Depro Vera

I am 27 with three kids and I have the IUD and I love it. I completely forget I have it. It is good for 10 years and cost only around 400.00. I recomend it to everyone.

I am the mother of 4 and I also tried the depo shot between child 2 and 3, but also had the same issues I actually gained more than when I was pregnant in my last month. I got off of it. I have heard great things regarding the bandaid that lasts for 7 days. We decided after number 4 that my husband would just take care of things on his end.

The shot is horrible for weight gain. I was on it when I was in High school and a little while after. I gained about 60 pounds before I stopped taking it. I was off of it for about a year, then went back on. I had horrible side effects the second time(stomach cramps to the point I couldn't stand up, lightheaded etc.) I finally went off of it and started the pill. I never lost the weight until I went to before and after weightloss center. But, I also had two boys inbetween that. My advise, the shot is great for not having periods, but makes you blow up like shamu. Switch to the pill and take up some cardio classes. it will help

The depo shot will do this to you. i was on the shot before i had my daughter and started to gain weight i stopped the shot and immediately got pregnant so be careful if your pass due on the shot. a lot of my friends have taken the shot and they all have gained weight like crazy. best thing to do is stop the depo shot and get on something else. good luck H.

S.,
I also used the depo. It made me gain large amounts of weight and eveyone I know that used it went through the same thing. Now I'm using the Mirena. It's an I.U.D that lasts 5 years. It fits in the palm of your hand and you can't feel it. It taked about 2 minuted to be inserted and then you forget about it. The only thing that I didn't like is that I had a menstrual cycle for about 2 months after but they said that is to be expected. Now I just spot every now and again. Sometimes women will stop their cycle all together but everyone is different. You should ask your obgyn about it. I love it. They just check it at every annual visit. Well I hope all works out for you.

Honestly I would not advise the depo shot, as we call it. My had my doctor prescribe it to my daughter only to learn two years later that it causes bone density loss and may cause osteoporosis. I was advised to have my daughter tested on her bone density since she had been on it two years. She didn't really gain to much weight but she did go thru some moods swings at first.

S. -

My advice is to get off Depo RIGHT AWAY...any other birth control is going to do your body better. I was on it for 9 months in college and went from 115 to 138 on a 5'0" frame. I'm 31 now and still have problems getting and keeping the weight off from what I gained over this time. I've never gotten back under 120 since then. Also, I experienced mild to moderate deperession while I was on it and failed some classes b/c of my mental state. I don't want to scare you or anything, but IMO it's much better to have your period and use other birth control methods than to stay on this chemical monster. Warn all your friends too. Everyone I know of (2-3 others) who has used Depo has had a terrible time with weight. I hope this helps.

-Charli
____@____.com
Gainesville, FL

I used the Depo shot about 10 years ago. It says that you can gain 5 pounds every three months, i gained 5-10 pounds a month and had a extremely hard time loosingthe weight. So i feel your pain! I stopped the depo shot and when onto bith contro pill, i had issues with that so after i had my second child i talked about the IUD. My doctor highly recommened it, so i use the 5 year Meraina IUD. It is hormone released and i love it! I have had it for just under 3 years now and would not trade it for the world! I have had no side affects, no weight gain, and my menstrual cycle is barely anything anymore. I would recoomend it to everyone! The Depo shot is just awful! I hope this helps you make your decision to go with an IUD. And the IUD does not have to stay in for the 5 years incase you plan on having more kids. One other thing, my docotr said that the 10 year IUD is wore on side affects and on your menstrual cycle. I hope you like the IUD just as much as i do.

My aunt had the same problem you did when she got hte Depro Vera shot. She got off of it right away. I heard the IUD is good! Talk to you OBGYN about the different kind of birth controls because I know up in Pennsylvania where I am orgianlly from they have a new one out. I forget what it's called but you can look up the different kind of Birth controls on the internet. THe new one is some kind of rubber thing I think and all you do is put it in you and can take it out anytime you want. I will Try and look it up for you and see if I can get the name and then send you another message on what the name is.

Here is a website I foudn on teh birth control I was talking about
http://www.plannedparenthood.org/birth-control-pregnancy/...

and it has allthe other birth controls too! Hope I helped you a little

Good Evening! Well, your not the only one who has gained weight with Deprovera shots. I know a lot of friends who have had the same problem, and ended up with other alternatives to birth control. I can't believe that your doctor didn't tell you that weight gain was a side effect. And for him not to tell you thats the problem.. Hmmmm! I would find another alternative. The IUD isn't the best either. Some women have had infections and problems with the IUD.. Just look over all your options and weight the pro's and cons and make your decision from there. Best of Luck!

