Depo Provera

skinnydreams88
skinnydreams88 Posts: 6
in Health and Weight Loss
Hi all

Just wondering if any ladies have found that the depo shot has made you gain weight a lot easier?! I have gained 7lbs since having it in June and I'm NOT happy! Needless to say, I wont be having it again.

If anyone did experience this, how long did it take you to get back to normal and start to lose weight again?

Thanks
Kim
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Replies

  • Angie_1991
    Angie_1991 Posts: 447 Member
    Weight gain can happen...I've been on it for a few years now, and have lost weight...but I'm constantly counting my calories too......
  • skinnydreams88
    skinnydreams88 Posts: 6
    Thanks for your reply

    I didnt have the jab again when it was due as this is obviously a major downside to the depo jab for me especially after losing 4 stone previously, do not wanna undo all my hard work! I read that the jab makes you feel hungrier, hence the weight gain, I felt like I was absolutely starving all the time and craved filling carbs. Not good. I think its slowly getting out of my system but I have to make sure I lose the pounds I've gained and then just keep going. Just hope it hasnt slowed my metabolism or anything :/
  • tabi26
    tabi26 Posts: 535 Member
    I'm on depo,and I've lost a little over six pounds this month.

    From what I understand, depo does not cause weight gain, BUT it can cause an appetite increase, which in turn does cause weight gain.

    This isn't my first rodeo with depo, I've been on and off of it multiple times. I was on it for 3 years straight awhile back, and that was when I was at my lightest. For reference I'm 5'5" and at my lightest I was 125-130...for those three years on depo.

    ETA: I then quit depo and had a baby.....THAT caused weight gain! Hahaha!
  • triceever
    triceever Posts: 50
    I've been on it since I had my baby in February. I have gained at least 10-15 lbs. Everyone body is different....I seem to gain weight while using it.
  • bcf7683
    bcf7683 Posts: 1,653 Member
    I've been on it going on 4 years now. I started it freshman year of college, so naturally I gained weight- but I can't say it was definitely the Depo that was responsible, college dining halls are the devil for the waistline. I steadily gained weight over my college years, but now I'm to the lightest I've ever been- and I'm still on it.

    Maybe if you get the shot and don't watch what you eat and don't exercise it can lead to weight gain, but it's not going to hinder your weight-loss attempt- I've lost 28 pounds so far.
  • lisamariepickering
    lisamariepickering Posts: 110
    I was on Depo in high school and I absolutely gained weight, 20 - 30 lbs. It can definitely increase your appetite. I was hungry - not just snacky but legitimately hungry - all the time. If nothing else in your life has changed except the Depo, than I'd say that was probably the culprit. I'm no expert, though. You should talk to your doctor.
  • skinnydreams88
    skinnydreams88 Posts: 6
    OK thank you all for the replies!!

    Having babies certainly does cause weight gain lol. I've got 2 daughters and have the fat pics to show for it haha :)
  • MissAnjy
    MissAnjy Posts: 2,480 Member
    I can't stand Depo and I would never recommend it (from my personal experience).
    Yes, I gained weight (not a significant amount) but it made me absolutely crazy! I kid you not, I had PMS for 3 months straight. I felt irritated, agitated, frustrated & cranky, every single day. Oh, and I got my period for the majority of the 3 months. It just didn't go away. It was lovely.
  • ValerieMartini2Olives
    ValerieMartini2Olives Posts: 3,024 Member
    I only had one injection of Depo and while I didn't have any weight issues, I bled for a year after it wore off.
  • katiefridley
    katiefridley Posts: 151 Member
    I have been on it for 2 months and I have lost weight, but I am also working at it.
  • Jennloella
    Jennloella Posts: 2,286 Member
    I gained, and I was still running and watching what I ate. I tried it for a year and it never evened out, so I went off it, within 7 months I was back to where I had been.
  • StyxxandStones
    StyxxandStones Posts: 120
    I talked with my dr. about this. He said it may increase appetite, but will absolutely NOT make you gain more easily, nor hold onto the weight. He says it's an excuse for a lot of women and they blame the shot, but it's not based on research at all.
  • Sojaided34
    Sojaided34 Posts: 113
    I did the shots a few years back. Walked every day for 2 hours and ate healthy. I gained 20 pounds. As soon as i got off them I started to lose weight. Weight gain is a possible side effect of any birth control.
  • TraciStivers
    TraciStivers Posts: 116 Member
    I didn't gain weight with it but I bled like 20 days out of the month, completely random and unscheduled. It was horrible. The doctor kept telling me that my body had to get used to it. After a year I stopped getting the shot.
  • MissAnjy
    MissAnjy Posts: 2,480 Member
    I didn't gain weight with it but I bled like 20 days out of the month, completely random and unscheduled. It was horrible. The doctor kept telling me that my body had to get used to it. After a year I stopped getting the shot.

    that was me too!!! I had my period, CONSTANTLY. I would have it for 2-3 weeks, then not for 4 days, then again for 2-3 weeks. It was so obnoxious. Having my period was birth control enough, I didn't need the shot if I was going to be on my period for months at a time.
  • vjohn04
    vjohn04 Posts: 2,276 Member
    I gained 15lbs on Depo in college. I had a constant period, a complete emotional wreck.
    I stuck with it for 1.5 years or so, and it was by far one of the worst decisions ever.
  • Jennloella
    Jennloella Posts: 2,286 Member
    I talked with my dr. about this. He said it may increase appetite, but will absolutely NOT make you gain more easily, nor hold onto the weight. He says it's an excuse for a lot of women and they blame the shot, but it's not based on research at all.

