Depo symptoms and conditions

Ohhh, I thought that I was going crazy. My 5th baby was born May 09, and I felt great for just having a baby. I have only had the Mirena since June 09, but thinking back, it has been since then that most of my issues have arisen. I have a constant pressure in my head, sometimes it is a headache, and occasionally it turns into a migraine. I have my period, and then it lags on with spotting for another week and a half, all the while having the cramps, major moodiness, depression, fatigue. I am having low back pains too. I am tired as heck all the time. I am hypothyroid as well, which can cause you to be tired, so I have went and had my thyroid checked 3 times since the baby was born as I was sooo sure it was off because of my fatigue. I have no libido either. My husband thinks all this stuff is excuses and in my head. I have been on the depo in the past for 5 years, but my blood pressure started to raise, and went back to normal after I changed to the copper IUD. I had that removed to try for another baby. But I did very well on the the copper IUD, which had no hormones and is called Para Gard, or something like that. I did still have my period, with some cramping that was slightly more than what I had without the IUD. But I had a libido, I wasn't fatigued or depressed. My doctor was pushing this Mirena, and against my better judgment I agreed. So please remember that there is another IUD, and it is good for 10 years, which maybe why they don't push that one. I am getting ready to get this hell Mirena out and switch back to the copper IUD.

I had been on Depo for basically 14 years, I came off of it, got pregnant 3 months later and after the birth went back on it. I had gained a lot of weight with it and had all the side effects plus so when I saw mirena I thought finally something better for me. I had it inserted in aug 2008. Other than painful insertion, like labor delivery contractions the rest of that day and some the next everything was fine. I didn't get my periods back, the only thing I liked about depo, and my weight was coming off and I was actually wanting and enjoying sex again. . A year later, and 15 lbs less, thought I was still doing good. Well I thought maybe my teenage daughter had jinxed me because I was bragging about still not having a period and I started, well a week later I am still having some sort of a period. It's very light and spotty, just when you think it's gone away, well there it is again. I have been noticing vision issues, I figured it was from where I had lasic done several years ago was starting to go but after reading everyone else's posts I think that's not it now. Everything I was experiencing, the back pain, blurry eyes, feeling sad, lower abdominal pain, I made an excuse for until now. I have recently started to loose my sex drive again. I hadn't had any, or so I thought, problems until several weeks ago. My problem is I can't take the pill, I don't want the depo back because of the side effects, the patch won't work for me so I am not sure what is left for me to take, I saved up for this and put so much money into it and now after reading everyone else's post realize that this BC is not for me either.

Tried the NuvaRing 3 1/2 half years ago after being on depo for a few years. It came out a few times and I followed the directions to put it back in. After 3 months I got pregnant. I found out that I had actually used it a month into my pregnancy but thank god my baby was healthy and strong. Post-partum I used lo-estrin while I breast fed and when I was done with that I weighed my options. I am terrible at taking a pill daily. I tried Depo, but gained weight and I don't want to wait to try again when I decide to have another baby. The patch was just out....I heard too many bad things. I decided to try again with the NuvaRing. Thought it was a fluke that I got pregnant before. 2 months into it I felt the signs of pregnancy again. Home tests came out negative so I went to the doctor. Blood test came out negative. I was certain I was pregnant though. The doctor told me to go ahead and use it still, so I did. After a week it kept coming out so I said forget this. The next week I had a hard time getting a bridesmaids dress on for my cousin's wedding so I took another pregnancy test...and sure enough, I was pregnant. Went to the doctor and was dated at 6 weeks. My baby is 8 months old now and he is beautiful. I'm on Mirena now and have been for 6 months. Not completely happy, but not pregnant. Having migraines and mood swings so I'm considering taking it out. Now I tell everyone I know who is trying to conceive to try the NuvaRing!

