Experience on Depo?

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-05-2004
Experience on Depo?
5
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?
iVillage Member
Registered: 11-01-2003
Wed, 05-19-2004 - 3:38pm
I just got the depo shot about a month and half ago, and so far I really like it. I was on the pill for a year before that and the shot is just way more convenient. Don't be too freaked out by all the negative postings about depo (like I was at first). The shot has side effects similar to any other bc pill, and some people's bodies will react differently to it then others. Overall though, I'd say these are the positives and negatives of depo.

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!

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-24-2003
Wed, 05-19-2004 - 5:23pm
Hi Anabel,

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

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-19-2004
Wed, 05-19-2004 - 5:25pm
I was on depo for about a year and loved it- except for the fact that it does not help depression. I have had a bad bout of post partum depression that i'm still struggling with over a year later. I have recently started the patch and am feeling much better. The only negatives for me were added depression and weight gain otherwise i loved and wished i could still be on it! Good luck!
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-17-2004
Thu, 05-20-2004 - 11:25am
I was on the Depo shot off and on for many years, and for the most part I loved it. I have 2 children and my life is way to scattered to say I can remember to take a pill every single day at the exact same time. It's very convenient in that aspect. Every person is different, but I didn't seem to have too many problems on it. Yes, there were mood swings, but it was generally about the same time every month so I assumed it would have been my normal PMS time or it was getting close to time for another shot. There were some spotting here and there, but nothing to worry about and much easier to deal with than a week long period. I had a little weight gain, but not much. Only about 10 or 15 lbs. Mostly just unable to loose anything. As far as going back every 3 months, they gave me about a 2 week window that I could call and get an appointment. And unless it's that time of year for your annual, they can usually fit you in around your schedule. I usually went to Planned Parenthood because there is a clinic based on your income close to where I live so it only cost me $7 every 3 months. And they always gave me a card telling me when I needed to call and get an appointment for the next shot. I'd simply write it on my calendar when I got home so I wouldn't forget. The only major down side I found was that if you think you might want to plan a child sometime in the next year you might want to try something else. The longer you are on the shot, the longer it takes to conceive when you go off it. I decided to stop getting it, conceived about 6 months later and miscarried within days of finding out the "good news". Then a few years later went off it again and after several trips to the hospital to stop labor, my daughter was finally born 5 weeks premature. My first daughter was completely perfect pregnancy, full term within days of the due date, and I was at work serving tables in a high volume restaraunt 2 days before I had her, and I was not on the shot prior to her being conceived. It is one of those things that if your body reacts negative to it, you can't take it back for at least 3 months. But if you body reacts in a positive way, then I think it's about the best form of bc out there with the least amount of human error involved. My only suggestion would be that if you later decide you want to try to have children and don't go back for your shot, switch to another form (maybe a non-hormonal type) for a while before getting your hopes up. If your body does react negatively on it, yes you have to wait for your period until you can go back on the pill. But there are other options you can use until that happens....condoms, spermicides, diaphrams, etc. All of which, when used properly or combined, can give you pretty close to the same percentage rate as the shot or pill.

Good Luck!!

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-07-2004
Mon, 05-24-2004 - 11:17am
I've been on Depo two seperate times and I had very different experiences both times.

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.