depo provera

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1/1/13 4:27 A

for some it works for other's it doesn't - it worked great for me

Edited by: NYXWOLFWALKER at: 1/1/2013 (04:28)

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12/31/12 2:25 P

I started the depo shot because I have pretty severe endometriosis and I love it! I haven't had any mood swings but I did experience an increase in appetite. I talked to my doctor about weight gain as, obviously, it is a point of concern for me. He explained to me that while I may feel hungrier, the shot does not in any way change my metabolism. The shot, as with any form of contraception, has its pros and cons and differ for everyone. It is important for each woman to do her own research and to listen to her body to discover what works best for her. I was on the pill for several years and it never did anything for me but that is clearly not the case for many women. The most important thing a woman can do is educate herself.

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12/30/12 6:47 P

I was on it for 6 months, I suffered weight gain and irritability. It does have a high effectiveness if that is what you need. I had better luck with the pill, but you REALLY have to remember to take them EVERY DAY. Our son is a little darling, by the way. :)
My sister was on it for 7 years - longer than recommended, but she switched doctors and didn't share her full history with the second one. She has a lot of bone loss and is on osteoporosis medication now.
There are plusses and minuses to all medications. It may take some trial and error to find the right answer for you.

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12/29/12 5:13 P

I personally would not go on it. I have talked with women that had trouble conceiving after they were off of it. Also, it just doesn't seem very safe.

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12/29/12 5:03 P

My gynecologist wanted to put me on depo because I have endometriosis, but I've heard horror stories so I refused. She put me on generic Seasonique, and so far so good.

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12/29/12 4:52 P

i used it well i was in high school i was excited it would stop me period who wants to deal with those anyway right but i did experience weight gain it wasnt my appetite that got me though it made me sluggish (slowed metabolism will b listed as an effect) and once i was bored and to lazy to do anything id eat i personally would never recommend it to any one and i wont let any of my 3 girls use it there are so many other types now that r as effective and dont require u to remember a daily pill but if u decide to go for it u could monitor ur energy level right on ur weight tracker here at spark people daily check ur food tracker to c how appetite changed and weigh in for the first few weeks u may b fine as i know many people do well on it or u may decide its best for u to switch either way glad ur gonna protect urself and gd luck

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12/29/12 3:45 P

Have you looked into nuvaring? It is still less fuss than a pill but nowhere near as permanent as an iud. And I vaguely remember not checking into it having the same hormones as depo. And when I say same hormones I mean same hormones but without the conclusive link to weight gain and horror stories of said gain and other nasty side effects.

Edited by: NIRERIN at: 12/29/2012 (15:47)

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12/29/12 3:19 P

I have had ovarian cysts for years and more than likely endometriosis (spelling?) Anyhow, my periods where so unbearable and super HEAVY. I had my doc. give the shot and I can say it has made a huge good difference so far. I'm still keeping my eye on it. It's nice to be able to walk somewhere and not worry so much. No insurance does not help either! Otherwise, I would just get the Uterus removed. I still get cramps and boobs hurt, so we shall see. I'm giving it another shot to see how it works and taking the consideration of the bone loss into advice. I'm hoping to make it to menopause and then not have to worry about this set of problems. I'm sure I will be dealing with new ones. Good luck for what ever anyone has chosen.

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1/27/12 8:28 P

Both of my sisters have been on the depo shot. My older sister had depo after the birth of her second child. She ended up gaining more weight than she had during her pregnancy and was huge after just one shot. She was admittedly overeating. My little sister was one depo for several years and her weight slowly increased to the tune of 40 lbs. She went on weight watchers since and has gotten down to her pre-depo weight, but it was a lot of hard work to get it off. Because of both of them, I have always been too scared to try depo. The women in our family gain weight right around the mid-section, which is the most unhealthy fat. I struggle enough with my weight without taking hormones. I have tried pretty much everything else - the pill, diaphragm, the copper IUD. Feel free to ask about any of those options.