My name is Amanda, I'm 21 yrs old, engaged and having some problems:
I had mirena put in December, 2008 and had a horrible first night. My cramps were terrible for at least 5 hrs. After that I had no problems other than really odd cycles (on for 10 days, off for 3 months, on for 4 days, etc)
I hadn't thought my other problems were due to this iud but now think otherwise and am seriously wanting it removed. I've been very irritable, bloated, exhausted, can't sleep at all at night until 6 am then finally sleep till 1 pm... I have absolutely NO SEX DRIVE (odd because my fiancé were very happy with our sex lives , now it's maybe once if that).
My fiancé says this is a very good form of B.C. Because we never have sex... Hahaha. I don't have any cramps but do get unusual headaches (right temple, extremely sharp pain) ...
If i knew for sure that these symptoms weren't from mirena, I'd keep it... But now am going to get it removed and get back on the shot...
Let me know if anyone has anything to help me out with the sex drive thing!!!

Does it hurt to get mirena removed?

Will my sex drive return?????
I'm only 21 and am getting married in sept 2010 (hopefully ... Haha) ...
Thanks, A.

I chose to have the Mirena inserted in August of 2009. I found this site because I have been bleeding for three weeks straight, and the doctors were unavailable to advise me (holiday weekend). I see now that my experience is a side-effect of the IUD. I have also seen a diminished sex drive, fatigue, loss of energy, and constant cramping.

I was very hopeful for the Mirena. Five years without having to worry about birth control, wow! My first complaint is the pain involved with insertion. I was told to eat a big breakfast or early lunch before the procedure, and to take a few advils prior to the appointment. I did - however, I was still not prepared for the process. First, they measure your uterus to make sure that it is the right size, with an instrument similar to the IUD. I was in tears the entire time. I wished someone had told me to bring a friend or my partner with me to hold my hand. It hurt so much! The nurse was as understanding as she could be, but said that once the package has been opened, I would be charged the full amount. I went ahead with the procedure, wondering how I would reschedule during a period and with a busy work week. I was in pain the rest of the day, and felt extremely uncomfortable for a few days after. The pain and bleeding still did not go away, and after a week I made an appointment to check on the IUD's position, if there was any preforation of the uterus; etc. The strings were there, and they just told me that the cramping and spotting is normal. To me, it felt like the doctors tell you the best case scenario, and as you approach more and more of the side-effects, they confirm those as a possibility.

Before the Mirena, I have used DepoProvera, the NuvaRing, and Ortho-Tri Ciclen. I didn't like the weight gain from the Depo, the NuvaRing is somewhat expensive through my insurance, and the traditional birth control bills, like Ortho, are a hassle if you happen to miss a day. I thought that the Mirena was the best solution to my situation.

Be aware. I have been through childbirth, and this was a painful experience for me! I wish I would have read the comments on this site before opting for the Mirena... at least I would have been a more informed & educated consumer.

My 3rd child was born in November of 2008, because I'm very fertile (having 3 children in less than 3 years) and not sure if I'm completely done, but not wanting any more any time soon, I opted for Mirena. I didn't want to deal with Depo because of the constant stories of weight gain, so Mirena sounded great. I hate taking pills because I'm forgetful. Anyway January of 2009 at my 9 week check up I had the Mirena put in...within a month my periods were virtually non existent, some of it could be due to breast feeding, but I still pretty much have no periods. Last month however I went in to the ob/gyn to have him check some pains I'm having in my lower abdomen, an ultrasound confirmed cysts (i read the tech type this out) and then the doc lied and told me there weren't any. Before Mirena, I had gone down to 175 lbs within a month of having my son thanks to weight watchers, after Mirena weight watchers wasnt working. So I quit paying for it so I of course gained back 10 lbs. I'm still eating less than 1500 calories a day, I chase 3 kids around all day, eat decently, don't exercise a whole lot but still don't sit on my butt all day and weigh about 190 lbs. If I even consider eating a piece of pizza I gain weight. This is ridiculous. My doc said he'd remove it if I continue to have pains because that usually helps, well that just one of many reasons I'm calling as soon as Im done typing here. I'm tired, my face is worse than it was in high school, I wear my husbands clothes all day, my wedding ring won't come off, I snap at everyone for everything, I'm sad, and I'm fat too boot. I would love to get back down to pre-pregnancy before the third baby 172lbs, but no matter what I do it doesn't work. Hopefully after removing this thing I can lose that and then some. I'll actually want to work out and have sex again! Not to mention have the desire to play with my kids rather than chase after them and fuss at them for everything they do.

