Depo Question

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-02-2004
Depo Question
5
Thu, 08-12-2004 - 8:59am
I have been getting a depo birth control shot, alittle after my daughter was born, so its been around 3 years. I didnt really gain weight when I started it but in the last 8 months or so I've gained about 20lbs. The weight seems to be all in my stomach, meaning I look like I'm preganant (I KNOW IM NOT). Someone told me that a friend of hers who was also getting shot had the same thing happen to her.

Is my protruding stomach the result of the shot or normal weight gain?

Remember Im not preganant.

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Thu, 08-12-2004 - 10:04am
Hi wants2bunknown, welcome!

Weight gain is a very common side effect of being on Depo, and it can occur even after years of successful use. So, it's entirely possible that the additional weight is because you are on Depo. I'm sorry, but that's the way it is. Thanks for posting.

Good luck,

      Jill

    

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-10-1998
Thu, 08-12-2004 - 12:47pm
Hi,

I had the same exact thing happen to me when I was on Depo. I was on it for 3 years also and gained 20 pounds, all in my stomach and hip area. Since I have been off it, which has been about a year and a half (because of the birth of my son), I have lost almost all 20 pounds. I have gone on Yasmin now and haven't gained any weight. I know how frustrating the weight gain is!

Laura
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-02-2004
Thu, 08-12-2004 - 1:55pm
Does all birth control make you gain weight? I guess I don't mind gaining weight all over but I hate having my stomach look so big, it's weird. I really like the depo shot because I have a bad memory and I really liked its percantage. Is there any birth control out thier thats easy to remember and take. What are the chances of me stopping the shot and my weight going down?
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Thu, 08-12-2004 - 7:06pm
You might want to consider NuvaRing: http://www.nuvaring.com/Consumer/index.asp Insert for 3 weeks and remove for one for your period. It's the lowest estrogen contraceptive on the U.S. market and the lowest maintenance combined method available. I hope you find an effective method that works for you.

Good luck,

      Jill

    

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Fri, 08-13-2004 - 8:36am
Depo is the only form of hormonal birth control that has been shown to increase weight significantly in the average user. Typical weight gain in the first year is said to be about six pounds, with about five pounds in following years. None of the other forms of hormonal bc have that same condition! Weight gain is possible with the pill/patch/ring, but it's not a certainty. We've had users here who have gained 30-40 pounds using Depo, it's more rare to find the women who didn't gain weight.

I've been using Nuvaring for a year and a half and I can vouch for the ease of use and effectiveness! If you have questions, just ask... I'm one of those who's been on hormonal bc for 7 1/2 years and I still don't weigh any more than when I graduated from high school 11 years ago.

Good luck!

Judie
Co-cl for Birth Control
Judie Cl for Birth Control