Newbie - hello and questions about Depo

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Newbie - hello and questions about Depo
2
Thu, 07-17-2003 - 11:08am
Hi,

I am new to this group and have been lurking for a few days. I am TTC#2, and was hoping you could give me some information/resources.

My name is Marina and I am 25.

I was on BCP for about 1.5 years before TTC#1. I got lucky and got PG within a month of going off the pill. I was totally shocked that I got PG so quickly, as I was sure my body would not be too thrilled with going off the pill. I even went to the doctor to complain that no one told me about the problems with going off the pill, and instead discovered I was PG. What a pleasant surprise.

Now, fast-forwarding... I have been on Depo Provera since September 2001. I had my last shot Feb. 5, 2003. I haven't had a single sign of AF, so I don't even know where to begin temping and charting. Is it even beneficial to chart if I haven't gotten my cycle back? Will I just depress/worry myself more and not enjoy "trying"? Do any of you have any suggestions after Depo? Any success stories? I realise that I haven't been TTC for too long, but I am also bothered by the complete lack of cycle.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thank you all!

Marina

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-23-2003
Thu, 07-17-2003 - 11:41am
Hi! We have just started TTC after being on depo for 8 years. My last shot was March 2002 and AF returned in Dec 2002. If your last shot was in Feb then it would be at least after May before it was out of your system. If AF doesn't return in the next few months you may want to see your doctor to kick start it. All the research I have done says it doesn't matter how long you were on it 3 mo or 10 years, but it can take up to a year for your body to get back to normal. Wish you the best of luck!

-Michele

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-24-2003
Thu, 07-17-2003 - 12:19pm
Hi Marina! Welcome to the board. I've been here for about a month now and I too used to use Depo. I stopped in July of 2001 and am still working on TTC #1. My Dr. said that it could take up to 18 mos to get PG. I've read where it can take a year to even begin ovulating after Depo. But everyone is different so don't become disheartened. We're going one more cycle with an OPK then if no PG, we'll be heading for a Laparoscopy. But we're very hopeful and our OB/GYN is wonderful and that helps us keep a positive attitude (although I'm human and I do have my not-so-happy-days.) Regarding your period, I was kind of all over the place with mine after I stopped. I pretty much only kept track of the days I was "showing" and the days I wasn't. I started to become regular around March of 2002 and started actually charting BBT's and CM in April and I was still a little erratic. I'm totally back to regular cycles now, however, I quit the BBT's and CM checks about 6 mos ago because I wasn't getting anywhere with that (except I did know the very day AF was coming because of that drop in the temperature.) If you're going to chart, I would wait until you actually start having a show and maybe even until you're a little more regular with your cycles. There's so much variation even in a normal cycling woman that coming right off Depo I think might drive you a little batty. Take this time and enjoy yourself and start reading up on charting if you haven't. The bible for charting is Taking Charge of Your Fertility which is really good and informative. GL and hope to see you in the BFP section really soon!

Susan