Depo shot?
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AmberWaves
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No no no no no. No depo. Everyone I ever knew who had it hated it. Some got pregnant and didn''t know it (they don''t get their periods), and some had horrible weight gain. Any type of BC that messes with your hormones is going to have side-effects. I''m on the pill, and ther is a way you can take your pills straight through, and not get a period for a month or so. I''ve talked to my gyno, and she said that''s fine. You can tell your gyno when you DON''T want it (your period), and she/he can recommend when you should start taking them. I love it, it makes it easier to plan.
Good luck!
curlygirl
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CB, are you on the pill? I don't know anything about Depo but if you're on the pill, just keep taking them. As soon as you take your last active pill, start a new pack and keep going until it's done. You won't get your period until the next month when you stop taking the active pills.
ETA Amber and I were writing at the same time!!
ETA Amber and I were writing at the same time!!
researcher
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I got the shot and have mixed feelings about it. Instead of losing weight before my wedding I GAINED weight (about 12 lbs)! It was not good. Also, it took forever for my body to get back on track (I got the shot in July and just finally had my period). But, it was really nice to not have to worry about having my period during my wedding or honeymoon (we were in Fiji for almost 3 weeks and I was terrified of having my period while scuba diving with sharks even though people say the sharks don''t care for human blood). If you''re not concerned about gaining weight (or are willing to change your eating habits to avoid gaining weight), breaking out (my skin was fine for the first month but then started breaking out with little bumps), and aren''t interested in starting a family right away it might be a good option for you. I didn''t have any of the other side effects, but I have friends who''ve had them. Just remember to take LOTS of calcium if you do get the shot!
Hope this helps
Hope this helps
Mara
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BIG FAT NO on the Depo..
There was a thread recently where tons of BC was discussed.
The biggest side effect I have heard is tons of weight gain....my sister gained 25 lbs on it, she used to be stick thin and now she looks pregnant and she is only 22.But for me it had other irritating side effects, I spotted for 6 months straight. TMI I know but definitely not a good thing.
I just took the pill for 2 months before and then straight through the wedding and into the honeymoon to ensure (no breaks) that I didn't get any unwelcome visitors during the trips. This is what my doctor recommended.
There was a thread recently where tons of BC was discussed.
The biggest side effect I have heard is tons of weight gain....my sister gained 25 lbs on it, she used to be stick thin and now she looks pregnant and she is only 22.But for me it had other irritating side effects, I spotted for 6 months straight. TMI I know but definitely not a good thing.
I just took the pill for 2 months before and then straight through the wedding and into the honeymoon to ensure (no breaks) that I didn't get any unwelcome visitors during the trips. This is what my doctor recommended.
AmberWaves
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researcher
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Date: 3/8/2006 6:05:46 PM
Author: AmberWaves
Researcher, I''ve gotta say, you really don''t sell the Depo!! I love it. ''If you want to experience misery in all areas of your life, go ahead!!''
Well, at least I didn''t experience the WORST of the side effects--loss of sexual interest! Can you just imagine THAT happening on your honeymoon?!?!
Mara
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Not if you don''t take the placebo week of pills...just keep taking the active pills (aka finish an active pack then start a nwe one) and you won''t have a period. My dr said that technically gals don''t need to have it every month which was interesting, her take on it anyway. I was able to do this for 3 months but then my body started flipping out and spotting so about 2 weeks after the honeymoon, I went off so I could reset everything. I''d see your doctor to talk about it, that''s what I did and she told me what to do and that was it!
researcher
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qtiekiki
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Mara
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AndyRosse
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The BC pill that you take for 3 months straight is Seasonale. I was on it for a year, and I could only manage going about 2 months before my body said "hmm, hello, I think you''re forgetting something." LOL My OB/GYN said that it could take over a year for your body to finally understand what you are asking of it, and with some people, it will just never work. I decided it just wasn''t worth my trouble or $$, so back to the trusty Ortho-Tricyclen lo for me.
Tybee
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This is such and interesting topic. I really thought I scheduled it all out, now it seems that I am going to be PMSing for my wedding and on my period during our honeymoon! I thought I''d planned it better than that!