Hi S....a month and a half after I gave birth..I got the Depo also..omg, I gained 20 pounds and my period never left since I gave birth till 5 months after..I had headackes and even hotflashes(which to this day almost a year later still suffer occacionally). I hated it, I was misearable!! So I decided on my next doctor visit to get the "patch" and I loved it!!! I got my period normal and it was perfect..I stopped it a few months ago..I really don't know why..but I'm probably will go back to...but I really know who u feel about the Depo..stop using it if u can..I did and it was the best I've done so far! Good luck!

From what I understand from women and from working with OB/Gyn's, weight gain is a very common side effect and it is a reason many women choose the IUD. I have heard this weight gain story over and over from women. Look on the internet and see if it's a side effect. You can type the name in any search engine and get common side effects of drugs. I wish you well in your birth control endeavors, as most women quit depro, weight gain is a very unwanted side effect! Best wishes, S.

Hi S.
I was on the depo shots for for six years. I never had weight gain issues, but I did have issues coming off of the depo shot. I rarely had a period with depo, never on any schedule, and I suggested an IUD to my doctor who suggested me considering having a tubal ligation (as I was not planning any more children). When I came off depo, I had my tubes tied, and they said well your period should come regularly within a year. If not, come talk to us (OB/GYN). Next annual pap, it still was rarely coming and they said well actually 2 years to get it back. When it came back to a monthly period it was awful! SO.. having to wait to have a baby is totally right because you may not get regular right away. I seen a commercial for a new kind of IUD on local channels recently, perhaps, ask about that? My suggestion is that if you are planning on having more children someday, to find a different kind of bc, because it may take some time to get your period back on a regular basis, therefore making it hard to conceive.
Best of luck.
L.

oooh S., I did the Depo years ago & I too gained almost 60lbs!! I stopped taking it & within a few weeks I dropped almost 1/2 the weight, then over time most of the rest went away but I was never the same size again, maybe 5lbs heavier than when I started it, but I was just relieved it was gone.

Oh another thing I experienced wa total loss of interest in sex. Kinda ironic...considering it was a type of birth control. I never got horny, so no sex, so no risk getting preggers.

I finally did some research on the web, read some sites other women created to share their experiences; most had weight gain, most had trouble geting pregnant for up to 4yrs after being off it, and some had the same lack of interest in sex that I did.

I really thing the side effects are individual - my girlfriend had stellar luck with it, never gained a pound or had any of the stuff I had. Hate her. (kidding!)

All I can say is definitely do some research (If you haven't already), those chemicals could be doing god-knows-what to your body. The Mirena is probably the best option next to condoms or pulling out which doesn't always prove to be very effect methods!

Good luck,
Crissy

ps - my hair stared falling out too. I freaked out.

S.,

My doctor also encouraged this. I loved the Depo at first because I never had a period again. I started it in October 05 and went off it in October 06. I still haven't had a period. I didn't gain any weight while on it, but I had already gained a lot during pregnancy (60 lbs). I put myself on a diet in May and quickly lost weight, but it didn't last for me. I never felt depressed while on it, but I was definitely moody.

I had researched my options after giving birth and I knew that it can take 18 months before Depo wears off and I can try to get pregnant again. Scary, but I did it anyway. Now I'm kind of freaking out because I still haven't had a period and I'm starting to feel like I'll never be able to have more children. The biggest problem I had with the drug is that I never had any sex drive. What's the point?

My gyno is a very sweet, caring man, but I don't think I'll go with his opinion anymore. I asked a female nurse at my gyno's office and she said she uses the Nuva Ring and it works well. You can time it so you don't have a period or you only get 4 a year. It's estrogen, so you don't have the problems that come with Depo. However, most hormonal birth controls carry some risk of depression and weight gain. The warnings are all over the packaging. I really don't think men fully appreciate what we go through here.

I hope you find something that works for you. I'm still waiting for my period to return and using condoms and thoroughly enjoying the return of my libido!

Good luck!

-T.

I was on Depo prevera - the shot for 3 months. It was a nightmare, I gained a ton of weight and once I was off of it it took me almost 2 years to get pregnant again. In my personal opinion, that shot is no good for you.

I had the exact same problems when i was on Depo. Get off it as soon as possible is my only advice.

I love the iud. I would try that

S.,

Stop the Depro...I used to take this and gained about 30 lbs, before ever having children. Not only that, my mood swings were TERRIBLE about the time I was ready for my next shot. I finally went back on the pill. Yes, the convenience of only dealing with it once every 3 months wasn't there, but that far outweighed the negetive effect depro had on me.