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1/27/12 5:11 P

I was on Depo when I was in my teens. That was the worst period of my life. I remember it giving me horrible anxiety, frequent emotional breakdowns, symptoms similar to hypoglycemia (shakes and nausea), and yes I gained some weight as well. I remember wondering what was wrong with me, thinking I was losing my mind. I was terribly depressed and cried constantly. I barely left the house, and I felt like a 80 year old. I didn't know it was the Depo. I got off the shot due to financial reasons, and quickly became normal and healthy again. Personally, I don't recommend it, but I have a friend who's been on it for 2 years with no problems.

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1/27/12 12:17 A

It's isn't safe- a uterus that doesn't bleed is super wonderful, but the issue not mentioned here is when isn't allowed to shed old and irregular cells can help cancers form.. In denmark we are only offered a free smear test every 3 years- I would be asking for a regular smear test to avoid irregular cells taking over in light I have a sister in law and a friend found with stage 3 cancer.. There are problems the manufactures don't speak about high enough- my sister was pissed she couldn't keep taking it either. But her doctor was honest- we lack honesty from health boards about stuff.
I had my tubes tied, end of problem with unplanned pregnancies.. There are pro's and con's with alot of products if I ever want more kids- there enough kids sitting in foster homes whom really need decent parental love..

Edited by: REDSHOES2011 at: 1/27/2012 (00:23)

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1/26/12 10:27 P

I agree with NYXWOLFWALKER. I think it just depends on the person. I've been on depo for several years and it hasn't affected my weight. I know I've recently gained weight (I was on the shot 2 years maintaining the same post-diet weight) because of lifestyle changes and choices. I've also been able to lose a lot of weight on the shot with little problems if I follow the website correctly. I've never had any mood swing problems and I love the shot. I just take extra calcium and do strength training to offset any affect it has on bone density. I wouldn't tell anyone not to take any of the options, just figure out which one works out best for you.

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1/26/12 7:52 P

I started getting the depo shot after I had my kids and I gained over 40 lbs in a little over a year. I discussed the side effects with my dr before getting it and he didn't think I would have a problem because I was so active and tiny. Big mistake. It took a long time to get it out of my system. Ten years later I am finally getting the weight off.

Edited by: WENDIBUGG at: 1/26/2012 (19:58)

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1/26/12 3:17 P

I've been on the depo shot for 7 months now, and I've lost about 15-20 pounds since I've been on it. So I personally don't think it causes weight gain. And every time I go to get the next shot, my doctor asks me if I'm getting enough calcium....since I drink about 2.5 cups of milk a day, plus cheese, yogurt, and ice cream, she said I'm good. But if you're worried about the calcium intake you could take a supplement/multivitamin that has calcium in it.

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1/26/12 1:50 P

I have been on the pill for over 15 years. I currently take Seasonique and am very happy with it. My doctor has FINALLY agreed to tie my tubes, so hopefully I will be having that done in the next year or so.

I have a lot of friends that have IUDs but they said it is painful to get put in, but it only lasts for a few mins. I thought about it, but since I do not want kids, I am just going to get them cut and burned and get it over with.

I wanted the shot when I was a teenager and my doctor told me "No, it will make you fat and hairy" and have never considered it since

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1/26/12 12:55 P

I've been on the Depo shot for 6 yrs now. I get severe migraines, and there is something in the pills that trigger them. So thats why the Depo works for me. I haven't had much weight gain, and no side affects. It affects everybody different.

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1/26/12 12:43 P

I thought about getting the depo shot because I was concerned about side effects associated with the combo pill, until I heard that it can damage your bones/decrease bone density. People I know who have had the shot also stopped getting their periods, which concerns me. I feel like women need to have a monthly period.
I am now on Ortho Tri Cyclen Lo and am very happy with it. Besides some minor side effects in the first pack, I haven't had any problems with it. However, I think it increased my appetite but it hasn't been so bad that I can't manage and I haven't gained any weight.

