depo provera

pandaeye
pandaeye Posts: 126
edited January 3 in Health and Weight Loss
what are your experiences on taking this? i have been having the injection for a year now but have found my weight has gradually crept up to the point where i'm loosing motivation. Have done some reserch and i know it affects people in different ways. not sure if its the injection or whether i have let myself go a bit on the food front. i have been eating out a bit more than usual but have tried to balance it by either doing more exercise or not eating much for the rest of the day. i excercise as much as i can (with an almost full time job, two kids and a house to run) such as walking for at least 50 minutes a day plus i do the zumba on the wii for half an hour 3 times a week. any ideas or suggestions? thinking of stopping it to see what happens.:ohwell:
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Replies

  • rosalang
    rosalang Posts: 49 Member
    go back to basics and start again with the diet. that is the only way you will know for sure. eat more veg and fruit too
    go to maintenance cals for a while and while doing this dont log exercise but make sure you do some every day. do this for a month to let your body readjust and then start again by recalculating your settings on MFP
    give yourself a well deserved break you will be amazed how many cals you can have , but you do have to be honest with yourself. that is my downfall and i have to keep checking myself
    good luck and enjoy the new healthy way of eating
  • rosalang
    rosalang Posts: 49 Member
    when i used to go to slimmingworld a number of years ago they had the following tip for when you cant avoid the meals out
    on the day you know you are going out, make sure you eat so you are not hungry but only eat what they call free foods. this is any amount of meat, fish, eggs, veg, salad and fruit. on a day you are not prepared for that unexpected meal or treat, the following day eat only the free foods. dont do this for more than a day as its not good to go a long time without carbs. but it definately works and lets you look forward to treats
    it means you can have egg and bacon, no fat for breakfast, meat, fish or egg salad for lunch, soups without bread, and a evening meal of chicken/ meat and veg and as much fruit as you like in between.
    the key is not to starve
    the same choices could be made when you eat out too
    hope that helps
  • pandaeye
    pandaeye Posts: 126
    thanks ravenschild :love: just getting a bit fed up thinking of food all the time! keep trying to distract myself but its hard.
  • lozzieemay
    lozzieemay Posts: 89
    I started the depo in July of last year and since then have gained 6 stone. I've never been as big or heavy as I currently am.. I don't blame the depo entirely as I'm aware I've been eating like a complete pig for months, but I blame the depo for giving me these eating habits! Even with appetite surpressants from the doctor I'm still constantly hungry and craving rubbish food.. I stopped having the injection in September this year cause I believe it's done me more harm than good, and also the fact it seriously lowers your bone density over time worries me....
  • fit4lifeUcan2
    fit4lifeUcan2 Posts: 1,458 Member
    The shot does NOT cause weight gain. My daughter has been on the shot over a year now and so are many of her friends. None have gained weight. In fact, they have all lost weight easily while on the shot. Our daughter lost that pesky 10 pounds in a matter of weeks. Her other friends are for the most part stick skinny and one other is a big over weight but I certainly wouldn't say she needs to lose much. Our daughter tried other forms such as the pill and didn't gain weight on those either but she had other issues so went on the shot. She has horrible TOM and was in agony. The shot was the only thing that gave her relief. But don't use the shot as your excuse to not lose weight. Get moving, eat healthy, drink plenty of water and avoid salt. Look at your food diary and be honest with yourself. Are you eating right and exercising?
  • mitsi94
    mitsi94 Posts: 64
    I was on depo for several years, and I absolutely blame it for some of my weight gain during those years. And while I was on it, it seemed that it didn't matter what I did or how hard I tried, I couldn't lose any of my weight either. I know it wasn't the depo entirely, but I am convinced the depo definitely played a part for sure. I have been off it for about 3 years, and am finally having some weight loss success this year. I am doing lots of other successful things to accomplish the weight loss, but being off the depo is definitely key.

    If you happen to be ready to make a permanent decision about birth control, I highly recommend the Essure procedure. I did this 3 years ago and have been very happy with it. It is a non-surgical sterilization procedure that can be done in your doctors office, it feels like a pap smear, and you are back to normal the very next day. Now I don't have to take any kind of hormones, birth control pills, shots, or anything. I am very happy with my results. (no more babies for me!)
  • Crying_In_Color
    Crying_In_Color Posts: 246 Member
    Don't do Depo and if you are get off it. Depo WILL make you gain a hell of a lot of weight. Not only will it make you gain weight but it causes bone loss on top of it. The benefits of Depo do NOT out weigh the risk.

    I personally was using NuvaRing and had no issue with it.
  • lozzieemay
    lozzieemay Posts: 89
    The shot does NOT cause weight gain. My daughter has been on the shot over a year now and so are many of her friends. None have gained weight. In fact, they have all lost weight easily while on the shot. Our daughter lost that pesky 10 pounds in a matter of weeks. Her other friends are for the most part stick skinny and one other is a big over weight but I certainly wouldn't say she needs to lose much. Our daughter tried other forms such as the pill and didn't gain weight on those either but she had other issues so went on the shot. She has horrible TOM and was in agony. The shot was the only thing that gave her relief. But don't use the shot as your excuse to not lose weight. Get moving, eat healthy, drink plenty of water and avoid salt. Look at your food diary and be honest with yourself. Are you eating right and exercising?

    It's scientifically proven that a side effect of the depo provera is weight gain, my doctor even told me this. Your daughter and her friends are obviously very lucky! Whereas myself, my younger sister & a group of friends of mine, most of whom have been stick thin skinny their entire lives HAVE gained weight since starting depo provera, some a few lbs and others a lot more.
  • lesliev523
    lesliev523 Posts: 366 Member
    Yes... I gained a lot on depo, and with any hormonal birth control. My body does not like the hormones.
  • rml_16
    rml_16 Posts: 16,414 Member
    Of all the side effects of Depo, weight gain is the most benign.

    You couldn't pay me to get Depo, but I had Mirena (same hormone, just less of it) and it caused weight gain and made it literally impossible to lose. I had it out on September 18 after more than a year of working my rear off and not making any progress and I've since lost 7 pounds without even trying.
  • katiefridley
    katiefridley Posts: 151 Member
    I got my first round 2 month ago and in that time I have lost 15lbs.
  • katdepadua
    katdepadua Posts: 1
    I've been on Depo for a few months now and I gained about 5 lbs. I decided to diet and get back down to my goal weight so even if Depo does make me gain weight, it won't be so bad. I'm dieting now and have had no problem losing weight.
    You may not be losing weight because you are overestimating how many calories you're burning from exercise. It is best to count your calories so you know exactly how much you are eating (this means having to measure all your food!)
  • staceyhuff
    staceyhuff Posts: 2
    I tried the Depo shot and it made me ravenous, i felt like i couldnt stop thinking about food it got to the point to where my stomach was growling every hour and a half or so. so i switched back to the pill and it seemed to go away but eventually got off the pill as well and now i feel like i am finally myself again. but if that is not an option I would say the pill is the best of those options. As for losing weight wich i am now trying to do i found that not being on anything seems to work for me the best. with everything though it affects people differently.
  • Humbugsftw
    Humbugsftw Posts: 202 Member
    Was on depo for one dose (3 months). Gained 20lbs in 3 months - I was tired all of the time (so sedentary) and ravenous (eating about 2000-3000 calories a day). Though funnily enough it all went to my boobs, *kitten* and thighs lol.
    Lost 20lbs of that though and toning up as well :) Personally I wouldn't go back on depo, I'm very happy on the pill, but thinking about going on mirena.
  • raichhype
    raichhype Posts: 74 Member
    Personally, I had a lot of trouble with Depo Provera. I was on it for almost two years. My doctor never wanted me to go on it in the first place and my eating habits were.. strange to say the least!

    Straight after the injection for around a month, I would have no appetite. Everything tasted wrong but I forced myself to eat.
    And then BAM for the next two months I was ravenous all the time.

    Over the course of two years I fluctuated from a size 14 to a size 18 and then back again.

    I wasn't calorie counting back then so maybe that would have helped. If you aren't aware of what you're taking in then yes, I think it can cause weight gain esp over a long course of time.
  • raichhype
    raichhype Posts: 74 Member
    The shot does NOT cause weight gain. My daughter has been on the shot over a year now and so are many of her friends. None have gained weight. In fact, they have all lost weight easily while on the shot. Our daughter lost that pesky 10 pounds in a matter of weeks. Her other friends are for the most part stick skinny and one other is a big over weight but I certainly wouldn't say she needs to lose much. Our daughter tried other forms such as the pill and didn't gain weight on those either but she had other issues so went on the shot. She has horrible TOM and was in agony. The shot was the only thing that gave her relief. But don't use the shot as your excuse to not lose weight. Get moving, eat healthy, drink plenty of water and avoid salt. Look at your food diary and be honest with yourself. Are you eating right and exercising?

    Yep, that's why I took it because of horrible TOM and cramps.
    But, it does actually vary with different people. I wish I hadn't gained so much weight, I'm jealous of those that have it and don't. It was a side-effect that even my doctor warned me about so you're right, it doesn't CAUSE weight gain but it can do!
  • Hopelessone
    Hopelessone Posts: 270 Member
    Everyone's body is different. I gained between 60-80 in less then 6 months after getting the shots, without any lifestyle changes :(, my neice also gained about 40 pounds. Ten years later and I am still dealing with the weight gain
  • secretlobster
    secretlobster Posts: 3,566 Member
    Depo is NOTORIOUS for awful amounts of weight gain. I would highly suggest another form of birth control, it's just not worth having a gigantic obstacle in your path to weight loss. This is a big one to be up against.
  • Cindy873
    Cindy873 Posts: 1,165
    I was on it years ago and gained 25 pounds very quickly (I was skinny before I took it). Everyone I know that has taken it has gained at least 20 pounds. I lost the weight again when I went off of it, but I had to work for it.
  • Heather_Rider
    Heather_Rider Posts: 1,159 Member
    I have a 15 year old autistic daughter who is NOT sexually active, however she is easily persuaded to do things she shouldnt, and doesnt know better due to her disability. So her doctor and i decided to give the Depo shot to protect her against pregnancy, incase she were to be in a situation that wasnt in my control.

    She was on it for one year, then off for a year (and on the pill) to give her body a rest.

    Being that *I* am watching the food in the house, i can assure you she does not eat junk. She is home schooled, so i know every piece of food that goes into her body. We also exercise as a family, DAILY.. not once twice or three times a week.

    She gained 20 pounds and 2 pants sizes while on this shot.. and as soon as she went off of it, she lost 25 pounds and the two pants sizes. (over the course of the year.)

    She has since gone back on the shot and has gained 10 pounds and another pants size.. so i can assure you that the shot DOES cause weight gain, no matter WHAT kinds of food and exercise you do.
  • WaterBunnie
    WaterBunnie Posts: 1,371 Member
    I'm not on it but have considered it as an option. My doctor says its no different than taking oral contraceptives and that weight gained is due to women getting more relaxed on it and often they start taking it at the start of a new relationship when a whole host of other temptations such as meals out and lazy evenings on the sofa seem more attractive than the things you used to do when you were single. I'm not sure whether she's right but could be an explanation for some.
  • Quibeful
    Quibeful Posts: 29 Member
    The shot itself does not casue weight gain, but it does increase the appetite. So you eat more and with a busy life you don't realize it because it is a gradual increase in appetite. So evaluate what you eat and try to fill up of "free foods" like tons of veggies and water and fruit. I know when I realized I ate a lot more than I thought, I began to overload my plate with good veggies and a simple serving of meat and/ or carbs. It is the premise of weight watchers, so it is sucessful.
  • jazzkat68
    jazzkat68 Posts: 101 Member
    Everyone is different. My daughter was told by her Dr that weight gain was a side effect. She chose Depo anyways (and gained 20 pounds) because she did not like remembering to take the pill everyday. However...my daughter got pregnant on Depo, so be careful! I'm gonna be a Oma to Lucas Edward on May 2nd! :)
  • secretlobster
    secretlobster Posts: 3,566 Member
    The shot itself does not casue weight gain, but it does increase the appetite.

