Depo

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Specializes in Emergency Dept.

We were having a discussion at work the other day about the pro's and con's of Depo-Provera. I was wondering if thru work or personal knowledge anyone knows, on average, how long it takes an individual who quits depo to start their period again. I know it would vary from person to person, but just a general idea. I wasn't able to find that info in my drug book or anywhere online. Jut curious.

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Through experience I can tell you that I stopped my shots in Sept. of last year and still havent had one yet. I asked my Dr. and she said it could take up to a year.

MissLo

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It took me only one month to get one again after I stopped depo.

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Specializes in Gyn Onc, OB, L&D, HH/Hospice/Palliative.

I use to work in an out pt woman's clinic, depo is so erratic, I never recommend it to women who may want to try to get preg and are getting on in years (late 30's)ha ha, but the truth is it is so unpredictable, you can get your period the next month, or a year or longer-can get pregnant the 2nd week you would be due for your next shot, or take eighteen months, its a sucky form of BC, nevermind the erratic BTB and weight gain. If you need long term BC and can't take the pill, the IUD is a GREAT alternative ( with a bad rep from years ago, and much rumoured miss-information out there) one would want to discuss w/their OB/GYN to make sure they are a good candidate (not good for nullips or women w/ multiple sex partners, hx of PID/STD's Of course this needs to be discussed with an actual health professional as I can only play one in the hospital, I am in no way giving out professional advice per TOS

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Well, I've been on the depo for about 12 years on and off.

On the off times, it would take me 6 months to get my full period back. When I would get back on it, I would spot for 3-6 months before my periods completely stopped.

I have not had the weight gain issue.

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I have to agree. I wouldn't take depo again. I gained 30lbs in one year, had terrible acne and bad mood swings. I recently had mirena and I wouldn't take that again either. Horrible mood swings on that as well. Just my opinion

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I too gained a lot of weight and had horrible mood swings. I would not take it again.

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Specializes in FNP, Peds, Epilepsy, Mgt., Occ. Ed.

I've given it to a lot of patients, as a provider, and I'd agree with Grumpy, the variation is huge and completely unpredictable.

Some ladies tolerate it very very well, others very poorly. I've not seen a lot of weight gain issues, but it can happen. The same thing with getting periods back- they can come back pretty quickly or it can take a long time.

Anyone contemplating the Depo shot just needs to know that once it's in, it's in, and there's not a lot you can do but wait it out.

When patients ask me about it, I always tell them that I won't venture to guess how it's going to work for them. It's nothing like giving an antibiotic for a UTI where I can tell the patient with a fair degree of accuracy how it will probably go, and where the patient can stop taking it if there are adverse reactions. The only thing I can safely say is that it is an effective form of birth control.

This is pretty much what I tell friends or relatives who ask me about it. Other than that, anyone thinking about it needs to talk with their own PCP.

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Specializes in CNA.

Anyone should first talk with their personal health care provider about something as serious as BC ..that being said , I had to stop the Depo shots ( due to 60 lb weight gain in 6 months time ) and I was off any BC for about 18 months with no period then I had to go on a BC pill just to get my period started back !YAZ I believe it was but once I took one blister pack of pills I started back my cycle~

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Specializes in Clinical Risk Management.

I had my first dep shot about a month ago. So far, so good. It will be my only depo shot as it's being used for my "back-up" contraception for the Essure method. If all goes as expected, I'll have the procedure to make sure my tubes are blocked & I'll say "bye-bye" to the depo. I can only hope I don't gain any weight over the next 2 months!

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I am on Depo, and have not had any problems with it. Although, I take it for my PCOS and take it every month so my ovary is in hibernation b/c I get cysts on it. (I had my right one and fallopian tube removed due to two huge cysts). I would talk to your doctor.

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I had the depo shot when I was younger and spotted for an entire six months! :banghead: After about three months of being off of it, the spotting stopped and I started getting a normal period again.

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