Depo Shot??? - Wilmington,IL

I have been using it for a month now and I've noticed a little mood swings and lots of spotting. But other than that I think I'll keep using it. I have a hard time remembering to take pills. I have a 2 1/2 year old and a 3 1/2 month old so I don't want to get pregnant again any time soon. I would recommend the depo shot.

i am not a physician, but I have read a lot about the Depovera shot, and I know many women who have had the shot. Most of them did gain a lot of weight. I also read that you can gain weight, so those are definetly one of the side effects according to research and several of my friends. Be very careful.

J.

Hi M.,

I have the same miedical issues and was on the depo shot for approximately 3 yrs. It did the job but I had a few issues with it. 1. I spotted everyday for the first year. I think that was the hardest. 2. It made my hair shed...I mean REALLY bad. If I ran my hand thru my hair, it came out in clumps. I didn't experience a lot of weight gain, but I heard it can affect women differently. I hope this helps

B.

I have been on the depo shot for about a year. I have not gained any extra weight; but everyone is different. I do notice the week that my shot is due I am a bit hormonal, but nothing to bad. The only other bad side affect is spotting. Depending on how your body reacts to the shot you may spot; its more annoying than anything else.
Good luck!

Hi M....I have been on depo before...and will not go back on it again. Of course, everyone has different side effects,but mine were drastic. I gained, in about 5 months, 25 pounds..my face broke out...I was about as hormonal as I was during my pregnancy. Only good thing was that I didnt get my period. I took it for 2 cycles and stopped..It wasn't worth all the side effects for me. I'm sure that there is something else that the doctor could reccomend for you. Also, if you do go on it, make sure to get a yearly bone density test due to the fact of the depo shot may lead to bone loss. Hope this helps and I hope I totally didnt scare you! :)

Hi M.,

I took Depo some years ago, and gained 10 pounds within 6 months, and so did my neice! Unless something has changed with it, I would recommend trying something else.

I have been on the shot for about 3 months. I have gained about 7 lbs but I have also wanted more to eat lately. My goal is to be more aware of what I eat, and add exercise at least 3x a week. Not having periods have been great tho. As for me the verdict is still out whether or not I'm going to come off.

Hi M.,

I was on the Depo shot for 6mos to a year quite a few years ago. It was for endomeditriosis. It did help. I did not gain wait, however I did have some night sweats and I experienced terrible migraines with it due to hormones. It was not too bad, but when the migraines hit, I could do nothing but lay in bed.

Sorry it is not a better experience to share

I have been on the depo shot for several years and I chose it because where potential side effects were concerned it seemed to be the lesser evil. The depo-shot causes weight gain and bone loss but you can offset the bone loss by taking a calcium supplement with vitamin D. I loved the idea of not having a period and the only time I had some spotting is if I was going through an extremely stressful time in my life. I also liked the fact that I only had to deal with it every 3 months. Now however after gaining 60 lbs over the last few years I am fed up with it because not only did I gain a lot of weight but I have struggled to get it off. Now I am trying to decide what I want to use for birth control because I am ready to get off of this shot.

I was on that for a few years a while back. I did gain about 10 pound, but it was very easy to take it off and maintain my weight. I loved it because I had no periods after the first couple of months. When I went off it I did not have any problems with getting my periods back and them being regular. It is true that people do react differently!

I didn't like it. Breakthrough bleeding and cramping. Tolerable, but annoying. (I had my tubes tied after second CS and so stopped).

If you use it, be sure to have regular bone scans and it's been linked to osteoporosis.

I took one shot and didn't have a period for a year, started to lose a lot of hair, gained weight and developed bad acne. I was 23 years old and never had an acne problem before the shot. Several dermatologists I went to blamed Depo. I strongly advise against Depo.

Look it up online first!! There are MAJOR side effects to this shot. I know several women who have used it and one may now be unable to have children. Nobody at Planned Parenthood told her prolonged use can cause infertility. Others had sistic acene causing bad facial scaring. It is a really strong thing that you can't stop taking or get out of your body once you get the shot. Be careful.

My personal experience on it....I gained 40+ lbs, STILL got cycts, and it messed up my cycles for a few months when coming off. They said to give it a couple chances and my body would adjust---it didn't. I took it for 1 yr before I said no more. I should have said no earlier.

Everyone does react differently though.

I was on the depo shot after the patch didn't work for birth-control for me. I was on it for 3 years before I decided to go off of it and got pregnant quickly with my daughter.
I did not gain weight on the shot like I've heard others have (but I also didn't lose any either).
I have a history of migraine headaches and with the extra amount of hormones in the depo shot, my headaches did get worse, I would have a bad headache about twice a month, sometimes more.
I found that my moods were fine as well as my periods...I basically didn't have any spotting or anything after about 6 months.
I thought it was a good alternative to daily or weekly birth-control, but I've also heard that the long-term effects are bad (hard to get pregnant if you've been on it a long time).
And just be aware...if you forget to get the shot within your window-time, you'll have to get blood drawn and go through that hassle.

