Question:
Has anyone's doc recommended depo for birth control?
I couldn't seen to get a striaght answer from my GI clinic or my gyno. Gyno warned against depo due to weight gain, GI clinic recommended it. Well, I got it a few weeks ago, surg isn't until 2-23, I feel like crap. I have gained weight, I feel puffy, like PMS everyday. Is this normal? I will absolutely not get the shot again in three months. — jlw0423 (posted on February 3, 2007)
February 3, 2007
I have to say that I do not think that Depo is the best choice. Beyond the
weight gain so many women have problems with bleeding in between their
periods on Depo and don't get regulated until they have been on the shot
for a year or so. There are so many great alternatives out to the shot
right now. I am a medical transcriptionist and type for an OB/GYN at
times. One of the most highly suggested forms of birth control right now
would be the Mirena IUD if you are not wanting to get pregnant over the
next five years or the NuvaRing. Maybe they have reasons for not
suggesting either one of these two. I think that every doc is different
about what they think works best or is most convenient. Some women just
cannot remember to take a pill, so the Depo would maybe be a good option
for them, but with the NuvaRing you only have to change it out once a
month.
The other wonderful thing out on the market right now are pills like Yaz
and Loestrin 24. The basic premise behind these medicines are to give you
a shorter period. Let me know if I can tell you about anything else.
I have not been on birth control for years because my husband and I have
not be able to get pregnant, but I would probably go with something like
Seasonale if I were to go back on the pill. The period every 13 weeks is
much more appealing to me than having one every month.
— fluphystuph
February 3, 2007
Jodi,
I've been on depo FOREVER! My first 2 shots were HORRIBLE, but I rode it
out, mainly because I hated taking a pill everyday (back when I didn't take
pills everyday, LOL). Mind you, it's been 10+ years I've been on it now.
The worst it ever got for me was having menopause type syptoms - major hot
flashes was the worst. I never did gain much weight - make 5 lbs. at the
most. Again, I was young - early 20's and rode it out. They warned me about
all of the "side effects" during the first two shots and even
with that, I called the gyno every time I thought something was too
intense. They listened polited and said it was normal. I won't lie - it
sucked. BUT - now... since I've been through my "hassing"
period....I would never go off. I took the advice of my new gyno in the
beginning and went off and tried traditional birth control again - but
after trying over 6 differnt types, I realized it wasn't going to work out.
A shot in the butt every 3-months with VERY little side effects (now), is
just what the dr. ordered - no pun intended. It would seem that every dr.
is different and every surgeon is different. My medical group
dietian/support group leader said I would probably have to stop the depo
shot. I had my first meeting with the surgeon and he laughed and didn't
really blink an eye and said, as long as you are on birth control he really
didn't have a preference. I was reliefed as traditional birth control gives
me morning sickness to the point of having to take time off work - not
good. They don't seem to make a low enough dose (daily) for me to take. My
gyno - an older gentleman is the one who put me on years and years ago. He
didn't care how long I was on it. His philosophy - if you are sexually
active and don't want to have childern - any birth control will do. My new
gyno (my old gyno retired) said I should think about alternative birth
control since I've been on the shot so long. She discussed the
"reprocussions" of having been on the shot for so long. Most of
them revolve around getting pregnant and difficulty having childern when
you decide you are ready. My husband and I do not want children and in the
years I've been on the shot, my body has "taken it upon it'self to rid
of anything it doesn't want". Meaning. I don't have periods anymore.
But about once every 6-8 months or so. I get amazingly bad cramps (like I
did when I was a teenager and went on the pill in the first place) and I
pass some "normal menstral period material". Again, to me.....
it's all worth it. I recommend you analysis your long term goals as it
relates to birth control and having childern. Being on depo (for any
extended period of time) and going off to have childern, you can be in for
a serious wait. I would recommend again that you analysis your personal
situation. My surgeon is not the least bit concerned about sugery and the
depo shot. My RYN surgery is scheduled for 2/15 and my next depo shot is
2/19. My surgeon has been notified in my first meeting and on the 12th I
will remind him. He is all for having me on the shot and so am I. If you
can ride out the storm the weather on the other side is calm, cool and
collected.
— jammerz
February 3, 2007
Jamie, I already have three kids, not planning on more, but wasn't really
ready for a tubal yet. It was planned with the last c-section, but I
backed out on the table. Thanks for the advice!
— jlw0423
February 4, 2007
I was on Depo for 3 years. I knew I was a mess but didn't realize it was
the Depo making me a moody person. I gained weight like crazy. It took an
intervention from my family to make me see that the Depo was making me a
different person. I don't handle hormones well at all.
Good luck to you!
— Jenn F.
February 4, 2007
My doctor recommend that I do the depo shot. I did some research about it
and found out that if you stay on it longer than a year you could start to
loss bone mass and its hard to have a baby. I spoke with my gyno doctor
and said lets do the depo for 1 or 2 times. She said then lets do the
patch. I had my first shot in December. So far I havent gain any weight.
I had surgery Jan 16th and I already lost 29lbs. The only problem I had is
that I did not have a period until last week. The docotor said you can go
without having a period. The only thing with the pill is you knew when you
were going to start, but with the depo you dont. If the shot has made you
feel bad, I would discuss this with your docotor and see if there is
another method. Like I said, I'm going to do the patch either in March or
June. It is important to do a birth control method that is not a pill.
You dont want to risk getting pregnant the first 1 year and risk your
health and the baby's. Take care and good luck.
— barfiep01
February 5, 2007
I am also on Depo, have been for about 1 1/2 years. I gained about 10
pounds during the first couple of rounds, but since having RNY on 1/15/07
I'm down 21 lbs. My surgeon didn't have any problem with me on Depo, except
that I can't have another shot until 30 days after surgery because of blood
thinning. As soon as I started the shot, I ceased to have a period; this
bothers some people, but I trust the shot a lot more then I trust myself to
take the pill correctly so I know there's no chance of pregnancy this first
year when it could be really dangerous to me and a baby. But women react to
all different kinds of BC differently. Don't use the first time as your
gauge. Try it a few times to see if your body mellows getting used to it.
If you're still having issues, switch to something else. As for me, its
been such a blessing and my surgeon has not voiced any concern.
— Rachel M.
February 5, 2007
My advice is to do what your body is telling you.
I gained an insane amount of weight in a very short time on DEPO, other
than that I was fine on it, hormones were great and all.
Ive been on pills that Ive been psyco on as well, I quit the pills because
they never seem to work without making me nutty.
As for the IUD, seriously think about that, I just spent the last week on
Vicoden and 2 types of antibiotics because 6 months after the Merina was
inserted it started to come out.
Bitrh control is a hard thing and Personaly I wouldnt ask my friends or
anyone else about it, Its not something that is going to react the same in
everyone. I have had 2 friends on depo who droped weight so fast you would
think that they had gb done.
I am going to ask for the Nuva ring on wed when I see my GYN because the
hubby and I dont want kids.
— lizzieleprechaun
February 5, 2007
I think this is a great question and I'm so happy i read the answers my
surgery is 2.27 and i have an appt to get the depo shot 2.15. now i'm going
to ask the doc about other options when i go.. the friend that suggested
the shot to me said the only problem she had is having a baby now that she
wants one she's been trying for over a year and she's still not
prego...good luck ladies
— Chubz68
February 11, 2007
Yu seem to have answered your own question. I am surprised that your
doctor prescribed it for you, with your issues.
— Novashannon
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