Posts: 19
2/27/09 8:02 P

I think I paid about 75 a shot when I was on it, but that was back when I did not have insurance. With insurance its cheaper!

Posts: 172
6/13/06 10:46 A

I took Depo for 3yrs after I had my first babies and it was my best friend I cant never remember any pills so I knew that wasnt for me plus I only had to go get it once every three months. My peroid didnt go aways but it was like 3 days long I can handle that. I didnt gain weight I actually lost a lot I was the smallest size I think I will every be in my life I am normally a size 5/6 but I could get into a 1/2 easy. I am military so going back and forth to Iraq Depo work out fine. My one BIG complaint was that once I did get off Depo it took me about a year and some change to get pregnant. I thought there was something wrong with me I was just about to get checked out when my husband and I found out that we were having a baby. Another Girl!!!! But never the less I say you have to figure out what works for your body.

Posts: 21797
6/12/06 9:43 P

The Cost

Nationwide, the cost for an exam, if needed, ranges from $35 to $125. Further visits cost between $20 and $40. Each injection costs between $30 and $75. The total cost for each year of use ranges from $235 to $585. Costs vary from community to community, based on regional and local expenses. Contact your nearest Planned Parenthood health center 1-800-230-PLAN for information about costs in your area.

Medicaid may cover these costs. Private health insurance coverage for birth control varies. Family planning clinics usually charge less than private health care providers.

If you are more than two weeks late for your injection, you may need a pregnancy test before having the next one. Pregnancy tests cost about $20.

Posts: 7108
6/12/06 9:31 P

Actually I found that Depo was cheaper. Taken 4 times a year @ 50 dollars comes out to be 200 a year. Buying pills every month at 30/month is 360. I guess it depends on where you get the pills.

Posts: 21797
6/12/06 6:36 P

Your Health back to top

Due to the risk of serious health problems, women with the following conditions should not use Depo Provera.

Unexplained vaginal bleeding
Known or suspected pregnancy
Depo Provera may not be recommended for women who are planning on becoming pregnant in the near future, are concerned about weight gain, have liver disease, gallbladder disease, or a history of depression. Study the risks and talk with your health care practitioner.

Health Risks:

Studies released in 2004 show that Depo Provera is associated with a loss of bone density resulting in an increased risk of osteoporosis. The bone loss appears not to be reversed when the woman goes off Depo Provera. Depo is not recommended for long term use and especially not recommended when the young woman is still growing her bones. Women on Depo are advised to exercise and take in plenty of calcium. If you have taken Depo Provera for more than two years, you might want to get a bone density test. (see article on Building Healthy Bones and factsheet on calcium-containing foods )

Some women have allergic reactions to Depo Provera.

If a woman becomes pregnant while using Depo Provera, and continues her pregnancy, there may be an increased risk of premature birth.

The effects of Depo Provera on breast cancer are still unknown.

Health Benefits:

Women on Depo Provera have a decreased risk of endometrial cancer, ovarian cancer, and pelvic inflammatory disease. You may have less menstrual cramping and pain, fewer periods, and less chance of anemia.

Side Effects back to top

70% of women using Depo Provera gain weight. Almost half of the women using Depo Provera gain more than 5 pounds after one year of use. Many women gain more than 10 pounds.

Irregular, heavy, or no bleeding are common side effects of Depo Provera. After a year of use, many women stop having periods. Lack of a period becomes increasingly common with longer use.

Other side effects of Depo Provera can include headaches, nervousness, mood changes, bloating, hot flashes, decreased interest in sex, breast tenderness, acne, hair loss, and back ache.

After the last shot of Depo Provera, it can take over 6 months for the drug to leave the body. Side effects may linger until the drug is completely gone.

Posts: 21797
6/12/06 4:28 P

SELENA_SKI,
Is that your name because I have always loved that name, that is the name that I want to name my daughter, if I get one.
"Selena Marie Reyna D."


It took me 3 months to get pregnant after getting off the shot, but then not long ago I found out that a women should wait 6-12 months to have a baby after getting off the depo.

