Depo Provera weight gain
KickUp7
Posts: 2 Member
Its been 3 years so far being on depo provera, over the years there were side effects, one big one was my rapid weight gain, exercise was okay but once reaching 145lbs, working out got harder, noticed the rapid gain anyone else had troubles losing weight on depo provera? Keeping tract of what i eat has helped yet I over exercise everyday in hope to shed from 138 to be at 90lbs or even 85lbs and live a happy life with my friends and keep up with them. Thanks I hope someone could share there solutions, since I am at the risk of Diabetes...
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Replies
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Its a myth. You do not gain weight just by using the depo shot. I've had it the entire time. The side effect is increased hunger , which can cause people to over eat. When someone eats at a surplus ,they gain weight.
Use the search function and you'll quickly see this topic gets brought up daily here.
Birth control does not cause weight gain alone. One must eat at a surplus to gain weight. If you've gained weight( besides water weight ) from depo, its because you've eaten at a surplus.
To lose weight , eat at a deficit. Cico.
Definitely use the search function and see all the depo shot threads0 -
Was on it for years and didn't have a problem with gaining weight. Stopped using it and didn't lose any weight. Sorry, I wish it was that easy. Also, what hight are you that you hope to be 85 lbs?!!! I hope that is a healthy weight for your hight but it seems extremely low.0
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thorsmom01 wrote: »Its a myth. You do not gain weight just by using the depo shot. I've had it the entire time. The side effect is increased hunger , which can cause people to over eat. When someone eats at a surplus ,they gain weight.
Use the search function and you'll quickly see this topic gets brought up daily here.
Birth control does not cause weight gain alone. One must eat at a surplus to gain weight. If you've gained weight( besides water weight ) from depo, its because you've eaten at a surplus.
To lose weight , eat at a deficit. Cico.
Definitely use the search function and see all the depo shot threads
Sorry but it is not a myth. Everyone does not respond the same to chemicals, whereas it may have not effected you it does in fact effect many other.
Research from the University of Texas branch
http://contraception.about.com/od/depoprovera/f/depoweightgain.htm
Results revealed significant weight gain as a result of taking depo provera.
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Was on it for years and didn't have a problem with gaining weight. Stopped using it and didn't lose any weight. Sorry, I wish it was that easy. Also, what hight are you that you hope to be 85 lbs?!!! I hope that is a healthy weight for your hight but it seems extremely low.
I was wondering the same thing ,then thought it could've been a typo because unless the person is very very short stature, it would be a very low weight0 -
Its been 3 years so far being on depo provera, over the years there were side effects, one big one was my rapid weight gain, exercise was okay but once reaching 145lbs, working out got harder, noticed the rapid gain anyone else had troubles losing weight on depo provera? Keeping tract of what i eat has helped yet I over exercise everyday in hope to shed from 138 to be at 90lbs or even 85lbs and live a happy life with my friends and keep up with them. Thanks I hope someone could share there solutions, since I am at the risk of Diabetes...
You have a lot of problems other than Depo right now, including really unrealistic expectations and understanding of how birth control works. Birth control acts on hormones which can change your appetite, so you probably are more. That's how it works.
How tall are you? If you're really over exercising, trying to keep up with friends, and lose weight quickly, then you're on a dangerous track.0 -
I got on it and went from 108-116 in the first couple weeks. It lasted three months and I never got it again. Definitely slowed my metabolism. I could eat and eat and stayed small, but then the birth control changed all of that. However I also know a few people who went on it with little weight change and were on it for years. Everyone's body reacts differently.0
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haleyserena7 wrote: »I got on it and went from 108-116 in the first couple weeks. It lasted three months and I never got it again. Definitely slowed my metabolism. I could eat and eat and stayed small, but then the birth control changed all of that. However I also know a few people who went on it with little weight change and were on it for years. Everyone's body reacts differently.
