Depo and desire loss

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-29-2004
Depo and desire loss
4
Thu, 04-29-2004 - 4:09pm
Hi.

I was wondering if anyone had the same side effects as me on Depo (the shot). Loss if interest in husband, painful insertion, weight gain (more like inability to lose, even with high impact aerobics courses), sleepy. I believe I'm going to just stop taking hormonal birth control and go to condoms, as I was on the pill and was an emotional wreck (really, I was more controlled during my pregnancy). Any ideas?
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Thu, 04-29-2004 - 5:06pm
Hi jilsyt, welcome!

Loss of libido, dryness and weight gain are commonly reported side effects of Depo. If you decide to stop Depo you might want to consider using NuvaRing. It is a small ring worn in the vagina for 3 weeks and removed for 1 for your period. NuvaRing has the lowest dose of estrogen (15mcg) of any method in the U.S. and members who post about it usually seem to like it.

Good luck.

      Jill

    

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Fri, 04-30-2004 - 8:24am
We hear about those particular side effects with Depo a lot! It's great for some, and really not great for others, but don't feel bad, you're certainly not alone. Some pills are also not right for some women, if you only tried one, there may be another that might work for you better. If you can't stomach the thought though, condoms are pretty reliable! You might also look into a diaphragm or cap if you're interested on continuing with barriers, there's some information on the board webpage as well as in the links to iVillage and Reuters articles toward the top of the board.

Good luck!

Judie

Judie Cl for Birth Control 
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-04-2004
Tue, 05-04-2004 - 10:09pm
Hi,

I'm having the same effects as you are. I've been on the shot for 3 and half years. And I haven't tried any other birth controls because I do like the fact I don't bleed or have bad cramps every month. Untill about eight months ago I wanted sex all the time. Everything about my boyfriend turned me on. Now it seems almost nothing he does turns me on. I'm finding myself making excuses not to have sex. I'm only 22 years old, I'm not sure if it's normal at this age or its because of the Depo. I'm glad I don't feel alone with this. I really don't want to go off the shot and try something different. I'm just afraid if I do it will mess with my system. And it's worked so well for me. I'm trying to find a solution for the loss of my sexual drive.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-04-2004
Mon, 05-10-2004 - 12:04pm
I was on Depo for about 5 years and finally became so depressed by my lack of sex drive, weight gain and inability to lose weight even on a strict diet and exercise regimine that I quit. I've just started NuvaRing and am very excited at the possibility of getting my body back! I think I've gained over 20 lbs. from Depo over the 5 years or so that I was on it. I have a treadmill and work out regularly and try to eat healthy all the time but even when I stepped everything up and was dieting and running I still couldn't lose weight. That combined with the fact that I felt so unsexy and started NEVER feeling like having sex was really depressing. Not to mention a real bummer for my boyfriend who has been with me before, during and now after the Depo effects. I'll post an update after I've been on the Ring for a while and the Depo has had a chance to get out of my system. Good luck!