I can't believe that your OB/GYN didn't tell you about the weight gain. DepoProvera is infamous for the weight that you put on while using it. I was originally going to have the IUD, but couldn't due to some possible scarring in my uterus. At this time, I am using the NuvaRing. It's easy, I insert a ring in once a month, keep it for 3 weeks, take it out for 1. According to my OB/GYN, the IUD really is the best way to go. It's success rate is better than tubal ligation, it's good for 5 or 10 years, depending on the type you get and once it's removed, you can go immediately back to trying to have a child. As far as the weight, once you get off of the DepoProvera, you should be able to lose the weight.

How are you doing after the last dose? Hope, that much better.

S.,

In an effort to prevent pregnancy when I was 18 I took the Depo Provera shot as well. In a 6 month time period I gained nearly 90 pound's. I did read the precaution's and duly noted that weight gain was a possible side effect. "I mean how much weight could I gain from a couple shot's?" I have never been a big fan of the IUD, after my Aunt had a child with birth defects from that. What seemed to work really well for me, with no side effect's was a pill "Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo" This was a low dose, birth control pill and it was very effective. Also with regard's to not being able to remember it. I took mine right before bed time every night, that way if I forgot to take it, I would worry and get up and take it.

Hope this has been helpful to you.

Sincerely,

R. M

If you read through all of the info, it stated the weight gain issues and the wait for getting pregnant again. It is possible to get pregnant within that time, however you will not carry the baby to term. Or even past the first trimester. I had an miscarriage and didn't even know it until I explained what I thought was my period to my doctor. i never recommend the depo shot. I gained weight, begun my period at ackward times, bled very heavy when I did, was hateful..etc. I would suggest condoms, or a very low dose hormone. Patch maybe, good luck.

S.,
Its actually really common to gain a whole lot of weight on the Depo shot. My sister gained so much she was at risk for diabetes. Everyone I know who has had the shot has gained at least 20 pounds if not more. And its a really bad idea to get pregnant until at least six months after you stop the shots. My sister miscarried after three months. I don't know any good methods of birth control though if you plan on having more kids. I had my three all in a row and then got a tubal. Not the best idea though since its really hard on your body to be pregnant that much. Hope you get everything sorted out. Good Luck.

Hi S.

I am the mother of 4 and after child #3 I went on the Depo and I gained 72 pounds I think that you should talk to your OB/GYN about getting off immediately....... the only birth control method that works is the NuvaRing ask you OB/GYN about it.....it works really well for me, you can still gain weight on this method but minimally.
For me I think being on the Depo shot caused many gyn issues such as fibriods and endometrial swelling this led to heavier than normal menstrual cycles and anemia. I had to excercise and eat right drastically in order to lose most of that weight once I got off, excercising and trying to lose weight while on the Depo will not work because of the food cravings and the feeling of fatigue.....the Depo slows down your metabolisim......so be aware of the symptoms and side effects.
You are not the only one to have this issue many of my friends have the same issues, this is how I learned to get off quick. This chemical should not have made it on the market it is not a good contraceptive method especially for women who are already mothers.

I guess the Depo Shot hasn't changed much in 15 years. I did that when it came out when I was 20 and I did see a significant weight gain. Doctors said that wasn't why, but I never changed any of my habits then to make it go up. After I had my son a little over 2 years ago and chose the IUD (copper one without the hormones). I have had no problem, but a friend of mine says he feels it while intimate (of course not his words, haha). I think they just did something wrong. My husband doesn't have the issue that our friend has. So I would recommend that. The best thing about it is it is good for 5-10 years before you have to get another one.

I got on the Depo shots at seventeen when I had a bad problem with ovarian cysts. The doctor told me that it was the best treatment. Over the next year, I gained 40 something pounds. I stayed on the shots until I was 25 when I wanted to try to get pregnant. I'm almost 30 now and I still haven't lost most of the weight. Granted, I did have three kids(after trying for a couple years), but the depo makes it very hard to lose weight. My latest ob/gyn doctor told me that happens a lot with Depo. After my twins were born, I got the Mirena IUD. It caused a great deal of abnormal bleeding for about 4 months, but I haven't had a problem since. I am now able to lose weight too. The Mirena is good for 5 years and you don't have to wait to get pregnant after taking it out. As soon as it's out of your body, you can try for another baby. I hope this helps you.

Get off of the Depo. I had the shot and yes it makes you gain weight , bone density problems and etc. Basically everything you use makes you gain weight.

