Anyway.. This thing called the shot.. does anyone know the wait time from the time you get it until you can have unprotected sex? Just checking out a few things.. I have an appointment on the 7 of next month and would like to know a little more about it before I go

Well first you need to know facts that your doctor may not tell you. Also you need to know others experiences with this drug. It is called Depo Provera but many women will refer to it as H***. I am one of those.
Here is what happened with me. I will also post sites in which you can read more about this drug.
I had my first son in May of 1996 and heard about Depo in a college sex health class while I was pregnant with him. Well after discussing it with hubby we decided it might be worth it. I got my first shot July 22,1996 and that is whent he trouble began. Hubby saud he couldnt stand to be around me those first two weeks because I was a B****. I started having the worse migraines of my life. Also I was spotting nonstop. My doctor told me I couldnt have a pap because I was spotting. I had to explain that apparently this was a side effect of Depo and would reschedule for when it stopped. Well it didnt stop. I went in for my second shot on Oct 22,1996. I was still spotting. Then I noticed I had no sex drive and couldnt stand the thought of hubby coming near me. Of course the spotting didnt help my thoughts either. Well we decided that I wouldnt go for antoher shot and see if theing would return to normal. Well I still spotted for a couple of weeks after that. Then my period returned to normal. Little did I know that things werent so normal for my body. I didnt go on any birth control after I stopped the shots. Hubby didnt use condoms either. Well at that time it said fertility should return within a year of stopping the shot. Well a year came and went and still no sign of pregnancy. I then started my lovely battle of secondary infertility. I went through three different infertility doctrs eachone as soon as they heard I had been on Depo told me that since my tests were coming back fine that Depo was to blame. I hard to hear that something I chose to use as birth control was causing my heart ache of not being able to give my son a sibling or my hubby another child. I have talked with many other women who also have had to come to terms with this awful form of birth control. I went through a little over three years of infertility. I was finally able to get pregnant again and have a wonderful 15 month old son to show for those three years of work. But my pregnancy was rated a high risk and I was restricted a great deal which was no fun.
Of course I have also talked with women that love it. I also have two friends that got pregnant while on Depo. One friend is kind of funny. She got pregnant sometime after her first shot and found out when she went in for her second shot. Well she had the baby and figured it was a fluke that she got pregnant the first time and went back on Depo. Well about the time her thrid or fourth shot was due she found out yet again she was pregnant. The shocker with it was that she was pregnant with twins.




[This message has been edited by moderator2 (edited 03-22-2002).]

DON"T HAVE THE SHOT!
I also had the shot in 1994. All it did was cause problems and heart ache.

My moods changed, loss of sex drive, constant spotting that I had to have a D and C to fix and the worst thing was weight gain, not just a bit but several kilos. It did not matter what I did to try and lose them they just kept creeping on. It took about 4 years before I could start to lose weight again. Whenever I hear of any body considering having it I tell them my story. I have friends who also tried it about the same time as I did and they had similar problems. I only ever had the 2 shots and paid for it for years.

Please do a search on here for the depo provera posts and read all of what others have said. From all I have read on here I, as a nurse would never recommend it to anyone. This is of course a personal opinion. Do check things out though.

While some women have had success with it, I'm one who did not. I had it in the early '90's, and experienced moodiness, some weight gain, and terrible skin problems. I know of one woman who had it and, when it had worn off, tried to get pregnant. She had three miscarriages. When I had it, I was under the mistaken idea that it was a "new" form of birth control. In fact, it had been used for years in third world countries because it is a cheap form of b.c. Also, many women on it skip all their periods. That may sound nice, but it would drive me nuts... I'd probably do an ept every month!! No thanks.

When I first found out about depo from a friend of mine, I thought "what a fabulous drug!!!" My friend had been on it for a couple months and sang it's praises. She had stopped getting her periods altogether and had no more PMS. Sounds wonderful! So I went to my doctor and asked her about it. She told me that she refused to give it to me. She said that the benefits are not worth the risks and she refuses to give it to her patients. Here's what she told me:

Most women (over 80%) will gain 10 to 20 % of their body weight. For me, that's 15 to 30 lbs. I would go from being 150 lbs (I'm 5'9 so I'm already near the top of my healthy range) to being 165 to 180 lbs. And, she also told me that the extra weight from depo is extremely hard to lose, even years after you stop taking the shot.