Personally, I had terrible weight gain and grumpiness with many pill perscriptions. I''m not on it, and won''t go on it. It''s worse than getting a period for me. I''m just trying to figure out ways to lesson my PMS symptoms. I''m doing this whole water/tea thing.
I''m sure it won''t be the end of my life. I''ve had my period during other fanstastic vacations and it wasn''t that bad.
But somewhere in the back of my mind I keep hoping that my next few periods are SUPER late, so that I can not be expecting it during our honeymoon!
Personally, I had terrible weight gain and grumpiness with many pill perscriptions. I''m not on it, and won''t go on it. It''s worse than getting a period for me. I''m just trying to figure out ways to lesson my PMS symptoms. I''m doing this whole water/tea thing.
I''m sure it won''t be the end of my life. I''ve had my period during other fanstastic vacations and it wasn''t that bad.
But somewhere in the back of my mind I keep hoping that my next few periods are SUPER late, so that I can not be expecting it during our honeymoon!
E B
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Another vote for "no" on the depo shot. I have also heard way too many negatives about it. I also think the shot and the Seasonale pill where you only get your period 4 times a year just can''t be good for your body, no matter how many doctors say it''s alright. Why mess with nature more than you really have to?
I''ve done the continuous pill thing in the past and it works. As long as you''re not doing it every time you feel like not having your monthly visitor!
I''ve done the continuous pill thing in the past and it works. As long as you''re not doing it every time you feel like not having your monthly visitor!
ellewoods
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I was on Depo for 5 years. For the most part, it was wonderful. After a few months of beginning it, I stopped having periods altogether. That was just awesome! I hate the monthly inconvenience of being a woman. And I''ve spoken to several doctors about this and they say there''s no need for women to have periods every month, and skipping is completely fine and healthy. I did gain a bit of weight though, maybe 5-8 pounds. Some of my friends gained more like 10-15 though. It was also great because without periods, there was no PMS. No pre-period annoyances of being emotional and getting upset at the drop of a hat, or other uncomfortable physical things. I also didn''t have to buy feminine products for about 5 years.
There is a major problem with Depo though -- it was just announced last year and there is a serious warning on the product now. The issue is that Depo can hinder/stop bone density development, which is essential in women especially before 30, 35. One study showed that women who were on Depo and went off of Depo didn''t regain the bone density (a good thing, the bone density) after going OFF of Depo. So the medical community got very concerned. One doctor I spoke to about it said it is a major concern and she won''t prescribe Depo unless it truly is the only method a woman can use. But another doctor I spoke with told me that the concern has been blown out of proportion -- that the study didn''t show that the bone density never returned, but that there aren''t any long term studies at this point (since Depo hasn''t been around that long) that show how a woman''s bone density recovers/stabalizes, etc. after a woman stops Depo.
They are especially concerned about long term users of Depo -- like for more than 2 years. Being on it for 5 years, my doctors reccomended I stop it and start a new method, at least for a while.
Now I''m on Yasmin, a pill. I love it, its a great new formulation of BC pill. It''s got a lot of benefits.
As others have said, if you don''t want to have your period, and you''re on a BC pill, all you have to do is take the 3 weeks of "active" pills. Then instead of taking that 4th week of "inactive" pills (they''re just sugar pills, to help you remember to take your pill everyday) -- start a new pack of BC pills. So basically take the first 3 weeks of your BC pills, then start your new pack. If you want to stop your period that next month too, simply do the same thing -- take the first 3 weeks of active pills, then skip the sugar pills and go straight to a new pack.
There''s nothing very "new" about the Seasonale pills.....they simply got FDA approval to market their pill as the one that lets you get only 4 periods a year. But you can do the same thing with any other pills -- but the other pills don''t have this approval in terms of marketing from the FDA.
I''d definitely reccomend speaking with your Dr. about doing the pill skipping method, instead of starting Depo just for the scheduling of your wedding/honeymoon. The pill method should work, without all the other negatives that come from Depo.
