I don’t think it hurts very much. Just a quick poke and then the dull ache. No biggie! Be strong! 
I’ve been on Depo for a bit over a year now.
I, like so many others, chose the shot because I have the memory of a three year old. I felt it would be irresponsible to trust my infertility to my memory.
At the beginning, it was great. I’d have some very very very light bleeding that would last for ~3 weeks (so light I didn’t even really need a panty-liner), but that has passed. I’ll get a very light period, sometimes, right before I’m supposed to get my next shot.
As for other side effects… well, I think I gained maybe ~5 pounds, but I was gaining weight anyway. I never really had sex before I was on the shot, so I’ve [TMI] always had problems with lubrication, as well as a few other assorted impediments, including (and it has been amplyfying recently) lack of sex drive. I have also been kind of down lately, enough to make me consider going off it for the same reason Medea did, I don’t want anything aggravating my current problems.
The problem is that these side effects are pretty mild and insidious. I really can’t tell if they’re the hormones or just how I am, 'cause I really don’t feel much different. I have been absolutely loving it. No period (I used to get really sick), no pregnancy, no worries.
I may go off it for a few months this summer and see how things change. But truthfully, even if I am getting some of these side effects and they’re not so drastic, I’ll just go back on.
A note on the actual injection: It’s painful. I hate needles, and it really freakin’ hurts 'cause it’s intramuscular. I have reduced use of the arm I get it in (my left, 'cause I’m a righty) and feel like I have a realy painful bruise for about the next 3-4 days.
But it’s really worth it.
I have heard from other women about the breast size increase and my understanding is that your breasts would revert back when you no longer take the pill. It also depends on what pill you took. However, since you’ll be on the shot, I don’t know.
I didn’t think it hurt that much. Hurt less than getting an IV put in.
Thanks for the words of encouragement, Monster. I’m having my boyfriend go with me so I can hold his hand.
Reduced used of the arm you get the injection in? How reduced are we talking? Is it really sore for a little while after, can you not lift it for days after, or is it permanently messed up??
Also, do you all recommend getting the shot in the arm or the butt? I’m leaning more toward the butt, but all the stories I’ve heard so far have been about getting it in the arm.
–DoperChic
I’ve had it both ways. I vote for the tush, because in the arm, it did make it a little sore to lift things, like three year old children.
Day 1: You can’t touch my arm. I try not to move it around too much.
Day 2: I can barely raise my arm. I can still use it ok, just not lift it above, say, breast level. If I put pressure on it, it hurts.
Day 3: Lessening symptoms until
Day 4: Pretty much all gone.
Tee inconvenience of having the shot done in the arm outweighs having to take off my pants and get a needle in my butt. I’ve never had it there, but I’d be worried I wouldn’t be able to sit down :eek: