When will I finally Lose the Weight After Depo Provera?
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you can be underweight in the healthy weight BMI etc then have DEPO, it took almost 2 years for my cycles, hormomes and weight to settle. It does affect alot of people. Just keep tracking your calories and exercise and it will soon settle for you.1
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Look, all contraception messes up your hormones - that is the whole point of them, ALL of them.
ALL of them have the potential for messing up your weight, moods and other heath factors.
I was warned that depo could cause back pain. Well I have that anyway, so I am on Depo, have been for decades, literally. My back pain and weight gain may have been made worse but my mental health is so much better for it. My choice!
Depo is not the devil it just isn't for everyone.
Oral contraceptives, ditto.
A coils, exactly the same.
I tried 2 or 3 forms until I got to Depo. Just talk to your doctor and work out which is best for you.0 -
I have been on Depo since August of 2011 and have lost 50+ lbs. It isn't the Depo that makes you gain weight, unless you already had a weight issue to begin with. Your doctor should have explained that to you. I still get the shot and am still losing weight.
^This^ The depo injection itself doesn't make you gain weight.
What it does do though is increase your appetite, more food makes you gain weight, not the drug.
Exactly. I've been on Depo for years. No weight gain, and no trouble losing. I am hungrier at certain points, especially the week before my shot, but I know its just the Depo and I adjust accordingly. If it makes you so hungry that you can't control your food intake, then it probably isn't the right BC for you.
Exactly...I lost weight while on depo down to the smallest I have been since giving birth. Not sure why people insist on blaming depo for weight gain when it has no calories...and it doesn't force you to intake more calories then you need nor does it stop you from exercising.0 -
I have been on Depo since August of 2011 and have lost 50+ lbs. It isn't the Depo that makes you gain weight, unless you already had a weight issue to begin with. Your doctor should have explained that to you. I still get the shot and am still losing weight.
^This^ The depo injection itself doesn't make you gain weight.
What it does do though is increase your appetite, more food makes you gain weight, not the drug.
Exactly. I've been on Depo for years. No weight gain, and no trouble losing. I am hungrier at certain points, especially the week before my shot, but I know its just the Depo and I adjust accordingly. If it makes you so hungry that you can't control your food intake, then it probably isn't the right BC for you.
Exactly...I lost weight while on depo down to the smallest I have been since giving birth. Not sure why people insist on blaming depo for weight gain when it has no calories...and it doesn't force you to intake more calories then you need nor does it stop you from exercising.
Well, to be fair, one of the stated side effects of Depo-Provera is weight gain...:indifferent:
And I think people say they gained weight while on depo because, they do, and that is their experience.
Its great that your experience is/was losing weight, but that doesn't change someone else's.1 -
Exactly...I lost weight while on depo down to the smallest I have been since giving birth. Not sure why people insist on blaming depo for weight gain when it has no calories...and it doesn't force you to intake more calories then you need nor does it stop you from exercising.
Because it's hormonal. Those hormones don't affect EVERYONE the same way. Not sure why people insist that because they didn't gain weight that no one does. If you do any research at all, you'll see that this is the one method of birth control that CAN definitely cause weight gain. Not increased appetite. Weight gain.
I was maintaining for a year and a half, and logging and exercising the same as always, but still gained weight (about 5-6 pounds) after my second injection and another 5-6 after my third. I would have been due for my last injection in May, so it's been almost six months since I had a shot, and I'm still messed up from it.
I had a very light period in June, then I've had a light period for four days starting on July 22. Then for a little heavier for three days starting July 29. Then Aunt Flo came back with a vengeance for three more days starting on August 5th. And started back up again today. I was regular as clockwork before Depo. It's as if every period I skipped while on Depo is coming back this month.
I'm jealous as hell of people who haven't had bad reactions to it. I would love nothing more than to not worry about periods or pregnancy for three months at a time. I loved it the first time I was on it, but looking back, I have to wonder if my slow and steady weight gain and difficulty losing then wasn't related.1 -
Depo does say one of it's side effects is weight gain but most side effects per the testing shows that most of the side effects are not common except irregular cycles.
