switching to the shot

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-07-2006
switching to the shot
7
Sat, 08-12-2006 - 10:35pm
I have used the pill for 5yrs and still forget to take it. I thought about switching to the shot but not so sure its a good idea. Any advise would be great.
Avatar for melissa_jpf
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-03-2003
Sun, 08-13-2006 - 9:08am
I have heard/read only negative things about the shot. I've never used it myself, but my sister did a few years ago and she hated it. I believe she gained about 40 pounds while using it.
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Sun, 08-13-2006 - 11:35am

Hi thethreebrysons, welcome!


      Jill

    

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-16-2005
Sun, 08-13-2006 - 12:18pm

If you like the pill and are not having side effects from it other than forgetting to take it, then what about setting an alarm on your watch or associating an activity that you do at the same time of day with taking your pill? When I was on the pill, I set my alarm on my watch to the time of day that I took it (in the morning when I would always be home anyways) and made sure to stop what I was doing and go take it or reset the alarm to 10 minutes or a time that wouldn't make a difference in effectiveness.

On the other hand, I have only heard negative things about Depo (weight gain, bone loss, fertility loss, can't stop side effects because it lingers for months in your system). I would talk to your doctor about options that may be right for you. From this board it seems like a lot of ladies like NuvaRing. Would an IUD be a good option for you? Do you know about them? There is a FAQ on the main page of this board for more info. Good luck!

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iVillage Member
Registered: 07-03-2006
Sun, 08-13-2006 - 5:35pm

My advice from personal experience DONT DO IT.

I was on the shot for about a year and a half, at first I liked it because I never had any periods expect right as I was almost due for a new shot. But after about a year I started to get horrible horrible headaches daily. I tried everything, was in for an MRI, on preventatives, taking so many pain pills to get rid of the headaches that my stomach would cramp up to the point where I felt I should be in the ER for stomach pain. Eventually I stoped the shot and after some time the headaches faded and I was able to go off the preventatives completely. Also I noticed my weight creaped steadly while on the shot and after 2 years of being off of it I still do not weight what I did before. So I would seriously not recommend the shot, try Nuva Ring, the Patch, an IUD, or wait for implanton to come out.

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-18-2003
Mon, 08-14-2006 - 9:52am

I have not heard of a birth control method yet that someone doesn’t like but it seems that the shot has more negative feedback than most methods.

That said, I am currently using the shot. I like it fine and I am losing weight while using it. I am also doing weight watchers to get rid of weight from a pregnancy. I have a 4 month old and am breastfeeding, so I need to use either minipill, shot, IUD or non-hormonal methods (like condoms or diaphragm). I picked the shot. I haven’t really had bleeding but a little spotting. I am due for my second shot Thursday.

You might want to try the patch or nuvaring before trying this. I really loved the patch but cannot use it while breastfeeding.

Good luck deciding.
Holly

Holly
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-10-2006
Mon, 08-14-2006 - 6:53pm
I was on it for a couple years and I really didn't have any of the side effects.

Angela

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-04-2004
Mon, 08-14-2006 - 11:06pm
I was on the shot for 9 months and I hated it! It was horrible! I was spotting every single day, cramping, headaches, I gained 40 pounds in 1 month (from size 5 to 11). I stoped taking it and it took me an entire year to get my period back and I think the only reason I did get it back was because I went on the pill and it made me have my period. It also killed my sex drive and made it very painful (not very fun when you first get married). It made me extremly moody. So, I would not recomend this to anyone
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