I hope you find something that works for you

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1/26/12 12:35 P

JMEHORNE - you can't take the pill because of the hormones? They do have progesterone only pills, which is the same hormone in Depo but without the bone-loss and weight gain (because it's not all at once!). My sister gained 34lbs in two months with the IUD and immediately had it taken out. I gained 45lbs in a year on Depo (watching what I eat!).

Just another alternative..

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1/26/12 12:06 P

Wow! Thanks so much for your help I think I'll pass on the shot. I broke my foot recently and have knee problems so I don't want anything that will give me more of chance for risk, and after everything i've done to lose the weight i cant stomach gaining it all back. I cant take the pill because of the hormones but I think an IUD will be the way to go. Thanks everyone!

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1/26/12 11:45 A

I was on Depo Provera for almost 6 years and didn't have an increase in being hungry and I lost over 100 pounds while on it (most of it without having to change my eating habits what so ever). I was actually very happy with the side effects from the drug, it kick started a LOT of things I'd been trying to do and wasn't able to do because my body just wouldn't shift the weight in the right direction.

I know a lot of people are not happy with the drug or the apparent side effects, but no drug which can be used as BC will make everyone happy, because side effects vary from person to person who takes them, which is why dosage also varies to find the right one for you as a person (though depo shots this isn't always the case, but it does come in higher dosages then the "standard").

One thing I can say that I tell other's is to keep track of what you are eating and how often and when you feel hungry ask yourself what are you hungry for and why are you hungry - stopping to think as to why you are hungry and what it is you are hungry for can help get the bring off the "I'm HUNGRY" track not always but in many cases at least.

I know for myself I always ask myself, why am I hungry? 9 times out of 10 my body is saying give me food because I need something NOW, but when asked what does it need I tend to draw a blank in which case I leave it alone as a "false" hungry but if it keeps going I'll check my glucose levels (i'm a diabetic on insulin) which tends to tell the tail as in I'm getting into the danger zone and body is trying to tell me to correct the issue.

Luck!

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1/26/12 9:38 A

I was on depo from May '11, til my last shot in November. I don't recommend it. I got the worst blood sugar spikes and crashes which caused me to eat more. It was brutal to stay on track. I am still feeling it as I come off it and it hasn't been pleasant. I suggest to go with another form of birth control.

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1/26/12 8:43 A

A coworker of mine went on it and gained 40 lbs in a matter of months. She discontinued using it (the weight didn't come off) and then had a lot of trouble getting pregnant. I haven't seen her in a while but she did end up having a baby after nearly 10 years of trying. Her infertility may not have been due to the shot, but her weight gain was so dramatic there was nothing else that would explain it. She went from a size 4 to a 14.

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1/26/12 7:02 A

I was on depo for 3 years. I wouldn't recommend it. I got 3 stress fractures all at the same time doing the same exercises I had been doing prior to getting on it. I also couldn't lose weight while on the shot. I really didn't gain but I literally couldn't lose. I have no idea if it's related to the depo but as soon as I stopped taking it I got pregnant and miscarried. I'll never take depo again. Good luck.

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1/26/12 5:05 A

I've tried most forms of birth control over the years - the standard pill, the mini-pill, the depo shots and now the implant.

I found the very best one for me was the standard pill - in that I had no side effects of any kind and felt good - and certainly didnt gain weight. For convenience I then switched to the depo shot (and was on it for about 6 years from the age of 20) and found that my sex drive decreased - although I didnt realise by how much until I came off it. I was then told I wasnt allowed it or the standard pill anymore due to my weight. I tried the mini pill and it made me feel sick all the time - so that didnt last long - and I'm now 6 months into the implant.

I'm suffering no real side effects from the implant - apart from some annoying spotting/break through bleeding. Its certainly not effecting my weight loss and I feel good. All hormone based contraception comes with a weight gain warning - but I've never had any problems with that aspect (I gained weight cos I ate to much lol).