As per the studies the common weight gain is 5lbs over 3 years and that if a woman is over weight prior to starting it she will probably gain more weight.
Woman have hormones period that go haywire every month regardless.
Perimenopause, Menopause, and Post menopause have more hormonal changes then anything and that lower progesterone levels cause weight gain during menopause and it has been proven that increased exercise and building muscle stops that even then...
So yes maybe a bit of weight gain can be associated with depo and I have done the research through my doctor, my aunt who is an ob/gyn her husband, my doctors partner and other readings.
I personally do not feel that if you are watching your calorie intake and exercise that a birth control method will make you fat or gain a tonne of weight.... becaue here I am using another progesterone heavy bc (IUD) and over 40 and still loosing weight because I am at a deficet in calories, building lean muscle mass. That is proven science and anyone on this site knows that is a fact period.0 -
Oooh! An unintended pun? A sort of Freudian slip:
"That is a fact, period"
Yay! :-D1 -
Depo Provera does NOT "cause" weight gain. It "causes" increased appetite....it is the same hormone you produce when you're pregnant and "eating for two". YOU then eat more, and gain weight accordingly.
Unfortunately, many women are not warned of this beforehand, and by the time they connect the dots, many pounds may be gained. Once you're off the Depo, your appetite will be "yours" after a couple of months, MAX (half life of the drug is less than that).
Many women on Depo LOSE weight because they have other things going on in their lives that cause them not to eat, or they're exercising appropriately, etc. Just because you're on Depo, does NOT doom you to weight gain.
That being said, some of us (myself included) do not have the genetics or willpower enough to handle Depo Provera and it's not the best option for us.
The Mirena IUD can provide excellent birth control AND bleeding control (YAY! NO PERIODS!) with minimal or no uptake of the progesterone into the blood stream. Nothing in the bloodstream = no weight gain, no mood changes, no depression, etc (unless you have those things all on your own anyway). Unfortunately, it will not suppress ovarian cysts (which are just egg follicles, ladies....not cancer or some weird scary thing).0 -
A lot of birth control methods (pills, shots, etc) can cause weight gain in the first 6 months or so of taking it. Fortunately I did not experience weight gain on Depo (been taking it for about a year? give or take a few months) but I think your hormones should stable out after a few more months. Did you ask the doctor about weight gain with Depo? I feel like they should be able to give you more info than random people on the internet?0
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Exactly...I lost weight while on depo down to the smallest I have been since giving birth. Not sure why people insist on blaming depo for weight gain when it has no calories...and it doesn't force you to intake more calories then you need nor does it stop you from exercising.
Because it's hormonal. Those hormones don't affect EVERYONE the same way. Not sure why people insist that because they didn't gain weight that no one does. If you do any research at all, you'll see that this is the one method of birth control that CAN definitely cause weight gain. Not increased appetite. Weight gain.
I was maintaining for a year and a half, and logging and exercising the same as always, but still gained weight (about 5-6 pounds) after my second injection and another 5-6 after my third. I would have been due for my last injection in May, so it's been almost six months since I had a shot, and I'm still messed up from it.
I had a very light period in June, then I've had a light period for four days starting on July 22. Then for a little heavier for three days starting July 29. Then Aunt Flo came back with a vengeance for three more days starting on August 5th. And started back up again today. I was regular as clockwork before Depo. It's as if every period I skipped while on Depo is coming back this month.
I'm jealous as hell of people who haven't had bad reactions to it. I would love nothing more than to not worry about periods or pregnancy for three months at a time. I loved it the first time I was on it, but looking back, I have to wonder if my slow and steady weight gain and difficulty losing then wasn't related.
