even on here that you can verify are having a lot of problems with it. You may be creating an irreversible problem.

Depo Provera is akin to forcing your body into an early menopause state.

I've been off the Depo Provera since 2000 and my hair and my eyebrows still haven't grown all the way back. I lost about a 1/4 inch along most of my front hair line. The rest of my hair came back and is thick and strong, but the hairline is not the same compared to what it was. In addition to the severe hair loss, I gained over 40 pounds, 20 while taking Depo and 20 after coming off. I never had a migraine before Depo and during use and for the first year after being off it, I had severe migraines at least once a week. My skin itched like I wanted to rip it off and I was hot all the time. I would get extreme vertigo with no warning. Just try staggering at work or while in the pharmacy and not look like you had a drinking problem! My bones also ached a lot. Depo has been proven to cause osteoporosis. Over a year after coming off the Depo Provera, I developed two serious blood clots one after the other. The cause was never completely determined because I had not been on birth control of any kind for over a year and my blood tests were normal. I finally had a rib removed and the clots stopped, but I will contend to this day the Depo had at least a little something to do with it. About the same time as the blood clots, I started having severe cramping and a year into it, my doctor found pretty severe endometriosis. With the resulting depression and the lack of sex from Depo you may not have to worry about getting pregnant because you won't want to have sex anyway. I know some people do just fine with this birth control, but it's not worth the chance. It takes upwards of 6 to 8 months for the effects to wear off and sometimes longer. My hair has never grown completely back along the hairline and I am having a hair transplant at a tune of $5,000.00 to fix it. I had to have my eyebrows tattooed because they will not fill back in! I am only 35! I can't wait until Depo is researched more deeply and to someday find out what else this drug did to screw up my system.

I got the (copper) IUD (since I can't use hormones anymore due to future clotting risks). My insurance paid for it. You still get your period, but it's worth it.

Our bodies are made to have periods unless we are pregnant. If you force your body into an unnatural state, it WILL fight back!

Answer 3

I will never get it again. Not having a period is the only benefit that I had from that shot and even then it was a lot of spotting. At that rate you may as well get the pill and have your period for a few days. I also gained weight, as most women do when they get on depo. I ate and exercised the same as before I got the shot and just couldn't keep the weight from coming on. I would strongly recommend getting the pill or another form of birth control. Good Luck!

Answer 4

The first shot is always the worst. I took it and gained 30 pounds and I was spotting for 6 months. I never took it again.

I have other friends that had the same problem but only for the first shot. So if you can get past the first shot you will be okay. It's only worth it if you plan on taking it for a few years, otherwise stick to the pill or something like that.

Answer 5

My sister used it, bleed for 3 months (light but VERY annoying). After that I researched it a lot and decided I will never take it. A lot of women (not all of course) have had a hard time conceiving after stopping the shot. Some took up to 4-5 years. Of course, it's going to be different for every woman, but I want children in the next couple years so I don't want to risk it.

Another thing I don't like about it is that it messes with your natural cycle. I would recommend the pill, patch, or ring; they keep a regular 28 day cycle so you don't have to worry so much about your body freaking out when you stop BC. Best of luck!

Answer 6

I wouldn't recommend it to anyone. I was on it for 5 years. It causes abnormal paps and hormonal changes that can take years to stabilize. I had to have 3 Biopsies because of the artificial hormones. I didn't spot or anything, but I didn't have a period after stopping for 4 years. If you do want children in the future, it may take longer than you'd like. It took my body 4 years to get back to normal after being on Depo.

Answer 7

I took it 2 times and went back to the pill!

My hair began falling out in large clumps and I didn't get my period the first 3 months and had it the entire 3 months after that. My little sister got it and bled for 6 1/2 months straigh (with a very heavy flow) then didn't get her period for another year, then bled for 5 months straight. Her hair fell out as well. I think that shot is awful. I'll deal with the pill anytime over that!

Good luck!

Answer 8

I took the shot for about a year and a half and to tell you the truth I would not recommend the shot to anyone. After I got off the shot I did not have my period for about two years and I have heard that it can cause alot of problems with your insides lucky for me it didn't and I am having a baby so it really is up to you but I wouldn't if I were you.

Answer 9

My daughter uses the "shot", she likes it, but many women have a little "in between" spotting, light bleeding. No birth control method is 100%. When she initially started it, did not use other b/c for the first couple of weeks and she now has a son. Speak to a physician or nurse.

Answer 10

i wouldn't i heard alot of negative about the depo shot....we can't tell you what to do, you have to try it yourself everyone's body is different what won't work for me might work for you...so do your research before chosing and ask the doctor about other things before deciding on your decision.