She also told me that if you had acne problems as a teenager, then the acne will most likely return. Some women who've never had acne will also develop acne once they start taking it.

She told me that it is difficult to conceive for at least a year after going off it, and that some women experience permanent fertility problems.

She told me that ANYTHING FUNKY can happen to your periods. Some women just bleed non-stop. Some have spotting. Some women don't get periods anymore. Anything goes.

So, I decided not to take it. How hard is it really to take a pill every day? Not that hard. So I decided that the hassle of taking a pill every day was worth it to not risk the side effects of depo.

Back to my friend. Shortly after her second shot, she deveoped very severe acne problems. She went off depo. Years later, she still battles acne. She never had acne as a teenager, and now sees no end to her skin problems. Are you willing to have that happen to you????

Melanie

Well girls.. THANKS
That really helped.. I have heard horror stories and a "FEW" good stories.. I will talk to Dr. BUt I think I have made up my mind, Thanks again.

Hi, Another slight horror story.
If you know anyone on DEPO PROVERA check out the warning sheet that is in the pacage, it is used for some real serious ****....in different strengths. Makes you wonder what it is doing to our body..?

well it also causes depression in those prone to it, like me. it plays with your hormones and your mental chemical balance. It can make you moody, it did me. It can cause weight gain, i gained 25 pounds with just 2 shots...in six months. My sister has gained almost 50 in the 2 years she's been on it, she is currently on some form of anti- depressant to counter act the imbalance that it caused in her. The shots held on to my system for 6 months longer that they should have.finally when i did get my period i spotted and bled for 3 months, causing my iron level to drop way beyond normal levels.My sex life was hell for my husband cause he never knew if it was safe to touch me or not, and i was mad thinking he didn't want me........depression grew..........
finally a year later my system is more or less normal, still battling the depression but my cycles are finally predictable with the help of birth control pills..........
good luck if you choose to take it, but be warned that it is not the wisest thing to do. I agree do some research on the drug to learn more before you take the shot

Just to balance this out a little... I've had no problems with Depo. It's been really great. I feel very bad for all of you! And I'm also going to check out those links (that was from whitewolf, right? Thanks!) to see if there's anything new I was not aware of.

I definitely did not know all this when I started Depo, but I figured I had three months to notice any side effects and another three to six after that for the effects to wear off. The pill was NOT a good option. Someone said "how hard is it," and I suppose if you woke up at the same time every day or ever knew when your work would let you go home... it would be a little less hard. I just knew at the time that taking a pill every day, let alone around the same time, was going to be next to impossible in my life.

Now, the very gradual weight gain is an issue I could be facing and am just unaware that it was caused by the Depo. I think my biggest concern if I were now looking at Depo as a possibility (instead of already on it, as I am now) would be that the weight gain is such a long term effect. I'm curious about why this particular weight gain would be harder to take off than other kinds of weight gain? But if that's true, then that's something you're risking for much longer than the time you're taking the shot, and that's definitely worth considering.

Anyway... yup, some of us have had a good experience on Depo. MUCH better in my case than going on the pill, both for scheduling reasons (my life has settled down now, but before... I literally didn't know when I'd get to go home from one day to the next) and for side effects. I've always had acne, but my acne was worse on the pill, and it has been just normal on Depo.

I'm also really shocked to read in other threads on this board that women recommend using a condom with the pill. I cannot imagine doing that! If I had to use condoms or any other form of birth control, I don't think I would bother subjecting my body to extreme hormone treatments, regardless of the source.

yours,
subaru

Subaru,even with the shot it is wise to use condoms. You see just like the pill meds can effect it. I have friends that had no problems on the shot but also wound up pregnant while on the shot. Like I said I have one friend who has three kids she NEVER intended to have because the shot failed for her. The first time she foundout she was pregnatn when she went in for her second shot. She has that child and then went back on Depo figuring it was a fluke. Well she was going in for her third or fourth shot(not sure which) and found out she was pregnatn yet again. That time was with twins. She got her tubes tied after that.
Another friend had no problems while on Depo but now have fertility problems. So even if there are no known problems there can be ones later.