NASTY NASTY NASTY NASTY THING DEPO IS..... I HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO TAKE THE WEIGHT OFF AND IT'S BEEN YEARS... IT TOOK ME 7 YEARS TO HAVE MY SON ONCE I STOPPED THE SHOTS... I HAVE NOTHING GOOD TO SAY ABOUT THE SHOT... I HAD MY TUBES TIED AFTER THE BIRTH OF MY DAUGHTER SO FAR IT WORKS FINE.. HAVE YOU GOTTEN YOUR PERIOD BACK YET?? TO DATE I ONLY HAVE MY PERIOD ONCE EVERY 3 OR 4 MONTHS...

K.

I had the shot for the first year of my marriage. When I went off, I had a period every other week for the first few months. It was as if my body was making up for all that lost time. It also took us a full year to get pregnant after stopping the shots. After our first child, I took the pill and wasn't really happy with the effects I felt it had on my mood. And honestly, I was not very good at remembering to take it at the same time each day (I was taking the mini-pill recommended to me as a breastfeeding mother). After our second child, I went with the IUD. So far it has been great. The only side effect I've noticed is that I don't have a period. I am going to have it removed at the end of this year, so it will have been in almost two years. So I don't have any experience with getting pregnant after the IUD. My mother got pregnant while she had an IUD back in the 70s, so I felt good about my chances of getting pregnant after.

S.:
Unfortunately, I decided to use Depro as a form of birth control and it was one of the worst ideas I had! My Dr. made it sound like a dream...but it ended up being a nightmare. Fortunately, I decided NOT to get a second shot and things eventually went back to normal with my body. The most major side effects fo me were that I didn't stop spotting/bleeding for five months, I gained about 15 lbs REALLY fast. Afterwards, I did a search on the internet and found a lot of people that were unhappy with this birth control. Here is a link to check out which has the good, the bad and the ugly stories about Depro. Good luck!

http://www.askapatient.com/viewrating.asp?drug=12541&...

L.

good morning, i would go and have your thyroid checked again by a different dr. i went to one and they said it was fine only to find out by the next dr that it was low afterall. my grandma and aunt have a slow thryoid where my mom has an overactive thyroid. i knew i was right so i had to lie to the 2nd dr that i had a history of low thyroid and needed meds so he would have the labs done. every hospital and lab uses different figures to determine the level of high/low in patients. as for the depro shot, i got prego and then miscarried when i had it and i will never do it again. i have 4 kids now so i got clipped and tied but i do not ever recommened it just from personal experiance. that does not happen to everyone just be careful. B. sahm 10,3,2,2

As someone who has worked in OB/GYN office, have seen that way to many times. Quite a few of the women lost the extra wheight after the efects had worn off several months after stopping, not always right away. And for quite a few people did get pregnant after missing the next dose. Your thyroid is most likely fine, but only a dr can say that for sure. They might be able to tell you if the depro shot can cause issues with it slowing down. That info is avaialable.

depo was just as bad for me. i gained weight, but not too much, but experience horrible headaches, mood swings, and breakthrough bleeding. i got off of it after 2 years an cinvience with no problems 2 months later. i would choose another opetion if i were you... they alos say that it leads to earlt osteroperosis. my friend loves the neuvo ring, have you heard of that? do you want more children?? if you don't, have hubby go in for a vacestomy?

Hi S.,

I have heard from many women that they love the depo. I, however, think that it is the most evil thing, lol. I was on the depo for about 3 years. In this time, I didnt have a menstrual cycle for about 9 months, then I was constantly bleeding / spotting for a little less than 4 months. I lost a ton of hair, suffered from insomnia, and also, gained about 15 excess pounds. In the end, I became pregnant with my first child! I have never considered the depo again.

As far as what to do now, I couldnt tell you. I didnt want any form of birthcontrol with hormones. The depo truly scared me away, then I've heard of women who suffer from the pill with things such as lack of sexual desire, weight gain, and problems becoming pregnant after stopping the pill. Of course, everything I just mentioned was with woman that had been on the pill for years. It bothered me though, and I didnt want to go through that. I havent looked into the IUD. My husband and I settled on the good ol' fashion condoms. As much as a pain as they are, we dont mind them all that much. Well, at least I dont. He doesnt complain too much though ;)

I hope all works out for you.

God Bless,

~ Amanda

Wow, there's alot of negative responses about this drug! My aunt has been trying to have children for quite some time. She is only 35, and they have tried everything. She has even been artificially inseminated twice, to no avail. She has two children with her first husband, and after those two she went on Depo for 6 months. Since then she has struggled with various health issues that doctors could not explain. She found something online regarding a class action lawsuit a few years ago. There were tons of women with some of the same issues she had been feeling that had been on Depo. Sorry, don't mean to scare you, but I would search for info about the drug online and see what you come up with.