    so I still have the drug fact insert given to me from when I was on it, and weight gain is absolutely listed as a possible side effect, with 5.8 pounds being the average. bone density reduction is also one. possible side effects are listed by the FDA because they have been linked to a drug, but it does not mean everyone will experience it.
  • summertime_girl
    summertime_girl Posts: 3,945 Member
    Everyone I know who has ever used it, has had nightmare side effects. For me personally, I'm done with hormonal birth control. I like the Paragard IUD. Nothing at all to think about for ten years.
  • Jillian2128
    Jillian2128 Posts: 71 Member
    I don't remember how long I was on it but I gained 75 lbs rather quickly, it was AWFUL. I came off of it the end of august and i was down 60 lbs by Thanksgiving....this was way back in 2004 maybe

    ETA...while on this I did in fact eat everything in sight bc it made me so hungry, so thats the reason I gained the weight but it came off so fast once I was no longer on it and i was back to normal with my eating.
  • lizsmith1976
    lizsmith1976 Posts: 497 Member
    I have been on it for almost 6 years. I gained weight because I was sedentary and ate poorly, and that only started 3 years ago. Once I decided to get healthy, I had no problem losing weight. I also have no periods. I understand some women complain about Depo, but for me, I will be on it, and thin and healthy, until I am certain I am in menopause. It works perfectly with no side effects for me. Plus, I don't have to worry about having a teenager and a baby. I'm happy with my 12 year-old baby, but I'm done.
  • fiona2785
    fiona2785 Posts: 82
    YES! It is evil. I gained around 2 stone very quickly whilst on it. Partly due to increased appetite, admittedly, but I was still not eating enough to cause that sort of weight gain (and yes, I was logging at that point!). I also found it pretty much impossible to lose weight while I was on it. It messed with my body in so many other ways as well, which I will not go into on here!!
  • laura_lynn66
    laura_lynn66 Posts: 175
    It DOES!! The doctor even warned me about it..it also makes you feel less "desire" so if you have a significant other, be warned!
    I ended up choosing another option...good luck!
  • rml_16
    rml_16 Posts: 16,414 Member
    Hi all

    Just wondering if any ladies have found that the depo shot has made you gain weight a lot easier?! I have gained 7lbs since having it in June and I'm NOT happy! Needless to say, I wont be having it again.

    If anyone did experience this, how long did it take you to get back to normal and start to lose weight again?

    Thanks
    Kim

    It's extremely common with Depo and that is the least of the side effects to worry about with that evil shot.
  • Jhillian
    Jhillian Posts: 185 Member
    I've been on Depo since I was 12 (don't ask me ask my parents) anyways I've never gained weight with it.. I've gained my weight due to going off depo and having 3 children in 5 years.. I've been back on it for almost 2 years and when I first started losing weight lost 16lbs in 2 months.. Then jumped off the bandwagon and gained some back, now I'm working hard again and don't find the needle is hindering my weight loss at all.. :) I can't go on pill/patch never stays on/ and the other things scare the crap outta me haha
  • natural813
    natural813 Posts: 183 Member
    I have been on it for a year now. I think it gives you an appetite, which leads to more eating, and then the weight gain comes.
    I had no problems losing weight on it. I have lost 60 pounds in 7 months. I will say give it sometime to see how you like it.
  • rml_16
    rml_16 Posts: 16,414 Member
    I talked with my dr. about this. He said it may increase appetite, but will absolutely NOT make you gain more easily, nor hold onto the weight. He says it's an excuse for a lot of women and they blame the shot, but it's not based on research at all.

    Your doctor is either sorely uninformed or a liar.
  • StyxxandStones
    StyxxandStones Posts: 120
    I talked with my dr. about this. He said it may increase appetite, but will absolutely NOT make you gain more easily, nor hold onto the weight. He says it's an excuse for a lot of women and they blame the shot, but it's not based on research at all.

    so I still have the drug fact insert given to me from when I was on it, and weight gain is absolutely listed as a possible side effect, with 5.8 pounds being the average. bone density reduction is also one. possible side effects are listed by the FDA because they have been linked to a drug, but it does not mean everyone will experience it.

    Very true. It has been linked to it, but no scientific research to prove it, was his point, I believe. Also, if 5.8 lbs is the average, the 75 and 50 lbs people are reporting here, are not likely to be caused entirely by the depo shot.
  • sgmomma
    sgmomma Posts: 299 Member
    It can be just depends on the person. I've been on it since May and have been still losing.
  • SadieToughLady
    SadieToughLady Posts: 44
    I just had the Depo Provera shot a little under a month ago. I also noticed that the very FIRST side effect listed on my pharmacy packaging (I had to pick the shot up and bring it to my doctor so they could administer it) was weigh gain. I haven't gained any weight so far, but I have noticed an increase in my appetite. I have been trying to control this by drinking hot tea after lunch. I still count my calories and exercise like I have been. This will be my first and only shot. On the packaging, there was also a disclaimer that one should NOT be on this form of birth control longer than 2 years because it causes you to lose bone density. Osteoporosis anyone? Those are side effects I can do without.
  • centralvicgirl
    centralvicgirl Posts: 21 Member
    I was on it for a year after the birth of my son. I had no discernible side effects.

    I was on it when I began on MFP, and most of my kgs lost have occurred whilst on it.

    I stopped it a few months ago only because I want to conceive again at some point. My weightloss has slowed in the last six months, but I don't believe that has had anything to do with being on or stopping the depo.

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