QuestionI had been on Depo provera for 4 1/2 years but have been off it now for 19 months. My breasts are sore all the time and I have gone up a cup size and they are still growing. I have put on a little weight but not much. I'm tired all the time. My periods have been coming around 4-5 days early and are really light which is not normal. I have taken 2 home pregnancy test about a month apart and both have come back negative.
AnswerDear Loren,
Unfortunately, even if you decide that Depo Provera is not the right birth control method for you, side effects may linger until the drug is completely gone. After the last shot of Depo Provera, it can take over 6 months for the drug to leave the body. For many women who eventually decide to have a baby, this ends up being a big issue since those effects will often also affect their fertility for several months after the last shot. And, in my experience, the longer Depo is used, the longer it seems to take for regular menstrual cycles to return to normal.
70% of women using Depo Provera do gain weight. Almost half of the women using Depo Provera gain more than 5 pounds after one year of use. Many women gain more than 10 pounds. Irregular, heavy, or no bleeding are common side effects of Depo Provera. After a year of use, many women stop having periods. Lack of a period becomes increasingly common with longer use. Other side effects of Depo Provera can include headaches, nervousness, mood changes, bloating, hot flashes, decreased interest in sex, breast tenderness, acne, hair loss, and back ache.
If you are having regular periods - even if they are coming 4-5 days earlier than you would have anticipated before Depo use, and have had two negative tests a month apart, more than likely you are not pregnant. The symptoms do sound hormonal and are likely due to hormone fluctuations within your menstrual cycle. This could be due to your body trying to get everything regulated on its own again without the influence of the Depo, or there may be remnants of Depo Provera influencing that and causing some hormone surges.
If you are trying to conceive, you may just have to be patient. Many women have to try for many, many months after using Depo Provera before successfully conceiving. If you are not trying to conceive, I do not think you have anything to be overly concerned about as long as you are still having regular periods, as long as they are at least three weeks apart so that your body is going through the appropriate hormonal chain of events.
I hope this has helped you and answered your question. I wish you well and Merry Christmas!
Brenda