No way. Birth control does not slow down metabolism and any adaptation you've experienced is minimal. 8 lbs could be water weight and you started eating over maintenance.0 -
edited because its not even worth my time. There's more factors that go into it ( exact number of calories each subject truly consumed during study period. People often consume a lot more then they think they do. Unless each person was medically supervised during every meal fed, who knows exactly how many calories each was consuming .thorsmom01 wrote: »Its a myth. You do not gain weight just by using the depo shot. I've had it the entire time. The side effect is increased hunger , which can cause people to over eat. When someone eats at a surplus ,they gain weight.
Use the search function and you'll quickly see this topic gets brought up daily here.
Birth control does not cause weight gain alone. One must eat at a surplus to gain weight. If you've gained weight( besides water weight ) from depo, its because you've eaten at a surplus.
To lose weight , eat at a deficit. Cico.
Definitely use the search function and see all the depo shot threads
Sorry but it is not a myth. Everyone does not respond the same to chemicals, whereas it may have not effected you it does in fact effect many other.
Research from the University of Texas branch
http://contraception.about.com/od/depoprovera/f/depoweightgain.htm
Results revealed significant weight gain as a result of taking depo provera.
But since you know it all , go ahead and help this person who wants to be 85 lbs.-1 -
Or here's an idea op , if you truly believe depo caused your weight gain then stop getting the injection and your problems should be solved right ?!?!?!?0
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thorsmom01 wrote: »Its a myth. You do not gain weight just by using the depo shot. I've had it the entire time. The side effect is increased hunger , which can cause people to over eat. When someone eats at a surplus ,they gain weight.
Use the search function and you'll quickly see this topic gets brought up daily here.
Birth control does not cause weight gain alone. One must eat at a surplus to gain weight. If you've gained weight( besides water weight ) from depo, its because you've eaten at a surplus.
To lose weight , eat at a deficit. Cico.
Definitely use the search function and see all the depo shot threads
Sorry but it is not a myth. Everyone does not respond the same to chemicals, whereas it may have not effected you it does in fact effect many other.
Research from the University of Texas branch
http://contraception.about.com/od/depoprovera/f/depoweightgain.htm
Results revealed significant weight gain as a result of taking depo provera.
The problem with this study, as admitted by the researchers is that they have NO IDEA why the women gained weight. They go as far to say that correlation does not equal causation and state that the increase in hormones may cause an increase in appetite. About.com only gives a ridiculously brief overview of this research and you're missing some factors.0 -
I gained weight while on depo because I also had a very stressful job during that time and was stress eating. I hated depo because of the constant spotting.
OP, 85lbs is extremely unhealthy. Please reconsider your goal weight.0 -
thorsmom01 wrote: »
edited because its not even worth my time. There's more factors that go into it ( exact number of calories each subject truly consumed during study period. People often consume a lot more then they think they do. Unless each person was medically supervised during every meal fed, who knows exactly how many calories each was consuming .thorsmom01 wrote: »Its a myth. You do not gain weight just by using the depo shot. I've had it the entire time. The side effect is increased hunger , which can cause people to over eat. When someone eats at a surplus ,they gain weight.
Use the search function and you'll quickly see this topic gets brought up daily here.
Birth control does not cause weight gain alone. One must eat at a surplus to gain weight. If you've gained weight( besides water weight ) from depo, its because you've eaten at a surplus.
To lose weight , eat at a deficit. Cico.
Definitely use the search function and see all the depo shot threads
Sorry but it is not a myth. Everyone does not respond the same to chemicals, whereas it may have not effected you it does in fact effect many other.
Research from the University of Texas branch
http://contraception.about.com/od/depoprovera/f/depoweightgain.htm
Results revealed significant weight gain as a result of taking depo provera.
But since you know it all , go ahead and help this person who wants to be 85 lbs.
Do you have research and studies showing that Depo does not cause weight gain? Is THAT particular study perfect, of course not, and much information is missing, does that mean it is false? no.
