break through bleeding on depo shot?

Question

hi there this is the first time i have used any kind of bc and i chose the depo shot and i have had this break through bleeding for about 4 wks now and i was wondering does it ever end and when? thanks

Answer 1

The only time I ever had any breakthrough bleeding was when I got the shot between periods. If it's not very heavy, you're probably just adjusting to it. Try getting one more shot, and if you're still having problems, talk to your doctor about switching to the Pill or the ring or the patch instead. I personally love Depo....haven't gained weight, actually am less depressed (no hormone fluctuations, and mine were truly awful).

If the bleeding is really heavy, though, talk to your doctor now.

Answer 2

I also am having problems with the depo shot. I had my son in October of '05 and began the depo shot shortly thereafter. It really messed with my hormones bad and made me very sick. I went to the doctor about my symptoms, worried that something really bad was going on. The nurse who screened me thought that I (at the age of 25) might be experiencing early menopause. The doctor assured me that these symptoms were common with the depo shot (early menopause common??!!!!) and prescribed me some estrogen supplements to regulate my hormones. Boy did I feel worse after that. My hot flashes went from 1-2 a day to almost hourly, my mood swings were almost to the point of being bi-polar, I was exhausted constantly, etc. etc. After I finished the estrogen prescription and things did not get better, I decided that I would not go back for my next shot. My most recent shot would have been in September of '06. At the beginning of last month I finally started having my period, thinking things were going back to normal I was relieved. I have now been on my period bleeding heavily for over a month, I have painful cramps nearly everyday, and I am physically exhausted. I also have experienced extreme weight gain, to the point where I way 20 lbs more now than I did with either of my pregnancies. I am reluctant to go to the doctor because they are the ones who put me in this position in the first place, so I am just hoping to ride it out and see what happens. I would say that this shot is not healthy for anyone and if I were you I would at least not get it anymore. There are other safer forms of birth control and I wish I had not let my doctor talk me out of something safer because he liked the ease of the shot. The best advice I can give is to tell you not to let your doctor push you around or tell you nothing is wrong. It is your body, and you know that something is happening that is not okay and your doctor should be doing his best to figure out what that is. As for the chances of your miscarrying, I have no idea but I do know that this shot tricks your body into thinking it is pregnant so it is possible that after missing your shots your symptoms may feel like a miscarriage. Many of my symptoms this last month have also suggested miscarriage, but there is no chance of my having been pregnant at the time when these things started. Good luck to you and I hope you feel better.

Answer 3

Wow, I wish you wouldn't have chose that method. I did that shot for six months and it caused serious side effects. I gained 50lbs, stopped getting periods immediately (still haven't had one and have been off it 8 months), got acne, can cause depression and hair loss in some women, osteoporosis with continued use, takes 1-2 years to have a baby after your last shot! You really should consider a different method for your own well being.

Answer 4

well i ha a similar prob. with the shot i had a period for about 3 weeks straight (spotting). but thats normal for the depo you can never know when youll be spotting if you dont like it i suggest changing BC

Answer 5

That usually happens when on depo, that or you don't bleed at all.

I was on it for four years with ugly side affects and am so glad I am OFF of it. I am on kariva (pill) now with no side affects.

http://www.rateitall.com/t-330-birth-control-methods.aspx

Answer 6

everyone is different, i have been on it for a year now, and no side effects, i did however have some spotting for the first month i started.. usually by the time your on your second shot all is well..