depo provera

i've been on depo provera for maybe almost 3 years now, its been so long i cant remember. And i've been told to get off depo for a little while, but i dont know what else to try. Pills dont work for me, i need something i dont have to keep track of and i hate my period. I'm considering trying something different, as my acne has gotten worse and i'm pretty sure i have depression episodes...altho i dont know, its been so long its normal to me. Just wondering if anyone's been on depo for as long as i have or if you guys have tried birth control methods that work well.

thanks!

I started depo when I was seventeen and I'm almost 22 right now. I went off of it back in December and still haven't had a period! I definitely have noticed that since I've gone off depo, I'm not crazy/emotional at unpredictable times, but I do have symptoms of PMS at the same time every month without having the period. I loved the depo shot, but you're only supposed to be on it for a couple of years because it can cause a calcium defienency. I'm currently not on birth control, and I love it. Of course, I'm not doing anything to get myself pregnant, and when the time comes, I'll probably go back on the pill. There's a new chewable pill out on the market, but you still have to take it at the same time every day. If I could afford it, I'd definitely get the implant.

Maybe this particular forum post from the past might be helpful.

Hi there, I'm a family planning nurse, and I was on Depo for 7 years! I'm currently using the nuvaring continuously, so I only get a period a few times a year. I'm getting an Mirena IUD in a few months.

If depo works well for you, and you're tolerating the side effects and taking calcium, why are you going off?

i want to get off because of the bone density issue that i keep hearing about. I'm really petite and asian and i really dont want osteo by the time i hit 30-40.

I've been on depo for almost 4 years now. I think.I've lost count.  I went on it more for period control {read elimination} than for birth control, but I love it.

I've heard taht you should get off of it, but I am one of the few freaks who loves it and has no side effects.  I don't like pills as I take too many now and I'm not good with having to take them at teh same time each day.

I'm not sure how I feel about IUDs. I've heard both good and bad.

I know depo can cause some bone loss, so I do make sure to get lots of weight bearing exercise and to make sure I get plenty of calcium, magnesium, vitamin D as well as fruits and veggies.

I would check with your ob/gyn too see which options might be best for your situation and offer what you are looking for. For me Depo has been the answer. it works, its convenient, and my insurance pays for it.

I've been on depo for 8+ years and love it.  I try to take extra calcium supplements and I also weight train 4-5 days a week.  I love depo and I'll put up a good fight with anyone that tries to take it away from me.

Pills made me an emotional nut case.  I'll never go back to that.  I'm not sure how I feel about IUDs, but if for some crazy reason I had to give up depo (it better be life threatening!) I would consider that my next option.

If you're concerned about bone loss, maybe see about doing a bone density scan with your next physical. 

I've been on Depo for about 3 1/2 years but I'm thinking about going off it due to my teeth getting bad, I've lost 2 and had to have a expensive root canal plus perhaps more work in the future, i believe it has to do with the depo because besides baby teeth I've never had any tooth loss, I'm 25. My bf is planning to get snipped this winter so it won't be useful to be on it. My doctor keeps pestering me to get off it and I've had a bone density test (it was high)and I take daily calcium supplements. But I love the stuff, not having periods, not being moody or having any other PMS related issues. I don't like the idea of IUDs (fear of slippage) and I have trouble taking too many pills on time.

I was on depo for a a year.....and I was done! I only did it because I had just had a miscarriage and knew that I would not be able to remember to take the pill everyday due to the mental state I was in. I usually do checks on all kinds of medicine that I take....this was am impulsive decision. I later found out that Depo causes bone deterioration in women. I didn't reschedule for my next shot. I couldn't tell you if my depression was because of the shot or my miscarriage, but I wasn't going to keep taking to find out....especially if it causes bone lose. It's actually been black labeled by the FDA.....or it was, this was two years ago. My suggestion would be to check it out!!!

I had Norplant (not sure if that is available now) for 5 years when it first came out and it worked for me.