I was on depo for years & now have some strange things happening?
Ok- maybe someone has some experience they can share. . I am 26 and had my 1st depo at age 15. I was on depo until i was 19, stopped, got on BC pills for 6 months, stopped to conceive my 1st child and after I had my daughter at age 20 – started taking depo again until January 2007. Am now on the BC pills again. Is it possible that the depo "paused" puberty for me? my breasts have started to grow?? and im not gaining weight any where else & am not pregnant…. have also had the ovarian cysts & some really bad back pain- and my periods came back right away ?? anybody been where i am now?
Breasts should be checked regluarly for the risk of cancer. The same applies for ovarian cysts. Please have a yearly check up on both things.
You can read these side effects and there is much more on the net.
Side Effects
Unlike the birth control pill, which provides women with a small dose of hormones on a daily basis, Depo-Provera gives women a large dose of progestin at one time. As a result, side effects of this type of contraceptive tend to be more pronounced.
One of the most common side effects of Depo-Provera is the absence of menstruation during the first year of use, which affects a quarter to half of all users. About 30% of users will continue to have regular periods (which suggests that ovulation is continuing) while the remainder of women on Depo-Provera are likely to experience irregular periods. Other side effects include:
Change in menstruation (may be lighter or heavier; shorter or longer)
Increase in spotting and breakthrough bleeding
Weight gain
Dizziness
Nervousness
Change in libido
Headaches
Rash or skin discoloration
Breast tenderness
Depression
Increase or decrease in facial and body hair
Hair loss
Unfortunately, little can be done about these side effects until the hormones from the shot wear off, which can take up to 14 weeks. It is also interesting to note that, because Depo-Provera tends to suppress the production of testosterone in men, male prisoners used to receive Depo-Provera shots in order to suppress their sexual drive and help make them more docile.
Use of Depo-Provera has also been shown to cause a decrease in bone mass. This is most noticeable during the first year of use. While bone mass does tend to increase again once the shot is discontinued, the long term effects of the temporary bone loss is unknown and may put users at an increased risk of osteoporosis.
Complications
Although they are rare, there are some serious health complications that can occur with the use of Depo-Provera. Users may have a slightly increased risk of breast cancer and cervical cancer, but study results have been conflicting. Other possible complications include jaundice, blood clots, severe allergic reaction and infertility.
http://www.epigee.org/guide/shot.html
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&rls=com.microsoft%3Aen-US&q=depo+shots+side+effects