Did I claim to "know everything"? Nor did I advise the OP to do anything in regards to losing to 85lbs, I simply posted research to debunk the horse manure that was stated as "myth", more like opinion, and a deluded one at that. Nice knee jerk reaction though.
http://www.news-medical.net/news/20090724/Researchers-identify-women-at-risk-of-gaining-excessive-weight-with-Depo-Provera.aspx
weight gain
http://www.webmd.com/sex/birth-control/birth-control-depo-provera
weight gain
http://www.feministcenter.org/health-wellness-services/comprehensive-gyn/birth-control-options/birth-control-information/94-depo-provera
weight gain
http://www.rxlist.com/depo-provera-side-effects-drug-center.htm
weight gain
With all that being said, Depo is a progesterone hormone, which CAN increase appetite, depression, fatigue, weakness which can lead to overeating.
Still think adding hormone has no effect on weight gain?
Thanks it was fun
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thorsmom01 wrote: »
edited because its not even worth my time. There's more factors that go into it ( exact number of calories each subject truly consumed during study period. People often consume a lot more then they think they do. Unless each person was medically supervised during every meal fed, who knows exactly how many calories each was consuming .thorsmom01 wrote: »Its a myth. You do not gain weight just by using the depo shot. I've had it the entire time. The side effect is increased hunger , which can cause people to over eat. When someone eats at a surplus ,they gain weight.
Use the search function and you'll quickly see this topic gets brought up daily here.
Birth control does not cause weight gain alone. One must eat at a surplus to gain weight. If you've gained weight( besides water weight ) from depo, its because you've eaten at a surplus.
To lose weight , eat at a deficit. Cico.
Definitely use the search function and see all the depo shot threads
Sorry but it is not a myth. Everyone does not respond the same to chemicals, whereas it may have not effected you it does in fact effect many other.
Research from the University of Texas branch
http://contraception.about.com/od/depoprovera/f/depoweightgain.htm
Results revealed significant weight gain as a result of taking depo provera.
But since you know it all , go ahead and help this person who wants to be 85 lbs.
Do you have research and studies showing that Depo does not cause weight gain? Is THAT particular study perfect, of course not, and much information is missing, does that mean it is false? no.
Did I claim to "know everything"? Nor did I advise the OP to do anything in regards to losing to 85lbs, I simply posted research to debunk the horse manure that was stated as "myth", more like opinion, and a deluded one at that. Nice knee jerk reaction though.
http://www.news-medical.net/news/20090724/Researchers-identify-women-at-risk-of-gaining-excessive-weight-with-Depo-Provera.aspx
weight gain
http://www.webmd.com/sex/birth-control/birth-control-depo-provera
weight gain
http://www.feministcenter.org/health-wellness-services/comprehensive-gyn/birth-control-options/birth-control-information/94-depo-provera
weight gain
http://www.rxlist.com/depo-provera-side-effects-drug-center.htm
weight gain
With all that being said, Depo is a progesterone hormone, which CAN increase appetite, depression, fatigue, weakness which can lead to overeating.
Still think adding hormone has no effect on weight gain?
Thanks it was fun
Has an effect on the body that causes increased appetite and someone to eat more? Yes. That is not direct causation, though. Depo in and of itself has not been proven to cause weight gain.0 -
I'm not going to get into the back biting on who's right and whose wrong on whether the depo makes you gain weight or not but what I will do is share my experience for what it is worth.
From my youth up I was very slim. Let me first state that my height is 6'1. I weighed 150-155 so Is very thin. I wore a seize 8 in clothes easily. I lived a smoke free, alcohol free life for the most part. Starting at the she of 21 I had my first child, 23 my second, always coming home in pre preg clothes. At this point I Decided to try the depo shot and low and behold everything was great. No weight gain no slowing of metabolism nothing. And that stayed that way for the next 5 years. Went through a divorce and remarried in that time. However my husband and I decided we wanted a child together so I stopped the shot. Still no difference. After my youngest child was born ( I was 29) we decided that was it. No more children. I went back on the shot. In approximately 3 months I went from a size 8 to a 24. Wasn't doing anything different. The only thing I did differently was the shot. Not only did I gain alot of weight it effected my hormons terribly. In part it may have been my age, however the doctor also told me that those who come off and go back on have a greater chance of weight gain.
