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Going off depo provera and running...
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Hello
Bit personal... but know folk on these threads are a plethora of information...
I recently went off depo provera and I've found I'm really struggling homornally. Emotionally, yes, some ups and downs... but also quite badly physically. I feel tired all the time and not just 'need a good sleep' tired, but as though all the muscles in my body have gone on holiday. Feel very very bloated, retaining water massivly and feel 'puffy' all the time.
And the worst thig is it's affecting my running! I just don't seem to have any energy before, during or after runs. I'm running my routes slower and feeling sluggish, and breathless. And it's really effecting my mental attitude and feeling down and discouraged.
So I guess my question is... anyone else experience this coming off birth control... and does it ever go away so my body can go back to 'normal' and I can run like the wind (or at least pretend that I do).
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I had to come off Microgynon about 18 months ago due to developing blood clots (one of the rare side -effects) and suffered exactly the same symptoms as you, which was a bit of a pain as I was trying to train for the FLM!
I thought that everything would 'settle down' eventually but it didn't, even after a year. It just got worse each month. I eventually went back to my GP who put me on a progesterone only pill (apparently its the oestrogen that increases the risk of blood clots) and have been feeling heaps better ever since. Almost back to normal (plodding)!
The gynaecologist I went to see suggested taking agnus castus (a herbal remedy) and starflower oil/evening primrose oil supplements. She also highly recommended acupuncture.
As going back on the pill has pretty much taken care of all my symptoms, I haven't tried these alternatives but they may be worth a go.
Hope you feel better soon...
Hi Tripod, thanks so much for your reply on a bit of a personal subject to post on an open forum about! And I am feeling a bit better this past week, so that's a good sign.
Not overly encouraging to hear that your symptoms weren't allieviated until you went back onto another form of contraception...which is something I'm trying to avoid for the time being. Though not trying for a baby just yet, more that I want to give my body a break off all hormones and see what happens when it's 'au natural' as I've been on either the pill or depo for the past 20 years.
Will have a think about it and I'm going for a full tune up next month so will put on the list of things to discuss when I go. I think I'll also wait and see what happens when I start to get my periods again and see if that makes any differences (i.e. will this eventually become a natural monthly PMS type thing or will it continue to be a constant misery).
I do like the idea of trying your suggested herbal remidies and see if they help.
Otherwise, guess time will tell... if I don't feel better after some time I suppose I might have to try and go back on contraception...
Keep running
HJ - the wearing off time of depo-provera is notoriously unpredictable - you don't really 'come off it' you just wait for it to wear off and for your normal hormones to kick in. This is very variable and entirely unpredictable between individual women.
Don't forget that it has an almost-guaranteed high level for 3 months, so it only starts to slowly wear off after that period of time. A year with strange hormone levels (and so no periods or ovulation) isn't unusual. There isn't much you can do to speed this process up, I'm afraid. It will settle down, though, when it's ready.
PS - Don't forget that you never know when the next ovulation is - could be tomorrow - so don't rely on it for contraception after the 3 month mark.
Hi Blimey, thanks for that. I think I am feeling better about it being something that I'm just going to have to have patience with. It's good to have it reaffirmed that it will wear will off in its own time, and that helps my mentality enormously. I'm not sure what I thought would happen when I stopped getting the injections, but I didn't expect this hormonal burst!
I've been keeping a better eye on my diet this past week and think that will help too.
Hello
Thought I'd resurrect this thread even though it's an old one, rather than starting up my own, as I've stopped having depo injections after around 5 years of having them, and am wondering about some of the effects. I'm guessing the original posters are no longer here, but I'm sure current forumites might have some answers.
My last depo injection expired at the beginning of September, so I've effectively had two months off it so far. My query is around the effect on weight.
A couple of weeks ago I had something approximating a period (although lighter than my 'proper' periods used to be) with accompanying PMS-type symptoms including bloating, soreness in certain areas and water retention.
This has settled down again now the bleeding has stopped, but I seem to be struggling to lose weight. Not that I have an awful lot to lose - less than a stone til I reach my target.
But I'm doing all the things I previously did and lost weight successfully with very little trouble at all (I did so last year - not ten years ago! - but unfortunately have put the weight back on in recent times due to injury/time out from training), but now I've reached a standstill - I've never previously plateaued at my current weight.