I very much expect though that there are people who've had terrible experiences on things that have worked for me - and fantastic ones on those that didnt work for me. We're all so different and our bodies react in so many different ways - that I think the only thing you can do is read up on each method and then make an informed decision. Monitor how your body reacts - it can often take a couple of months for any hormone based contraception to settle down - and go from there. Never be afraid to stop something that's making you feel bad - and if needed ask for a second medical opinion - there are so many different types and brands out there (one brand can make you feel bad - but another can work for you) that I think it comes down to trial and error.

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1/26/12 3:08 A

This is always an interesting topic. I was taking the birth control pill for a few years, but I didn't watch my body as closely as PANDA did, but I did have some issues that I'm assuming were related to the hormones. Blood clots were something that I was concerned with, but I felt really out-of-touch with my body, was bruising easily... but there were still good things about it. I went off the pill and my body was doing some crazy things for a good six months and I think just recently it's been balancing out. There's this weird feeling being on the pill that's hard to describe. I just didn't feel like myself.

In all the research I've done from the time my doctor put my on the pill (for reasons other than preventing an unwanted pregnancy) I've found that if the pill does cause weight gain it's usually temporary water weight. So in short I don't think the pill will CAUSE you to gain permanent weight. I have ready some horror stories about the depo shot, though.

The only hormone free option is a copper IUD. The downside to these is if you want to get on the pill to help you regulate your periods you won't get much help with and IUD, and the most common side effect is heavy cramping and bleeding during your TOM. The upside is obviously that it's a hormone free option, it lasts a really long time, too.

It all depends on what you want to take birth control for. A lot of people take the pill for the other things it can do (clearing up acne, lightening up the TOM)... It would probably be in your best interest to talk to your doc about it and let him/her know that you're trying to lose weight because that's something they can take into consideration when recommending what's best for you.

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1/25/12 8:25 P

I had a obgyn in college who said she only prescribes depo to teenagers who can't remember the pill and told me it was not an option. She said it has a side effect of increasing risk of osteoporosis and that it wasn't worth it.

If you don't want to worry with pills ask your doc about an IUD; they are suppose to be much more comfortable these days than what you use to hear about them.

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1/25/12 7:46 P

I was on Depo Provera for 5 years in my early twenties.
It is NOT recommended to use depo for that length of time, as one of the side effects is a decrease in bone density...

After I had started depo, I personally found it more difficult to drop weight (I was used to being able to cut out junk and losing 10 or 20lbs - on depo, the scale wouldn't budge).

Another thing I noticed, after I made the switch to the pill (Seasonale), was just how much of a bitch I was - depo caused my moods to be all over the place....and I didn't even realize it until it was out of my system. You know its bad when you can tell the difference yourself.

One of the side of birth control is hypertension - which I have had for 4 years. I was on the pill for 5 years and this past August did an experiment - when I was taking the week of sugar pills, my blood pressure was really good and sometimes low. So I stayed off the pill for a month and documented my blood pressure twice daily - it stayed much lower than it had been when I was on the pill... so much so that I was able to cut my blood pressure med dosage in half.
I now do not take the pill and use natural family planning to avoid pregnancy.
Interestingly enough, I find that I function much better without the pill and that by learning to be in touch with my body, it is helping with my weight loss efforts as well.

I personally would encourage you to explore ALL your options for birth control, including natural family planning - I know that depo is easy and convenient, but the side effects are not worth it. For me, being on birth control meant really being disassociated from my body's cues for everything.... and that didn't help me find success in weight loss.

Feel free to PM me if you have any questions.

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1/25/12 6:11 P

Has any one gotten the depo provera shot? I wanted to get it but one of the side effects is weight gain and I was wondering if any one had any experience in the matter and could shed some light on how to deal with it and how bad the increase in apetite was? Thanks

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