It has taken me 15years to come close to where I was when I got back off the shot. No I am not an 8 anymore but I am at a10.
What did I do different. I left the shot behind.
It takes time for chemicals to leave our bodies. That's why they can take a strand of hair at any age and can not only tell if you've ever done drugs in the past but when.
So in my opinion yes the depo shot can make you gain weight and yes you can lose it. Ironically, ALL birth control has as a stated side effect of weight gain.
Some gain immediately, some later and while true, some may not gain at all. It all comes down, to we are all different and aren't we grateful for that.
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thorsmom01 wrote: »Its a myth. You do not gain weight just by using the depo shot. I've had it the entire time. The side effect is increased hunger , which can cause people to over eat. When someone eats at a surplus ,they gain weight.
Use the search function and you'll quickly see this topic gets brought up daily here.
Birth control does not cause weight gain alone. One must eat at a surplus to gain weight. If you've gained weight( besides water weight ) from depo, its because you've eaten at a surplus.
To lose weight , eat at a deficit. Cico.
Definitely use the search function and see all the depo shot threads
This is exactly what my doctor told me. She said that it doesn't cause weight gain it only makes you feel like you're hungrier than you actually are.0 -
I did depo for a year in college. It didn't make me gain weight. However, I think it really works by making you act so crazy that no one would want to have sex with you cause I was a raging bi-atch when I was on it. I literally felt out of control. My roommate would go stay with his parents for two weeks each time I got the shot.
I do nuva ring now and I'm just normal crazy.0 -
enterdanger wrote: »I did depo for a year in college. It didn't make me gain weight. However, I think it really works by making you act so crazy that no one would want to have sex with you cause I was a raging bi-atch when I was on it. I literally felt out of control. My roommate would go stay with his parents for two weeks each time I got the shot.
I do nuva ring now and I'm just normal crazy.
Snicker
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I'm more concerned that the OP wants to be 85lbs. Unless you're short, 138lbs sounds healthy anyway.
However, why not try a different birth control method? I was on the pill for about 10 years and it didn't make me gain weight.
For those saying depo doesn't make you gain weight...my GP said it's the only birth control method proven to cause weight gain. I asked when I had my 6 week check after my last baby. You'd gain more weight pregnant than on birth control though lol.0 -
Depo was the absolute worst thing ever. Not only did I struggle with losing weight while doing a supervised weight loss program through Weight Watcher and my dietitian and my GP but it wreaked havoc with my period. I started my period and 18 months later (and no that's not a typo) I hadn't stopped bleeding. I'd had a D&C and several different types of drugs to make it stop. I finally had to have an ablation and that took care of it. I was passing clots the size of my fist and was severely anemic. That stuff is awful.0
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thorsmom01 wrote: »Its a myth. You do not gain weight just by using the depo shot. I've had it the entire time. The side effect is increased hunger , which can cause people to over eat. When someone eats at a surplus ,they gain weight.
Use the search function and you'll quickly see this topic gets brought up daily here.
Birth control does not cause weight gain alone. One must eat at a surplus to gain weight. If you've gained weight( besides water weight ) from depo, its because you've eaten at a surplus.
To lose weight , eat at a deficit. Cico.
Definitely use the search function and see all the depo shot threads
Sorry but it is not a myth. Everyone does not respond the same to chemicals, whereas it may have not effected you it does in fact effect many other.
Research from the University of Texas branch
http://contraception.about.com/od/depoprovera/f/depoweightgain.htm
Results revealed significant weight gain as a result of taking depo provera.