I had switched from Ortho Tri Cyclen Lo to Trinessa, and Trinessa was making my OCD and anxiety go through the roof. I was thinking that Yaz would be the best choice for me. I decided to talk to my doctor, and she gave me a month trial to see if I liked it or not. I messed up my pills a little bit, so I was late starting. I took my last placebo pill and finally started. It's been a lot of very light bleeding, and brownish discharge. This is my main annoyance with the pill. My periods are normally mildly heaving and last about five to six days. This period has been very light, almost non existent, and I am currently on day two. I have also experienced some mood swings, fatigue, and anxiety.
I will be switching back to Ortho this week.

I am 20 year old and my gyno put me on Loestrin 24 for ovarian cysts I have. I have been on for 3 weeks now and I think it's great. I will admit the first two weeks I was oddly emotional and little things would make me cry, but now I feel very in control of my emotions, and I think it has actually helped me to be more stable. The symptoms I have experienced so far are nausea if I don't eat it before I take it, a little bit of anger over things that usually wouldn't effect me in such a way, my chest becoming fuller (not a complaint!), and my acne clearing up a lot. I was on Ortho Tri Lo for a couple of months and I was a monster. I also tried the Depo (the shot) and it made me an insane psycho bitch and I do not recommend it to anyone. Every birth control you try is going to effect you differently than someone else, so reading these experiences and what happens to each person does not mean you will have the same experience.

Hello,
I am eighteen years old and have a two year old, and a five month old. I have had the Mirena in since 4/09... I bled for the first two weeks, then stopped bleeding until I went to my OB/GYN to get my three month check on it. They did two sonograms to make sure that it was inserted properly, and my doc said that it was the best one she every put in. I started bleeding heavy again after the exam and am extremely bloated. I feel like I am pregnant, but most defiantly am not(blood test). I play softball weekly and I get severe cramping and cannot hardly move afterwards. I have gained fifteen lbs. My boyfriend says I have always been naggy, but have gotten worse, and it is hurting our relationship. I cry over the silliest things, headaches have increased and are worse than normal, my fingers are swollen, and my boobs are killing me. The discharge is horrible(kind of reminds me of being pregnant). I want to get it removed, but am scared that I will get pregnant again, and I never could remember to take the pill, and NuvaRing(do not get) messed me up bad. The depo shot made me gain ungodly amounts of weight. I have tried it all... I think i may stick it out and see what happens, but if it gets to worse I will definitely have it removed. This sight has been really helpful on finding out the true side effects and not just the ones from the Mirena website, which are mostly lies or sugar coaters, NEWAYZ THANX LOTZ OF LOVE!

I Was On The Depo For About A Little Less Than 7Years, I Didn't Like The Fact That It Made Me Gain Weight, But Getting On The Depo Was The Best Thing For Me, You Didn't Have To Worry About Forgetting The Take The Pill, Or Forgetting To Take The Ring Out, Just Worrying About Doctors Appointments, I Never Had Any Problems With The Depo Besides The Weight Gain, My Periods Stopped All Together It Was Kinda Nice, Although I Did Get Off The Depo Because Of Weight Gain, And Regretting That I Did Get Off It, Cause The Nuv Ring Is So Not Worth Leaving The Depo

I thought I was going crazy, but I guess this is the norm...I got my mirena inserted about 3wks ago after my son and ever since then my period has been on everyday, the cramps are terrible and it caused a bacterial infection. I'm considering having it removed. I was on the depo for 3 yrs but I was tired of getting injected every 3mths.....should I give it a little more time?

okkk sooo ive been on femcon since September 2008... i have not been so happy with it and plan to change my pill in a week or two when i see my obgyn. the few months i took it i was ALWAYS tired..idk if i just got used to being always tired, but i would fall asleep if someone was talking to me tireddd...also i would also have joint pain the first couple of months.. not to mention i ate ate and ate uncontrollably... i am an active female and i found that this pill slowed me down. i have terrible mood swings stillll, and find that the week i am on the brown pills i have no appetite and loose weight. i find that on this pill im on a constant struggle to ignore my cravings i almost feel as if im pregnant with being hungry alll the time. i am a thin person but i feel like it is impossible if you are weight conscious to maintain your weight on this pill. i did not gain much weight maybe 5 pounds, but i usually fluctuate neways. when im taking the pill i feel like a puffy little balloon and my stomach is always bloated. OHH also i get my period on the second week of the pill every Tuesday like clock work...andddddd when taking the brown pills. the 2nd week is a very light period but still...i feel this is not normal....which is probably why im always tired.....i hope SOMEONE had a positive experience with femcon....

