Question:
Has anyone used Depro Vera as birth control method.....

I know that the pill isn't absorbed fully after surgery, I was wondering if anyone has tried depo???? I know that one of the major side effects is weight gain....    — wendy-s (posted on March 19, 2009)

March 19, 2009
I have been on the depo shot before and after surgery. I haven't really noticed a difference since surgery. Everything is still the same and I am still losing weight. Hope this helps:)
   — Nicole Wilson

March 19, 2009
Hi, I was on Depo a fews ago and my Dr took me off it because of a class action law suit in the US. Several women became infertille and had bone loss. I would ask for an alternative birth control just to be safe. :)
   — KylaMcComb

March 19, 2009
I used NuvaRing. I think that's how it's spelled. It worked just fine. Good luck.
   — maria09elena

March 19, 2009
Wendy, I used it a few years back but as my gyno told me it is the same thing they give sex offenders and it will in most people cause you to lose your sex drive. I did and I stopped taking it. It may not affect you that way though.
   — gonnabethinfinally

March 19, 2009
Been on for SEVERAL years before and after surgery. My preferred method of BC. Good luck.
   — jammerz

March 20, 2009
I was on it. Took it for 3 shots (9 months), had every side effect you name. Hair loss, headaches, leg pain, nausea, bleeding, cramping, low sex drive. You name it, I had it. Stop taking it and then after having 4 babies no problem before the shots, could not get pregnant to save my life. Finally 2 years after doc told me I was probably infertile, I conceived had 3 miscarriages, gave up.
   — Terri DesVignes-Henderson

March 20, 2009
I've never been on Depo before but I was going to suggest an IUD. I have the Merana (not spelled correctly) which is good for 10 yrs. I just had to pay my copay to have it put in and my OB did it. I thought it was painless and an easy birth control solution.
   — huladebbie

March 25, 2009
Hi, I have been a Family Planning nurse for the past 5 years and give the Depo Provera shot often. Some people don't have any problems with it and love it, but then there are the others who do have issues on it. One thing I tell women, before I give them Depo, is that everyone has different experiences on it. I'm very blunt when it comes to Depo and I also tell them I can't predict which side effects they will get. I encourage them to try Depo at least once, especially if they have failed on other birth control methods or if they can't remember taking or using birth control regularly and correctly. Before I give a woman a Depo injection, I let them know this about Depo: 1)once you get the injection, it remains in your system for about 13 weeks, 2)can cause weight gain - some women are very sensitive to this hormone and it can cause the person to start eating more/increase grazing/get the "munchies" (I've seen up to 15 pounds of wt gain every 3 months), 3)it can cause thinning of the bones - so someone who is on Depo needs to increase their calcium intake and weight bearing excerises for healthy bones, 4)it can cause mood swings and worsen depression, 5)it can thin out your hair (rarely seen), 6)you can have irregular bleeding (sometimes everyday) for 3+ months or it may disappear all together, 7)it can take up to 18+ months for pregnancy to happen after stopping the shot, although I have seen a woman get pregnant after being 1 day overdue for their follow up shot, 8)the injection can sting or hurt while getting it and the injection site can ache for a few days. I don't want people to think that I am against Depo; because I am not. It's a wonderful birth control option for some people. I feel that a lot of health providers do not fully educate their patients when it comes to birth control, so that is why I'm very open when it comes to Depo (plus I don't want any patients coming back to me mad and saying that I didn't tell them about the side effects). Someone mentioned the Mirena IUD and this is a good option too. It can last up to 5 years and if after 5 years you are still happy with the Mirena; another Mirena can be inserted immediately after removing the "old" one. Although the Mirena and Depo contain the hormone progesterone, usually you do not see the side effects associated with Depo on the Mirena because the Mirena releases small amounts of this hormone constantly and regularly. The Paragard IUD has no hormones in it and can last up to 10-12 years. The Paragard is great if you have multiple health problems like diabetes etc or want something that doesn't contain hormones. One thing I warn about the Paragard is if you have heavy periods or severe cramping, this IUD will probably worsen those symptoms and you probably don't want to get this one. This is why we recommend the Mirena if you experience the above, because it usually lessens bleeding and cramping and in some cases your period can actually disappear (this is normal); like if you were on the Depo injection. I hope this is helpful. If you want to contact me, my email is [email protected] and I will try to get back to you asap. Teresa
   — Teresa R.