The chemicals in depo provera will never make anyone gain weight. They can influence appetite and if one has poor self control they'll pack on the pounds.
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DawnieB1977 wrote: »I'm more concerned that the OP wants to be 85lbs. Unless you're short, 138lbs sounds healthy anyway.
However, why not try a different birth control method? I was on the pill for about 10 years and it didn't make me gain weight.
For those saying depo doesn't make you gain weight...my GP said it's the only birth control method proven to cause weight gain. I asked when I had my 6 week check after my last baby. You'd gain more weight pregnant than on birth control though lol.
Mine told me the same thing.0 -
thorsmom01 wrote: »Its a myth. You do not gain weight just by using the depo shot. I've had it the entire time. The side effect is increased hunger , which can cause people to over eat. When someone eats at a surplus ,they gain weight.
Use the search function and you'll quickly see this topic gets brought up daily here.
Birth control does not cause weight gain alone. One must eat at a surplus to gain weight. If you've gained weight( besides water weight ) from depo, its because you've eaten at a surplus.
To lose weight , eat at a deficit. Cico.
Definitely use the search function and see all the depo shot threads
Sorry but it is not a myth. Everyone does not respond the same to chemicals, whereas it may have not effected you it does in fact effect many other.
Research from the University of Texas branch
http://contraception.about.com/od/depoprovera/f/depoweightgain.htm
Results revealed significant weight gain as a result of taking depo provera.
The chemicals in depo provera will never make anyone gain weight. They can influence appetite and if one has poor self control they'll pack on the pounds.
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I have a copper iud. No hormones. Highly recommended, if you can get it/is suitable. I've not had any kids either, you don't have to have had kids already to have one.
If she stops depo then she will need another form of BC, since pregnancy will certainly cause weight gain!!!0 -
Whether the hormones cause the weight gain or the hormones cause the side affects that cause the wight gain- the catalyst is still the same (I'm sorry to say)
The shot made me not be able to trust my hunger instinct- making me have to track every single thing I ate. I was doing what I always had done to control weight gain and literally felt like I was starving. I believe that the shot makes it hard for your body to process the nutrition it's getting from food. (Causing the fatigue and hunger)
I'm now off the shot and taking supplements (fish oil supplements seem to be helping with the incessant hunger) I have been off the shot for about 6 months and still haven't had a period. (I slowly started a turmeric supplement (just because I had started seeing a lot of positive info) the last couple of weeks and it seems like my body is trying to have a period. I've spotted after I've taken it a few times- still not a true period. Hopefully continuing the turmeric will help!)
Another seemingly scary side affect of the shot was severe depression.
I know that not everyone reacts to birth control the same way- I came here looking for help for the side affects I have seen. Not to see criticism for the "actual cause" I think it's crazy to act like the way I feel on this shot is going to be the exact way someone else does. I urge those that are being callous to the side affects many are experiencing to rethink their stance. (Warnings on labels always say "some have experienced" not "all")
Be kind- we wouldn't be here looking for answers if we weren't experiencing side affects.0 -
Not everyone has the same experiences on hormonal birth control, as everyone's body is chemically slightly different. Think about how people get prescribed different drugs for the same issues regularly (not to mention that there are a zillion forms of hormonal birth control - slight differences in levels of estrogen and progesterone, some completely without estrogen, some formulated to only be necessary once every 3 months, and so on).
Because of that, no two people will react identically to Depo, and no one can say definitively that it will always cause weight gain or always cause bleeding or complete lack of bleeding, etc. However, my personal experience with Depo over the past year has been a very negative one, and for the sake of sharing information to help others make the right choice for themselves, I wanted to post something here.
I started Depo in May. I initially stopped bleeding completely, but started gaining a bit of weight. I was also going to the gym 2-3 times a week for circuit training, doing an aerial class, and eating below calories every day. I at first thought it was just water retention from working out, but even after drinking more, I was losing MUCH more slowly than I should have been. This continued all summer, and I did not change my habits other than supplementing the gym with home-based equipment. I'm in several challenges on here as well, which means that I'm certainly getting my exercise minutes in and I am not overeating.
