Depro Shot ...

I have been on the Dep shot and thought it was basicaly the cat's meow. I did not gain weight (obesity is common in my family) and I also stopped having monthly periods. Because of the absolute omission of a period, I would go in 10 days late for every other shot to allow my perod to occur. My guess is that each woman will be different in how their body regulates with the Dep shot though. Consider that the suggested weight gain while posibly true, may be caused in part by a placedo effect. They say its supposed to happen so it does.

I am currently on the DepoProvera injection. I have had no weight gain and no period! I do get the headache side effect.

My older sister had this years ago. She had a terrible experience. She gained ALOT of weight. The biggest problem was that it affected her equilibreum; she had difficulty walking, constantly felt like she was falling, it really messed her up. Plus, it took a year to work its way out of her system!
She still battles weight issues and I believe this is at the root of it somehow.

I've been on the depo shot for about 5 years and have not had any weight gain. I know that weight gain is a possible side effect when you're on the pill, also. I loved it when I switched to the depo. When I was on the pill, there were times when I took it hours later than normal, and I would feel sick to my stomach for about three hours. It's been great not having to think "oh, did I take my pill today?" and panicking if I had forgot. Another great "side effect" is that I rarely get my period, and when I do, it's hardly anything and only for a day or two. I highly recommend it. Good luck!

D., my experience was BAD!!! I hated it, I had never taken any type of shots, pills, nothing. And after I had my baby I thouth the Depro would be the best since I always forget to take my pills. I gained so much weight, got depressed and worst I had bad hot flashes for almost 8 months. To this day I get hot flashes once in a while. After the shot, I tried the patches which were great but because of the bad publicity they took them out of the market. So, now for almost a year and a half I'm on the becareful method if you know what I mean.
I just went to the doctor and she gave me something called Nuvaring, which doesn't seem that bad, kinda like the patch , you remove it and then you get your period. I've still haven't tried it, but I hope it works.
Anyhow, Good luck, consult w/your doctor and get as much info as you can..there are other stuff you can use...but in my opinion say no to the shots!!!
By the way we share something in common we are both 28 and my son was born 12-15-2005!! And my wedding anniversary is Dec 5, 2004!! Crazy I know!!!

Hey D..

I took the Depo before i had my (1st)son . I had LOST weight and I had no problems. So after I gave birth i went on it since I knew what would happen. I was SOOO wrong. I gained almost 40lbs in the 1st year i was on it. And it took me almost 2.5 years after i got off it to lose that weight.

With this child (5 months old) I have not taken BC but i am nursing and have yet to see my period. I use the "don't touch me" method now.. LOL

Hi, D.!! My little and last angel was born 12/5/06...........I had the shot a few years ago and had a 12 lbs weight gain that stayed with me for the entire 3 years I used Depo...............but the peace of mind and comfort it provided was worth the extra pounds and my husband did not mind them.
Good Luck to you, L. P

I've herd some pretty bad things about that shot. a few friends of mine have tried it and they had significant cramping, spotting and irregular periods. I was on the pill for 12 yrs and now have an IUD AND LOVE IT. I want more kids (have 2. a girl 4 yrs and a boy 5 months). I guess at that point that I decide to get pregnant again I just have it removed. I really think it's the best alternative to the pill.

To make this as short as possible, don't get the Depo. I was on it for a year, and it was the worst year of my life. The hormone dose (although the standard) was too much, and I bled for almost 50 days straight. By the end, I had no more uterine lining left to shed, and I started shedding parts of my uterus that were not meant to leave my body. I suffered 3 miscarriages in 5 years after stopping the shot, and although the doctors can't prove for sure it was from the Depo, that's their best guess. It took me a long time to recover physically from the anemia I wound up with also.
Check online and you'll find a ton of horror stories like mine. Not everyone has that reaction, I'm a bit of an extreme case, but I would never chance it. Oh, and I put on 35lbs in that year, and it took me a very long time to get it back off.
E.