I know your BMR goes down as you get older and you therefore require fewer calories, but surely it can't be vastly different within just one year...?
I also know it's still very early days since I stopped receiving the injections, and I'm fully aware of how long it takes for things to get back to normal, but has anyone else had experience of problems with their weight after coming off the depo?
I've done a lot of Googling, but most of the information seems to relate to weight gain/loss while on the depo, rather than off it. I never had any problems at all with my weight while on it - in fact, I've never had any side effects whatsoever from being on the depo.
Alternative types of contraception aren't an option - I'm 30 now, and I'd like to try and have a baby before I reach 35-40, so I'm working with the idea that it'll probably take a while (although if it doesn't, then fair enough...). And anyway, I've had so many bad reactions to other contraceptive methods that the depo has been the only thing I've ever been happy with.
Luckily, although I'm still only gradually building my running back up again after injury, I haven't noticed any ill effects on training thus far...
But any ideas on the weight thing are welcome!
Hey Lady Pineapple!
Man, I cannot describe how much I empathise with you right now. I was on depo from Jan 2005 to Aug 2008 and my periods have only just come back. I also gained 4 stone. (I am 32 now)
I found it completely killed my sex drive, made me slightly depressed, my mood swings were mental and yet none of this i attributed to the drug (which, incidentally, is the 'chemical castration drug' - ie what they give to sex offenders to lower their sexual urges. nice. ) Yes it was GREAT not to have to worry about getting preggo but my god the after effects have SUCKED.
Totally don't mean to bum you out - my intention was to provide solidarity and say YES! i know what you're going thru and it SUCKS!!! What this drug does is undermines your emtabolsim because it makes your body think it's going through menopoause - that's the bit they do not tell youwhen you get it! It's taken me a year and a half to lose 50lbs
i wish you all the best with this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
lix xxx
Yup - been there done that!! I had exactly the same issues as Lix. Depo - is a nightmare and it took nearly two years for my body to start feeling my own again. I don't remember any weight issues (I only had about 3 or 4 injections in around 2004-2005) and I was in my early 30's at the time.
Crikey!
Thanks for the responses so far, ladies!
I didn't really notice much in the way of ill effects while I was on it - no real difference in libido luckily
, I was kind of hoping it might temporarily enlarge my rather tiny boobs a little 
but sadly it didn't (but at least they stayed comfortably sized for running).
I did have one bout of depression while on it, but I've had depression in the past several times without being on any form of hormone-based contraception, and on this particular occasion it was more to do with my personal circumstances at the time. As I said, I had no problems with weight (any more than normal, anyway) while on it.
It slightly concerns me that the after effects from coming off it might be so drastic
, but I guess I've just go to suck it and see, be patient, and realise I'm not alone...
...and er, maybe starve myself so I don't gain too much weight...?
(Very definitely only kidding on that last one - I am ruled by my stomach and enjoy food far too much...)
Oh no... I've been on it for 10 years and I'm comtemplating getting off it but this really got me worried... Might switch to a pill to start with...
Not looking forward to chaos again, though.
Having always had super-regular, predictable, manageable periods all my life, I then had nearly three years of complete chaos trying out different forms of contraceptives before settling on the depo:
Depo really worked for me as it made things predictable again (in that there were no periods).
Ho hum. Guess I'll have to just grit my teeth and realise it won't be horrible forever...
Might be a good idea, Mon - ask your GP about it (caveat here that I'm not an expert on these things).
Unfortunately not an option in my case, as per my previous post.
Just thought I would add my tuppence worth. I was on Depo for 2 and a half years for the treatment of endometriosis in my early 20's. I spoke to the gyne consultant before coming off it and he said that the average time for it to fully be out of your system is 18 months.
I would suggest taking something like Agnus Castus (I have an unopened packet of it here if anyone wants to PM me I'll happily pop it in the post. I'm 6 months pregnant so won't be taking it) There is also a set of vitamins available in boots called something like cycle balance (or words to that effect) that contains a good mixture of the vitamins that are good for helping regain hormonal balance. I will try and look up the name of it. I took it with along with a zinc supliment.
Sorry to say but Depo is a bit of a nightmare and it does just take time for your body to adjust back. Frustrating but just have to be patient and try and give it a hleping hand with vitamins.