Come the end of July I was due for another shot and began spotting, then a full-on period, then spotting again, which hasn't stopped as of today. That's not the question being asked in this thread, of course, but in consulting with my gynecologist, I was told that the "textbook" answer is that "some women spot or bleed for up to 6 weeks or longer" during the first year and "some women gain weight". I researched more--a LOT more--to find out why this was and whether it was commonplace. The journal article in 2009 did state that women gained an average of 11 pounds over three years, and while it didn't give a definitive reason for that, I also learned that many progesterone-only forms of BC have a similar effect. This is NOT about overeating, though some women may also eat more while on these forms of birth control, which heightens the effect.
The many, many websites and forums about this topic give a lot of different answers. Some people (as above) claim that "the shot doesn't make you gain weight - it's that you're eating more than you think" - this, no offense meant, is simply not true in my case. I know what I'm eating.
Depo is also stored IN your fat cells, which is why it can be time-released over that 12 week period between injections. This also means that it will take some time to leave your body after you stop taking it. From familyplanning.org: "Depo-Provera can stay in the system of a woman for six to eighteen months after the last shot. This is because Depo-Provera is stored in the body's fat cells; it can take a while for the medication to completely leave the system. "
TL;DR - I'm one of those who are experiencing the negative effects of the shot. I've gained weight despite staying under calories and being active. I've also bled a lot and am often lethargic as a result, and I've decided that I'm stopping the shot. I expect to still be experiencing heightened water retention and gain for at least 6 months.
Postscript: I don't know if you're a person who considers herbal supplements and vitamins, but the reading I've done has led me to believe that cleansing the liver (detoxing), taking fertility vitamins, and using natural diuretics can help with speeding recovery. I'm often skeptical of this stuff, so I don't make this suggestion lightly, but every bit of research on dandelion root both indicates that it's a good dietary supplement in general as well as an aid in liver cleansing. I figure a little dandelion isn't going to hurt anything, so I've ordered some.0 -
Weight gain is a known possible side effect according to the manufacturer. Direct labeling from Pfizer: http://labeling.pfizer.com/ShowLabeling.aspx?id=666
Weight loss is also a known possible side effect of this same drug. This doesn't mean everyone experiences the same side effects, which is why it's called a 'possible side effect'.
This person came here for help and she's being attacked and being told she has poor self control. Seriously.0 -
I got the shot for the first time on Friday; it wasn't planned, I was after the implant and the doctor suggested this, and I thought 'what the hell'. After reading up on it I am extremely nervous about what may happen. I'm under 5 foot and even a few extra pounds is a lot of padding for me.
I can't find any where a scientific explanation as to why all these women gain so much weight; surely testimonial after testimonial of women insisting they made no changes to their life style can't all be wrong?
Really concerned I've made a blunder and am going to gain 3 stone over the next 3 months.
Can you not come off it OP?0 -
Weight gain is a known possible side effect according to the manufacturer. Direct labeling from Pfizer: http://labeling.pfizer.com/ShowLabeling.aspx?id=666
Weight loss is also a known possible side effect of this same drug. This doesn't mean everyone experiences the same side effects, which is why it's called a 'possible side effect'.
This person came here for help and she's being attacked and being told she has poor self control. Seriously.
Typical MFP! Like I said, my GP (who has a medical degree and several years experience, so I'd hazard a guess that her medical knowledge is superior to your average person on MFP) said it's proven to cause weight gain.0 -
I've gained weight on a pill form of the same med. about 20 lbs in 4 years. But I've also had mobility issues in that time. I don't know which affected me more. But it's a side effect listed about everywhere for this medicine.0
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It probably is increasing hunger, because the medicine tricks your body into thinking its pregnant so you don't ovulate.0
This discussion has been closed.
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