Frustrated and at a loss

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-06-2004
Frustrated and at a loss
2
Mon, 09-06-2004 - 10:46pm
Hi, I am new here.

I have been on depo for two years now, had a shot three weeks ago. But now I am having thoughts about switching back to the pill. I have gained a lot of weight in the last year, I had a problem with acne that wasnt pimples but they would turn red like blood blisters and then scar, and I have become very unhappy in life. Also my sex drive is non existant and its starting to hurt my relationship with my boyfriend.

I was on the pill for a couple of years before going on the depo and switched a lot due to hormone levels etc. I am just very frustrated with how I look, and how I am feeling. I am also worried of what will happen when I go off the shot. Can I go on the pill right away? am I going to get a crazy heavy period? My body adjusts pretty fast, I never got a period once I had my first shot. Spotted for a couple of hours twice in two years.

If anyone has any words of wisdom that would be great :) I dont want to go on the higher dose of hormones in the pill, maybe somewhere in the middle. I am fearing gaining more weight. I am a classical dancer and teacher, so I need to stay at a reasonable size. and I want my sex drive back.

thanks :)

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Tue, 09-07-2004 - 9:16am
Hi dance_chicka, welcome!

I'm a dancer too so I know what you mean about weight and complexion. I also lost my libido when on hormonal contraceptives. I didn't realize how bad I felt until I stopped hormones. Then I felt so much more alive and vibrant and my libido came roaring back, within a week!

There is nothing much you can do to rid your body of Depo, It will have to wear off over time, though strenuous exercise helps a bit. Some doctors start their patients coming off Depo on a hormonal contraceptive early to regularize their cycles. If you are interested in a hormonal method you could try NuvaRing. http://www.nuvaring.com/Consumer/index.asp It has the lowest dose of estrogen (15mcg) of any combined method available in the U.S. Or, you might want to consider an IUD. The non-hormonal ParaGard (Copper-T) http://www.paragard.com/ is effective for 10 years and the Mirena http://www.mirena-us.com/ , which continuously releases a tiny bit of progestin, is effective for 5 years.

I switched to vaginal barriers when I came off hormones more than 2 years ago and I couldn’t be happier with how well they work for me and I love being hormone free! I use is a cervical cap during my intermenses interval and a diaphragm for flow control and contraception during my period. Barriers do take discipline to use correctly but if they fit properly and are used correctly they are as effective as condoms. When wearing my diaphragm I can do splits, développés and land jumps with no leakage at all.

If you would like to know more about IUDs and diaphragms and cervical caps there is information in the FAQs at the top of the board. Thanks for posting. Let us know what you decide, ok?

Good luck,

      Jill

    

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-04-2004
Tue, 09-07-2004 - 6:06pm
when i came off the depo there was no heavy bleeding after i came off it it took a couple months for my peroid to come back. you can start a new birth control on the day that you are suppose to get your next shot.