I have been on depo for a little over six years, and I am thinking of switching to another method of bc, but I'm not sure...
I'm pretty much over and/or used to the side effects, I stopped gaining weight after the first 3 years (haven't lost it again though). Also I really like not having to worry about it for months at a time.
However, I think the longest studies done on depo users have been for 7 years, and I'm a little concerned to take it for longer than this.
Also, I have severe dysplasia that I feel may have been caused by being on depo for so long (still have to schedule my LEEP...)
But I don't know what to switch to. I don't trust the patch to stay stuck for a whole week or to not irritate my (very sensitive) skin. I know I won't remember to take the pill every day, let alone at the same time. Also, I have heard that the pill is less effective in overweight women. (depo is actually more effective if you are overweight).
I don't trust just condoms to be effective enough. Also I have gotten too used to not using them and I don't want to go back (I always hated the smell and feel of them). I also wouldn't feel 'protected' enough just relying on phisical/barrier methods.
But I am scared of what might happen if I stop the depo. I haven't had a period in over 6 years, so even a very short/light one will seem heavy to me. What will I do if it's like a flood? Will I have 6 years worth of bleeding & cramps all at once?
So in summary, scared to stop, and scared not to...

I guess I am just looking for anyone who is on depo, or who was and stopped it, to share their experiences. I feel like I need more information to be able to make this decision.
Also, any recommendations about what method to switch to would be appreciated. Thanks.

I was on Depo for 2 years. I have been off it for 8 years now and it created many problems for me. I did experience weight gain while on it, but other than that, I did love it because I didn't get my period or anything. The problem came after it. I did not get my period back. I experienced infertility while trying to conceive my 2nd child. I finally got pregnant after 2 years of trying. To this day, I don't get a regular period. I just finished my 4th period this year!!! I have also developed PCOS and Diabetes. Don't know exactly what caused it, but PCOS is normally something that stems from the adolescent years. My doctor is currently doing studies to try to prove the link between Depo and PCOS. I couldn't even give you all of the details of what I have had to go through since then without making this very very long.

Bottom line is this...............I wouldn't take another shot if I were paid to! Also, a lot of people do not realize that this drug is used as chemical castration in sex offenders. So, that right there should tell all women that this drug should not be used as birth control, especially if you plan on having future children. Also, the makers of this drug constantly revise their pamphlets to include new side effects. When I started this shot (10 years ago), there were hardly any symptoms noted. Now, there are a boat load listed.

Also, a lot of people do not realize that this drug is used as chemical castration in sex offenders. So, that right there should tell all women that this drug should not be used as birth control, especially if you plan on having future children. Also, the makers of this drug constantly revise their pamphlets to include new side effects. When I started this shot (10 years ago), there were hardly any symptoms noted. Now, there are a boat load listed.

I know what you mean about the side effects. I asked for the most recent info last time I went in for my shot, and there were a lot more things listed than when I first went on it.

I did know that about the sex offenders, but I just figured that it's because lots of female hormones mess up male sexual functioning or something...

Also I would be thrilled to have rare/sporadic periods if I stop. Not having them at all is the thing I love most about it. Also, I never ever ever plan on having kids, so the trouble conceiving after going off this doesn't bother me in the least.

In fact, I wish I could just get my tubes tied and be done with it, but no doctor will do it because I am only 24 and have no children. How old do you have to be to have this done, anyway? I know that at my age, if I already had 3 kids, I would have no problem getting this done, but it seems like if you don't have any kids, they won't do it at all until you are old enough that you almost definitely need fertility drugs etc. to conceive.
(I know this is a separate rant, but it annoys me to no end that doctors think they know better than I do about what I do or do not want in my life. I know I am quite young, but I also completely KNOW that I never want children. Why are doctors this way? Do they really think they know what's 'best' for me? Or are they just scared of a lawsuit if I ever change my mind? I'd be more than happy to sign any waivers that they want to prevent me from suing them...)

I am one of the few I guess who loves depo. I have been on it since 1995. I did not have any side effects except for no period. I was off it for three months in 1999 when I broke my leg. I had a normal period, though just the color was off, instead of red it was more brown. I got back on it and was back to normal. In 2003 I went off it for six months b/c just got married and had no insurance yet. I promptly started a regular period again. Very normal and routine. But, then I would go only two weeks since the last period and I said forget that, get me back on my depo!!! So, got on it again and had no issues. Though, I did have a suprise period six months after I was on it, and wasn't due for the next shot for a month. But, that resolved (stress related) and I have been period free again. My sister had some side effects, but now we think her depression was already present and her weight gain was a combination of things. I weighed about 155 when I was in my early twenties, then lost 25 lbs and have stayed under 140 (now at 130) ever since. Though, Iunderstand as you age, it is harder to lose weight.
I have often asked drs about the risks of getting pregnant or not after being on depo, and none of them gave me any reason to worry. Though, at this time I do not want kids either, and maybe never. I think it is up to you and your comfort level. I opted for depo cause I never finish a script and forget to take meds(or atleast I did when I was 16). So, for me the shot was great, and I save money not buying the products for periods. You should ask your dr what may be better for you. There are new shots out there that are once a month-LUNA I think is one of them, but all bc's have side effects, my guess would be if weight gain is one, and you already have gained, you may possibly have to be ready to gain more. BUT, I don't know that by any readings, that is only my assumption. Best of luck to you in whatever you do!