DON'T DO IT......... Especially if you want anymore children... I did it when I was about 24 and I stopped getting my period, which sounds like a good thing however it makes it very hard to have children, even after I stopped taking the shot I would only get my period ever 3 or 4 months, therefore I did not get pregnant for 7 years after I stopped the shot.... Not to mention the 45 pds. which I put on in a year and a half....I DON'T CARE WHAT ANYONE TELLS YOU DON'T DO IT.......

I, as a physician, do not like the depo shot too much. There can be a lot of side effects. If you are looking for more long term birth control an IUD is a good way to go, especially if you want to wait several years before having another child. Not all women gain weight on depo, but a large percentage com[lain of some weight gain (3-5 pounds). A lot of women do not menstruate on depo. You also have to make sure that you continue to get it consistently every 3 months. With the IUD, you can leave it there for several years. There is another alternative to oral contraceptives called the NuvaRing.

Hello D.,

From experience I can tell you once the shot is in your body the side effects it brings are ireversible.The depo shot I took that was supposed to last six months lasted a year, before my period was on track.That whole year I was spotting blood to the point, I had to wear panty liners daily.Then again I did not gain a pound.Everyone reacts diffrently.The reason I wanted to take depo was because my cousin had taken it for years and she had absolutly no side effects so its a gamble, good luck.
JESSE

I took it for years and loved it. I did not notice any weight gain. I asked for it again after the birth of my child and they said they do not recommend it anymore due to significent possible side effects in the future? Kinda unsure to what they(Doctors) meant, but they seemed pretty clear they rather I did not take it. I loved it though and wish I could continue with it.

sorry to chime in so late but i took the shot and have to tell you : DO NOT DO IT
i gained weight, sweat, moody, lost all interest in sex, pimples, heart palpatations. the docs said i was on the verge of a heart attack, at 21 years old!
now i practice natural family planning for the past 5 years. chart your cycle!

Hi D.,

I used the shot for quite some time - its very effective - so effective - I lost all interest in sex whatsoever! This too is a side-effect of having the shot. My last shot was in January - and my husband is still waiting! :) I did gain some weight - only about six or seven pounds - but then lost it immediately after stopping the last injection. Also, you should take a calcium supplement - like tums - because the Depo does break down the calcium in your bones - be sure to ask your doctor.

Good luck!!!
L.

I am responding a bit late to this post, but I just reread it and feel compelled to respond. Please PLease research this decision very carefully. I am in acupuncture school and learning so much about the body. There is also a student in my class who took this a few years back in her early 20's and ended up with many health problems. Your body was made to respond and perform in a certain way and when we mess with that the body has to compensate. This drug takes away a function that your body was meant to do on a regular basis. Weight gain should be the least of your worries. Please dont just take a medical doctor's advice on this. Research articles from natural medicine as well before making your decision.

My experience was not good. After my first child I wanted to make sure I didn't get pregnate right away. I bled off and on after the first shot which was good for three months. My doctor told me to give it another chance because sometimes it takes awhile for your body to get used to it. I bled for 3 1/2 months after the second one. If you don't respond well with medicatons I wouldn't recommend it because it affects you for so long after a single dose. The doctor's don't usually recommend it if you want to get pregnant within a two year period.

Hi D., I had the Depro shot a few years before, I weight at the time 120 pds. and never suffer from weight gain at all. I know this depends and varies from person to person, is not a set thing.
Also, my husband says that I used to get really moody, but I didn't see the difference lol. But he swears that I did, so that's the only reason why I don't put it on anymore.
My advice if you are willing to take some, is just try it. I can't hurt for only 3 months.
You can always stop using it or keep on if you like it. Just don't forget to get the next one when they tell you :0)
on the other hand my sister tried it. and she did gain 2 pds. with the first shot so she never had it again.
Good luck with your decision
C.

Hello D.. I am a mom of 3 kids. After having my 3rd child and tired of taking the bc pill everyday, I decided to do the depro shot. I personally do not recommend it. After I had the depro shot, I had a menstrual period of approximately 2 1/2 months. Obviously not everyone is the same, but I just thought I share my experience with you to make you aware of the side effect I experienced.

Good luck and congrats on your first child.