There’s another thread about The Pill™, but I’ve never been on it, and I didn’t want to hijack, so here’s this thread: Depo-Provera users.
I’ve been on the stuff for almost three years now, and the side effects so far have been complete cessation of my period, a little weight gain (about 10 lbs.), and some mild mood swings. No cramps, no spotting, very little bloat. Hooray for Depo, I say! But I’ve heard some people have problems with it, especially the mood swings.
Does anybody else use this stuff, and what has been your experience with it? Feel free to share horror stories- it’s always good to be completely informed. Any ob/gyns out there who have a view on the stuff? And you men! Have an S/O using Depo? What do you think about her mood?
And is it true there was once talk of using Depo-Provera as a form of ‘chemical castration’ for sex offenders to destroy their libido? Would this work?
If satan could make birth control, it would be Depo-Provera. First of all, they put a thick, creamy substance inside a syringe with a 20 gage needle on it. They shake it up so it “comes out easier” and thrust it into either your buttocks or upper arm, which leaves it sore for several days.
For the first couple days, it isn’t noticable. Then you start getting bitchy, depressed, jealous, unhappy and begin crying for no apparant reason at all. It takes your period away for a couple months, and then dumps it on you for the remaining 2 1/2 weeks of your Depo cycle. Then, just when you think the mood swings and depression have gone away with the hormones, you are scheduled for another shot in 4 days.
Yippee for Depo.
I’ve been on the shot twice, the first time it was great, no peroids for the whole time and a year after I got off. Then spotty periods after that, irregular, but the PMS would warn me it was coming.
This time I’m not so lucky, I’ve gained weight, yuck yuck yuck.
My sex drive is almost none. And hubby who is sex crazed is unpleased with this result.
And mood swings…
OMG the mood swings.
I experience mostly anger, or just outright pissiness. I’ve leveled my poor husbands ego to almost nill…
Screaming Don’t touch me! And mean it.
But I’m still taking it, the pill does nothing for me.
Luckily though in about 6 months I’ll take my last shot and try try again for another munchkin, go back on the shot for another year, try again, then I’m burning the tubes.
ratty, my experience is the same is yours. Except I don’t get mood swings. I love Depo. I also love not having to deal with menstruation. I think I am gaining weight on my own, which started before Depo.
I went on it after a pregnancy scare when I was with my SO. It made me extremely bitchy and emotional. It took my period away. It made me depressed. It made me have a 3 week long period. It cost a shitload of money.
Net result:
Due partially to Depo-induced emotionality, bitchiness, and irrationality, my then-SO and I broke up. This is my HUGE MAJOR GIGUNDO beef with Depo. Admittedly, it’s petty.
I gained weight, although that COULD’ve been the Freshman 15 hitting late. I’d gained a bit first semester. Second semester, I gained it faster.
I get hugely bad period cramps whenever I do bleed.
It was expensive…I could’ve gotten the Pill for cheaper.
I stopped after two shots because I was no longer sexually active. I don’t think I’d use it again.
There are some advantages, though. You don’t have to remember to take it. And not everyone has the same reaction I did (I’m already mildly cyclothymic, and didn’t think the Depo would affect it because the people who gave it to me didn’t tell me the side effects).
If you do decide to do it, I suggest taking Vitamin B6 (Someone here told me about it in a thread that was Lost In The Great Purge). It helped me immensely. Whoever suggested it is someone I am eternally grateful to. I can’t advise you to take it in good conscience, though.