There is a major problem with Depo though -- it was just announced last year and there is a serious warning on the product now. The issue is that Depo can hinder/stop bone density development, which is essential in women especially before 30, 35. One study showed that women who were on Depo and went off of Depo didn''t regain the bone density (a good thing, the bone density) after going OFF of Depo. So the medical community got very concerned. One doctor I spoke to about it said it is a major concern and she won''t prescribe Depo unless it truly is the only method a woman can use. But another doctor I spoke with told me that the concern has been blown out of proportion -- that the study didn''t show that the bone density never returned, but that there aren''t any long term studies at this point (since Depo hasn''t been around that long) that show how a woman''s bone density recovers/stabalizes, etc. after a woman stops Depo.
They are especially concerned about long term users of Depo -- like for more than 2 years. Being on it for 5 years, my doctors reccomended I stop it and start a new method, at least for a while.
Now I''m on Yasmin, a pill. I love it, its a great new formulation of BC pill. It''s got a lot of benefits.
As others have said, if you don''t want to have your period, and you''re on a BC pill, all you have to do is take the 3 weeks of "active" pills. Then instead of taking that 4th week of "inactive" pills (they''re just sugar pills, to help you remember to take your pill everyday) -- start a new pack of BC pills. So basically take the first 3 weeks of your BC pills, then start your new pack. If you want to stop your period that next month too, simply do the same thing -- take the first 3 weeks of active pills, then skip the sugar pills and go straight to a new pack.
There''s nothing very "new" about the Seasonale pills.....they simply got FDA approval to market their pill as the one that lets you get only 4 periods a year. But you can do the same thing with any other pills -- but the other pills don''t have this approval in terms of marketing from the FDA.
I''d definitely reccomend speaking with your Dr. about doing the pill skipping method, instead of starting Depo just for the scheduling of your wedding/honeymoon. The pill method should work, without all the other negatives that come from Depo.
HOUMedGal
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Personally, as a med student and as a woman who takes Seasonale, I''d recommend just taking the pills straight through and skipping the placebo week. I''ve never tried Depo myself, always been a pill girl. 
As far as I know, there are less side effects with the pill, and it''s easier to control and predict the bleeding than it is with depo, especially if you''d be getting your very first depo shot for your wedding, without knowing exactly how your body is going to react to it.
Either get on Seasonale, or just get your new pack of pills one week early and skip the placebo pill week, and move on to the next set of active pills. It''s perfectly fine and healthy for you to do. I''ve been on Seasonale for about a year now, and I''m finally getting to where I can go ALMOST the whole 3 months without spotting. The first few cycles I had to let myself have a period before the 3 months was up because I couldn''t stand the spotting anymore! But it''s gradually gotten much better, and I love not having a period for so long!
As far as I know, there are less side effects with the pill, and it''s easier to control and predict the bleeding than it is with depo, especially if you''d be getting your very first depo shot for your wedding, without knowing exactly how your body is going to react to it.Either get on Seasonale, or just get your new pack of pills one week early and skip the placebo pill week, and move on to the next set of active pills. It''s perfectly fine and healthy for you to do. I''ve been on Seasonale for about a year now, and I''m finally getting to where I can go ALMOST the whole 3 months without spotting. The first few cycles I had to let myself have a period before the 3 months was up because I couldn''t stand the spotting anymore! But it''s gradually gotten much better, and I love not having a period for so long!
ky6
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My sister and I both have had negative side effects from depo. I have also had several friends who have as well. In fact, I have only had 1 friend who liked it (but she did gain a little weight with it).
My experience with it was this. After my well woman exam, I went in and got the shot once I started my next period. I knew there may be a little irregular bleeding/spotting at first and was prepared for that. What I was not prepared for was the 2 month long period that followed. I never quit bleeding. I called the doctor after about the second week and he suggested I wait it out a little longer (I guess supposedly it can take your body a little time to get regulated to it). After 2 months of daily bleeding (granted it wasn''t heavy, but it was more than just spotting), I went in and saw my doctor- I was beginning to sympathize witht he afflicted woman in The Bible. He had to put me back on the pill to force the bleeding to stop. I ended up having to take two pills per day until it stopped. Holy hormones!!! Needless to say, I was not a pleasant person to be around.