R x
@Mon - I was told i couldn't be on it for longer than 5 years due to the greatly increased risk of osteoporosis. The more I have looked into it, however, the more I realise that GO's dont actually KNOW a lot of the side effects yet. it was introduced to ghetto areas of the Bronx and Brooklyn unbeknownst to teenaged girls in an attempt to control the teenage pregnancies.
It's also thought to be a major contributor to the fatty deposits in the back of hips - love handle areas, where you have the injection - because of continually injecting a hormone into that site. I truly think it's horrid. There's a move to ban it in the states!
When my cycle first kicked back in I was having 2 full on periods a month which obviously SUCKED! This went on for about 8 months - thankfully it's calmed down now but boy oh boy it's taken aaaaaaaaages to lose the 50lbs and get my metabolic age from 57 to 16!
I am so glad to find people who are honest about depo on here!!!
Lix xx
Hmmmmm can't say I've been affected by the love handles... lucky me
I've decided to come off it and switch to a pill. Unfortunately the nurse I had an appointment last week with did not have family planing training (???) and couldn't make a decision on which pill to give me so ended up taking another injection. Next time I'll make sure I get an appointment with the right person and get it sorted...
lucky you defo!!
family planning training? good grief! better luck next time! There's always abstinence
There is no scientific proof Depo leaves fatty deposits it is just a rumor. I had Depo every 3 months in my arm for the last 6 years, my arms are very skinny and slightest change, bump or lump would show up straight away. But no nothing shows.
For me Depo has only been a good thing but I am dreading coming of it, not necessarily Depos fault as I was very hormonal and irregular before.
After all the pain, discomfort and inconvenience of all the other forms of contraceptive I tried, for me personally depo was an absolute godsend.
To be honest, in terms of side effects of being on it, I had absolutely nothing to complain about.
Never had a problem with weight gain - most of my weight was gained when I gave up veganism a few years back and returned to meat-eating, but I'd already been on the depo at that point for a couple of years.
No other nasty symptoms.
But yes, right now I'm struggling to lose weight in a way I really didn't when I was on it. Admittedly I'm in a healthy weight range and only want to lose half a stone or so in order to fit into some pairs of trousers again, but while I was having the injections I never found it this difficult.
Anyway, I've now got to go back to using good old-fashioned condoms again
as my GP has told me I shouldn't be trying to get pregnant while taking amitriptyline - I'm on this for nerve problems in my left hand and IBS, and will be on it for at least another three months.
Perhaps the amitriptyline could also be having an effect on my weight - it is one of the listed side effects...
But I don't think the amitriptyline is the thing that's making my boobs hurt.
Weight seems to be stabilising - I'm not really losing much, but I'm not gaining much either.
TOTM hit me in a big way yesterday, though - and certainly not just the pseudo-TOTM it was last month. Bring on the hot water bottle and the super-plus sanitary products...
I certainly don't think I'm going to be one of those women who take a year to adjust.
I dunno, such trauma we have to go thru! x
Well, so far I've had two 'periods' since coming off the depo - about 30 days between the start of each. No particular problem there
But what really galls me is that towards the end of both I've ended up with really painful thrush (sorry if TMI).
Could be just a coincidence, but I've never had it like that before. I hope this isn't going to be a regular occurrence - for one thing, it's expensive to keep buying the treatment. If it happens next month as well, I'm going to have to see my GP...
hello ladies,
I've been on depo for over two years now and over that time, I've put on about 5kg that I can't shift. I eat properly and run three - four times a week. In the past six months, I've really worked hard at trying to lose weight and I've managed...nothing. I still have a tummy like a bowling ball. Been tested for thyroid problems but it came back fine
Yesterday, reading this thread, I realised it must be due to the depo. The depo would also explain why I've been encased in a gloomy mood for about three months too, not even putting up the Christmas tree made me happy. So, I've decided, that's that and I'm not going to have it again. Next jab is due at the beginning of January, so I'm going to skip it. I feel so much happier now I know there's probably an explanation for why I've chunked up. It's been seriously depressing working hard to lose weight and getting no where, looking forward to the new year now.
Just got to find a non-hormonal alternative.
I'm a bit peeved to be honest, no one told me that it would more than likely cause weight gain or that nothing I would do would shift it. I was on depo for a while in my 20s and didn't have anything like this. Live and learn I suppose.
