depo and irregular bleeding

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-11-2003
depo and irregular bleeding
2
Fri, 09-17-2004 - 11:07pm
Hello I had a question that was bothering me. I have asked my girlfriends and no one seems to have an answer so I hope someone can help. Here goes...I have been on depo for a year now and I never had a period since I started the shot, but now for the second month it seems that I have one...I think. I bled last month very heavily for 10 days which was very unusual for me and this month it is very light almost non existant. I don't have any cramps or bloating or anything else PMS related. Can someone please tell me whats going on? Is it normal? Thanks for your help.

Janeen

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Fri, 09-17-2004 - 11:40pm
Hi jemz101, welcome!

Irregular bleeding on Depo is a common side effect. You aren't having your period as the strong progestin shuts down your ovaries so you don't ovulate. I'm sure other Depo users will be along to share their experiences. In the meantime you can search the archives for posts about Depo and bleeding. I hope your bleeding will be very infrequent. Let us know how you're doing, ok?

Good luck,

      Jill

    

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-01-2004
Sat, 09-18-2004 - 10:46am
Hi jemz101,

I've been on depo for almost 4 years. My bleeding varies. Sometimes, I'll go a long time without a period, and sometimes I'll have a regular one for a few months. I too was concerned, so I talked to my doctor about it. He explained that even though we are not ovulating, the body occasionally needs to "flush itself out". You will have a period when your body feels the need to shed the lining of the uterus. Depo can causes your body not to produce as much as what it needs to shed, which is why many women don't have periods at all. It depends from person to person - which is why we have random bleeding. I also think that your body changes over time so it will react differently to the depo at different times.

I don't think you have anything to be concerned about, but it never hurts to talk to your doctor. He/She should be able to explain things to you.

Good Luck, let us know if you have any more questions!

art278