I'm 17, I just started two days ago, and my period stopped dead in the middle. Anyway, I've been told by lots of internet sites that depo can have terrible side effects. I was refered to this board. Any advice? Thanks very much.

Try posting this question on the Womens Health board. Depo is brought up on that board alot.

You should call you dr. immediately if you feel that you are having unusual side effect. The nurse or dr can relieve you worry faster than anyone on these boards can.

However, most BCPs will cause you period to be very short and light. I can't remember if I was on depo provea or not when I was younger. However, I took many types of bcp depeding on the dr. I saw. All of them made my period short and light and I had no cramping.

I wish I could say that today - lol. Clomid causes all type of cramping before AF starts.

[This message has been edited by Mindoo (edited 02-28-2003).]

Mindoo:
Depo Provera is a shot, not a pill. http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif

Snyder:
I have heard that it causes your period to stop also have heard bad things about Depo Provera. Then again, each person can react differently to each form of birth control. I personally would not choose to be on depo provera. However, I would suggest to do an internet research on the effects of depo provera. Also, like branded said, go to the womens health board. I have seen alot of posts there about depo.
Do as much research as you can before you take your next shot.
http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/wave.gif


[This message has been edited by Pinkroses (edited 02-27-2003).]

Pinkroses,
You are right. Depo is a shot. I've tried about all of types of b/c in my life. I was on b/c for about 12 years. I get them confused. But I dusted the dirt off my personal medical records, and looked up my experience with depo. I had three shots. I needed a different kind of b/c when I turned 32 because standard pills were making me extremely moody - like clockwork about 2 days before the end of each cycle. I'm a professional engineer and breaking down and crying in the middle of the day does not help in a male dominated environment. The shots didn't cause moodiness like the pills, and I had minimal side effects except for a sore hip for about a week. I also didn't have periods. However, that might be from the PCOS and not the shot. I wasn't aware I had PCOS until I started trying to conceive.

Pinkroses is correct. Read professional sites about depo ane learn all you can.

Sorry for the earlier goof up.

Mindy


[This message has been edited by Mindoo (edited 02-28-2003).]

Mindoo I'm curious have you been able to get pregnant?

Depo does cause lack of periods its totally normal. Usually PCOS does the same thing and that would have happened before you started the shot, I would think.

No, not yet. We have been trying for about 18 months. I do not ovulate or menstrate reguarly. At the time, I thought it was due to the shot. Now, I realize it was PCOS. I was on bcp for so long, I didn't know anything about my regular cycle.

Now that I'm on clomid and progeterone, I think how nice the days of no cramps and short periods were. Those days are gone.

I was on Depo for 5 years. I did not have a period for 5 years either. It took me 8 months to resume my periods again after I took my last shot. It took me 1 1/2 to get pregnant after I took my last shot. I also was taking the herb Vitex a month before I got pregnant. I read about it and it sounded like it could help me because I was not ovulating.

I am currently on Depo-Povera. I saw those web sites too and actually quit the shots for awhile and went back on the pill, until I realized the pill gave me migaines and yeast infections. I went back on the shot and have been on it for about 9 months. Just got a shot the other day! My arm was stiff for about two days and is fine now.

I have had no problems with the shot. When I went off the Depo the first time I had a period immediately. When I went back on it I quit having them(a little spotting for a couple of days last month).

You have to remember that these boards are for asking questions and venting. Some of the Depo boards I went to did not allow for "good" comments. Most people go to these boards because there is something wrong and that is what you hear about. So remember, for every number of unhappy comments there are probably alot more people that are happy with it.

As with any drug you have to be cautious. It can take up to 18mths to have a regular period after coming off of it so it is not recommended as a short term method of bc. If you plan to become pregnant in the next 18mths. or so I would recommend an alternative method.