[Ccharlie969]

I went on Depo Provera after having an accident last year in which I had an unwanted pregnancy that was also ectopic. I am not good at remembering to take the pill. I took the shot timely three times, after nine months of relentless bleeding, I decided not to do it anymore. I bought a bunch of black underwear because pads were not realistic for 9 whole months. I just let myself bleed in my underwear and it became normal. One day it would be light and I would get excited thinking it was finally over, then a few minutes later I could feel myself bleeding again. Well, anyways, it was a nightmare, manageable for a short period of time, but I had a feeling that wasn't the worst of my problems. It's been 93 days since my last shot. I was supposed to get my fourth shot 3 days ago, and literally, the bleeding has stopped. Like magic, I didn't expect this miracle so soon after reading other posts about it. I'm just wondering about other peoples experiences and if they know approximately how long it will be until I have a real life period. Also, recommendations for a new birth control would be great!

[Jadeblossom]

My experience with depo-povera was I got it, then a week later started to bleed, and I bled for almost two weeks. I thought that was hell, never mind 90 or so days, you're a trooper! But you won't get a regular period if you continue the shot. And if you don't want to use the shot or the pill maybe the patch, or a birth control ring would work more for your needs? you might have to try a few methods before one fits you, everybody's different.
Good luck!

[skylove1669]

I started with the depo shot on 04/07/11 after my sister got pregnant. I LOVED it for the first year. In March, I started feeling sick. I had diarrhea and got nauseated whenever I ate for about three weeks. This was about a month after taking my 4th shot. My libido had also decreased almost completely. The sickness went away, but my libido stayed really low. It's now 9 months later, and I feel hopeless. My boyfriend thinks that I don't like him anymore because I'm never horny. I want to be, and honestly, whenever I think I'm actually really into it, my vagina doesn't get wet....at all. It never does. I feel horrible because I want to want to have sex all the time again. I know it hurts his feelings. No matter how many times I try to explain it again, he says, "no, it's okay. It's not your fault. I'm just not interesting you anymore." I cry and beg him to understand that it has nothing to do with him. On top of that, I feel like such a mean person. I'll see someone on the street and automatically judge them. I hate it. I was never like this before. I honestly used to think I was one of the nicest people in the world. Now, I just think negatively about everyone. I try to stop myself, but it just happens before I can control it. Afterwards, I feel like a horrible, mean person for the rest of the day to the point where I sometimes end up crying because I feel so horrible. I'm an emotional wreck with terrible mood swings. I didn't notice most of the symptoms over the summer because I was two hours away from my boyfriend and fairly isolated from the world, but they've just been getting worse and worse. I feel your pain

[EmilyMcKaughan101]

I have been on the depo shot for a year and I am done with it. I have had spotting since day one, weight gain, and stomach issues. Just recently I have had severe acid reflux that I have never had before. The doctors said it could be my birth control. I also can not drink any alcoholic drinks because I throw up automatically even if its just a wine cooler. I have never had that problem either. Im not sure if that's from my birth control but it started happening right after i got on it. I hate it and can't wait for it to be out of my system. Does any one know how long it takes for birth control to completely get back to normal?

[SweepingRose]

This just shows how different birth control can affect different people. I was on the shot for just over 2 years, and i only had 2 or 3 periods, each lasting about a day, and with only very light spotting. I loved it! I didn't get cramps, I never had any mood swings, and I only gained about 5lbs total. My issue was after I went off the shot, I ballooned up about 20lbs, and I'm still gaining weight. It's only been 4 months since my last shot, and I gain about 2 lbs every week. I even work at a physical labor job, so it's not like I'm not getting exercise or anything. I don't know how to stop it. I wish you the best of luck though!

[Bobbalew]

A horrible drug!!! I got my first shot in early Dec 2012. Mid January 2013 I started a light period, more than just spotting. A week later I got a regular heavy period and havent stopped since. I also had all my regular PMS symptoms one after another lasting about 2 weeks each: 2 weeks of cramps followed by 2 weeks of serious fatigue then 2 weeks of freaky hunger and then 2 weeks of bloating. I wasn't sure about getting my 2nd shot but the Dr and RN reassured me that the first 3 months are 'crazy' and then it mellows out. It DID NOT. My second shot was early March 2013. I then got 2 weeks of really bad depression. So bad that I went back to the Dr. she said she didnt think the depression was related but I have never had depression that long. I usually have it for 24hours right before I get my period and then it just goes away quickly. But this depression would not quit. It was worse than the pain, bloating, swelling. I have also lost my sex drive entirely, I thought I could never lose that. It is now early April. I have been bleeding non stop since January. I am not getting another shot. I will tell everyone DO NOT USE DEPO!! Irony, I took this to help with my anemia from heavy bleeding. I was supposed to "stop getting" my period. The EXACT opposite happened. And the period is no longer predictable. Some days light, some days heavy with no pattern like I used to have. I cant count on my my own body any more. It feels like it has been hijacked with pain, emotions and fatigue. Really this is a horrible drug. I wouldn't let anyone try this.

[louisa93]

i just got my depo shot yesterday which was the 2nd day of my period and last night my period was really light and now my period looks ad seems like its ending and it normally lasts 4-5 days not 3-4 is it becuase of the shot?? or is it becuase my period was unusually long last month?? im kinda freaking out idk if i should call my obgyn or not, any advice???

[Katnip13]

Ok ladies, good news. I know not a whole lot of people post AFTER they have stopped the shot so Im giving back right now. I was supposed to get the next shot on Dec 10th of 2012 but didn't, thank god!! I had a single shot and gained 40 lbs in two months!!! It is now 7 months later and I finally got my period back. My breasts got super sensitive and hurt right before it came so I had a little warning. And witht the help of lean cuisines only the ones that were under 30 carbs and under 10 fat the weight just melted away. I am now 120 lbs!!! YAY!!! It had a huge amount to do with my period returning and all those hormones going back to normal. So what im saying is just wait for that period and save up for smaller clothes. I hope everyone succeeds in getting off this shot from the devil. And I know its depressing right now but it will get better and you will get back to normal.