Edited by: THREEBOYS040609 at: 6/12/2006 (16:29)

Posts: 1960
6/12/06 4:04 P

i gained about 20 lbs in 3 months. i hated it.

my ob says you either love it or hate it. it just depends on the women.

when i got off it, we started NFP it took me 9 months to get a cycle with an ovulation. crazy stuff.

Posts: 21797
6/12/06 2:25 P

I gained 43 pounds after getting on the depo for the first time, I wasn't eatting a lot and I was walking everyday but I still gained 43 pounds and it was terrible, I went from 110-153.
I do want to have more kids in the near future, but I'm still scared to get back on the shot because of what I have read on here and on the internet.

Posts: 4434
6/12/06 12:06 P

I was on depo for about a year, I didn't feel myself with the munchies or hungrier but I did gain between 15-20 lbs. that I couldn't get rid of neither exercising nor dieting. I don't remember too well the emotional side effects, my period did go away completely. I was not adviced to take calcium with it at all.
The cost was about the same as the pills were.
I wouldn't go back to it #1 because of the weight loss and #2 knowing what I know now about bones loss

Posts: 516
6/12/06 10:20 A

CATMOMMy:

Thanks for your post! It clear a lot things. I still won't take it again, but you are right, you don't know it is right for you until you try!

I wish the practice that suggested Depro to me would have given me the info on this post.

Thanks!
Anna

Posts: 255
6/12/06 9:46 A

Yeah, it's the progestin in depo that causes an increase in appetite in many women, so you get the same kind of 'munchies' you might get when pre-menstrual (only all month long) so it's not hard to see how someone could pack on the pounds if they weren't careful. We always warned women in the clinic I worked in about this so they could be aware of food choices in advance.

It was originally created to chemically 'castrate' male sexual offenders, but the role of progestin in men's sexual response it somewhat different than that for women. It seems natural, though, that it might effect sex drive in women, since any change in your natural hormones can change your libido (women on the pill also complain of losing their sex drive sometimes, which is among the many reasons the lower dose bc pills have become more popular).

The main things to really consider with depo, though, is how well you tolerate frequent spotting and then no periods at all. The spotting can last months, and might even be heavier at times, so women can feel like they are constantly having a period. Then if they stay on it, the period usually goes away.

Secondly is the bone density concern - which is significant. I would agree to limit it to two years, take a supplement and get checks. The depo may interfere with the absorbtion of calcium, so supplements may not even be effective (no studies that I know of have proved any way to stop this bone loss in many women).

If you want to have another child soon, or want the freedom to plan the spacing of your children, I would not advise being on depo. Some women get pregnant right after the shot wears off, but many, especially older women, have up to 2 years when they can try but still won't get pregnant, which can be very frustrating and also make it impossible to tell if there is any other reason she's become infertile for those 2 years.

So why would anyone take depo? Like someone else on this thread said, every method has some side effect (even condoms, since they 'break the mood' for some people) or it isn't as effective as you'd like your bc method to be. I have seen many women, especially young women & teens, find the ease of use very helpful. An unplanned pregnancy b/c you forgot a pill or used a less effective method would be a totally unacceptable side effect for a lot of women and putting up with spotting, possible bone loss, libido changes etc. might be worth it - plus many women have minimal side effects - no way to know until you try it.

Posts: 255
6/12/06 9:36 A

oops

Edited by: CATMOMMY at: 6/12/2006 (09:47)

Posts: 516
6/12/06 9:00 A

I was on Depro for about a year and I HATED IT!! My sexual drive was GONE GONE! It took me forever once I stoped using it to get it back. On the plus side, I didnt have a period the whole time, but the trade off wasnt worth it.

About a year ago I was taking a sociology course and discovered that they (I guess govmt) give rapist and sexual assault criminials depro shots when they are in prison to control their urges If I would have known this I would have never taken it.

HTH!

Posts: 1635
6/12/06 6:16 A

I was on Depo for 2 years and loved it, i had no problems at all except my sex drive disappeared, but did hear some people suffered terribly on it. One freind of mine bled for the whole first 3 months and was really ill.
It's a risk so do plenty of research, i wouldn't recommend it if you are breastfeeding.

Posts: 7108
6/12/06 12:36 A

Oh ok. The hormone used in Depo increases appetite.