Good luck!
C.

My sister used it for a little over a year and gained 10 lbs with each shot -- it took her the next 3 years to lose the weight after she went off it (and back on conventional birth control pills) because it had really changed her metabolism. I would not suggest it to anyone...however, everyone is different. I just personally would not take the chance unless the shot has changed substantially in the last 4 years (she took it around 4.5 years ago).

Well it already looks like you made a decision but I want to tell you my experience anyway. I LOVE BEING ON DEPO. I was on it for years with no problems and I lost 100 pounds while still on the shot. When I did want to get pregnant my ob and I talked and decided that I should go on the pill for a while to regulate my period. I did and was pregnant three months later. Not everyone has those problems or side effects. Judge for yourself before you let others decide what is best for your body. It's not fair for other people to scare you with there war stories.

It does have side effects that pile up at the front end and diminish at the end...along with the contraception effect. My daughter was nauseous and had spotting the whole time it was in effect and won't use it. But she didn't gain weight. However she was smoking which is a huge no-no on hormones.

G-ma B

I just thought I would let you know that I have been on the Ring and the Depo. I have used the ring for the last four years and loved it! I am sure you will like it too. Although your husband might feel it sometimes during sex, but as for hormone issues, I never had any. (and I am very sensitive to hormones)
I am currently on the Depo shot. I decided to use the shot because I had a baby a month and 1/2 ago and I am nursing. My Dr. said that I cannot use the ring while I am nursing. A bunch of people on here said DONT USE THE SHOT! YOU WILL GET FAT, ETC, ETC. I asked my doctor about the responses I got on here, and he said they were exaggerating. I am on the shot now and have noticed no different hormonal reactions! NONE! and I haven't gained an ounce. In fact, I am actually losing my baby weight very well (without dieting) I am losing about 3lbs a week.
I just wanted to tell you not to worry too much and try what you feel like would be best for you. I dont think you will have any trouble with the shot. But if you do decide to do the ring, I know you will love it.
A.

Hi M.,

I had 4 depo shots in total - 3 after I had my first child two years ago, and then the last one about 2 months ago after having had my second child. I didn't really have much reaction, hormone-wise, but I've never had any problems with the pill for that either. I didn't gain any weight after any shots, but I've also been nursing so that might've balanced it out! I have heard some horror stories from others who've taken it, though. I don't know if this'll help or not, but here's another mom's experience! :)

More important than the weight-gain...doctors won't prove/disprove the association between the shots and bloodclots.

My sister (44 at the time) and a friend of a friend, both went on the shots. My sister developed multiple blood clots in each lung and my friend's friend developed them as well (don't know the location). They both stopped the shots and never started again.

My sister went first. As soon as I heard that my friend's friend was doing it...I immediately told her to do more research that my sister had a BIG problem (we almost lost her) and within 3 weeks, she had them herself.

Please do more research and only do it educated!

Weight you can lose. Blood clots that travel through your blood can be deadly.

Take care - J.

I have been using the shot for about a year and its great I dont get my period anymore sometimes I get spotting ( the doctor said it was normal and ok) I have not gain weight I like it better than the pill

I took the depo shot for about 2 years before I was forced to get off because of BP issues. It worked great and was so simple than having to remember pills. I was warned by friends about the weight gain and it certainly did creep up on me. Before I knew it I had gained 20 lbs in what seemed like overnight. To make matters worse I got pregnant shortly after before I had a chance to get the weight off so I'm still struggling 5 years later to get rid of that 20 lbs!

My daughter was on it and loved it. She actually lost a lot of weight on it. But you can only be on it for 2 years. Her Dr told her that being on it longer than that can cause bone density loss. It's worth it if it's helps.

I used it for about a year and a half and gained 40 pounds. I didn't have a period the entire time though, that was nice, but I'd much rather have a period than gain 40 pounds.

My sister used it for about the same amount of time and she developed thyroid problems (which she is still dealing with years later). I don't know for sure if there is a connection, but sticking 3 months of hormones in your body at a time seems like it could throw your entire system out of whack.

If you have any tendency to gain weight...DO NOT take this shot. I took two of those shots, cried for 6 months and gained 50 lbs. It was an aweful experience. I am very sensitive to hormones...I can't even take the pill without wanting to quit my job, leave my husband, etc. The bad thing about depo is that you can't just yank yourself off of it. You have to wait the few months for it to wear off.

Having said all of that, I have known a few people who have taken depo with no side effects, but they were very naturally thin people. Perhaps you are, too.

Coincidentally, I have ovarian cysts. Ask your doctor about taking Glucophage (generic is Metformin) for cyst reduction. That is what I am on right now.

If you are not seeing an OB/GYN for your cysts, I highly suggest switching to one for a second opinion on treatment.

I hope it all works out for you,
A.