I had some issues with spotting the first 4 months or so of taking the depo, I researched it online and found that taking 1-2 months of birth control pills stabilizes your hormones, asked my doctor about this and took about a month of pills and it fixed that issue for me. So if it gets really bad, ask your doc about it. Because depo doesnt have the same hormones as regular b-control pills, sometimes your period gets out of wack but the birth control pills even them out.1 -
I've heard some say studies or doctors say it doesn't cause weight gain, and a whole lot more that say it does.
In my experience, I joined here when I wasn't on depo. I lost the weight I wanted to lose in six months time. I kept that weight off for a year and a half with no problems whatsoever, until after my second depo shot, when my weight started creeping up.
If it had just been a matter of the weight creeping a little, I would have said, "Well, maybe I was slacking a little." That second shot was around Christmastime, so it's entirely possible I had too many cookies. But then after the next injection, I gained more weight.
I've been carefully watching what I eat and exercising regularly, including heavy strength training, since the beginning of May, trying to shed the 10-15 pounds I gained since those past two injections.
Last fall, I was losing weight easily on anything under 2300 calories. This summer, the scale has not budged while staying under 2000. At least I stopped gaining. I finally lost a half pound this week. Finally. I'm hoping that the erratic nature of my period the past few weeks means the hormones are getting out of my system, and that I'll return to normal soon.
I'm not one to make excuses. I'm not one to play victim or place blame. I'm not one to shy away from working my *kitten* off. I'm not some noob who doesn't know anything about weight loss. I didn't suddenly forget how to count calories after two years of doing it perfectly.
I'm just saying that, for whatever reason, despite strength training, remaining just as active, hitting my macros and watching my calories, my body is not functioning the same, burning calories the same, as it was before I got on depo. And that's just too big of a coincidence for ME to overlook. Especially when there's research to back that up.0 -
not to poke but there is research to contra what you are saying as well.
It's all in what we believe and experience.0 -
This drug is pure evil as far as I am concerned. I had one when I was 17yo and within 3 months people thought I must be pregnant because the weight gain was SOOO ferocious. I ate healthily, I was very active with a very active job at the time. I never menstruated for 9 - 10 months and the weight just kept piling on. This drug changed my life forever. This was the beginning of my battle with weight. I had never been over weight before that. I am almost 50 now and the battle continues. Not a good drug for me, and the Dr agreed.Ugh! Started taking Depo Provera last May. Within months, I had already gained 15 pounds, but I didn't put it together that the Depo is what was causing my weight gain. I ended up having two more shots and gained a total of 50 pounds. I was about 3 pounds underweight before and now I'm 13 pounds overweight. I stopped getting the shots and hoped the weight would just come off, but it didn't. I exercise like crazy and eat a mostly vegan diet. I thought there must be something else wrong with me and had every blood test known to man done on me. All the labwork came back as 'normal' and I'm back to questioning if this could be because of depo. I finally am getting a normal cycle as of this month and have lost about 4 pounds in the past month or so. I have never had an issue with my weight. Am I finally turning a corner with my weight loss journey? Will the weight come off easily now? Advise from other would be very helpful!0
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ive seen alot of rubbish on here and it makes me really angry that i have people saying its not the injection its you i was 8.7 stone when i went on the injection i gain a little weight over the years but i didnt mind i have been off the injection for 10 months now not had a period and in the last 3 months gained a stone and a half i go to the gym 5 times a week and have a balanced diet i dont drink so there is no excuse the side effectd off coming off have been horrible for me i used to box so when i train i train to the point where i can move so this rubbish about exercise is rubbish i cant shift the weight ive cut carbs out in the past few months taken diet pills increased my trainning for 2 hours a day to 3 and a half and nothing my breast have finally stopped hurting so finger crossed im coming to the end off it now i have gain 4 stone from the injection and not being funny but if you read the side effects it says weight gain not you get hungry .............. there a lot of people who struggle with this im lucky im 5ft 10 so im still very health for my hieght and was to skinny before but there people who are in a very bad place with this your ment to support them not make them feel like it ther fault if it was there fault it wouldnt have side effect warnings on them !0
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I am currently trying to decide whether to come off the depo in the hope it is that that has caused my weight gain. I was on depo when younger and didn't notice weight gain then I came off as I thought i'd try the implant that was a disaster cycle all over the place I hated it. I was about to go travelling for a year and decided to have the implant taken out and went natural for that year.
