Depo Shot or Mini Pill?
963411
I'm on depo and haven't gained any weight since either child after 2 years and 5 months. After the first very long menstrual period I haven't had one yet. It's easier for me because I don't have to remember to take a pill the same time everyday. hope this helps
646508
Go to your gynecologist. Depo can really screw up your system - I know, I was on it. It can take upto a year to become regular again after being n Depo.
711715
Ask your pharmacist or doctor, but my guess is yes. Blood clots are typically a result of estrogen. Plan B does not contain estrogen. It contains synthetic progesterone (another ingrediant in combined hormonal contraceptives). Synthetic progesterone is typically safe for women with clotting disorders/history of birth control induced clots. This is why you should be able to safely take 'mini-pills' or (aside from the awful side effects) use Depo-Provera without the risk of clots. \n\nDon't trust me though! Always ask a medical professional like your pharmacist, doctor or call a 24 hour nurse hotline before taking any medication you are unsure about.
986700
I was on the Depo shot for two years and I actually lost weight. I weighed 115 when I started the shots and ended up at 103. I stopped getting my periods at all, and after the first year I began to suffer from depression, panic attacks, and insomnia. I got off the shot and very shortly after the depression was gone and no more panic attacks or insomnia. Funny, but none of the doctors I talked to while I was on the shot (I worked in a hospital, so was able to talk to a few) mentioned the fact that one of the possible side effects of Depo Provera is depression. It was only after they made me go seee a psychiatrist that the psychiatrist showed me this very interesting fact. Anyway, I will never recommend Depo to anyone after my horrible experience with it. Now granted, Depo has a higher chance of causing depression if you have a personal or family history of it, but it can affect anyone regardless. To be fair, I have heard of women taking the shots without any ill effects, and I also think that my family history did not help me in regard to depression-- and probably the reason they sent me to a psych was to be on the safe side, since I have a brother who committed suicide--but I will never get on Depo again, and in fact, I'm steering clear of any BC with hormones in it. The IUD is a good choice if you have had kids already and you can choose the Mirena, which has hormones, or the Paragard Copper T which has none. But if you are not in a monogamous relationship, best to use condoms as well, since IUDs will not protect you from STDs.
768268
Rikki - I wouldn't touch it!\n\nDoctors are wrong about this one. Depo provera is not safe!\n\nUnbeknownst to many women on birth control, Depo-Provera has been on the radar for the FDA and other research-based health organizations for several years. Last year, the FDA ordered the maker of Depo-Provera to revise the packaging and promotional materials to contain the new "black box" warning which states, "Use of Depo-Provera Contraceptive Injection may cause you to lose calcium stored in your bones. The longer you use Depo-Provera Contraceptive Injection the more calcium you are likely to lose. Depo-Provera Contraceptive Injection contains a powerful variant of the hormone progestosterone which is released through a hypodermic shot given every few months. \n\nSeveral studies have indicated that this hormone can increase the loss of bone density in women of all ages, including teen and young adult women who are in critical stages of natural bone growth. Osteoporosis and the loss of bone density typically effect women later in life making them susceptible to fractures throughout the skeletal system. Health care professionals advise those taking Depo-Provera to discuss a bone density test with their physician and advise using Depo-Provera for no more than 2 years or using a birth control alternative.