Problems with the Depo shot?
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Problems with the Depo shot?
| 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?

Callie
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
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:)