    It slows down the metabolism and causes fluid retention. That directly contributes to weight gain in many women.
  • clydethecat
    clydethecat Posts: 1,087 Member
    i gained weight for a while, and i am ravenous all the time, but i am losing weight now. i take depo, and four other medications that either promote weight gain or do not promote weight loss. as long as i stick to my diet and exercise, i'm losing, slowly, but i'm losing.

    depo was great for me because i had terrible hormonal imbalance and it helped that. i also had terrible cramps, and it helped that. i havent had a period in over two years. its great. it does have some adverse side effects, but so does every drug out there. you have to weigh the risks with the reward.

    of the other four meds i take, one of them causes me to have high sugar and cholesterol, but i still take it because the reward is greater than the risk. you have to do whats right for you.
  • mercymarque
    mercymarque Posts: 450
    My experience was weight gain and my hair shredded like crazy with it. It took a while to get out of system too. The good thing about it was no period, outside of that nothing. I used an iud after that, had it for over ten years, no trouble what so ever with that. I took it out and got prego right away. I currently have a mirena.
  • cmpollard01
    cmpollard01 Posts: 246
    I was on the shot for a short time when I first came home from college. Yes, my eating habits played a part in it-I will acknowledge that I am a very finicky eater. But my personal habits were not the only reason-I was actually more active at that point than I ever had been. I put on 50-60 pounds in 6 months, and I stopped the shot promptly.

    The nurse practitioner at my drs office told me I'd have no issues-no one ever did. My actual DOCTOR looked at me like I was crazy when I told him she said that. He's the one that got me off of it. His opinion? Just like every single medication, it works well and is the best option for some, and for others, it's not the best option. I used to have such painful cramps-as in, doubled over in pain, can't walk kind (they suspect endometriosis is to blame). Depo didn't take away the cramps, just the need to purchase monthly "supplies." I have been trying for 11 years to get that weight off and keep it off. Now that I've changed some of my habits, I'm more successful than I ever was before.

    Honestly, I'd speak with your doctor-explain your concerns and see if they feel there is an acceptable alternative. And the 1st response you received after posting is a fabulous idea. Make sure the shot is definitely the reason. For some of us it is, and for others, it's the greatest thing they've ever had. Good luck to you!
  • auroranflash
    auroranflash Posts: 3,569 Member
    The shot does NOT cause weight gain. My daughter has been on the shot over a year now and so are many of her friends. None have gained weight. In fact, they have all lost weight easily while on the shot. Our daughter lost that pesky 10 pounds in a matter of weeks. Her other friends are for the most part stick skinny and one other is a big over weight but I certainly wouldn't say she needs to lose much.
    Please don't say this. It is a listed side effect. Just because your daughter and her friends (who are likely very young, so their metabolism could play a part here as well) have not had this happen does not mean it is not a very real issue for many of us.

    There are many other factors, but depo provera is known to cause weight gain in some, not all. For some of us, that weight gain is significant, or it keeps us from losing the weight we already have to lose.

    Thanks.
  • steph1014
    steph1014 Posts: 15
    I have been on the Depo Provera injection birth control shot since I was 17 years old. (Huh..I'm 26 now) I only gained the weight when I didn't have a healthy diet or even exercise. I have been on my journey for 5 years now (just realized that one) and have lost 130 lbs while still on it. One thing I have learned with this is that you can't out exercise a bad diet. A day of "cheat" as some call it isn't really going to hurt you unless you eat like 10,000 calories (which is CRAZY to think some people acutally do). I keep my protein intake up and drink plenty of water. Plus, try to change up your workouts. Get the kids outside and everyone play a game outside (if it isn't too cold). Our bodies tend to get bored and become comfortable with routines. My intake varies between 500 calories a day (I choose to EatStopEat) and 2000 calories a day. Everyone is different. You have to find what works for you and your body. If you need anything whether to chat more or even just someone to keep you motivated feel free to add me.
  • Gotspunk1
    Gotspunk1 Posts: 33 Member
    I used it for a long time (at least a few years), then I went off of it, hoping that it would help me drop some more weight. I was off all birth control for several months, and it didn't seem to make any difference. I got back on it, and that also didn't seem to make any significant difference. So in my experience it didn't make me gain or lose weight, I'm more worried about long term use contributing to osteoporosis.
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