Before I took Depo I read up from the makers website, NHS website, leaflets at the clinic but also a few independent medical studies as well as discussion boards and talking to my friends.
That it can mess with your weight, mood, hormones etc (as the pill can too) I was fully aware of. Also I certainly did not expect my GP or Family planning nurse/doctor to know all about something they might not ever have taken themselves.
I never expected "anyone to tell me all", but this is something I hear more and more from friends and people around me.
Just wondering why more and more people are expecting to be told everything and not using common sense and do some research???
Zaba - I wasn't really given a chance to research it. I went in to see a nurse because of a continuing problem with the pill. She said "ok, let's try this instead, ok?" And that was that. Same with other drugs I've had over the years for asthma. Doctor says "lets try this" writes out a prescription and that's that.
I did ask about side effects of the depo and was told "in some people, it can cause weight gain, but exercise and a healthy diet should sort that out." Of course, this has not happened in my case. Can't begin to describe how frustrated I am.
I tend to trust my nurses and doctors' opinion more than something I read on the internet. If they are of the view that something is ok to be administered, then I have in the past gone with that. I'm getting more cynical though - I was prescribed a course of steroids for 7 days in September. I've taken them before, but for five days. This course made me suicidal and when I mentioned this to my Doctor she said "oh yes, this can happen. Do you have a history of depression in your family?" Both my parents have depression, I shouldn't have been given this drug for this length of time, but when you're struggling to breath and you're told 'take this' by a doctor, you really don't stop to do online research.
We don't really know why depo causes weight gain. It's thought to be either to do with reducing metabolism or increasing appetite (to be honest, all weight gain has to be down to one of those!). When you are first offered depo, the nurse or GP should go through the main side effects and consequences.
If you are coming off depo specifically due to weight gain, but still want contraceptive cover, you could consider other progesterone only methods, such as the progesterone only pill Cerazette. This often reduces or stops periods altogether and for some reason doesn't have quite as much of a problem with weight gain.
If you have a normal BMI, the weight gain is not going to be a concern to the nurse/GP.
It's difficult - on the one hand we want to make sure you are fully informed. On the other, we don't want to overload with too much information. Some people like lots of information, others feel overwhelmed. Personally, I think all women starting depo should be warned of the risk of weight gain and lowering bone density.
AllNewTB - that was unlucky with the steroids. While I know that time contraints mean you can't always check everything with the GP while you are in the room, I would always recommend you read the patient information leaflet that comes with the medication. I know most drugs have a side effect list as long as your arm (and can be quite scary!), but at least if you start getting unusual symptoms you can link it quickly to the use of the drug.
could NOT agree more.Thanks for this. Is it right that the depo causes your body to imitate menopause?
@AllNewTB your story sounds so similar to mine. It sucks hey? Rest assured though things will get back to normal. I'm sure I have said this before but working with a pt reeeeally kickstarted my metabolism into functioning again. I have managed to lose 50lbs and my mental health is much improved now the drug is fully out my system (2 yrs on!). You WILL get there.
I think we'll beging to see an improvement in how medical professional recommend this drug (or otherwise).
Madness.
Kind of.
The depo stops the normal rise in oestrogen levels to prevent ovulation, which is why the risk of bone density loss (It also changes the lining of your womb and the mucus in your cervix). Lower oestrogen levels are present in menopause, but many of the symptoms of menopause are caused by relatively low levels of progesterone. Obviously, low progesterone levels are not present with the depo.
In some ways, the depo causes your body to mimic early pregnancy rather than menopause.
I think I was really lucky when I went on it. But then, I do really, really like my local GP practice - doctors and nurses there are, in general, a great bunch.
I only chose to go on depo after a succession of bad experiences with other contraceptives. I was given loads of information beforehand, and before every new injection was always asked - in detail - about how I was managing on it, whether I was experiencing any side effects etc.
I'll be perfectly honest - if it weren't for wanting to get pregnant at some point in the near future, I'd be quite happy to stay on it. I had no side effects while I was receiving the injections.
Latest annoyance - spots. So nice in the run-up to Christmas when I want to look my best and all that.
I feel like a bloody teenager.
However, I guess I'm very, very lucky in my experiences so far, compared to others on here...