Problems with the Depo shot?

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-28-2003
Problems with the Depo shot?
5
Sun, 11-14-2004 - 4:47pm
I just went and found a website about horror stories from women who have been on Depo Provera. I myself have been taking it for 9 months and am astonished to see that the side effects I am having are also being shared with others. First off, as soon as I started them I noticed that it was extremely hard, and still is, to become aroused. I'm not able to lubricate efficiently anymore and intercourse is actually painful now. Recently, I've been having neck pains and headaches. I want to know if I should stop taking this shot and what I should go on instead. The fact that I don't menstrate is freaking me out due to the fact that I have heard of women getting pregnant on the Depo shots. Does someone know what I should do besides talking to my doctor?
Avatar for wannabbygrl
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Sun, 11-14-2004 - 5:37pm
I'm no professional here, but I was on depo for 1 year and within 3 months I was completely unable to get aroused/lubricated. Sex got to the point that it was painful and obviously that was emotionally hard to deal with as well since I was in a very loving, sexually active relationship before the shot. I ended up having cysts all over my ovaries and being in pain almost all the time so, needless to say, I switched to the pill. My sex drive is still really low but I am able to get aroused now and enjoy sex. I have never heard of any single person that liked this shot. A friend of mine is an OBGYN and she said she absolutely hates writing the prescription for it and urges everyone to try every other form of bc before she gives them the shot. Anyway, I'm not helping here obviously, just relating. I definitely think you should talk to your doc. What you're experiencing is far from normal. I would ask for something with low hormones in it, but that's just me. Hope everything gets better soon!

Callie

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-14-2004
Sun, 11-14-2004 - 5:47pm
Actually, I`ve been on Depo for about a year and I really like it.

But, anyways, a lack of lubrication is generally related to the estrogen in your body being overrun by progestin. This isn`t just a Depo problem; women have a lack of lubrication and libido on other forms of birth control, too. It`s just finding one that works well with your body`s natural chemistry.

I, too, have read the horror stories and they weirded me out but I sometimes question whether all of the symptoms they attribute to Depo really could be caused by it. However, I`m sure that the strong, large doses of progestin on Depo really can do some bad things for certain people.

If you`re really anxious to get off of Depo, maybe you should look into something with a low dose of hormones as the other poster suggest. Nuvaring ( http://www.nuvaring.com ) is a 2-inch diameter, flexible ring inserted in the vagina for 3 weeks and removed on the 4th so that you can have a period. It has the lowest dose of hormones on the market and a lot of people on this board seem to really like it.

Just a word of forewarning, however. It can take up to a year, or longer in some instances, for the progestins of Depo to fully leave your system, so symptoms may continue for a while.

I wish you luck.

Lena

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-20-2004
Tue, 11-16-2004 - 11:12am
I was on the Depo shot for three years, and I gained a lot of weight, and suffered from low libido :( The weight gain was the worst, but I switched to nuva ring this summer and I am much happier, it is easy to use, less side effects, I also lost all the weight I gained while on the shot. It is worth researching, a little more expensive but so worth it!
Visitor (not verified)
anonymous user
Tue, 11-16-2004 - 5:04pm

Hiya,

I have been on depo for 4 yrs, and just recently became interested in ttc. What I've found that is best and worst about depo is that the drug has long-lasting wearing off period and some women have taken 2 yrs to conceive post-depo. I am definitely switching methods.
I have to tell you, too, that the weight gain I've had is terrible, not always lubed for sex, (But sometimes a little foreplay will help A LOT), and my skin is in chaos; discoloration and acne. The only good thing was not having a period!

Good luck with your decision,
Sarah:)

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-03-2004
Thu, 11-18-2004 - 1:29pm
Holy Smokes! This is the first time I've seen anyone else mention Cysts. I just had one cervical cyst removed and was told I had more internally. The cyst was not there before I began depo (6 months ago)I know this, because I had my annual exam right before beginning depo. Long story short, I bled for the entire 6 months I was on Depo and I have recently gone off it and begun the patch. Which isn't causing me any problems. I am convinced the Depo caused the cysts. My doctor really won't comment on that. I strongly advise getting off depo and getting on something less sketchy.