The weight gain...well I still havent lost the 50 lbs I gained while on it. I have tried just about everthing I can think of short of drugs to take off the weight. It is really sad becuase of how long I have had this weight now...Acutally I did lose about ten lbs so I still have 40 to go. Not fun that is for sure.

Oh, I understand other medications can effect your birth control, whether pill or shot. I just wasn't aware that so many people were on medications. I don't take even aspirin unless I feel I have to. If I have a headache, I do some exercises and drink some water. I only take medications if I feel I have no other option!

I just wouldn't be subjecting my body to hormones like this, whether by pill or shot, if it didn't significantly improve my quality of life, i.e. no more condoms for one thing (I am in a permanent and trustable relationship and not concerned about disease, of course --otherwise, condoms would be an absolute necessity!). Birth control --like any kind of medication, also-- is no light matter to your body, even without the horrid side effects you've been experiencing. I hate the idea that women would be subjecting their bodies to it lightly.

subaru

I had depo may 2001 I have a dent from the injection still now march 2002 I restarted periods jan 2002 have had 5 in 10 weeks had breast lumps due to breast fluid been ultrasounded and clinically examined had constant breast pain for week before each period had terrible spots and acne so do not go near this injection with a barge pole.

I only had 3 shots before giving it up. I bled non-stop while on it and not just a little spotting either. Even though I only had the 3 shots it took ages for my period to get back to normal.

Depo may seem like the easy way to go as far as birth control but its definately not worth it.

Take care.

Cheers,

Nicola http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/wave.gif

My cousin got pregnant while on depo. She and her husband were not planning on children for quite a while. Lo and behold, they found out they were having a baby in 2 weeks. They adore this little girl to pieces, and are happily married. So be careful and plan ahead. If you're looking for a shot that has combo of estrogen/progestin, Lunelle might be an option. I haven't tried it myself, but if you don't like taking a pill everyday, then you can just go in for a once a month shot without the horrible side effects of depo. You'll still get your period every month for what I've read. You still have to be careful if you're trying to prevent pregnancy.

I took the Depo Provera injection for 5 years and it was okay. I'd get moody just before time for another injection. (tearful, depressed) And I had a couple of episodes of break through bleeding. 2 weeks ago I found out I have Osteopenia...which is the step before Osteoporosis. It's most likely because Depo caused my Estrogen levels to be so low that my bones broke down. And I'm only 25 years old. Just take a pill. Depo Provera just has too many side effects.

When you are on depo can you bleed all day every day an cramp. i have lost sexual desire.I already had depression before I went on depo. The problem I am having is before I had my daughter I was on depo an did great actually lost weight. But I went to the doctor 2 an 1/2 months ago because I was having horribe menstral cycles Basicly I was having to use pad an tampon an that wasnt even enough. But we decided to try depo again an for a month I was fine but now for a month an 1/2 I have done nothing but bleed. Does anyone know if this is all because of depo or know anyone with the similar problem that knows if I might have some serious problem.

well when i was going to get my first one i was a little scared cause my mum told me that when she had hers she did nothing but bleed, well i thought id get it anyway and it was great i didnt get my periods the whole time i was on it i loved it, so its diffrent on everyone so to know what it will do to you youll just have to try it.. and im going to go back on it after ive had my baby..

------------------
edd: 25th July 2003
bubby sex: Girl
my age: 19

I loved Depo. I used it for functional ovarian cysts. I did not gain weight, in fact, I lost and maintained my weight. I took them for about 5 years. The sad part, I had to go off them, the doctor would not give them to me anymore because I developed osteopenia. Studies do show they cause osteopenia. Anyway, I am back to square one looking for something to relieve my cysts. I tried birth control pills, but made my ankles swell. Good luck, Badgirl

I have to say that I had a bad experience with the shot also. Not only did my sex drive plummet, but I had trouble with terrible mood swings (I would cry a lot), and I gained an average of 3 pounds a month!!! It was terrible. Not even regular exercise and a good diet could bring my weight down. Unfortunately, all this weight gain happened right before my wedding!!! It was so frustrating. Also, when I decided to get off the shot, my doctor told me that it would be at least a year before the drug would be completely out of my body and I would be able to become pregnant; four months later, I was pregnant!! I also stopped having my period after the first two injections, but my body would still go through cramping, and bloating...was a little scary actually!

