Depo provera

I had a bad side effects from Depo which included my entire endocrine system screwing up and it also caused ulcers in my stomach. I have thyroid cancer (no thyroid now, take pills) and it caused mal-absorption of my pills which caused a huge list of problems. I gained 60lbs in under 2 months and only received one injection. It didn't cause a spike in appetite for me. That was in Fall of 2013. My hormones did not go back to normal and my medication didn't start absorbing into my system until Spring of 2016. My experience is not everyone's. Studies show it takes around 18 months average to become pregnant after one injection- that may be an indicator of how long it could take for your body to level itself out.

Do you actually weigh and log all of your food? I would still gain weight eating 2000 calories per day. If you're concerned about it's effects you can get an appointment with an endocrinologist. Some people have no issues with it at all. If your system was not adversely changed by the jab you can lose weight by eating at a calorie deficit.

My doctor recommended this drug to me once but after discussing the risks and timelines, I decided not to take it. However, my understanding on the drug is that it can take 1 year for fertility to come back. Some reviews I read said it took some women 4 years for fertility to resume. I'm not sure if that would have to do with other side effects such as the change in hormones and hunger/weight gain, but it could be linked by my own fairly uneducated medicinal logic. @LisaKay91 's experience might be one example to support my logic though. It would be worthwhile to ask your doctor about the effects.

I was on Depo for several years and gained almost 50 lbs. I thought it was just because I was eating far too much, which I was, but when I tried it again a few years later, I found that I was super hungry all the time and craved sweets. The second time I was actively on MFP maintaining and I gained 15 lbs back in 3 months I was on it. I had no other side effects and loved it otherwise. Just couldn't live with constant hunger and killer cravings. The weight will not just fall off once you stop the Depo unfortunately. Good luck! You are in the right place to lose!

I've been on depo for about 8 years now and I can't say it made me gain weight, it was all me lol Sure I would hope to believe it was only the shot, but nope.

Literally everyone I have ever known to get Depo has put on weight. I think it's unavoidable. Even when I am on oral contraception I cannot stop from gaining some weight (although nothing like Depo)... It's frustrating.

Looking at getting non-hormonal IUD as soon as possible.... Anyone have thoughts on that?

I am on Depo, I have continued to lose.
I may be the only one in the thread to not have horrible side effects on hunger and emotional control, but seriously... were you REALLY weighing and measuring everything? Nibbles here and there? How did it affect your exercise?

I've been on depo for 9 years. The first year I did gain weight but I put this down to tiredness, I've never experienced tiredness like it! And I blame depo as I wasn't on any other drug at the time. Over the course of the remaining 8 years my weight has fluctuated but that's solely down to me and bad eating habits! I've managed to lose 3 stone in 18 months so I guess depo affects all of us very very differently. I did ask my nurse why depo can cause weight gain and she said it's more common in the first 1-2 years due to hormone imbalance. BUT even though some of our periods stop while on depo we can still get the side effects eg water retention, ab pain etc. Good luck

enonymous01 wrote: »

Looking at getting non-hormonal IUD as soon as possible.... Anyone have thoughts on that?

I had mine for 7/10 years before removing it to conceive. Loved it, with the one side effect of the cramps. The first couple years they were blinding. Like, pull over because I'm blacking out and can't drive blinding. In the last year, I had reccurent BV, and have heard of other women who had this as well. My doc said its just something that might happen, you have had this foreign body inside you for years on end.

As far as depo, ditto to all everyone saying that depo is increasing your appetite and you're eating more than you realize, maybe packing on a little extra water from the hormones. When on depo, I gained 60lbs over the course of 2 shots. All my fault. I ate whatever I wanted and exercised not at all.

But be careful about the "it can take x years for fertility to resume". Sure, it can. I got pregnant without even having a period after stopping mine.

ogmomma2012 wrote: »

I am on Depo, I have continued to lose.
I may be the only one in the thread to not have horrible side effects on hunger and emotional control, but seriously... were you REALLY weighing and measuring everything? Nibbles here and there? How did it affect your exercise?

I've been on depo this time around since 2012. I have lost from 225 to 160. You are not alone. (this is my third time on depo and I'll stay on it because my migraines are hormone related and it's the only thing that stops them.)

mom23mangos wrote: »

I was on DP for about 7 years and LOVED it. However, I had to stop because at the end I wouldn't stop bleeding. After years without a period, that sucked. Also, I didn't realize the damage I was doing to my bones or I probably would have stopped sooner. I had 3 fractures in that time period. It took me several years after to get pregnant (didn't ovulate for about 3 years). I think it was a combination of long term use + low BF. I never had any appetite issues.

they say the bone density issues are for younger women mainly...those whose bones are still forming....

I had a bone density test done after being on it for 10 years....not an issue for me but I am in my 40's too.

When I had to go off it one time (supply didn't match demand and they ran out) I had my period right on schedule.

Alluminati wrote: »

If you are gaining it means you are eating more than you burn. Depo or any other hormone type birth control itself does not make you fat because your body cannot create energy from nothing. But the side effects can affect you your CICO. I.e. feeling hungrier so you eat more and gain, or you feel sluggish and limit movement and gain. Maybe a little bit of both.

Start logging religiously with a scale and stay at 2000 calories. If you continue to gain then you you know that you need to scale back on calories consumed. It may be tough dealing with the hormone side effects but it can be done.

No....Unless you are a doctor who specializes in hormonal issues, you have no idea what you are talking about.....

astrampe wrote: »

SezxyStef wrote: »

chelseygrayson14 wrote: »

I am currently on the Depo and have put 2 stone on, I am planning to stop this injection in September. Will I lose the weight? I changed none of my eating habits and eat a healthy balanced diet not exceeding 2000 calories per day. What were other people experiences with this? I exercise in the gym for 2hours three times per week.

Will you lose weight? probably 5-10lbs but that is all water weight....

I have used depo or mirena for at least the last 15 years...all my weight issues were from eating too much. When I started logging/weighing/measuring I had no issues losing the weight at all.

Ever thought about the reason why it makes some people retain 5-10lbs of water weight and some don't? if not, go read up on hormonal imbalances and all the fun stuff it causes......

That still wouldn't be Depo's fault, though, if they have a pre-existing condition. I get what you're saying, I have PCOS.

SezxyStef wrote: »

mom23mangos wrote: »

I was on DP for about 7 years and LOVED it. However, I had to stop because at the end I wouldn't stop bleeding. After years without a period, that sucked. Also, I didn't realize the damage I was doing to my bones or I probably would have stopped sooner. I had 3 fractures in that time period. It took me several years after to get pregnant (didn't ovulate for about 3 years). I think it was a combination of long term use + low BF. I never had any appetite issues.

they say the bone density issues are for younger women mainly...those whose bones are still forming....

I had a bone density test done after being on it for 10 years....not an issue for me but I am in my 40's too.

When I had to go off it one time (supply didn't match demand and they ran out) I had my period right on schedule.

My story is similar apart from my break turned into my little daughter. Also had a bone scan last yr which thankfully was fine. I am 40 plus too.
Weight loss has been fine, if I log I lose if I don't I gain