Birth Control Question - Normal,IL

Updated on February 25, 2010
A.T. asks from Bloomington, IL
10 answers

Hi Moms!
I have a question that is really kind of personal. After I had my daughter in September of 2008 I went on the Deop shot. I stayed on for a little over a year. I didn't like the side effects of the shot, so I switched back to my favorite method, The Ring. I had used The Ring for 4 years with no problems before we decided to have our last baby. But after her birth, my doc said I could not use the ring becuase i was nursing - so I got the shot.
The entire time I was on the shot I didn't get a period. I have now been on the ring for 2 months. So here is my question: I have been having my period almost the whole month. This seems weird to me. Previously when on the ring I only had my period the week that the ring is out. Why would I have my period when the ring is in? And for the whole month? Is it possible that maybe the ring isn't working or something, like maybe I got a defective box? (I checked the exp. date, and it is ok)
I am just terrified that it might not be working and that I could get pregnant. My husband thinks that maybe since I hadn't had a period in so long that my body is trying to "catch up"
So anyway, what are your thoughts? I do have a GYN appt. scheduled for April and will ask about it then. I was just wondering if this has happened to anyone else.
Thanks! A.

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K.L.

answers from Washington DC on

Its definitely related to the shot. I had been on depo years ago without any problems. After I had my son, I went on depo again. Between my 1st and 2nd shot I had a 2 wk L. period which stopped a few days after getting the shot. 2nd and being due for my 3rd shot I had a 4 wk L. period. I switched to the pill at that point and I bled for another 5 wks until switching to another pill. The dr said it was all related to depo.

I've now been on Ortho Cyclen for over a year and am completely 100% satisfied with it!

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J.Q.

answers from Chicago on

I am on the depo shot, and bleed (heavy and light) for about 3 weeks once, maybe twice a year. I, like your husband, think it is like my body trying to catchup.

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S.R.

answers from San Francisco on

I've never used the ring but I was on the depo shot for 9 months. I rarely had a period on it. It took me almost a year to get my period back and when I did it was painful and irregular. I was in 24/7 pain with or without a period for about 4 months before going on the pill and getting regulated.

For anyone out there considering either of these options, I do not recommend the shot due to the side effects I experienced. I also know someone that was on it for years and developed a blood clot in her leg. I also continually had syptoms of pregnancy off and on the whole time and since I wasn't having periods I spent alot on tests.

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E.W.

answers from Chicago on

It's definately from the shot...I was on Depo for 3 years and then switched back to the pill and when I did I got my period for three months straight...it was horrible! Once I finally told my OB/GYN that I had my period for 3 months, he was concerned and gave me some medication to stop it...

I will NEVER reccommend the shot to anyone because after going off it, I was in SO much pain that my doctor did an exploratory laparoscopy to see if I had endometriosis (which I didn't, I had scarring but no actual endometriosis they could see, but I did have a condition called congestion of the pelvis) and he found that I had a ton of cysts on my ovaries caused by being on the shot...(I later switched to Nuva Ring because I didn't like the pill and loved it - I never had any problems on it at all, I'm only off it now because we wanted a family)

I would suggest calling your doctor and telling them what's going on...they may want to see you sooner...

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C.J.

answers from Dallas on

I was never on Depo but used the ring for several years. And I can't say that I ever had anything happen similar to your situation. When on the ring, my periods came like clockwork.

Just an opinion, but it might have something to do with going back and forth between the two. I know Nuvaring has a much lower hormone level than some of the other BC methods.

Might be worth going to your pharmacist or doctor (where ever you get your Nuvaring supply) and ask them to swap it out just in case you did get a "defective batch".

Hope everything works out. You might want to take other precautions just in case until your doc can sort everything out.

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G.B.

answers from Tulsa on

I'd ask the OB/GYN since he would be the one to know for sure.

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R.R.

answers from Chicago on

I had a similar experience after getting off of Depo. It's probably a side effect.
You should call and talk to the nurse, just to be sure. If nothing else, she'll help set your mind at ease.

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S.S.

answers from Chicago on

Bleeding is not fun, and I would recommend that you see a doctor sooner. Blood loss can lead to an iron deficiency over time which will make you quite lethargic. Your body might be adjusting to the change, like hubby said, but it sounds like a long time. Are you in any pain? If you are then perhaps you need to reassess another form of birth control. Since you are bleeding, it seems like it is unlikely that you would be pregnant or get pregnant. Although again that is up to doctor to determine. Just to ease your mind why don't you change your appointment if at all possible.

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A.F.

answers from Columbus on

My sister-in-law was on the shot and she bleed for a very long time after getting off the shot. I agree with your husband, your body is just trying to catch up. If your bleeding doesn't stop within the next couple weeks I would call your Dr office, they can probably tell you over the phone if that is normal or get you in sooner if they think it is an issue. I'm sure everything is fine but it sucks to bleed that long :) Good luck!

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J.E.

answers from Chicago on

I personally think you should call the der or talk to a nurse there. You could have a fibroid or somehting damaged after the birth, i woudl get that ruled out first then blame it on the change of all those hormones and shot/drugs or the ring.
good luck , J.

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