Other Depo Side Effects:
"I have had no issues with bleeding or spotting on Depo Provera (I have been using it for almost a year). In fact, though my periods are not gone, they are very light and a day or 2 long. My issue is that nobody told me about how Depo can make you feel - mentally. For the first month, I felt very nervousness-like (maybe jittery) and dizzy. My doctor said this is a less common side effect of Depo Provera. I waited it out and felt much better after my next shot. I plan to stop after my next injection, so I can prepare to get pregnant. Wish me luck!" -- Robin"I am due for my next Depo shot (#4) in a few weeks. For me, I had some irregular, light bleeding on and off for about a month after my first shot. No bleeding since then, except for my periods (which are lighter than before). I can't use estrogen, so I decided to take Depo Provera over progestin-only birth control pills... so much easier! The only weird thing for me was that I got this lumpy spot where they gave me my second shot. It didn't hurt - it just felt odd. It went away after a few days. I never got it again with any of my other Depo Shots." -- Isabella
"I read all of your stories and feel so bad! For me, Depo Provera has been awesome. My only complaint is the pain of the actual injection! But, it's worth it for the 3 months of worry-free birth control. Girls out there who have had good experiences, you need to share them, so people don't think Depo is as bad as all these stories sound!" -- Analeigh
As with most hormonal birth control methods, Depo is not without side effects. Though there are many advantages to using Depo Provera, like the fact that it is discreet, hassle-free, allows for sexual spontaneity, is highly effective and can be used by breastfeeding mothers, some side effects are possible as well. It can take an average of 9-10 months (sometimes more than a year) to regain fertility and begin ovulating after receiving your last shot. Some women report mild pain associated with receiving the Depo injection, and in clinical studies, about 6% of women experienced skin reactions where they got their shot - these were often described as the skin around the injection site becoming dimpled or feeling lumpy. Also, some less common Depo side effects include a change in sex drive, nervousness, dizziness, nausea, sore breasts, depression, change of appetite, headaches, skin rash or spotty darkening of the skin, hair loss and/or increased hair on the face or body.
Just Don't Like Shots!
"I have been on the Depo Provera shot for over a year and want to switch to another contraceptive method. I haven't had any side effects - bleeding, weight gain, etc. I just don't like getting shots! When I stated Depo Provera, there weren't a lot of progestin-only options available. I do wish to continue with a hormonal method (these seem more reliable). Does anyone know what my other choices are? Thanks!" -- RhondaDepo may not be the right option for all women. Luckily, there are several hormonal options available. If you need a progestin-only method, you can try the mini-pill, Implanon contraceptive implant or the Mirena IUD.
Combined hormonal (estrogen and progestin) options include the NuvaRing, Ortho Evra Patch and combination birth control pills. You should discuss all these options with your healthcare provider to decide which is the best method for you.
