Depo Provera Is a Poison

I can't speak for everyone because many women have no adverse effects from the shot, but i personally feel there are better and safer ways of birth control. I initially started getting the shot to stop my periods, and then got it again for actual birth control. The first month I had a two week period and then didn't have another one until 5 months later right before i was supposed to get my third shot for the year. I bled for 2 weeks again. I decided to discontinue the shot because I became *very* depressed (and if you have a history of depression STAY AWAY from this!!), i started having yeast infections one after the other which i am still battling and it's gotten so bad nothing is working. And, the long term side effects are horrible, so this should be your very LAST resort. Keep doing research online because if your doctor is like mine, they may not tell you all about it and you'll regret taking it.

I am in the process of getting off Depo Provera. In fact, I am scheduled to have tubal ligation the day after tomorrow. My last Depo shot was in October. I have been on Depo for nearly 3 years.

At first, I thought Depo Provera was wonderful. My periods immediately stopped, I experienced no side effects. I was already slender, but I continued to lose weight until I went from a size 9 to a size 5. I was thrilled with that, because I had heard Depo Provera makes you gain weight. Bear in mind, I was going through a divorce, so I don't think Depo caused the weight loss - that was stress, but I was happy it didn't cause any gain.

After about a year, I began to gain weight. Lots of it. I am now pushing the outer boundaries of a size 14, which is larger than I have ever been in my life, even after giving birth to my two children. Depo also caused all of the following side effects, which started out mild, and eventually became severe:

Depression and anxiety, mood swings, worry, temperamentality
Inability to get to sleep, remain asleep, or sleep deeply
Increased headaches and backaches
Huge weight gain, major increase in breast size (from C to DD)
Irritable bowel syndrome, constant stomach growling
Severe abdominal bloating, swelling and gas (so much so that, combined with the weight gain and the swelling in my upper abdomen, I sometimes appear to be pregnant).

I now rue the day I ever began taking Depo Provera. I loved not having my period and not having to worry about birth control, but the trade off and the damage it has done to my health is definitely not worth it. I went at least 1.5 years before the side effects started, but they then came on quickly, and full force. There were times I was so overcome by anxiety and mood swings, I thought I was losing my mind.

I would warn anyone considering this form of birth control to avoid Depo Provera. I only hope that I will recover fully now that I am nearly off it. Nearly all of my symptoms began subsiding the nearer I got to being off Depo (my next shot would have been due last week, so technically, I am already "off" Depo), but it will take a few months before I expect them all to go away. I really hope I can lose the weight soon. The anxiety, etc. has already gone away, which is a huge relief. I wonder how long it will take for my period to return.

A last footnote - just yesterday I began showing symptoms of an impending yeast infection. I never had any in my life until I was on Depo. I still have only had three at the most, but that is in the 3 years I've been on Depo, so that's plenty. This particular one is most inconvenient, coming as it does just days before my tubal ligation surgery. Fortunately, I am on a one day treatment, so it will be cleared up before the surgery. It almost feels like Depo is giving me one last hurrah of nasty side effects with this yeast infection as a parting shot. Nothing on earth is going to prevent me from getting this tubal. I'm so ready to get Depo Provera out of my body and my life.

hi ive just started using the drug, and have had no side affects. i still have my regular periods, and it stops me from getting pregnant, each women is different, the maximum weight you can gain is 5 pounds each year that your on depo. Its a very effective birth control and i would recomend it to anyone. It can cause problems for some women but not many. You have your depo shot once ever 3 months, but you must make sure you have it at the right date, otherwise it can mean your unprotected.

Hope i have helped =] xxx