Depo to stop bleeding of menopause? - Menopause Message Board

ChelseyJ · 03-11-2005, 05:04 PM

Have any of you ever had excessive bleeding while starting menopause and gotten the depo-provera shot to stop it? I was wondering because my mother was having excessive bleeding, like weeks at a time and the doctors put her on depo. Is this because of menopause? I don't know much about it because my mother doesnt really talk to me about that stuff, but my mom's boyfriend told me that she was having continuous periods, and that it might be early menopause or cervical cancer.....she is only 42. So anyways I don't really know if it is menopause, but my moms boyfriend told me she told him it was early menopause...Do wemon with menopause have continuous bleeding? And get the shot for it? I know she is on Depo because I saw a doctors reciept.....so do any of you know anything about this? Is it menopause?
Thanks.

nailchick2000 · 03-12-2005, 04:48 PM

I've been having the same problem.. I'm 40. About ten years ago, I was spotting between periods. I was diagnosed with endometriosis. The doctor performed a d&c, and gave me six monthly shots of depot lupron. This stopped my periods by surpressing estrogen so my body could heal. I didn't have any other problems until last year.. I bled for 3 months strait, but this time I had no medical insurance and couldnt afford treatment. After some desperate research, I found that some women don't produce an egg every month. If no egg is produced, there is no trigger to produce progesterone hormone neccessary to stop the blood flow. I went out and bought "Emerita ProGest" cream and applied it as directed. My bleeding stopped within a few days. I had no more problems until a month ago.. Once again.. nonstop bleeding.. once again ProGest.. I'm fine now. So don't worry too much, could just be hormonal. I am going to visit a doctor Wednesday to get checked out anyway.

mgraylorn · 03-14-2005, 09:26 AM

At about 46, I started bleeding between periods and had longer periods while I was on the Pill. I had to go off the Pill because the doctor discovered I had high blood pressure. I tried Micronor, a progesterone only birth control pill, but continued to bleed. I got to where I had heavy painful bleeding with lots of clots for most days of the month. I'd only have a day off here and there when I wasn't bleeding. I was diagnosed with fibroids, one the size of a ping pong ball, and two or three smaller ones, one was submucosal (within the uterine lining.) My gyn theorized the submucosal one was causing the continuous bleeding, but had no real answer. Since Micronor wasn't working after about 4 months, I went to Depo Provera shots. It took a bit, but my bleeding and cramping lessened, and now I think I am about to stop having periods altogether while I am on the Depo.

Starting menopause, or perimenopause is as good as any explanation as to why I started continuous heavy bleeding. Not all women have this symptom, but some do. Your Mom is not too young to be starting perimenopause, some women start it as soon as their late 30s.

ChelseyJ · 03-15-2005, 02:09 AM

Thank you nailchick and mgraylorn for your responses! I really appriciate it. It helps me feel better about how my mom is doing to hear this from you, I was worried about her and it makes me worry more when she doesnt like to talk about those things. I hope your doctor appointment went ok nailchick.

mgraylorn have you felt any negative side effects from the depo? I was on depo a while back and I got about every bad side effect that comes along with it, not to mention bad anxiety. I'm 22 and it had stopped my periods aswell (I know its supposed to do that) I was on it for about 9 months and now I've been off of it for about 4 months now and I still don't have a period. I only had a little bit of spotting back in Jan. and thats been a long time now........I just hope it doesn't give you or my mother, or anyone else the same side effects that I had to go through! But I'm glad it helps you. I would imagine it would be a relief to stop bleeding that much.

Thank you both so much for your replies! Good Luck.....I hope you both feel better!

mgraylorn · 03-15-2005, 08:31 AM

I've been on Depo for almost 2 years and have not had any negative side effects. It took a long time to shut off the bleeding, but considering I was heavily bleeding before I started it, I can't really blame that on the Depo. If the Depo hadn't worked, I was headed for a hysterectomy - had it scheduled in fact, but cancelled when I stopped bleeding. It is SUCH a tremendous relief not to bleed any more! The pain, mess, fatigue and anemia every day were really debilitating. In the literature there is some question about bone density and long term use, but I take plenty of calcium supplements, try to eat calcium rich foods, and exercise, so I hope I can stay on Depo until I go through menopause. I guess I am one of the lucky ones, I read that a lot of women can't tollerate Depo and have problems concieving after they get off it.

ChelseyJ, your periods should come back with time, sometimes it takes up to a year to get them back. If you were still taking Depo you would have been due your shot only one month ago, so technically, you have only been off it one month. I believe there are treatments you can get from your doctor to kickstart the menstrual cycle again, but give it at least 6 months before you go that route. If you are sexually active, I hope you use birth control - I wouldn't count on not having periods when off Depo to keep you from getting pregnant.

Hopefully Depo will work for your Mom without unpleasant side effects. I never really talked with my mother about "women problems", neither one of us felt comfortable about it, so I understand where your Mom is coming from.