Answer:
I was on it, and I was miserable the whole time.
I gained 5 lbs every time I got the shot, even though I didn't change my eating and exercise habits at all. I tried to stick it out, but I gave up after I hit 40 lbs of gain. I know it was the shot, because I lost the weight after I got off of it. My breasts were too tender to touch and I lost my sex drive (with interferes with the whole reason of getting the shot). I lost hair by the hand-fulls. My skin broke out horribly. I was always mean and grouchy. I knew it, but I couldn't help it. I started slipping into a depression, too. I only got a period once every three months, but my friend bled all but one week every three months.
Yes, most other forms of birth control have some side-effects, but they are not nearly as severe. They also go away as soon as you stop, whereas depo can take over a year to wear off. If you do decide to go on it, you are not recommended to use it for more than 2 years because of the bone-density effects.
I'm on Depo and I just got my 4th shot. I barely get side effects from it. I can get pretty moody when it's time to get my next shot but that's about it. I don't get my period at all.
I took the depo shot for years and i never had my period. it took me almost 6 months after i stopped to actually start getting it again. i don't recall having abdominal pains and i don't think i lost any bone.
I tried Depo about 5 years ago in college.
I hated it. I gained 15 pounds, had spotting for 6 months (though my doc urged me to stick with it, that that was normal) and a LOT of my hair fell out.
On the other hand, two of my friends from college have been on Depo for nearly 10 years and they love it and suffer little to no side effects.
If your doctor thinks its a wise choice for you and your body, then go with it. All hormonal birth control options (pill, patch, ring and shot) have side effects.
Discuss all your concerns with your doctor and ask them to give you a timeframe as to what to expect and what should raise concern.
My girlfriend and myself both had it and both went off of it.
Horrible mood swings.
It was worst then PMSing.
My husband went nuts and so did her's.
Never took it again.
Had a few other friends that went on it and all never went back to it.
Good luck and maybe find another method.
Congrats on making a decision on birth control. Need more responsible women out there and men.
I have just gotten off the shot and it is a great relief.
I got one period throughout the 3 months, which was extremely nerve wrecking. I also gained some weight and from what I have heard other girls gain 10-30 pounds. It gives some girls severe mood swings, including mysleft, which my boyfriend hated. The worst effect I think is that it may cause infertillity later on in life. I really recomend not going on the shot, even though it is very effective and there is nothing to remember to take, the side effects are awful and I havn't met anybody who's enjoyed depo.
I was on it for about a year during college...it was awful!
I gained like 20 lbs...my period stayed on time, but was heavier. A friend of mine had her period the entire time she was on it and she also gained a significant amount of weight.
But everyone is different. You can try it out and see how it does for you...but in my experience, it seems that most people gain a good amount of weight while on it.
I am not on pills...which are a pain to have to take everyday, but I like that I have not gained the weight and that I know exactly which day each month my period will begin. I just take my pill each night as I'm going to bed.
The side affects are horrible and there are class action lawsuits against Pfizer for what this poison does to women.
I was on it for four years and I would never ever recommend the shot for anyone.
I would really reconsider the shot. I know "women react differently so you may be good" but a majority of women that I know on the shot have had horrible side affects and fertility issues.
Just because it is 99.7% effective does not mean you won't get pregnant on the shot, I know of a few women who have, and they took it as prescribed.
If you don't and end up getting the shot, I wish you the best of luck on it.