Depo Provera survey: as many responses as possible?

[Death of a Rose]

There seem to be more negative experiences on Depo than there are of good experiences... But it's my only option for birth control right now, other than condoms but they irritate me even when using them with lubrication.

So I was wondering if all of you Depo Provera users out there could answer some questions for me based on your experiences with other pills and then your reaction to Depo..?

1. Did you try Depo after getting pregnant, or never having been pregnant?
2. Did you try more than one type of birth control pill, or another form of BC before trying Depo? Which ones?
3. What were your reactions to the birth control pills? Good, bad, mood swings, no mood swings, etc.
4. Did you get the Depo shot towards the beginning or end of your period?
5. What kind of reactions did you get from Depo? Or did you not have any bad reactions? Dryness, depression, no sex drive, increase sex drive, etc.

Sorry about the questions and if some of them seem intrusive. I'm trying to get an understanding of the different types of women who have tried it. I'm having bad experiences with the pill and my doc thinks I can't handle the estrogen in the pills so she suggested Depo, but all these bad reviews are scaring the crap out of me!

 

[w0ndergirrrl]

1. I'm 19 and I tried it about four months after having my first baby.
2&3. I was on the Loestrin pill before, and I took it correctly and I still got pregnant, so I will never trust the pill ever again.
4. I got the shot a week before I was supposed to get my period.
5. It was fine for me for the first 8 of the 12 weeks, but towards the last 4 weeks I had constant spotting for the rest of the 4 weeks. It was like having a period for a month straight. And I also had a decreased sex drive.

 

[rachelb42487]

This is probably the best kind of birth control in my opinion. I started taking depo after my daughter was born, and you only have to get a shot once every 3 months.

I never took any other kind of birth control, but never wanted to take the pill because I knew I would forget to take it every day and knew I would never be able to take it at the same time everyday.

I didn't take it near the beggining or the end of my period because I got it when I was in the hospital after my daughter was born. But, once you get the depo shot, about a month or 2 you will stop getting your period completely. I didn't have my period for 2 years and it is completely normal and is great. That was the main reason I started the depo shot was to get rid of my period.

I didn't have any reactions from the depo shot, which is why I liked it so much. Many people I know gained in upwards of 30 pounds, but I didn't gain anything. I think it depends and many people gain weight on all types of birth control.

All in all, I wouldn't be scared from other people's experiences, because my experience was great. It really is different for everyone, and the only way to see if it is right for you is to try it.