Welcome to EmpowHer! And thank you for your question.
I'm so sorry you've had such difficulty over the last two months. Let's see what we can figure out.
By "the injection," do you mean Depo-Provera shots?
Unfortunately, one of the most common side effects with Depo-Provera is irregular bleeding. "For some there may be increased light spotting and breakthrough bleeding, whereas others may experience longer and heavier bleeding. For most women, after a year of use periods usually become fewer and lighter or may stop altogether." That's from the American Pregnancy Association site, which has pages on quite a few different methods of birth control:
You can scroll down to the "Adverse Reactions" and "Side Effects" section, and you'll find that about 5% of the women studied had abnormal bleeding on this drug. Here's part of what it says:
"Most women using Depo-Provera CI experience disruption of menstrual bleeding patterns. Altered menstrual bleeding patterns include irregular or unpredictable bleeding or spotting, or rarely, heavy or continuous bleeding. If abnormal bleeding persists or is severe, appropriate investigation should be instituted to rule out the possibility of organic pathology, and appropriate treatment should be instituted when necessary."
Have you tried other forms of birth control? There are many kinds and types of birth control pills that may have fewer side effects for you. As for stopping the effects of the hormones right now, you are probably going to have to put up with them until the second injection wears off. You and your partner have already been patient, so I know that's hard. But letting the hormones run their course is probably the best thing you can do.
And unfortunately, loss of libido or sex drive is also listed as a symptom of this medicine. That symptom was reported by between 1% and 5% of the women studied.
The good news, if you decide to keep trying with the injections, is that after a year most women did have lighter and more infrequent periods, and some stopped altogether. So if you're willing to keep trying a little longer, you may see some progress. But schedule an appointment with your doctor and ask whether there are better methods for you, now that you both know your reactions to this one.
Comment Reply
Embarrassed Girl,
Welcome to EmpowHer! And thank you for your question.
I'm so sorry you've had such difficulty over the last two months. Let's see what we can figure out.
By "the injection," do you mean Depo-Provera shots?
Unfortunately, one of the most common side effects with Depo-Provera is irregular bleeding. "For some there may be increased light spotting and breakthrough bleeding, whereas others may experience longer and heavier bleeding. For most women, after a year of use periods usually become fewer and lighter or may stop altogether." That's from the American Pregnancy Association site, which has pages on quite a few different methods of birth control:
http://www.americanpregnancy.org/preventingpregnancy/depoprovera.html
And here is the drugs.com page on Depo-Provera:
http://www.drugs.com/pro/depo-provera.html
You can scroll down to the "Adverse Reactions" and "Side Effects" section, and you'll find that about 5% of the women studied had abnormal bleeding on this drug. Here's part of what it says:
"Most women using Depo-Provera CI experience disruption of menstrual bleeding patterns. Altered menstrual bleeding patterns include irregular or unpredictable bleeding or spotting, or rarely, heavy or continuous bleeding. If abnormal bleeding persists or is severe, appropriate investigation should be instituted to rule out the possibility of organic pathology, and appropriate treatment should be instituted when necessary."
Have you tried other forms of birth control? There are many kinds and types of birth control pills that may have fewer side effects for you. As for stopping the effects of the hormones right now, you are probably going to have to put up with them until the second injection wears off. You and your partner have already been patient, so I know that's hard. But letting the hormones run their course is probably the best thing you can do.
And unfortunately, loss of libido or sex drive is also listed as a symptom of this medicine. That symptom was reported by between 1% and 5% of the women studied.
The good news, if you decide to keep trying with the injections, is that after a year most women did have lighter and more infrequent periods, and some stopped altogether. So if you're willing to keep trying a little longer, you may see some progress. But schedule an appointment with your doctor and ask whether there are better methods for you, now that you both know your reactions to this one.
Will you come back and update us?
November 30, 2009 - 9:49amThis Comment
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