i am on the depo shot,i feel tired,headaches,no sex drive,depressed,mood swing, bloated, i just feel the same way i did when i was pregnant. i was thinking bout trying the mirena, can anyone give me some advise. thanks.

I have been taking Loestrin 24 for over two years. The first year it took a couple months for my body to adjust with a period for over a couple weeks at a time, and then another period a couple weeks after instead of a month. Then i stopped the BC, became lazy. Well I became pregnant once I got off of it, then had a miscarriage 2 months into my pregnany and started up the Loestrin 24 again. I have been on it for 8 months or so straight and i have not had a period for 6 months straight. I love it!! B/c my periods normally last 8 days each month, and at first I thought may be I was pregnant for not having a period for so long, but I'm not. My doctor said that it's possible to not have a period for this long including other factors like stress and so on... SO, I would have to say I absolutely love this brand!! To keep in mind i have taken just about every other birth control brand and none of them worked. I have gotten the depo shot too, and to mention that I had a period for 8 months straight after the first shot and continuously even thought i didn't go back for my other 2 shots... So, it's really dependant upon your body and what works right for you!!

I had been taking Femcon since March 2008 when my doctor switched me because of my girly issues. I actually started taking BC about 8 years ago because of very very heavy painful periods that lasted 20 days and would make me bed rest for 2-3 days. (I took Yasmin for 6 years and looooved it until i got use to it and my periods started returning to their old self about 5 years in). Femcon seemed like a great thing to take and actually worked wonders until December 2008. At that point my doctor recommended me taking the pills nonstop to see if that would help control my bleeding and regulate my hormones. About January... lets say 12th, i started having SEVER diarrhea... im talking like 4-10 times a day. I became severely dehydrated and i, on a normal day drink at least 3 liters of water and no other fluids. This continued until about 2 weeks ago i stopped taking my pills and have now switched to the DEPO shot.. ALL DIARRHEA has stopped... the stomach cramps and everything... before i was living on Imodium when i had plans or was out of town and now... i have a huge bottle and have not used any in a while....

Someone please tell me this! I had my mirena put in aprx 3 months ago. At first I didn't notice anything but now my biggest problem is the bloating. I was on the depo for 8 years prior so that is why I have yet to get a period, however I would really like to give this a chance! Did anyone have the bloating issue and it went away? My other side effects are back pain,mood swings,small weight gain! I just want to know if anyone had the bloating and it went away!

I have been on Avaine for almost 2 years. I have been on almost every birth control since I was 16. From depo to the patch and four types of pills. I was diagnosed with PCOS have been on Avaine for almost 2 years. I have been on almost every birth control since I was 16. From depo to the patch and four types of pills. I was diagnosed with PCOS 2 years ago… they took me off my pill tri-sprintek (I think that how spell it) I loved that pill. Didn’t have any mood swings, and my periods would come on a Wednesday and stop Saturday. I was on Yasmin (YAZ) because of the PCOS… it helped with my hormone imbalance, but gave me chest pains. I had to switch to Avaine, I have to admit that my sex drive is lower then what it use to be. My period starts Friday or Saturday and ends Monday or Tuesday. My pimples are gone and I have lost a lot of weight. Not sure if it’s due to some of the other pills I take. It’s not such a bad birth control. But it’s not for everybody. So if doesn’t work for you change your pill. But it can take your body up to 3 months to get use to.

Sorry to post again, but NO ONE REPLIED TO MY POST!

I am 5 days post removal and need reassurance. Unlike everyone else, I have NOT felt better right away. I am just as tired (if not more), more irritable, and JUST GOT ACNE on my face and arms 2 days AFTER removal! I'm still dizzy and the brain fog is just as bad. Have not bled a drop at all.

