Help! I just received the Depo-Provera shot yesterday and THEN did the research after the fact. I feel like I have made a HUGE mistake because I am reading alot of negative things about the shot. Mostly gaining weight. Does anyone have anything positive to say about the shot? Is there anyone out there who DIDN'T gain weight? Also, alot of the side effects that I am reading about are from people who were on it for atleast a year. I would like some feedback about what to expect from the first shot (because I don't plan on getting another one). Please help - any and all information is welcome!

I'm going to be honest with you. It may not be the best choice for everyone. The first three months were rough but after that I love it. I only say they were rough because I had hotflashes! I am 25 with hotflashes. They faded the 3rdmonth and i haven't had them since. I love Deppo because I don't get my period. I haven't had any drastic side effects from people I know. However I hear it is hard to get preg. after you are on the shot, so if you plan on stopping and suddenly wanting kids, you may consider reconsidering. Weight gain is usually water weight. I'd only worry about it the first 3 months, and if you eat right and excerise its not a problem. It wasn't a problem for me.

Don't panic, I'm sure you will be fine. I know plenty of women that love it. Just call your doctor if something doesnt feel right!

I was on it for a year and three months. As far as the weight thing, I have another medical condition that makes it hard for me to gain weight. I have always been underweight...but I gained about 12 pounds on the shot, and 10 of them were in the last 6 months I was on it (during which time I was exercising more than usual)! So, the weight gain definately happened to me, but I didn't mind so much since I was underweight to begin with. I got off of it because of all the potential problems, and it made me break out really bad.

I was on depo for over a year because of health issues and I gained 30 pounds. I had other conditions that might had played into that too but from friends who have had the shot, they're appetites increased dramastically. I just recently went off the shot and now I'm on a pill. Its alot better because I dont feel as depressed and tired as I usually was on the shot. The ONE shouldnt hurt you but I wouldnt suggest the shot to anyone.

I was on it from 2000-2002. I was also on celexa that could have caused the weight gain and the depression. Also had marriage and money problems.

I went off it and on other forms of b/c: condom, nuva ring, tried the patch once or twice all between 2002-2005.

2005 we decided to have a baby and got the ovulation kit and in two weeks got pregnant! all birthcontrol can have an effect on getting pregnant not just the depo.

I'm going back on it because I've tried several different kinds of B/C after having my baby and nothing is working, you name it I've been threw it. and going on again off again only makes it worse. Mood swing city on the patch, the ring and othro cyclen, mood swings are my major problem. Bleed for a month straight on ortho cyclen. Doc said that all progesterone in the pills are basically the same but estrogen varries. estrogen causes the mood swings. I've heard alot about yaz but I just don't feel like taking another pill every day and still having a period and still having another prescription to pick up every month! I decided that if I went back on the shot I wouldn't have to deal with PMDD (that I've either had all my life and mistook it for depresion and anxiety or it just got worse and I finally figured it out postpartum after having a baby (and switching careers!) you've heard all the stories of the first year postpartum I'm sure!
I went back to the doc thrusday and got the shot and don't have to go back till august! no periods all summer! I've already stopped bleeding! so far no mood swings which I would have by now on anything elese.

I've noticed some water weight gain, so I'm giving up diet soda and going to ice tea and water only. I'm also taking directics. I do believe it may make you a little depressed but I started welbutrin SR I was on prozac for PMDD but since I won't ovulate on the shot I shouldn't need the prozac, which is one of the only anti-depresants approved for PMDD, I'm working my way up to the 150XL and I love the excitement it gives me for life! I tried not to take the welbutrin today, we have a wedding to go to for our two best friends are getting married and it's going to be an all nighter but I sat on the couch all day. My best friend called and kept asking what was wrong I said I wasn't taking the welbutrin because drinking and welbutrin can cause sesuires but I'm about willing to give up the party drinking to go back on my welbutrin I love the drive for live it gives me!
I hope you find your right medication! Just stay away from the salt, drink lots of water and go for alot of walks in the sunshine this summer! you'll be fine! If I didn't trust it I wouldn't go back on it five years later, and all those people that told me it wasn't right not to have a period! I have a living breathing little one year old sleeping in the next room to prove that it's okay, trust in god he'll take care of you! I'm so releived already! and it's only been a week no pads, no tampons no bleeding, no pills no prescriptions to pick up, no mood swings and most off all no anxiety over the anxiety I would be getting in another week when I ovulate and color my hair five times in one week, take seven pregnancy tests, one every day and change my work and school schedule fifteen times. that was the worse with my PMDD, mood swings and mind changes! Good luck!

