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 Posted: Wed Feb 10, 2010 12:19 pm
I have been on Depo Provera for about a year and a half now. At the time, it seemed like a savior. A shot once every 3 months, and no worries about a pill everyday. I did some slight research when I was starting to take it. Now, I have done some more in depth research and I have some major concerns.
1. It causes a calcium deficiency, leading to loss in bone loss when taken for more than 2 years. I have started taking a calcium supplement to try to counteract this, but still concerned.
2. It can lead to some fertility issues. I was looking through the internet and came across a ton of forums online about women being on the shot for a while, going off of it, and working for 3-6 years on getting pregnant, having to take fertility medication, and enduring 1-3 miscarriages in the process. However Depo has not been scientifically proven to cause fertility issues, these mass of forums does have me concerned about what is going to happen when I do want to get pregnant.
3. After being on it for over a year and a half, I have been bleeding and spotting for more than 3 weeks. Sometimes I see blood, other times it's more of a brown color, which I am thinking it just the blood having sat there for a while. It's not heavy, but the amount of time it starting to worry me.
My question, do any of you have an idea of what I could do as an anternative? I'm trying to find a way I would not have to take a pill everyday (I am so forgetful it's ridiculous), and something that is still very effective, like Depo.
Thanks to you all. =]
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Posted: Wed Feb 10, 2010 12:51 pm
The FDA also does not recommend Depo for teens, young women, or women who have any other birth control alternatives. They also do not recommend taking Depo for more than two years. Given all that, it's best for most women to avoid Depo completely. You have many other alternatives anyway. If you do not want something that you have to remember every day, look into the patch, ring, or IUD. Look through http://www.gaiaonline.com/guilds/viewtopic.php?t=15961549 and talk to your doctor about it.
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Posted: Wed Feb 10, 2010 6:59 pm
I would suggest the Nuva Ring for you, since I know you personally. Put it in after your period, and take it out three weeks later. Or even the patch. I don't suggest an IUD though. I've heard and researched more harm than good with those things.
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Posted: Wed Feb 10, 2010 10:52 pm
I was on the Pill, and switched to the Patch because I was forgetting a pill once in awhile. I've had no problems with the Patch, other than sometimes it gets stuck to my pants. whee
I was on Depo on and off for the 2 year period. Most of my doctors (I've moved a lot) have agreed with the 2 year time limits - a couple have not. Personally after reading the Health Canada notice and hearing at least a couple of stories about the bone calcium deficiency issue, it's not something I'd recommend for women.
To my understanding, the only thing that would be as effective is an IUD or an implant under the skin, but I don't know much about either, so I can't recommend them. I've just had experience with the Pill, Patch and Depo.
If you do decide to stay on Depo until the 2 year limit, ask your doctor if you can get your shots every 10 or 11 weeks instead of every 13 (at least that's what I was getting them at originally) - I was having heavy bleeding, and we found that moving my shots up eliminated the heavy bleeding and cramping around the time I was due for my next shot.
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