Depression and Depo Provera

I was on Depo about 10 years ago. It was the first Birth Control I had ever been on and I was 19 years old. While I was on it, I didn't realize that I was depressed. It wasn't until I went off of it that I realized how much happier I was.

I was on the Depo and found that it did effect my mood swings. I basically felt that I was PMSing all the time. I believe that there is a strong possibility that it is the hormones that are adding to your problems. I would talk to your health care provider about it.

I have not used Depo, but was on the pill (a generic that ended in 777) and I had a lot of problems with mood swings and depression. I was told by so many people that I needed counseling because I was "whacked out." I was really starting to think that too, until I went off the pill to try to get pregnant again and the "fog cleared" and I have not had any problems since!!! I heard a radio show where they were talking about birth control and the synthetic hormones in them and what it can do to your body. Pretty scary stuff.
I am not sure what I am going to do after this child is born, but I am VERY leary of any type of hormonal alteration. I think we may just have to go back to the old fashion condom.

Good Luck.

I had the same problem. I had terrible mood swings and somedays couldn't get out of bed. It was also almost two years before I had a period after I stopped taking the shot.

Hi K.,
I was on depo for over 2 years. Now that I have switched,to pills I am having your problems.Since you were on it previously and didn't have problems I don't understand why your moods would change? I would get off the shot and see how you feel. I wouldn't take any anti-depressants until you see how you feel after a few months of getting off the shot. Sometimes doctors are too quick to throw the depression thing out there. The problem could be something else. I think someone said something about the thyroid?

Oh My Gosh, I just read the other responses and I can't believe this stuff is still on the market. I personally have never used it but I have suffered with depression. I would ask our Dr to test your thyroid. and under active thyroid can cause depression weight gain and a lack of sex drive. Hormone fluctuations can cause your thyroid to not work properly. This should always be tested when depression is present as well as any time hormome levels change drastically such as pregnancy, child birth. menopause and it sounds like when you go on and off of this depo.
I had a blood clot due to BC pills so I can not take any hormone based BC. There are other forms of birht control that are not as dangerous. Best of luck
J.

Hey K..
My name is S.. I suffered with anxiety and depression prior to my marriage and think that I fight off depression in the winter - more successfully when I have a good exercise regimine (which I currently am lacking... ugh). I suffered with panic attacks (thinking I was having a heart attack) and then just felt like I was in a funk I couldn't get out of. So, I do understand what is going on with you.

As for the link to the depo shot, I can't comment. I was not on any birth control at the time of my anxiety/depression (concerned to take anything given a breast cancer history in my family). That and birth control pills actually decreased my sex drive.

Though a deeply personal choice and not for everyone, I can say that the vasectomy route is a very preferred one. Like you, I also have two children (3 1/2, 1 1/2) and we decided that we hit the lottery with them and not to ask for more. :) Husband was back at work immediately after with no discomfort or side effects.

I am 36 going on 37, however, so having more children any later than now probably wouldn't be the best choice for me anyway. I think if I were your age I might consider waiting on something so permanent. Don't you love this incredibly personal discussion from a complete stranger? Ha! Forgive me.

Anyway, let me know if I can answer anything else, or even just lend a sympathetic ear when you are feeling, what I call, "heavyhearted".

My best,
S.

K., I had the same thing as many of the other women who responded. I bled the whole time I was on it, I had depression which required medication, I had horrendous mood swings, gained 30 lbs, and had no sex drive. It was awful. I only got the shot twice, but soon realized I should get off of it. This was in 1999 and I am shocked that it's still on the market. I don't know one woman who has has a good experience with depo.

yes, I suffered the same way and didnt want my hubby to touch me either...so i just had to stop cause it was just causing too many problems.....so then i tried the patch and that was the same too.....for me anyway. but your not alone...

I took the Depo shot ONCE and in addition to feeling depressed and like I had chronic PMS-I gained 30 pounds. I don't recommend it as a form of birth control. I never took it again. Hope your horror-mones return to normal soon!

while I was on Depo I never had depression but I had mood swings and a huge weigh gain went from 115 to 190 in less than a years time(8 months). I also had to have surgery around my left tube b/c the depo fused some of the skin together to the point my tube would have closed if I didnt get it taken care of. But I have heard of alot of people getting depression from the shot. not sure if you knew they black labled it or not. If not It was black labled for many reasons you can look on the FDA(Food and drug) wed site for more information. Good Luck!!!! I would never go back on this again. took us almost 3 years to have our second child.

K., the EXACT same thing happened to me!! I got so anxious and depressed I could NEVER fall asleep at night. My mind just raced with thoughts of bad things happening. Anyhow, as I was planning to leave my girls father, I decided to get counseling, and the first the the Psychiatrist told me was....GET OFF THAT SHOT! If given LexaPro or Zoloft, I would go ahead and take those (or something similar) for at least six months or so until that shot has time to be completely out of your system. I was able to go off the antidepressant in a relatively short time, and I'm sure you will be too!!!

Well I have to say syop taking that shot and never get back on it. I to was on the Depo shot I was on it for 2 years or so and was having a terrible time with depression and anxiety and effection (I didn't like receiving or giving effection to my husband). Well I went to a different doctor and she took me off of it right away and said that it was a serious side effect that was not listed on the drug but it could get alot worse. Then we found out in marriage counsiling that the Depo shot is givin to sex addicts to help stop their addiction.

I hope this helps.
J. P.