I know everyone is different, but my removal experience has been completely different... don't feel better, no bleeding/clots, no immediate improvement. IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH ME??? Was it not the Mirena after all???

ok, so I am 28yrs old just had my second lap for endo and my doctor has recommended lupron, after reading this I am soooooooooo scared to even get near this med. Its like you either take this with the hope of saving fertility and no pain..or not and have endo ravage your body and you will live with unbearable pain!!! I have no idea what to do, my post-op surgery appt is this week, and i am so scared after reading this. Is there anyone that did not have weight gain, headaches etc...anyone that can testify that lupron actually worked for them? Cause right now its my health on the line, my ability to have children, my ability to have a normal life free of endo pain or these crazy, horrible side effects...please help me!!!

I had Mirena put in after the birth of my 3rd son, on 4/2/09, just 6 weeks ago today... I have been cramping really really bad, and had started bloating (bad)... Sex was just painful, it would hurt so bad, and I didn't know what to do... The nausea, ongoing sleepiness, depression, handfuls of hair falling out, and mood swings... I figured it would just pass... I decided that I was going to have my dr take it out today, only because I couldn't stand the pain anymore... ONLY 6 WEEKS!!! I found that I have gained 10 lbs in the 6 weeks...When my doctor took it out, he had it swabbed immediately, not a good sign... He then told me that he had to do an exam at that time... I found out today that I have an Endometrial Infection, which partners with the PID... I have to take 2 antibiotics and see my doctor on June 1st... I also requested the depo shot... I really hope that I will be okay, and I hope all of you will too... My heart goes out to you all... I know that I've been in tears since I left the doctor office, I don't understand how someone can make something that can hurt anyone this bad...

Hi Ladies! I had my Mirena inserted in October 08, when my daughter was 6 weeks old. I have been having horrible side effects that I have been blaming on everything from my depression meds, to my job, to just being a new mother.
I have never in my life weighed more then 150 pounds and even when I weighed 150 I was living with my sister that was pregnant at the time and eating fast food everyday with her!! For the better part of my life I have been between 120-130!!!! I weighed 150 when I got pregnant and 180 at delivery! I got down to 164 the day after my daughter was born!!! I am now back around 175! I have been working out EVERYDAY for a hour plus and only eating 1200 calories a day!!! I HAVE NOT LOST A POUND!!! I can not fit into any of my clothes because of this big paunch belly that I have!! I really do look like I am in my 6-7 month of pregnancy!!! I feel so horrible about myself and the way I look!!
My boobs have also grown! I went from a 36D during pregnancy to now wearing a 38DD!!! I love having big boobs but now none of my shirts fit because my boobs are too big!!
I have started getting acne on my face, back, thighs, and buttocks! I have never had acne in my life.
My hair is very oily the next day after I wash it!
I am very moody!! My husband can say something so small and I fly off the handle and start yelling!! I have no patients with my 8 month old daughter and I feel soooo bad!!! I should not feel like this and I should be enjoying her and all of her little quirks not getting mad at her for everything!
I don't really have periods! About once a month a get a short stint of 2-3 days of spotting and that is it!!
I believe that this thing is bad for your body! I am having some of the same problems that I had on the Depo! I have come to the realization that your body needs to have a period once a month so that it knows everything is ok and it doesn't need to start providing nutrition for another living being!

I am getting this thing taken out on Friday and will keep up dates on here!

Hi i have been on the depo before i was on aviane .I must say it is better by far .I used to have leg cramping, depression ,bloating and no periods at all.Since being on Aviane for 2 months my breasts are tender and getting larger they hurt all the time , i have a large appetite thats all for now .I don't know what the next few months will hold on this pill but i will keep u informed.ITS NOT THAT BAD!!!
Ips-The BRONX

First off, let me say that I have been on Depo for 3 years now. I actually like it but I realize that I may be doing something potentially dangerous. I have no idea what else to do though because like many on here, I have atrocious periods and cramps. I am a small petite 95 lb woman, but I would have heavy periods in which I would have to go through a super plus tampon every two hours at some points. I had ulcerative colitis in high school which made me anemic for a while so I decided it wasn't good to be having such a heavy period and losing so much blood. But really it was the cramps that were the worst, they would keep me from work/school. I have had no periods in about two years now which is awesome. I had tried one of the pills back in my past and I seemed to have allergic reactions to it, but the depo seems to work BUT......