\n\nHere is one young lady's experience:\n50lb weight gain (half off most of it now years later) \nExtreme Excitability, Nervousness (first two years terrible) \nPanic Attacks, Paranoia (first two years) \nShortness of Breath (horrible first two years - still with me today) \nGreat loss of libido (first two years, getting better every year) \nPainful intercourse (for about two years) \nSevere lack of lubrication (at least 2 yrs., getting better) \nLowered immune system (still suffering but not as severe) \nLoss of hair (the first year with shot, then subsided) \nNow (current) unwanted hair on breasts, toes, face \nViolent headaches (coming from pain at base of skull) \nExtremely sore, stiff, crippled muscles all over body (still today but MUCH better than 97,98,99) \nBlurry vision - trouble getting my eyes to focus on objects \nDizziness (still today - but MUCH improved) \nInability to bend over (feel like I will pass out) \nSevere neck and shoulder pain (still today) \nJaw pain.. facial pain (like TMJ symptoms) 5+ years \nBreast Tenderness & Pains - Fibrocystic breasts (still today) \nHeart palpitations - irregular heart beat (still today) \nChronic sinus and yeast infections (still today) \nConcentration and memory problems (still today) \nAcne - not (teenager type acne - large boil/cyst like acne) \nSuicidal thoughts because daily debilitating pain was too much
290961
Progestin-only contraceptives are the preferred choice for breastfeeding mothers. It's recommended that any estrogen-containing contraceptive be avoided until baby is at least six months old AND after baby is well-established on solid foods.\n\nProgestin-only contraceptives come in several different forms: \n- the progestin-only pill (POP) also called the "mini-pill" (Micronor, Errin, Nor-QD, Ovrette, Microval, etc) \n- the birth control injection (Depo Provera) \n- the progesterone-releasing IUD (Mirena, Progestasert) \n- the birth control implant (Norplant, Implanon). \n\nMilk supply: For most mothers, progestin-only forms of contraception do not cause problems with milk supply if started after the 6th-8th week postpartum and if given at normal doses. However, there are many reports (most anecdotal but nevertheless worth paying attention to) that some women do experience supply problems with these pills, so if you choose this method you still need to proceed with some caution. \n\nIf you're interested in one of the longer lasting progestin-only forms of birth control (the Depo-Provera shot lasts at least 12 weeks, but effects may be seen up to a year; the Mirena/Progestasert IUD and the Norplant implant can last up to 5 years), it may be a good idea to do a trial of progestin-only pills (mini-pill) for a month or more before deciding on the longer-term form of birth control. If you find that you are among the women whose supply drops significantly due to progestin-only birth control, you can simply discontinue the pills - rather than struggling with low milk supply for several months until the shot wears off or you get the implant or IUD removed. \n\nDo note that the Mirena/Progestasert IUD delivers its hormone directly to the lining of the uterus, which only leads to a slight increase in progesterone levels in the blood stream (much lower than that found with the progesterone-only pill). As a result, there is much less chance of side effects from the progesterone than from the Depo-Provera shot or mini-pill. \n\nMilk composition: At higher doses than normal this type of pill can affect the content of breastmilk. At these higher doses it has been shown to decrease the protein/nitrogen and lactose content of the milk. At regular doses, this does not seem to be as likely. \n\nSafety: Progestin (progesterone) is approved by the AAP for use in breastfeeding mothers.
837438
Some insurances pay for it, and some don't.  I work in a gyne office, and they charge $80 for a three month shot.  Insurances do tend to pay for it if the doc diagnoses it for something other than birth control.  Depo does have a variety of side effects though, but they are different for everybody.  I was on it for 7 years.  During that time, the FDA announced that depo can decrease bone density.  I probably gained a total of 55-65 pounds while I was on the shot.  My periods stopped entirely.  When  I went off of it, it took me one year, and three days for my periods to return.  This really stinks if you are wanting a baby now!  Look into this, and ask your doc before doing this.
105165
Depo provera can stop your period. I don't know how safe it is, but I know it does happen to lots of women. Talk to your gyn. What does (s)he say about it? Have you ever considered switching birth control methods for a while and see what happens? The patch is good.
322861
There is always the shot. The sponge you can buy at your drug store. The pill shouldn't harm you.
