Birth Control Shot (Gynecology - Birth Control)

[MedTwice]

The weight gain from Depo comes primarily from stimulating appetite causing the woman to eat more. Depo has a lower failure rate then birth control assuming you get a shot every 12 weeks.

[Surgarlips]

my period for the first shot stopped right away which i love!

[MedTwice]

Until recently the recommendations were to wait one month after starting any hormonal birth control. There have been recent studies that support the "quick start" protocol of one week. The latest data shows no increase risk of pregnancy if back up methods are used one week compared to one month. Not everyone is aware of these new recommendations. I suggest discussing this with your doctor when the shot is given on Tuesday.

[MedTwice]

Depo Provera can take a while to wear off. It is not unusual to see women take 9-18 months to become pregnant after the last shot. If timing of your pregnancy is important, the shot may not be a good choice for you. You might consider the ring, it is once monthly and has the same side effects as the pill. The Implant is also highly reversible, women can conceive a week after removing the contraceptive implant. There is more information for both of these methods on MedTwice.com.

[MedTwice]

The worry about prolonged use of Depo Provera is loss of bone mineral density (osteoporosis). Many people recommend not using the Depo for more than 2 or 3 years at the most without a break. I would highly recommend considering another method. The contraceptive implant (Implanon and Nexplanon) have much lower hormone exposure and even a lower failure rate. Many of my patients have switched from Depo to the implant and been very happy, I have a video on the Implant at Medtwice.com.

[MedTwice]

The average weight gain with Depo Provera is about 5 pounds per year. Unfortunately, for some women Depo can really stimulate the appetite and cause a large amount of weight gain. A small subset of women will see a 50 pound or greater weight gain in the first 9 months. You might consider Nexplanon, the contraceptive implant, it has far less hormone and does not cause weight gain. See Medtwice.com for more information on the implant.

[MedTwice]

There are other methods to help control your cycles that will not cause weight gain. the birth control pill, patch, and ring all give excellent menstrual cycle control without the weight gain associated with the shot. The contraceptive implant will give similar menstrual changes as the shot without the weight gain. There is information on all these options at Medtwice.com, maybe you can watch these with your parents and discuss other options.

[MedTwice]

Progesterones have been used for weight gain, Megace is the classic example. The average weight gain on Depo Provera is only about 5 pounds per year. There does seem to be a subset of the population that gains a substantial amount of weight with Depo. The weight gain is thought to be from appetite stimulation. I am not sure if it would help in your situation.

[corinnefusco]

I am on the shot for a entire year I am due for my shot next week and I don't have any periods anymore

[MedTwice]

Depo will effect periods in unpredictable ways. Most women experience less bleeding the longer they are on the depo. About 80% of women will stop having periods completely after being on it for one year. Some women will stop having periods after the first shot while others will never stop having periods no matter how long they are on it.

[MedTwice]

If you are uncomfortable with a foreign object, Nexplanon is probably the wrong birth control method for you. Try the Depo, if you find that you are gaining wait, readdress your options at the end of the 3 months. The majority of women do not gain substantial wait on the Depo, it is really a small subset of the population that has this side effect.

[jocelynhaynes]

I will get my first the birth control shot on monday March 24, 2014 at the gynecological. I am little nervous and I don't like needle at all.

[MedTwice]

Back up for 7 days is what I recommend to my patients, 7 days is adequate.

[MedTwice]

Stop your pills as soon as you get your Depo. I would recommend using condoms for for the first 7 days after the shot to be sure you don't get pregnant during the switch.

[MedTwice]

Depo Provera is effective within 24 hours if started during the hormone free part of the birth control pill cycle. If The shot is received during a different time of the cycle, condoms should be used for 7 days after the shot.

[MedTwice]

I don't think the shot is to blame after two years. If you are not ovulating there are medications that can help. Check out Medtwice, com and look at my infertility section. Clomid may be one medication that could help.

[ShebeChloe]

does this cause fertility issues in the future after the lady is off the shot????

[MedTwice]

7 days is the new guideline for Depo just like birth control pills.

[MedTwice]

It is true that no birth control is 100%. Most hormonal birth control methods are about 99% effective. No birth control method is as low as 50%. The contraceptive implant (Nexplanon and Implanon) have the lowest failure rate of any available birth control method, lower even than sterilization procedures such as BTL or Essure.

[MedTwice]

Yes, I really think it is OK to get the shot.