depo shot? or crazy? i need some advice =(

**ginger22** · 07-14-2010 07:44 AM

Well, I've been on the depo shot for a year now and I love how you only have to get it every three months and it's really easy to keep up with and its one of the most effective birth control methods there is. But i'm having a few issues with it i think.

First off, for me the spotting is relentless! sometimes I'll spot on and off for the whole three months in between and sometimes I'll spot for the entire last month. Sometimes I will only spot a little bit. This is still happening even after being on it for a year.

Another thing is moodiness. At least, I think it's from the shot. I've noticed, especially recently that my emotions are completely out of control. I will get angry or sad at the smallest things and can switch moods so fast that it's not even funny. I never use to be like that. My boyfriend and I fight over nothing because I get upset and then he gets angry that I'm upset and we fight. I cry over everything. It's basically too the point (or way past the point) of where me being upset about something is like "ugh she's just crying again don't worry she'll stop eventually" my boyfriend told me one time that before he would get really sad and upset if he saw me crying and he would try and comfort me and make me feel better but now I cry so much that he just gets angry.

I don't want to be like that. =( I don't want to let my emotions control me. It's like I can't win because I really hope that it's the shot that made me this way and not just how I am as a person, but I also have no other birth control options really other than the shot. I tried three different pills and they all made me sick so that's why I was put on the shot. I don't want to shove a nuvaring up there and the patches aren't close to being as effective as the shot is. I CAN'T GET PREGNANT. That's why I went on the shot to be as safe as humanly possible. But I feel like I'm ruining our relationship this way =(

I don't know what to do =/ Do you think all that is from the shot? or am I just crazy? lol

**KMonte85** · 07-14-2010 07:54 AM

Hormonal birth control affects women so differently, no one can really tell you if it is the depo causing you to act this way or not. Personally, I've been on the depo for 8 or so years and I have only had a bit of weight gain, but no mood swings or other changes in my emotional state. I suggest you talk to your doctor again and ask him/her what they think could be the cause.

If it is the depo causing your mood swings, and the pills you've tried don't work, you may need to think about trying another form of BC... either a pill you haven't tried yet (low estrogen form maybe? Progesterone? Not all pills are the same...). Or talk to your doctor about non-hormonal options, cervical caps, IUD's, condoms, etc..

You shouldn't have to go through life being miserable just because you want to be protected. There are many options out there for you! But only you and your doctor can determine what is right!

**LanaBear** · 07-14-2010 09:52 AM

I was a mental case on depo, that shot and me do not agree, close to one of the most horrible things I've put myself through. I know how you feel.

I got off depo and got put on a low dose pill (Nordette) and I was worlds better. Have you considered an IUD? They have non hormonal ones as well.

**ginger22** · 07-14-2010 01:54 PM

Like everything else is so great like i love that it's so easy to maintain and i feel so protected when i'm on it I would hate switching off of it but it's nice to know someone else had emotional issues on it too. lol. As crazy as that sounds because I myself feel like a mental case, that is a perfect way of describing it! But i just scheduled an appt. with my doctor today so when i go i'll muster up all my courage and ask some questions. lol. Thanks for your help. =)

**LanaBear** · 07-14-2010 03:34 PM

I was on it for a year. I started taking it way back when hubby and I were just dating (about 4 months into the relationship). I'm sure he quickly questioned what in the world he got himself into, I was a mess.

It effects everyone different. Like KM has had little to no problems with it. But when BC starts messing with who I am mentally, perks to it or not, it's time for me to start looking at other options.

Good luck with the Dr., they will understand as they have heard it all before.

**ginger22** · 07-14-2010 07:37 PM

That's totally 100% true ... i thought it was the greatest thing ever when i first started it but i slowly began noticing that my boyfriend and I fought a lot more than we did before. I never thought about it until now and the fact that the medicine I'm taking can be affecting me this way really scares me and you're totally right. Thanks so much for your help!

**Mes T** · 07-14-2010 07:41 PM

If you're looking for methods that you can forget about for a while (rather than remembering to take a pill every day), the IUD (both hormonal and non) is good as well as the nuvaring. I've tried both. If your body reacts well to them, then you're set.

**TWills32** · 07-15-2010 11:40 PM

I had one depo shot. It was my first, and my last. I bled non-stop. I had to keep going to the doctor, because my hemoglobin was getting low, and I almost needed a blood transfusion.....seriously. Luckily, I stopped bleeding before that happened. I was bleeding heavy for 3 months. My hormones were out of control, too. I had no sex drive. None. Zero. Ziltch. Not that it mattered because of the constant bleeding, but I couldn't even stand to have my husband touch me or kiss me. It was bad. I will never put myself through that again. One of my friends was also on depo for a few years, and recently got off it. She is a totally different person, and I mean that in a good way.

**smchot** · 07-16-2010 12:00 PM

YOUR NOT CRAZY!!!! Its the depo shot. It did the exact same thing to me and I suffered with it for 2 years. I finally got off it when I got a period one month and it didn't stop for 5. I think the BC has better hormonal control. Just wanted to let you know that you are definitly not crazy.