Anyway, I would never suggest the shot to anyone. However, everyones body reacts differently and I know of some that are really happy with it.

Good luck!!!

Saph

when i first got on the shot i was very happy with it cause i have always had painfull period and it was great for a year. then i started bleeding nonstop for weeks and every time i went the doctor he would up my dose by the time i quit taking it i was on 600 mgs. i finally went to the emergency room during one of my episodes and the emergency room doctor(a female)told me the reason i was bleeding was because the shot just wasn't working and i was still ovulating.She also told me that she would never recommend it to anybody because of the havoc it wrecks on your body. she told me its just not natural to go that long with out a period and she was surprised that i wasn't pregnant.it been ayear since ive been off of it and im just now getting a period. Im now going to the patch.

I just got off depo to try to conceive in a few months. I never had any horrible side effects but a couple big nuisances like vaginal dryness, loss of sex drive, moodiness, and some mild weight gain. I have switch to OTC-lo. I did get my period back by itself before I started the pill which was nice.

I am replying to the messages about Depo Provera. I took my 17 year old daughter to get the shot 6/5/03. I took her to the gyno. I have always gone to. She received the shot and then ask the nurse how long it takes for the shot to take effect, she left the room and came back 5 minutes later and replyed 14 days. We left the room and stood out in the hall while she finished filling out her paperwork to take to the front desk, we stood there a couple of minutes. Then we took the paperwork to the window. We were standing at the window making my daughters next appt. I looked over at my daughter because I felt something brush my arm. My daughters eyes were rolling back in her head. I started yelling I was so scared. She fell to the floor I tried to catch her but it happened to quick. When she was on the floor her eyes were rolled up in her head and she pulled her arms to her chest and they were trembling and her legs were trembling. I am not sure if this was a seizure or she just past out. I think it was a seizure. My older daughter has Multiple Sclerois, now and she thinks its from Depo, she tried to tell me but I just didn't believe that it could cause it, but seeing this happen to my younger daughter I am not sure what all the shot can do, but very worried about what it triggered in my younger daughter also.

my two cents... those shots are EVIL!!!!!!!!!
i started them after my son was born. it was one of the biggest mistakes ever!in three shots, the wait gain was awful. my son is now 8 and i am STILL trying to loose what i gained. as for sex drive. forget about it. then i learned something that i had not known before. when they chemicaly casterate sex offenders in prisions, these shots are what they give them. the reason is that depo surpresses the sex drive. duhhhhh no wonder i didn't want hubby to touch me.

a girl i used to work with was on the shots and when she stopped taking the shots it took 2 years for her periods to come back. mine came back with in 6 monthts, but have never again been normal. until the dr put me on the pill i would often have two or three in one month.

all i can say dear if you are seriously thinking about these blasted shots, is be sure you do your homework and can live with the side effects.

I have been on Depo for 10 years. Why I like it: I have had no periods or spotting for the past 10 years, No pills to take, 99.7% effective in preventing pregnancy (Always get it on time!).

Why I dont: Depression which was bad at first but has decresed over the years to normal. I gained 20 pounds and I eat right and excercise a ton. Low libido, again worst in the beginning and better now.

After 10 years, I am switching to the birth control pill Yasmine. I think 10 years ago, in high school Depo was perfect for me and it did its job well and I would recommend it to high school girls. I would rather be a little heavy than have an unplanned pregnency. Now however it is time to move on.

To answer your q, it is effective immediately (according to the drug company at least).

DEPO-PROVERA IS EVIL!!!!

I got the shot against my dr's wishes a month ago. I am still HEAVILY bleeding. Not just that, but my skin looks like total hell too! I break out when I get my period, and since I now will have my period for 3 months, I will be breaking out for THREE MONTHS STRAIGHT!!!

Ugh, should've listened to my doctor!

i cant tell u what to do...but think long and hard....can honestly say i would rather have a period every month...shoot id have it twice a month rather then being on this shot...i hate it that much! november cant come fast enough so this starts getting outta my system!!!

I know all women are different, but I hated it. I was seriously moody all the time and gained 20 pounds (went from 108 to 128), big difference on a 5"2" girl of small build. The only good thing about it was that I didnt bleed the entire time I was on it.

Just my experience.

Just my two cents, I got severe blurred vision from being on this shot...Didnt read anyone else mentioning it!