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Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
If you have questions about this, please email help@theknot.com.
Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
Depo
Ok so I am new to this board and I have looked over a lot of the older posts trying to find something about depo provera and haven't found anything. If it's there I am sorry for reposting!! DD and I both waited to have sex until we were married. We have been married almost a month and are not planing on having kids for A LONG TIME. With depo you typically don't get a period every month, only every three and you aren't supposed to ovulate but that you may. I know that both our families are incredibly fertile (all of our siblings were born while on birth control, with a condom, or both). I am concerned that pregnancy might occur and I won't know! Missing a period is the first sign but my periods were incredibly sporadic to start with and now I won't have one until end of July. Has anyone had any pregnancy's while on depo? What should I watch for? Any help would be appreciated!! Thank you!!
Re: Depo
I was on Depo for about 5 years. I only had my cycle when I finally came off (5 years no cycle was GREAT!). I think there are other BC's that allow you to have a cycle every 3 months. As long as I was getting my injection on time there was not a show of a cycle.
As for the pregnancy question, there are other symptoms other than lack of a cycle (as that is a common symptom but some women don't get the pleasure of). You could make yourself aware of them (many are the same as the begining of your cycle) and when in doubt take a dollar store pregnancy test for results.
If you believe that you're so fertile that BC and condoms may not help you to TTA as accurately as you would like, look into reading Taking Charge of your Fertility. It will inform you on how your body works and the signs of when you're fertile to conceive and you could avoid sex during that time (while continuing additional precautions).
I personally have not done any charting while on BC; so I do not know for certian if the Ovulation temp shifts occur. But it couldn't hurt.
Otherwise if you don't want any chance of getting pregnant- avoid sex.
I thought that Depo was one of the most effective forms of BC and that you didn't get a period at all.
I was always afraid to use Depo bc my 3 close friends used and immediately gained a lot of weight when they started getting the shots... I'm talking about 30+ lbs.
I haven't gained a ton of weight that I have noticed. I have gained some but it easily could be that I have my own apartment (with DH of course) for the first time ever and basically cook and eat all day lol. It is supposed to be one of the most effective I just have this fear that it's not going to work right for some reason. I just got into my nursing program and the end of schooling is in sight (two more years...gotta push on). Kids are not in the immediate plan but I also know how important those first few weeks-months are and would hate to do anything that would cause problems.
Oh and I am getting ready for my second shot so I'll let you know if I notice a weight gain difference that can't be attributed to my new found love of food
I hated depo when I was on it for about a year. I spotted all the time so instead of having predictable periods that lasted for just a few days I ended up having breakthrough and wearing liners nearly every day. I think I might have gained a few pounds while on it (about 1 yr) but I can't really remember as it has been awhile. I also hate needles so even though it was only every 3 months, it was stressful for me to go in and get my shot. It's a very long needle that they stick into your buttock and it made that butt cheek too sore to really sit on for that day. Sorry if that's TMI and I'm sure everyone is different but that's my experience...
It's definitely effective but not for everyone. I switched back to BCP and haven't looked back since.
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They gave it to you in your butt? That sux. I get mine in my arm. I'm okay with needles but it is sore for a day or two
When I started I was told that you would get a period every three months, around the time you would get your next shot. It might have been missinformation..I just don't know because I haven't gotten to the third month yet. I am glad to hear that it was effective for many!! When I was researching BC I looked into an implant but many doctors won't do it because I am only 20 and don't have any kids. Normally the implant is only recommended for those that have had a child before.
Ask them if you can get it in your arm. It barely hurts.
Depo Pros and Cons
I was on Depo for 4 years after my daughter was born. I am not good at remembering to take something everyday so it worked for me to only have to do it every three months. I did not gain weight on depo BUT I did gain weight (15-20pds) on the pill. Oddly enough, my close friend switched from pill to depo at my recommendation and gained weight immediately. She had to switch back. So its going to be different for everyone. Also, my periods stopped completely, no spotting or anything. I also have never had a pregnancy scare on depo. It has been 100% effective.
The bad part was after the fourth year, I started getting very frequent UTIs and sex with my fiance, now husband hurt. I asked gyno and urologist about it....three or four doctor visits and months of pain later, we all three finally figured out that the hormones in the depo had dried me out so much down there, that my skin had started to have tiny cracks in it and get infected. I had to stop BC completely to get my hormones back in balance.
Now it is very possible that this was just unique to me, but my gyno said some people can't do depo very long before it starts to have more negative side effects than positive ones.
BC has been a hard thing for me to find something I like and stick to without negative side effects...Good luck on your search!
I get it in my upper butt (if that makes sense)- like my backass really. I used to always get it in my arm and it would be sore, but the backass doesnt get sore at all.
I too have been on it for about 4 years and have had little problems. Like PPs I used to get spotting when it was almost time for the next shot, but now I hardly get any at all.
If you get your shot within the time frame given, you should be fine. I always go after 11 weeks, or 12 at the latest, but you can go 13. Actually the nurse told me that WHO has stated Depo is effective up to 16 weeks, but I will continue getting it on my same schedule.
I changed my name
Thank you guys for all the help I appreciate it.
"Janie": My family and I are actually quite open. My husbands family is the same way. Neither of our families have a lot of kids, only two a piece but they both got pregnant on birth control. But thank you for your concern over my knowledge.