Also I would be thrilled to have rare/sporadic periods if I stop. Not having them at all is the thing I love most about it.

Not having your period you would think is such a wonderful thing, but I found out the hard way that it is not. I ran across an article on the internet about how unhealthy it is to not have your period..........and it just freaked me out a little. I ended up seeing my doctor and an ultrasound was done and the lining of my uterus was so unbelievably thick..........which he said was a direct result of not having my period. He also told me that is a rest haven for cancer.

As far as having your tubes tied.........I agree with you. I don't know why you need to be a certain age before it can be done. I know my doctor and my insurance both say that they would never approve it before the age of 35 unless you had 3 children. I imagine that it is up to your insurance or doctor or both.

I was on the Depo for a little over 2 years. during that time i was fat, mean, emotional and just horrible. i gained about 60 pounds while i was on it, which was the worse thing out of it all, i had a 17 day long period and horrid cramps. i finally got off of it and ive managed to lose about 40 of those pounds. the pill isnt that hard to get used to i thought id have problems cause im the worst for forgetting but if you associate it with something(mines lunchtimes) its a lot easier. im on alesse now and im actually losing wieght on it!
but really its different for different people so you have to chose what you want :angel:

I took the depo shot once. was the WORST MISTAKE I EVER MADE! :o
took it once about 2.5years ago... gained close to 50lbs in 3 months and was an emotional trainwreck. it was great not getting my period.. but it is not worth that. i went back on the pill right after the 3 months was up and the first period after the shot was really bad. heavy and cramps and it lasted longer. im one of those people that dont take the pill at the same time everyday.. i just forget. i take it sometime during the day. its more effective when taken the same time everyday but thats just the way i am. ive been on the pill for 8 years. as other peopel on here said.. i wouldnt take another shot if you paid me. there is not enough money in the world u could give me to go through that again. i can skip my period using the pill..and there is that pill out there seasonale where u only get ur period 4x a year. that was the only good thing abotu the shot- not getting it. but im still struggling to get that wieght off. ive lost a little over 20lbs of it but its hard. i have such low self esteem bc of the weight gain. its a lot easier to put the weight on then take it off.
my cousin was on the shot and was an emotional mess also. got into a fight with her fiance over an egg salad sandwich and flushed her engagement ring down the toilet. normally shes the most laid back person ever.
i was talking to a friend abotu depo recently and she knows someone that was on it for about 9 months and gained over 100lbs. IMAGINE!
i wish i would have found this board before i ever took it.
i personally wouldnt reccomend this to my worst enemy... so i would reccomend to eveyone that is on it to get off. but thats just me. yea it works for some people but as its been said before... who really knows what the long term side effects are. if it can create this amt of ridiculous and sickening side effects with just one shot.. who the heck knows what it will do in the long run.

It simply amazes me how people react differently to meds. Like I mentioned, I gained no weight, didn't get depressed and it is easy for me to have a period once I have stopped depo(stopped twice, once from a broken leg((missed appt)) and the other d/t no ins). No period either, and I have been on it for ten years. My sister did gain weight (though she is inactive and worked at McDonalds at the time) and she got really depressed (but was pre-dispositioned for it, she still is depressed). I wonder if a lot of it has to do with underlying conditions or being pre-dispositioned. I was very active being a cheerleader for the first four years I was on depo. I danced a lot, worked out and so on. I did weigh a bit for me, but that was more going out and boozin. I was able to lose close to 30lbs by quitting drinking and working out again, plus changing my diet. I think Depo is good for some people, and not good for others. The hard part is having the bad affects after starting, and then having to deal with those when you stop taking the shot.

Another question I forgot to ask:
When I read the instructions for taking bc pills, or using the patch or nuva ring, it says to start using it at a certain point in your cycle. I have had my period for over 6 years, so how the heck am I supposed to know when that is? Or does it not matter?

Another thing, I have heard that the pill is less effective in overweight women, and someone I work with said her doctor told her she can't use the patch because she is overweight - this surprised me, she is an average-sized gal.
Does anyone know if this is true?
If it is, why can't overweight women just take a higher dose of the pill or something?
Does anyone know if the effectiveness of nuva ring is affected by what you weigh? This one kinda worries me b/c this is what I am thinking of switching to, but their official website makes a big deal about the fact that it has lower doses of hormones, and I was slightly overweight to begin with and am much more so now since taking depo. (at 5'7", I'm about 240lbs :eek: )
So if I switch to something else, will it not work because I weigh too much???

Sorry that was so long and so many questions...