Anyhow, that is my experience with it. My sister got really sick on it (like physically ill...vomiting and such). So anyhow, I am not a big fan of it.
My experience with it was this. After my well woman exam, I went in and got the shot once I started my next period. I knew there may be a little irregular bleeding/spotting at first and was prepared for that. What I was not prepared for was the 2 month long period that followed. I never quit bleeding. I called the doctor after about the second week and he suggested I wait it out a little longer (I guess supposedly it can take your body a little time to get regulated to it). After 2 months of daily bleeding (granted it wasn''t heavy, but it was more than just spotting), I went in and saw my doctor- I was beginning to sympathize witht he afflicted woman in The Bible. He had to put me back on the pill to force the bleeding to stop. I ended up having to take two pills per day until it stopped. Holy hormones!!! Needless to say, I was not a pleasant person to be around.
Anyhow, that is my experience with it. My sister got really sick on it (like physically ill...vomiting and such). So anyhow, I am not a big fan of it.
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Tacori E-ring
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Well I agree. Depo has many health risks. I am on Seasonale and LOVE IT!!! Like every poster has already mentioned if you are on BC pills that don''t taper off the strength (every pill is the same) you can just start a new pack instead of the sugar pill. Been there done that
But if you are shopping around for a new BC, I suggest Seasonale.
Blenheim
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Another Depo user here, but I''m going to change forms of BC in about a month (because of the health warnings about done density, not because of other side effects).
I don''t think I''d recommend it for you. When I first started using it, I got about one 2-3 week long period every three months. Over the two years I''ve been on it, my periods have gotten shorter and shorter. I hear that this pattern (longer at first, shorter as time goes by) is pretty common. There''s a decent chance that it wouldn''t prevent you from having period during your honeymoon. The other ladies have much better suggestions, in my opinion, on how to deal with this.
Another thing that I don''t think anyone has mentioned: if your body reacts badly to a pill, you can stop taking it. If it reacts badly to the shot, well, it''s in your system for the next three months.
Sidenote: No weight gain or unwanted pregnancies for me.
I don''t think I''d recommend it for you. When I first started using it, I got about one 2-3 week long period every three months. Over the two years I''ve been on it, my periods have gotten shorter and shorter. I hear that this pattern (longer at first, shorter as time goes by) is pretty common. There''s a decent chance that it wouldn''t prevent you from having period during your honeymoon. The other ladies have much better suggestions, in my opinion, on how to deal with this.
Another thing that I don''t think anyone has mentioned: if your body reacts badly to a pill, you can stop taking it. If it reacts badly to the shot, well, it''s in your system for the next three months.
Sidenote: No weight gain or unwanted pregnancies for me.
Scintillating
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I don't know if this has been mentioned or not but - you can only take "active" BC pills continuously (to skip a period) if you are on a Monophasic Pill (One-phase - same level of hormones all month long.)
"Most" BC pills are Tri-phasic (Ortho-Tricyclen, etc - three levels in a month - a cycle).
My roommate in College heard that you can take BC pills continuously and skip your period.
So she tried it and took her Tricyclen for two months continuously and ended up with her period for a month!!!!
Please talk to your OB/GYN about this stuff before experimenting.
Scintillating...
Oh* I echo a big NO to Depo - it made me really depressed, or maybe that was just the 25lbs I gained.
I'm on Levelite now, a low dose monophasic. It's the only BC pill I've ever liked. No PMSing, no crazy periods (much lighter in fact, no weight gain (loss in fact), I feel really good. I could skip periods if I wanted, but they are so light now that they don't bother me - skipping periods in the past because of Depo did freak me out.
"Most" BC pills are Tri-phasic (Ortho-Tricyclen, etc - three levels in a month - a cycle).
My roommate in College heard that you can take BC pills continuously and skip your period.
So she tried it and took her Tricyclen for two months continuously and ended up with her period for a month!!!!
Please talk to your OB/GYN about this stuff before experimenting.
Scintillating...
Oh* I echo a big NO to Depo - it made me really depressed, or maybe that was just the 25lbs I gained.
