female question

I know that some of you are on the depo provera, like I am. I went to my family dr. yesterday for another reason, and when they weighed me I was shocked to learn that I gained close to 15 lbs over the last year. I know it is the shot, because I think I eat fairly well, and have been downsizing my soda intake and fat intake. So, now I am thinking of switching over to maybe the pill. I just am wondering for those of you who switched to another form (pill, patch), did the weight drop off of you once you went off the depo?

I just switched to the pill about a month and a half ago, so I can't really say how much will drop how fast. I can tell you what my Dr. said. She said that she has stayed at the exact same weight for years and years...since late high school, until she took Depo. She said in 6 months she gained 10 pounds, and it took about a year after she stopped Depo to drop that weight.

Were you on the depo as well? How long did you have to wait til the pill took effect?

With most pills, you have to take them at the same time every day or night for 7 consecutive days before it takes effect. You will need to use another method along with it for that first week to prevent pregnancy.

I know when I talked to my gno when I was going to switch last year or so, she was going to have me start taking them about a month before my next shot was due. So, say I go a few days to see her after I get my next shot (which is within a week or so), and I do decide to take the pill, and if she tells me to start taking them a month before the next shot WOULD be due, would I still have to worry or not? Or would I be fine, since I'd still have a month to go before my next shot would've been due? Kind of a confusing question, huh?

Well, I'm no gynocologist, so my opinion isn't worth much, but it doesn't seem to me like it would be a very good idea to be on both things at once! I mean I would think you should let the depo get completely out of your system before taking the pill! I know after I had Amber and went back on birth control, I tried the patch for one month, but didn't like it very well and wanted to go on the pill again, but my doctor said I had to finish using that first month of the patch and then start the pill the following week after my period. I only had to wait one week before the pill was effective.

As to losing the weight that depo caused you to gain, from my experience: good luck! I took depo for about 4 years and over that period of time, I gained about 40 lbs. I quit depo about 3 years ago, and that weight has yet to fall off. I eat 3 meals a day, not very many sweets at all, no soda, etc. It seems as though this is going to be my regular weight unless I make a dramatic effort.

It's disgusting isn't it, Deb?

You could say that and not be exaggerating......

I remember at first they said there would be a little weight gain. I swear, every time I went for the next shot I had gained more. This went on for 4 years.

*mental note to self* No Depo EVER! EEK!

You got that one right, sister.

Depo made me have major mood swings! As if I didnt have enough problems~ geez~~~~~~

Patty

I have to say that I LOVED Depo, once I got past the initial 3 months which my Dr. warned me about - major mood swings! The only reason I switched was because my new insurance wouldn't cover one cent of it, and I can't afford $92 for each shot.

I was on it for about 5 years, and I switched when my next shot was due. My Dr. didn't say anything about worrying about pregnancy during the switch. Depo is one of those that hangs in your body for quite a while even after the last shot, they say it can take up to 9 months after your last shot before you should try to get pregnant.

As for the weight gain, I did gain on it but I can't attribute all of my gain to Depo. In fact, I actually lost 40 pounds over the past year even being on the Depo.

My Dr. did tell me some real interesting things about Depo when I was in talking about switching. She said in the normal cycle, there is a big shot of progesterone right before your period (which is also what causes the PMS). Depo is a constant flow of progesterone, so it's basically keeping your body in a constant state of PMS (her words). That's why those first three months are hellacious. She also said that she will not start anyone over the age of 21 on Depo because of those side effects. Apparently the effects aren't that bad in young women, but are much worse as you get older and the hormones balance out.

Well, I was about 38 when I began taking it. I had zero mood swings, but I don't normally PMS anyway....or maybe it's because I am universally in a bad mood....who knows?The other gigantic plus (+++) was that I had no periods at all while I was on it, and it took about 9 months after to begin again. (I was hoping and praying for no more ever, but no dice). As I think we discussed before, the periods that came after were no treat whatsoever. It took about 2 years for that mess to calm down to something that approached normal.

I just wish I had had my tubes tied. And I WOULD have had I known I would have been having a c-section, I would have had them do it right then and there while they had me open. I really messed up there. It isn't very safe for a woman over 35 to be on the pill, especially if you smoke (which I do) and most other forms of birth control like the patch etc have the same hormones as the pill and aren't safe for me either. I think I will have my tubes tied in a couple years.

Hi,

Sorry to butt in, but I was just having a browse. I have heard about depo and didn't think it sounded good to me. In Australia, we have a new thing called "Implanon". It is an implant about the size of a match that is put into your upper arm and stays there for 3 years. I have had no side effects at all except for being a bit moody in the first week. The best thing about it is, that if you do get side effects, or want to go off birth control, they just take it out and you go back to normal in about a day. You should check it out. I have been so happy with mine I have told several friends to give it a try.

Isnt that the same thing as Norplant? I have heard bad things about Norplant.

Not sure if it is. This one is European. It is honestly the best thing I have done. I was on the pill for 13 years before it. It is much safer as it doesn't have the same hormones as the pill. No more rememebering to take the pill...phew...and it's cheaper too. $22 is all it cost and the insertion was free!!!!!

I am really interested in hearing more about this implant...do you know if there is a website about it? It sounds great! is there no weight gain with it, then? That always worries me.

Tigger, what are the bad things you have heard about Norplant? I'm just curious, I don't know anyone who is on that.

I kept meaning to have mine done....and then all of a sudden the insurance didn't cover it anymore. Bad move on my part. Procrastination will be the death of me.