Hello. I took my first depo provera shot Nov 5, 2009. Then on Nov 23 I had unprotected sex with my boyfriend. I started bleeding afterwards, which is normal because I had just lost my virginity. I kept bleeding though for about 8-9 days. I believe it was a normal period because it looked like a normal period and it was around the time that I would have normally gotten my next period. He ejaculated in me. I read an article that says "30% of users will continue to have regular periods (which suggests that ovulation is continuing)". I do not know if I am pregnant because depo provera has symptoms very similar to be pregnant. Since December I have become more emotional, I have started to eat more than usual, I have had strong cravings for certain foods, and more recently (a few days ago) I have started peeing more that usual and I have had a pressure feeling around my stomach and spine. In January I started to become tired all the time and I get dizzy sometimes. I'm having troubles concentrating in college. I haven't really gained much weight maybe a pound or two but my waist line has increased by about 3". It could be from retaining water or something though. Between Jan 5 and Jan 23 I have had spotting. I don't know if I would consider it to be a period or not. It was very dark brown (almost black). When it started and was finishing it was a spot about the size of a penny and in the middle the spotting got as long as a driver's license. I was doing a little research, although I'm not sure that site I found is reliable or not, I found an article that said that it was normal for a pregnant woman to spot a little in the first trimester I have a very limited budget right now so I cannot go see a doctor and I have read that depo provera can alter a pregnancy test. How can I find out if I am pregnant?
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Hi CC! It is true that not ALL women stop their periods on Depo! BUT Depo can also cause the same symtpoms that you are experiencing! Since I take it a doctor gave you the shot, then ask the same doctor to take a urine test OR if you live near a Free Clinic, they will do a urine test for you! Just know that Depo is supposed to work instantly and has a 99.7% success rate! So I don't think you are pregnant! Because it was 18 days after the shot! I do believe you are having some side effects of it, and these should settle over time! Just so your body gets used to the shot and hormones! I think you are fine! BUT always seek medical help if you are worried OK?!
Hi Bambi. Thanks for the info. I got the depo shot at Planned Parenthood but I don't plan on ever going back there. I guess I will check around town for a Free Clinic.
Why is that?
The lady who gave me the shot, who was training another lady, said that another worker reuses needles. I was not finished asking questions about the depo shot when she injected me with it (I did see her get a new needle). I wanted to know more about the patch also but I didn't have a chance to ask anything about it. She then wrote down on a paper that I should take 1200 mg of calcium and 400 mg of vitamin d when it should be 400 iu of vitamin d (I found this out when I was researching what foods had calcium and vitamin d). So I have decided to stick with condoms or go see a doctor about birth control.
IF she reuses needles this is against the law! So this should be reported actually honey! I no longer need BC - as i had a hysterectomy! BUT - this is my PERSONAL opionion - after reading MANY women having problems with Depo I would NEVER have this shot! I don't like the side effects of it and that it can cause delays in trying to become pregnant1 So I agree with you on that one!
The person who gave me the shot didn't reuse needles, she said that another employee did. I probably should have reported it. Do you think it is too late to report it now? I don't even remember the name of the lady that gave me the shot. I don't plan on taking any more BC that messes with my chemistry. One time was enough for me to learn my lesson. The side effects are dreadful. I cannot even concentrate on my school work. Another 1-3 weeks and this stuff should be out of my system though.
There should always be an investigation into questionable medical practices! The good thing is as we are talking this stuff is working it's way out of your system! Not all Depo patients have bad experiences but there are MANY on here! Good luck honey!
Do you know how to go about reporting something like that? I cannot wait until this stuff is out of my system. I'm just glad I had bad symptoms the first time so that I did research and found out how bad it can be for women. I'm sure the longer a woman takes Depo the more damage it can do. Thank you for all your help!
Your local health department usually through the government or city! Most places have a process that you can file a complaint against! If you phone your governements healthcare department, I'm sure they can either take a complaint, or put you in touch with the right department! I'm from Canada, so I do not know how things work in the states - we have a patient ombudsmen to start the process!
Okay, thanks. I will research it a bit and see what I come up with. I took a pregnancy test from the dollar store just to make sure (not sure how accurate they are) and it came back negative.
iknwo its over a year ago but!
to everyone commenting on this post. i wondered if you have any imformation on pregnancy after the pill? lately i have had bad lower stomach pains and back pains and frequent headaches. i stopped the pill 2 months ago in may and have had unprotected sex alot since then with my partneer.. am i pregnant?
to everyone commenting on this post. i wondered if you have any imformation on pregnancy after the pill? lately i have had bad lower stomach pains and back pains and frequent headaches. i stopped the pill 2 months ago in may and have had unprotected sex alot since then with my partneer.. am i pregnant?
They are very accurate. I used it when I found out I was pregnant with my daughter.