depo-provera weight question

This is for the women out there -

I've been on Depo-Provera (birth control shot) for years now. Yesterday was my three month shot - it was also the worst binge day I've had since I started calorie counting.

Could that injection of hormones be related to my out of control eating? Does anyone out there take depo, and if so have you had the same weird problem?

Oh, and concerning the weight it is to each her own.. it does say on the labels "May cause weight gain." However, if you start using the shot knowing that and when you get the cravings eat healthier foods you will not gain too much. I gained about 5 lbs after nine months, however I was a nasty bitch moody person, and my bf is now a much happier camper that i'm off of it.

Depo Provera actually increased my libido. My doctor recommended depo when I complained about my low libido when on the pill.    

Thanks for the post. I never thought depo could be the cause of my 20 lb weight gain. I figured I was drinking o I just got off the Depo in nov.  2006.  I had been on it for 4 years. Loved it. There is no way to tell if you are menopusaal (i'm older than you ladies) without getting off depo (I loved that I had no periods)  I thought my weight gain was maybe too much alcohol (which is part of it), but now I see it could be all 3 things, Depo, menopause and alcohol.  I have always been a calorie counter and I do not binge.

Well, i guess I will see what happens with my weight and menopause  since i'm not drinking and i'm off depo. 

Hello,

yes the hormones in the depo shot can cause an incresed appetite.  What a person decides to eat will determine their own weight gain.  The actual shot doens't cause weight gain, its the change in appetite and the food people eat that causes weight gain.

Hi

I also use the depo shot for BC. I have been off and on it for 10 years. I have 2 girls, but wish not to have anymore kids. In this time I went from 190 to 240.. It is a constant struggle for me everyday..See the way the shot works is, it tricks your body into thinking you are pregnant the whole time, that is why 95% of women have no periods, it's the hormones they inject into your body.  My sex drive goes up and down.. Everyone that I know that take the shot gain weight.. And I myself have no periods... As soon as I can, I plan to get off the shot. Just waiting on my husband to get snipped.. One can only wonder is it healthy not to have a period every month?

I am only 19, almost 20 and I have been on the Depo coming up for 2 years now, I have no real need to be on it as have recently ended a relationship but I love not getting period, I have always been overwieght and was worried about going on the depo because of all the hype! Personally I don't think I have gained any more weight (out of the ordinary) in the time I have been on it.  I am now going to try and loose weight does anyone think I should come off of th Depo?  Or do you not think it would make a difference?? xx

When I was on Depo, my binge-eating definitely increased. I gained 50lbs in the 9months I was on the shot, and after that I said no more. I also had a period continuously for about a year :/ Not to mention it kind of made me go a little insane... mood swings of doooom.

Carlyspink - I wouldn't stop depo just b/c others have had trouble with it. It's going to depend on the person. I haven't gained much weight b/c of the depo and I still really love it.

I really started this thread to see if people had strange cravings etc, during the week of their shot. I don't feel that it has increased my bingeing. That's all me and has been for a very long time. I would go with what feels right for you.

I agree with mcswuktisch.  If you have been okay with it so far, there should be no real reson to strop getting it.  Every person's body is different, and you are just one of the lucky women that do not have any negative side effects from it.  If you find that you are having cravings, try to choose healthy foods to binge on.  carlyspink, good luck on your weight loss journey!

I disagree that it's because the shot makes you hungry that makes you gain weight.

When I was on it (for about a year, 4 years ago) -- I gained about 20lbs (weight that also came off once I stopped taking it).  I wasn't eating ANY differently when I had the shot vs. when I wasn't on it, in fact, I was even exercising MORE.   It was like my metabolism had slowed RIGHT down and I couldn't stop gaining slowly....

That said -- it DID make me super moody for the few days after the shot.  Though I find that all hormonal birth control makes me a little bit crazy... even with the pill I find I get PMS ALOT worse.

After taking Depo-Provera, I went from being 100 pounds to 140 pounds in around three months. I was also on other medications, but according to my doctor Depo was the main reason I gained all of that weight. It screws with your metabolism and causes lbinge eating.

I was told the weight would come off up to a year after I quit taking the shot. Two years later I realized I had never lost any of the weight. I try to talk everyone I know who has even considered the shot out of it. That was the worst decision I have ever made.

As a note: I highly recommend the Nuva Ring. Doesn't have tons of awful side effects like the rest of the birth control and isn't hard to maintain.

I was on the Depo for 4 years and I gained like 30 pounds, had anxiety and all kinds of side effects.

When I switched Ob/Gyns, she said she NEVER recommends the shot. There is a lot of bad media on it, just google "effects of Depo-Provera" and see the horror stories people post.

I've been on the Depo Provera shot for about 2 1/2 years now for medical reasons and I haven't noticed any bad side effects.

And I didn't notice any weight gain. I guess everyone is different...

I love it that I don't have a period.(my periods were so painful it was unreal!)

And when I had my bone-density tested it was normal.

I take calcium suppliments as well as try to eat foods with calcium in them.

I don't know what I'd do without the Depo...

my dr told me to take calcuim pills being on this. and i actrally just started but im not sure how much a day u should take?

I'm on the depo shot, and I haven't gained any weight. I've been on it for six months or so.

I haven't lost weight because I haven't been trying hard enough, but I certainly haven't gained. I think as long as your concious that the shot is making you hungry, and your body doesnt actually need the food, you wont gain any weight. If you do feel hungry, snack of veggies enough to tide you over.

I eat to maintain on the shot and I'm fine. It's not like the shot turns your foods three times fattier or something.

I also have had my period once on the shot for two weeks. It was toward the end when I was due for another one, though. As soon as I got my next shot it went away.

I'd recommend it. I think it's great.

I loved the depo shot too and I also found that I gained weight while on it. I was maintaining my weight just fine but started to steadily gain when I went on it.

I also found that not only didn't I have PMS-ish symptom, I also didn't have much of a libido. Now, with being off it for almost year, I have a few cramps now and again but my libido is back is full force. YAY! Now, I just have to figure out a birth control method that I can live with. Abstinence is NOT an option! :)

I've noticed in the last 2 years ive been on depo the week before and the week after are absoluely horible the other 10 weeks great but in those 2 weeks the water weight i put on is so horible between 5 - 10 pounds and the awful mood i'm in wanting cherry coke and smores poptarts doesnt help but yeah on depo i gained about 50 lbs in six months with no real habit change

I had my shot this past Monday and I was down 5 lbs since my last shot... I am so HAPPY!!

i was on depo for a few years and boy did i gain weight. now im not saying it was only the shots fault ect but i know for a fact it had to play a major role in my 50+ pound gain.

hi all..i was wondering how many women experienced weight gain right after their very first shot? i just got mine yesterday (in the stomach..which hurt =/)  and i wanted to know if i should expect weight gain this soon

I think it would be kind of strange if you gained that quickly. I think most of these women are talking about a very gradual weight gain. This isn't something that's going to happen to you unless you start eating more. Calories in vs. calories out and all that.

Weight gain hasn't been a huge issue for me and I've been on it for many years. However, the hormones can increase cravings. Just control yourself like usual and you should be fine.

It's a little odd that the shot was in your stomach. I've only ever had them in my upper arm or upper buttock.