Starting Depo Tuesday ( i'm scared)

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-30-2004
Starting Depo Tuesday ( i'm scared)
5
Sun, 05-30-2004 - 5:39am
After about 10 years (I'm 27) of the pull out method, I got pregnant Since the birth of my baby last summer Ive gotten pregnant again had a miscarriage: BC NEEDED!

Tried the pill - terrible mood swings. WIll be trying Depo on Tuesday the June 1st.

Im already overweight by about 70 lbs.

I already get VERY BAD PMS (mood swings/headaches/weight gain/cravings/increased sex drive/shortness of breath/ fatigue/ and since i had the baby BAD CrrraaammmmpppS...grr)

I need to try something but I read this article with pros/ cons experience now Im just plain scared. How long should I try it for? What if I have a bad go at it,will the side effects remain? For how Long? What about you all? HELP!!!!!!!!


iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Sun, 05-30-2004 - 3:55pm
Hi msrmoore, welcome!

It will be an individual thing as to how you will react to Depo just like it is with combined contraceptives. A lot of women like Depo, though it can have some harsh side effects for others. You aren’t going to know how well it will work for you until you try it. If it doesn’t work well and you decide to stop it will take 3 months or longer for it to wear off. If Depo does work well for you then you could try it one shot (12-13 weeks) at a time to see if you continue to be satisfied. One thing to be careful of is if you decide to stop Depo after the time is past for your next shot you can no longer depend on it as a reliable means of contraception. You hear stories about women taking 18 months to ovulate after stopping Depo and that’s true, but others stop and ovulate the next month, so you would need to switch to another effective means of contraception a soon as you stop taking Depo. Let us know how you’re doing, ok?

Good luck,

      Jill

    

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-25-2004
Sun, 05-30-2004 - 11:42pm
Hello,

Not to scare you more, but I didn't fair well on the depo. I had been on BCP for 2 years before going on depo. I gained very little weight on the bcp. On depo I gained 50 lbs at least. I had mood swings and pms. I didn't have a period. I had terrible cramps. The last three months I was on it I was doubled over in pain. I was on it for 13 months. The first month I went off it I started my period like normal. On a good note, I didn't have to worry about pills, periods and getting pregnant. I sometimes think about going back on it just b/c it was so easy.

Good Luck!

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-30-2004
Mon, 05-31-2004 - 6:21pm
I was on depo after my first daughter, 5 years ago. I had only one shot of it. I had terrible cold sweats ALL THE TIME, I was roughly 50 lbs over weight before, and put on 30 (10 a month roughly). I was soooooo moody, and in a zombie like state, I was very foggy. I didn't get my period for a year after that first shot. To this day it is very irregular. My advice, I wouldn't do it, I would opt for condoms if the pill won't work for you. I absolutely hated it, and I can't say that enough! :) Good luck
iVillage Member
Registered: 09-15-2003
Tue, 06-01-2004 - 6:19am
Have you considered an IUD? The copper IUD may not be appropriate for you, since it can increase cramping with your period and you already seem to have pretty bad cramps. But the hormonal IUD can actually decrease pain and bleeding. It releases a small amount of hormone directly into the uterus, and very little hormone actual circulates in your blood stream so hormonal side effects are rare. If you do experience any side effects that you cannot tolerate, you can simply have the IUD removed. Whereas with the shot, you have to wait until it runs its course. The hormonal IUD is very safe, as effective as sterilization, lasts for 5 years, and requires no maintenance. Let me know if you have any questions or want futher information. You can also check out www.mirena.com.
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-01-2004
Tue, 06-01-2004 - 11:08am
Hi there. I've been on the shot for a couple years now. I have nothing but great things to say about it!

First of all, I'm one of the lucky ones that doesn't get a period at all. Yes, that's right...no period for going on 5 years I think.

Secondly, at first I actually went against the curve and LOST weight! I've since gained weight, but that I'm mostly attributing to my lack of proper eating habits.

Depo has been fantastic for me. If you have any specific questions, I can answer, let me know. I'm not in the healthcare field, but as I said, I've been taking the shot for several years, so I've got a little bit of background on it. :)

Don't be scared!

Cheryl :)