Posts: 7108
6/12/06 12:34 A

I was on Depo for a year and plan on going back on it for another year.

The reason why the user's sister has bone loss is because its only recommended to be on it for 2 years. Its encouraged to take calcium supplements and have bone density checks as well.

I loved it and never had any weird issues with it. I read something recently that said that Depo itself doesn't cause the weight gain I can't remember what does...I will have to look it up.

Honestly...you can't really get unbiased opinions on BC because everyone's experience is different and it affects us all differently.

ALL BC has side effects not just depo, and I would assume that ALL birth controls are a category X.

Posts: 3363
6/10/06 2:53 P

i have a friend that had the iud installed. it's supposed to last for i think 5 yrs. she got preggy a few months after having it put it. her dr went to take it out and she had a m/c. i've heard the iud can increase infections also. it can be a major pain when they all have drawbacks, i guess it's just weighing the pros and cons of each.for me, the pills i tried were horrible, and i'm bad about remembering to take a pill everyday.

Posts: 487
6/10/06 1:33 P

I breastfeed and decided I wanted the shot. However, my midwife suggested I take the mini pill instead to see how my body reacts to the progesterone. If I don't take to it well, then I can always get off it, but with the shot, I'm stuck for 3 months. Needless to say, the pill was horrible for me. I couldn't stop bleeding (2 weeks straight!) and it drastically decreased my milk supply. When I finally stopped taking it-well whadaya know...my milk was back full swing and I stopped bleeding.

Everyone reacts to it differently though, so I suggest the mini pill first. You do have to remember to take it at the same time everyday. If you won't be having kids for awhile, the IUD is supposed to be a good one. It does have some drawbacks, but it's good if you want to take the chemical-free approach. Good luck!

Posts: 1085
6/10/06 1:17 P

I am gonna call my doctor on monday and talk to him about another method. I am breastfeeding my daughter so I cant get just anything yet. I am thinking about asking about the "mini pill." Any thoughts on that?! Thank you so much ladies. I appreciate hearing experiences and stories about the depo. Its making me think about it and read up on it more before going to get my prescripition filled. Thanx once again!

Posts: 21797
6/10/06 12:26 P

CINDY_M1,
I didn't know that can happen, you sure are right doctors don't tell you everything.

Posts: 21797
6/10/06 12:23 P

When my Dad put me on the depo at 16, he paid $50 for each shot and $100 for the paps, but that was 5 years ago, so I can't really tell you if it has changed.
You can also try planned parent hood because I just found out they do insurence there if you don't make to much.
Best of luck to you.

Posts: 255
6/10/06 10:48 A

I used to work in a family planning clinic and depo was a method that usually worked well for teens, especially if they needed a very reliable method that didn't require remembering a pill, etc. BUT it was my feeling that this was not a good long-term method, caused a lot of spotting and other side-effects like weight gain, plus it was likely causing calcium deficiency in teens (who need to build, not lose bone density). As soon as teens were willing to consider the responsibility of the pill, we'd encourage switching to pills or maybe ortho-evra (the patch) instead, but many more girls got pregnant on those methods, so it wasn't always easy to figure out. I have long been concerned about the side effects, especially that many women cannot get pregnant for up to 2 years after stopping the drug and complain of constant spotting, not to mention long term bone problems.

I'd suggest checking out this interactive quiz that helps you determine the best method for your situation. It's quick and has lots of good links about all the methods.

http://www.arhp.org/patienteduca
tion/interactivetools/choosing
/index.cfm?ID=275

Posts: 408
6/9/06 9:45 P

JESSICATJINK-I know what your talking about. My sister has the same thing she now has only 40% of her muscular mobility left. She takes so many pills and is always in pain she now has the body of a 75 yr old woman. They want to do full hysterectomy she is only 29 and only had 2 shots. It is so crazy how the shot has destroyed her life. I am glad someone knows what I am talking about not very many people know about this. It is not something DR tell you about either. I feel if we tell everyone we know then something will be done eventually.

Posts: 1688
6/9/06 9:01 P

depo was evil.... i gained 30lbs, completely lost my sex drive and even when i did want some it was too painful.... i was a super bitc# on it as well.....