I know that I am often in the minority, but I was on depo for 4 years and absolutely loved it. I had no side effects, never got a period, and all was well. It just depends on the person. All medications have a risk of side effects, you'll just have to see how it works for you, but don't let all the risks make you too crazy.

Severe cdepression.. bled **6** months straight and now am anaemic.. and gained 20 lbs.. ALL in the tummy. I look like Im pregnant again. I only had 2 shots and Im messed up pretty bad. I also lost breast mass and tone.. had to go on antidepressants from the depression.. terrible experience.

Now Im on norinyl 1/50 and things are MUCH better... but according to the gyno I will have probloems from this poisonous shot for some time to come while we get my hormone levels straightened out and etc.


Weight gain you ask about??? Im a very athletic 35 yr old that gets mistaken for a mid 20 yr old.. not anymore. 20 lbs in 5 months.. alll.. I repeat ALL gut fat. Funny thing is that I have not taken another shot and Im still gaining weight. Doc says I might continue until we get the hormones leveled out and all.

I was on Depo for 4 years. I was always athletic and a size 6 or 8. After starting the shots I gained 45 pounds, and lost my "drive." I gained weight all over but have to say it IS mostly belly fat. I have been on other forms of BC for 7 years now. I do have a desk job but am active with horses(barn cleaning, feeding and training/riding on a daily basis.) I still cannot get the belly off, no matter how much I work out!

Some words of advice about Depo
I started depo when i was 19 and stayed on it for over three years. I only stayed on it because I was lazy and it was convenient. I had such a horrible experience and I thought all methods of birth control would be the same. I was always very thin and small framed and went from 105 pounds to 135 pounds in a year on my 5'2 frame.
I experienced tons and tons of mood swings for the first year and then they subsided.
I had spotting every other cycle or so that was equivalent to a period.
I also had strong feelings of a foreign substance in my body.
But i was in college and had a boyfriend (still the same one :) almost 5 years) and needed a contraceptive. I had also had many friends who experienced similar side effects on regular pills. I also had friends who had absolutely no side effects on depo and lost weight on it and once they went off put on weight. So... every body is different.

Finally I threw in the towel and started Yasmine and its been 1 year now. I LOST ALL THE WEIGHT I had put on within THREE MONTHS! (30-35 pounds) I feel absolutely NO SIDE EFFECTS and I FEEL NORMAL!

There are also many studies which show that Depo causes bone density loss and induces early osteoperosis.

My BEST ADVICE, if you feel crappy after your first cycle (3 months) if you want to give it another 3 months, go ahead. But if after 6 months you notice the side effects are still there, youre putting on weight, and spotting etc. Please go off, it probably wont get better. Do yourself the favor that I did not do for myself.

Thanks

First off, when you hear these depo horror stories, please remember there are MILLIONS of women out there on depo very happy with it, it is mainly the ones with problems that come to boards like this.

I've been on depo for almost 4 years now. I love it. Yes, I bled at first for a few months but now I have had no period for years. As for the weight gain, I LOST 30lbs on depo (with diet and exercise). Yes, it increases your appetite but that does not mean you need to eat everything in sight. I think a lot of women use depo (as well as having babies) as excuses for weight gain. I don't think depo causes (in most women) any insurmountable weight gain. Stick to diet and exercise and you keep the weight off (or lose it like I did). I recommend depo to everyone.

First off, when you hear these depo horror stories, please remember there are MILLIONS of women out there on depo very happy with it, it is mainly the ones with problems that come to boards like this.

I've been on depo for almost 4 years now. I love it. Yes, I bled at first for a few months but now I have had no period for years. As for the weight gain, I LOST 30lbs on depo (with diet and exercise). Yes, it increases your appetite but that does not mean you need to eat everything in sight. I think a lot of women use depo (as well as having babies) as excuses for weight gain. I don't think depo causes (in most women) any insurmountable weight gain. Stick to diet and exercise and you keep the weight off (or lose it like I did). I recommend depo to everyone.


That offends me.. I certainly didnt and dont use babies and depo for weight gain! Ive had 4 children adn this is the only one I took depo with and the ONLY one I cant lose weight from.. Im a VERY health concious person and have always been thin, have a freaking home gym in my basement that is used regularly, and have lead a healthy lifestyle for YEARS.Yes, oh uninformed one.. it DOES cause insurmountable weight gain per my physician and my own experience with it. Ive ONLY gained in my midsection and thighs/butt. Ive been off of it for 3 months and am STILL having issues related to it IE endocrinologist confirms very low estrogen still and etc.

Dont babble unless you know.

First off, I did not say YOU blamed depo or babies for weight gain, I said A LOT of women do (please read properly before you get so defensive).

Secondly, my Dr. stated very clearly that any weight gain is due to increased appetite, therefore, the weight gain is not a guarantee.