945858
Don't do it.  There are a lot of women even on here that you can verify are having a lot of problems with it.  You may be creating an irreverseible problem.\n\nDepo Provera is akin to forcing your body into an early menopause state.\n\nI've been off the Depo Provera since 2000 and my hair and my eyebrows still haven't grown all the way back. I lost about a 1/4 inch along most of my front hair line. The rest of my hair came back and is thick and strong, but the hairline is not the same compared to what it was. In addition to the severe hair loss, I gained over 40 pounds, 20 while taking Depo and 20 after coming off. I never had a migraine before Depo and during use and for the first year after being off it, I had severe migraines at least once a week. My skin itched like I wanted to rip it off and I was hot all the time. I would get extreme vertigo with no warning. Just try staggering at work or while in the pharmacy and not look like you had a drinking problem! My bones also ached a lot. Depo has been proven to cause osteoporosis. Over a year after coming off the Depo Provera, I developed two serious blood clots one after the other. The cause was never completely determined because I had not been on birth control of any kind for over a year and my blood tests were normal. I finally had a rib removed and the clots stopped, but I will contend to this day the Depo had at least a little something to do with it. About the same time as the blood clots, I started having severe cramping and a year into it, my doctor found pretty severe endometriosis. With the resulting depression and the lack of sex from Depo you may not have to worry about getting pregnant because you won't want to have sex anyway. I know some people do just fine with this birth control, but it's not worth the chance. It takes upwards of 6 to 8 months for the effects to wear off and sometimes longer. My hair has never grown completely back along the hairline and I am having a hair transplant at a tune of $5,000.00 to fix it.  I had to have my eyebrows tattooed because they will not fill back in!   I am only 35! I can't wait until Depo is researched more deeply and to someday find out what else this drug did to screw up my system. \n\nI got the (copper) IUD (since I can't use hormones anymore due to future clotting risks). My insurance paid for it. You still get your period, but it's worth it.\n\nOur bodies are made to have periods unless we are pregnant. If you force your body into an unnatural state, it WILL fight back!
56107
According to the cited website below, I would say that NO, Depo-provera is NOT good for you.  Especially considering there are many safer alternatives.\n\nWhen used in excess of 2 years, it has been proven that Depo shots cause a loss in bone density, and increased risk of fractures and osteoporosis.\n\nIf you are taking a pill that is to affect your REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM, and it affects your SKELETAL SYSTEM after prolonged use, I would wonder about it.\n\nResearch!  Research!  Research!  Be armed with information when you make your contraceptive choice.  *Some* doctors are quick to prescribe, and slow to inform of all the risks...after all, so many people use birth control pills and shots.  (But remember that..."If a crowd jumped off a bridge, would you follow?" lesson)\n\nA pill or shot is not just a quick fix, it is an intensive outside change to the normal functions of your body.  Make an informed choice!
1164681
No, you *cannot* count on not having any side effects on Depo Provera just because you didn't have any on the Pill.  Some women are more sensitive to one than to the other.  Plus, usually, the  Pill is estrogen plus progestins, and Depo is progestins only.  But some women take a progestin-only pill with no problem and still have side effects from Depo.  The only way to know for sure is to try it--and then you're stuck for a few months.  Sorry I can't help more, but there's just no way to be sure.
14628
I was on depo before and there is a good reason why I am not anymore.\nI got alot of side effects: weight gain, facial blemishes, always feeling tired.\nThe only pro to it all is that you didn't get your period- frankly I'd rather get my period than have all that continue to happen.\nAlthough depo is one of the most effective birth controls out there for some people it's not for them.\nIf you have any doubts- go see a doctor.
123130
Don't...Depo is dangerous, lowers your libido, can cause you to have a spontaneous abortion, lowers bone density causing brittleness (easily broken bones) and osteoporosis. As well as breast cancer. \n\nHormonal birth control is dangerous.
584618
Pills containing BOTH estrogen and progestin (combo pills) will stop ovulation. Minipills only contain progestin, so ovulation does not stop.\n\nProgestin has the ability to prevent the uterine lining (endometrium) from growing and thickening. Without a thick endometrium, the uterus is a much less hospitable place for an embryo to implant. So if you consider this an impediment to implantation, then yes, the pill prevents implantation.
74718
Well if you havent already gained noticable weight then you might not be able to have kids pumpin all those unnatural hormones inside your body- you may not even get your period for a while due to those hormones- depo is one of the worst birth control out here
588365
It depends on your age but Depo-prevera is good, it entails a shot every 3 months but it's good for forgetful folks. I personally have an IUD and I love it. The Dr. inserts it into your cervics and it lasts for 10 yrs...that's right I said it ten years. I had gotten after having my daughter. It's been the greatest thing I don't even have to worry about it and I don'e have to have the excess hormones of other forms of birth control.