I'm on Levelite now, a low dose monophasic. It's the only BC pill I've ever liked. No PMSing, no crazy periods (much lighter in fact, no weight gain (loss in fact), I feel really good. I could skip periods if I wanted, but they are so light now that they don't bother me - skipping periods in the past because of Depo did freak me out.
Mara
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Scint makes a good point re: the continuous pill, I was on Levelen which is monophasic and then the one week of sugar placebos. It had low weight gain, it helped regulate and lessen my periods (I get the worst cramps and am SUPER bitchy and cranky... hee hee ... yes that means more than usual!) and no other side effects for me, I''ve taken it for years. But just recently went off it, was tired of taking a daily thing and also I wanted to see how much weight gain was really going on there.
aphisiglovessae
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Some of us recently expressed our feelings about different birth control options in another thread: https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/venting.40361/
I was on Depo for 4 or 5 years. I DO NOT recommend it. In a nutshell: LOTS of weight gain, depression, mood swings, possible cervical cancer which led to tons of culpos (painful biopsies), abnormal paps, and spotting. When I finally decided that the depo might have been the root of all my problems, I got off. After about 2 or 3 months of bleeding (yes, two or three months straight of spotting and periods) this is what happened: normal paps, weight loss (not all of it, but at least half), less depression, and normal periods. I don't think you want to risk going through all that for no periods.
ETA: Oh, and another problem I had with Depo was the inability to perform sexually. I know it's too much info, but I totally lost interest and my body wouldn't do what it was supposed to during intimacy (if you know what I mean). NOT COOL.
I was on Depo for 4 or 5 years. I DO NOT recommend it. In a nutshell: LOTS of weight gain, depression, mood swings, possible cervical cancer which led to tons of culpos (painful biopsies), abnormal paps, and spotting. When I finally decided that the depo might have been the root of all my problems, I got off. After about 2 or 3 months of bleeding (yes, two or three months straight of spotting and periods) this is what happened: normal paps, weight loss (not all of it, but at least half), less depression, and normal periods. I don't think you want to risk going through all that for no periods.
ETA: Oh, and another problem I had with Depo was the inability to perform sexually. I know it's too much info, but I totally lost interest and my body wouldn't do what it was supposed to during intimacy (if you know what I mean). NOT COOL.
goldengirl
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Date: 3/9/2006 12:06:50 AM
Author: Scintillating
Oh* I echo a big NO to Depo - it made me really depressed, or maybe that was just the 25lbs I gained.
LOL!!
I loved the convenience of Depo, but I''m beginning to suspect my weight gain was because of Depo (25 pounds), my further-reduced (it was low to start with) sex drive was probably Depo, and frankly, it''s been a giant pain in my keister getting my body back on schedule. I was on Depo for two years. My last shot was Feb 05 (so it was no longer effective May 05) and I didn''t get any period until Christmas 05... and currently I''m blessed with a two-weeks-on, two-weeks-off cycle while my body figures out how to be normal again.
Having said that, I''d continue putting up with some love handles if I never have to deal with this menstrual BS again!!
aphisiglovessae
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Date: 3/9/2006 1:16:35 AM
Author: goldengirl
Date: 3/9/2006 12:06:50 AM
Author: Scintillating
Oh* I echo a big NO to Depo - it made me really depressed, or maybe that was just the 25lbs I gained.
LOL!!
Having said that, I'd continue putting up with some love handles if I never have to deal with this menstrual BS again!!(Next up: Mirena!)
My periods have never been bad, so I don't mind them. I don't get cramps or PMS or anything. Just the bleeding is a little gross. Before I was on birth control at all, I had irregular periods and it sucked not knowing when it was going to start. I like the fact that my body is on a schedule now (3 to 4 days, right on time, every time). No more surprises.
ETA: I'm probably just going to skip my inactive pills if I'm scheduled to start my period around the wedding. It should work ok, I hope. I'm on a monophasic pill. I used to be on Ortho-Cyclen (which I liked), then I was on Alesse (had spotting occassionally) and now I'm on Lo-Ovral (no noticable problems yet).
goldengirl
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