Weight wise in that year I had lost a lot through being ill then went back to normal when i started eating properly again.
When i got home went back on depo and have been for the last two years the weight has crept on 2st in two years but i feel i have eaten a lot more takeaways and big portions and have a sedentary job was on my feet all day when travelling.
Been cutting back lost a few pounds not much is it worth coming off the depo ohhh i dont know0 -
Hiya I've been on this for years and did put on weight up wouldn't blame it all on depo. I've lost 38 lbs over the last 15 months and only a few pounds left to go. I do put on a couple of pounds about 3 weeks before my jab is due but generally have kept the weight off. Stick with it you can do it! Good luck!0
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I went on the depo shot 4 years ago. I gain 30lbs in 3 months. Dr kept telling me it was water weight and it would go
away. Well it has not! I have tried everything.0 -
I was on the depo shot for two years and gained 25lbs in those two years. I stopped taking it around a year and a half ago and moved on to cerazette instead, managed to lose nearly all of the weight I gained BUT I've just switched to nexplanon (implant) and my weight loss is dropping quite quickly now
I think the pill was still hindering it but not as much as depo! 0 -
I was on depo when I was 16-19 with no problems then I quit and my emotions went nuts. I I tried it again at 22 had 2 shots gained 30 lbs and quit. It took 9 months to get my period back this time and the weight is SLOWLY falling off. I was originally 125 I am now 140 and have had periods every 2.5 wekks for almost 3 months. Im writing this for all the woman who are having problems long after depo. One thing I did is start taking womens one a day vitamins they help regulate hormones. Also I take fiber so I feel fuller through the day and don't eat 25 meals a day anymore. I hope this helps someone calm down because this would have helped me mentally about 3.5 months ago. Also a little exercise won't hurt I jog when im up to it and do sit ups when im alone and feel fat. Just do what you can and keep those old old jeans!!!! ;-)0
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I didn't gain anything after my first shot. After my second, I gained 15 lbs. I've logged for only 5 consecutive days since my 'missed appointment' (its in your system for much longer than 13 weeks) and I haven't seen the weight budge yet. At least I'm not still gaining. I wish I'd never taken it.0
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I would also like to say all the research that says depo does not cause weight gain directly is correct BUT as it does throw your hormonal balance off (a common cause of weight gain) it DOES indirectly cause weight gain but that is different for everyone. I know some who have gained and some who lost. Everyone is different. But saying its not depo well... you should work for their company too!!!0
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I did not get my period until 9 months after my missed shot. 1 year after my last. When our terrible aunt flo starts coming over I started losing. Also I recommend womens one a day to regulate hormones, GOOD LUCK!!!0
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I went on this after my 4th child at a healthy weight, gained 3 stone, a spare tyre, and lost all my hair. After I stopped it my hair grew back and I lost a stone really quickly, but sadly never lost the spare tyre. 2 more children later and it's now almost disappeared, but it's taken a long time.0
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Ladies, I am so glad for the blog. Everyone has been so honest and supportive of one another. My doctor just recommended depo for me because I have been having a period for 8 weeks. My endometriosis makes my periods extremely painful!! I was happy to have the prescription but don't want the weight gain. I didn't realize how likely it was until I read this blog. I just started getting my weight under control. I am 175, 5''8. I am a good size 12. 10 pounds can be impossible to loose at my Age. I'm thinking I need to think long and hArd before this injection. Maybe the hysteromy would be better!! Any suggestions .....0
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I GAINED 72 LBS. IN 3 MONTHS AFTER GETTING THE DEPO SHOT AND WENT UP ANOTHER 23LBS. WITHIN A YEAR. NOW I'M STRUGGLING TO LOSE THE WEIGHT AND I HAVE ALMOST NO TIME FOR EXCERSISE OR EATING HEALTHY.0
