Experience on Depo?
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Experience on Depo?
| Wed, 05-19-2004 - 10:05am |
Hey board-
I had been thinking about switching to depo-i love the idea of not getting your period. (I'm on Zovia right now-i can use it to skip them but when i do i usually end up spotting sometime during the second month so its not that helpful). But, it sounds like a lot of people are thinking of switching the other way...For those of you that are or have been on Depo, what was it like? What are the downsides? Do you have to get it exactly every three months? What if you are on vacation or something during that time?
I had been thinking about switching to depo-i love the idea of not getting your period. (I'm on Zovia right now-i can use it to skip them but when i do i usually end up spotting sometime during the second month so its not that helpful). But, it sounds like a lot of people are thinking of switching the other way...For those of you that are or have been on Depo, what was it like? What are the downsides? Do you have to get it exactly every three months? What if you are on vacation or something during that time?

Negatives:
You could gain weight, you feel kinda crappy after you get the shot, you may spot, etc. (see below)
Positives:
Never have to remember a pill, no period after a while
Although I love Depo, I am probably going to switch back to the pill at the end of these three months for one reason--I am the type of person who TOTALLY freaks out about whether or not I am pregnant, and I need that extra assurance of getting my period at the same time every month to know that I am not. If that factor bothers you as well, you might not want to try depo. Otherwise though, I'd suggest giving it a try!
I went on depo years ago, and I absolutely hated it. My body didn't react well at all. I had serious stomach aches, headaches, couldn't really eat, and my skin broke out. I was miserable... and so bummed, because I really wanted depo to work for me! The thing that sucked was I had to wait 3 months for all these side effects to go away. After the 3 months I decided to go back on the pill, but I had to wait for my period before i could start the pill again.... well my period didn't come for another 10 months, during which time I freaked out every month thinking I was pregnant. Anyhow.... I can't recommend it from my experience, it really screwed me up!
Jamah
Good Luck!!
The first time I was on it for about 2 years and it was great. I did have some mild side effects - I was hungry all the time, I gained weight (partly due to the depo, mostly due to being an emotional eater in a bad relationship). I loved not getting my periods and it was easy to use, only had to go to the doctor every few months. I stopped taking it because I left my boyfriend and just never bothered going back to the doctor again. It took over a year (almost 2) for my periods to come back after going off it.
The second time was in February and I had a horrible time this time. I lost my sex drive almost immediately. I was an emotional wreck, terrible mood swings, and just not a very nice person. I decided not to go back for the next shot because I hated myself like that.
This just goes to show that each person will react differently to Depo. If you do decide to start with it, it is imperative that you get the shot when scheduled, otherwise it is not effective. I was told that it was due on week 12, but I could get it as early as two weeks before that and up to one week after that. So you have a little bit of leeway when it comes due, but I would still plan to get it at the 12 week mark, just to be sure.