I am taking my black belt test in karate in a few months. The test is 6-8 hours long. One of my friends who is also testing said if we get deprovera shots now then we wont have our periods for the test. No cramps or fatigue,etc. Is this true? Is it safe? Does it up the odds for blood clots like the pill? We would only use it for a couple of months. Anyone who has experience with deprovera or its pros and cons please reply. Thanks in advance!

Everyone's body will react differently, so there's no way you can predict how yours will. A long time I ago I started getting the depo shot and I began spotting everyday in addition to a regular period. They kept telling me it would probably stop with the next shot. I got 4 shots (one year) and had spotting everyday of that year without fail. It never stopped and it was terrible. Plus I gained weight and had no sex drive. That's what happened to me. A friend of mine stopped getting periods immediately and really had no major side effects. So you never know!

I would advise against it. I was on it for a few years, should never have been. I spotted for the first couple of months, then I had bad fluid retention, and weight gain. I just think it does more harm than good. Ever since I've been off of it my period has been clotty. I never had that problem before.
Everybody's different but rather than take my chances with spotting or even having a constant period, which some people do at first, I would just use the traditional methods of dealing with your period.
Good Luck on your test,
Nodi

Hi,
I would suggest not taking it. I have been on it for a year and a half. I have lost a lot of hair due to the shot and there has been a new warning from the FDA regarding bone destiny loss with the shot. You should speak with your doctor about taking something else.

It is so true that not two people will react the exact same way on Depo, the same goes for any BC. I started when I was 16 and I had my last period, no cramping etc...I was a cheerleader for seven years and it was great. BUT, like said, you never know. You need to decide if this is the right kind of bc for you. I think it would be a good idea to talk to your dr. It can take one month, or six before you see changes in your menses. best wishes to you!
Oh, I am now off b/c of the risk for Osteoporosis, but I was on it for eleven years. If you get depo, be sure to discuss this risk with your dr.

That's funny because I was on that shot for 2 years and I didn't get any of those symptoms? Hmph! I guess it reall does vary from person to person...

most of the women i know who have had that would say , "no way!!"
they hate it. especially if you want to have a baby in the next couple of years. it may take a year for you to have a regular period. in my opinion don't do it. there are lots of other options out there.

Have you thought about just continuing on a birth control pill skipping the 4th week that way you don't get a period? The depo has so many side effects once you come off of it. If it is for short term use, I would say go for it, if you don't plan to get pregnant after coming off of it. I was on it for 2 years and I am having a lot of problems. However, when I first started it, it took about 5 months before I got no periods and was feeling much better on it. It is different for everyone and there is no telling.

I am taking my black belt test in karate in a few months. The test is 6-8 hours long. One of my friends who is also testing said if we get deprovera shots now then we wont have our periods for the test. No cramps or fatigue,etc. Is this true? Is it safe? Does it up the odds for blood clots like the pill? We would only use it for a couple of months. Anyone who has experience with deprovera or its pros and cons please reply. Thanks in advance!

You can successfully achieve no period using birth control pills. I wouldn't resort to something that can have devastating effects like Depo can just to skip a period.