There are some things you should know about before you go on this. It DOES decrease sex drive. For the first two years I was on my depo I was still having sex, but for the past year I'm like Meh. I think it partially has to do with the fact that my last relationship was HORRID (I'm paranoid of men now and their intentions), but I also think its the shot contributing to the lack of sex drive. Also, if you are skinny/slender and you get on the shot, its likely that you will remain the same (at least I did), but if you are normal sized or on the heavier side, you will gain weight. I know some women who gained 40 lbs off of it. I also know some who have had worse side effects from it, like, nearly fatal, so I had to think a lot about things before I got on it.

I do have to say the worst side effect for me, and this is embarrassing, but hey, its the internet, right?.... was it made me smell not so good down there. I had never had a problem like that before, I had never even had a yeast infection or anything weird, and from the 4th month or so of being on the shot up to the 10th month (a 6 month time), lets just say it was horrible. I think that also decreased my sex drive because a guy DID say something about it and you can try to explain to them that its your hormones trying to adjust to B.C. but they don't understand. I stuck with the depo because I had a feeling that it would eventually go away, and it did, but good God that was horrible.

The mental side effects didn't really affect me. In fact, I feel that depo made me more sane. It seems that for me, the side effects level out after a year or so, but for the first year it may be hell at times. It's completely possible to be a positive, happy person on depo. I have learned as I have gotten older that happiness is sometimes a choice that isn't easy to make, but is necessary. Usually I find that if I am depressed its because I'm spiritually dead or I just went through a time of emotional trauma, but then again I guess thats situational depression and not clinical depression. I did suffer I guess what you would call an emotional breakdown while I was on depo, I don't think it was the depo, it may have had a little to do with it but it was mostly a bunch of stuff that happened to me a while back. During this breakdown I realized that I either had an impetus to change for the better or I could keep fading and negating myself, and I chose the better option. Sometimes a change in mindset will make all the difference in the world.

Well I have looked at a lot of web site for information about birth controls and this one by far seems to be the best. I'm 22 years old and have been on and off birth control since I was 15. So far every one I have tried has caused either nausea or Sever Break through bleeding. Last November I decide to give the depo shot one more try, for the first month I had no break through bleeding. But in December it started and never stopped, here it is April 30 and I experienced maybe 5 days during my duration of the depo shot no bleeding. So I went to the doctor today because I have come to realize that my body may need a higher dosing of hormones so she prescribed Femcon. Now in the past I have had the same problems that have been posted on here but when I was not on birth control! Birth control, controlled my symptoms a little but never stopped them. So im hopping that Femcon control that awful breakthrough bleeding I experience with many other contraceptives. At the end of my pack im going to update! Todays day 1

I have been on the nuvaring for almost 3 years.
The first year was great! I hated taking a pill everyday, so at first i opted for the Depo, which was great for a year, but i really didn't trust it and not having periods made me uneasy.

The nuvaring seemed like a blessing! I had no trouble for the first year and a half. I recommended it to all my friends. I didn't have any side effects, and I loved the convenience!

However, now i am experiencing some serious side effects, and thanks to this website I realize I am not the only one. I have two concerns that i link to the BC: depression and no sex drive. Some days I just want to lay in bed, and sleep. I do not want to leave the house, or see anyone. I have told my BF (of 3 years) that i just need some "me time". I am fatigued and show many symptoms of depression.
I am only 24 years old, and i have NO sex drive. It has taken a tole on the relationship with my boyfriend. Many nights i try to get in bed before him, so i can appear asleep. There have been so many nights where i would tell him "i'm sick", "i have cramps"... sooo many excuses. When we do have sex it is usually forced, and i do it because i haven't in a week!

This past year I have also had digestive problems, which seemed to have appeared out of no where. Im not sure if I blame them on the nuvaring, but I've noticed a few other people have mentioned it as well.