Contraceptive Injection (depo) safe to stop?

djtonyb

I was on the depot for 7 years. Had last injection september 2002 periods came back within 2 months and fell pregant july 2003.

So its not all bad

JCD_Capulet

I was started on depo when I was sixteen to eighteen. When I was eighteen I found myself in a long term relationship and was advised implanon would be a better option, so I went for that. I'm now on my third (three year) implanon which was replaced in June this year. After the complete dissappearance of my period and going to question my doctor about it, I've been told I might not have a period again, ever. I was told that this is down to me being on chemical contraceptives for so long (nearing eleven years).

I have to say that both implanon and depo did what they were meant to, they kept me from any unwanted pregnancies, but in a cruel twist of fate, might have left me unable to have kids at all.

nicola1982_2

I conceived approx 5 or 6 years after being on Depo, but I wasn't trying until 9 months before I got pregnant. I didn't get periods for a while after coming off it.

I would definitely come of depo if you intend on having kids in the next few years, swich to alternative contraception.

nicola1982_2

JCD_Capulet wrote: »

I was started on depo when I was sixteen to eighteen. When I was eighteen I found myself in a long term relationship and was advised implanon would be a better option, so I went for that. I'm now on my third (three year) implanon which was replaced in June this year. After the complete dissappearance of my period and going to question my doctor about it, I've been told I might not have a period again, ever. I was told that this is down to me being on chemical contraceptives for so long (nearing eleven years).

I have to say that both implanon and depo did what they were meant to, they kept me from any unwanted pregnancies, but in a cruel twist of fate, might have left me unable to have kids at all.

I was on various chemical contraceptives from the age of 15 and I conceived at 24. I wouldn't take the scare stories too seriously, you may find it takes you longer to conceive but I doubt that 11 years of artificial contraception could impact your fertility to that extreme.

When you do choose to start trying for kids, get yourself on a good diet, cut down drinking and cut down stress. Stress was the biggest impact on my fertility.

djdymond

oh i really do hope to be one of the slim few who get their periods back quite quickly. i think id been on depot 3 years roughly too. If i had realised that a year really is the average for it to ware off, i would of come off it alot sooner. still, gives me a year to save i suppose

crispeater

and dont forget how quickly a year passes!! look round the corner its nearly christmas see that went before you knew it too lol

mine are 4 & 2 and watching garfield the movie for the 2nd time this evening

feelinggood_2

I was on the depo for four years. When I came off it, it took over a year for my periods to return, but I did have a lot of random spotting and cramping. The mood swings were too much for me to bear, and I've been back on it for almost a year. I don't like being on it, I think its too strong and I didn't like the effect it had on my periods. I wish there was another option, but this is the best of a lot of rotten choices. Please someone invent some new contraceptives!

JCD_Capulet

nicola1982 wrote: »

I was on various chemical contraceptives from the age of 15 and I conceived at 24. I wouldn't take the scare stories too seriously, you may find it takes you longer to conceive but I doubt that 11 years of artificial contraception could impact your fertility to that extreme.

When you do choose to start trying for kids, get yourself on a good diet, cut down drinking and cut down stress. Stress was the biggest impact on my fertility.

Thanks Nicola. I must admit that I was pretty shocked when the doctor told me I'll probably not get periods again, and as such it might well have an effect on my fertility. But then, the doctors around my way are quick to jump to their own conclusions before doing thourough investigating. For example, I went to see a doctor early this year about lumps in my neck the size of peas. He told me it's a common sign of Hodgkins disease (cancer of the lymph glands), took some bloods, then phoned me a fortnight later saying I was fine.

Anyway (forry for thread-jacking), thanks for the reply Nicola, it has made me feel a bit better x

gollygosh

had the jabs for 4 years, it took 21 months for periods to start again but i fell pregnant straight away. what with all the pregnancies and jabs and breastfeeding i hadn't had more than 4 periods in 9 years (utter bliss) but now they're back just as horrible as ever.

jillie1974

well 2 months later and i am off the depo. no periods yet but i do feel that my sex drive is getting back to what it was like before i started on depo. still the same weight tho.. thought i might have lost a few pounds by now....