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I didn't know much about Depo when I started getting the injections. I was 17 (almost 18) and within 1 year I had gained 30 pounds. I didn't realize it was the shot, and I had not changed my diet or excercise routine at all. I stayed on it until I was 20 -just over 2 years. Gained a total of 60-70 pounds. I managed to lose about 50 of that within a year and a half after stopping the injections, and am now pregnant with my first child (8 months and only 15 pounds gained) But either way, it took alot of hard work. I worked out every other day, doing a variety of different excercises (with my now ex fiance). We would do weight training along with 1 or 2 miles on an excercise bike or treadmill but switched up our routines each time, and also changed our diets slightly (I gave up chips and soda -but he did not). Within 4 months, I lost over 30 pounds. The other 20 just slowly came off over the first several months after quitting the shot before I started really trying to lose the weight, further proof that it was indeed a side effect of taking it. Then I discovered that I was pregnant and immediately changed my excercise routine to a light-and-fit type program. It is very possible to lose the weight gained on this birth control method. ~~**Also, I was never a tiny girl, I have always been a little bigger and have more of a wider-set structure in general. I am 5'3 and weighed 190 when I started taking the depo-shot. At my heaviest I weighed 265, which was when I did a little reseach and decided to get off the drug. At my first prenatal visit (over a year later, at 9 weeks pregnant) I weighed 210. So to be 100% real and honest, it is all about will power and determination in my opinion. I hope my story will inspire or help someone else Good luck girls, and STAY AWAY FROM THE DEPO-SHOT!!
Sorry it's so long and a little jumbled.0 -
Am really glad of this blog. I lost 4 stone in 2010 and after putting 36lbs on and not being able to lose it despite doing exactly what i did before to lose 4 stone when it dropped off i have been getting depressed. I thought it was my epilepy medication but it is not that. Then a thought struck me - the Depo injection. The weight started going back on after i started having it. But I have endometreosis and etremely painful periods that take me off my feet, so not having a period at all has been an absolute blessing so am kind of stuck - have the depo and be without periods but gain weight or stop the depo be ill with panful periods and lose the weight. i dont know what to do0
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Thanks for the feedback guys. This is something I've been dealing with myself. I started the depo shot November 2012. Since then I've gained over 30lbs. I've been working out like crazy. I would lose 4 or 5lbs only to gain it back plus some a few weeks later. I reached my highest weight October of 2013 263lbs and that's when I said enough is enough! My last shot was given in August 2013 I was scheduled to go back in November for 5th shot but decided not to. I'm still working out & logging through mfp & down to 254lbs now! Hoping to see greater results over the next few months.0
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I've been on depo for just under 2 years and I have put on 25+ pounds. I don't eat much differently and I have an active job. Just in the past 8 months I put on 15 pounds. It's very discouraging when I am exercising and watching what I eat. I just got my last shota few weeks ago and I'm switching birth control when this cycle is done. I understand the weight will not just fall off,but I can't just keep gaining weight like this. It's basically impossible to lose it while I'm gaining a pound a week....0
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I would also like to say all the research that says depo does not cause weight gain directly is correct BUT as it does throw your hormonal balance off (a common cause of weight gain) it DOES indirectly cause weight gain but that is different for everyone. I know some who have gained and some who lost. Everyone is different. But saying its not depo well... you should work for their company too!!!
It's not the depo...
weight gain is caused by calories in>calories out....no calories in depo...and yes I am on it.
Used it for years...then moved to Mirena for 7 now back on depo (Mirena got dislodged is why) and I am still loosing weight...got my shot in October...and I keep losing...
Why because I weigh my food, track my intake and remain at a deficet while lifting weights.
And I am not a "SPECIAL SNOWFLAKE"
ETA: my weight gain was me eating too much food...now it's gone from not eating too much food.0
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