To ask if the depo injection might be the cause of this?

[GodThisHurts]

And if it is, will it calm down soon and get better?

I honestly have no idea if this is normal or not because I've never actually used hormonal contraception before so I'm posting here for traffic. I am also aware that this is going to make me look like a crybaby and might be told to suck it up but oh well.

I had my first depo injection about four weeks ago. I wasn't actually that keen to get it but I need contraception and after careful reviews by my GP and a CASH nurse it was decided because of health issues I have this is really the only contraceptive that would be safe for me.

The first week was fine however on my second week I came on my period. It was really heavy and quite painful (and my periods have always been light and not very painful) but I just expected it to last a couple of days as I was told my period would most likely stop while on it. However that hasn't happened. Three weeks after I came on my period I am still bleeding. So I have had a heavy period non-stop since then.

Also since then I have had really bad headaches pretty much non-stop and painkillers won't touch it. This is going to sound whingey but they really do hurt and they last for days at a time. Then it goes away for about a day but then comes back the next day. The pain has been so bad that I have even been a sick a couple of times. I have had a headache the last couple of days and it doesn't feel as bad this morning however I'm scared in case it comes back tomorrow.

Over the last two weeks or so I have also been feeling very emotional and weepy and have been bursting into tears at the drop of a hat and believe me I am not a cryer. The things I've been bursting into tears about are all silly unimportant things like the shop running out of milk. I feel like a tit afterwards but it's like I can't help it, I just feel so low and vulnurable.

I have an appointment at my GP on Wednesday (earliest I can get) but I really hope it's not linked and is just a coincidence because I really need this to work, I don't have a choice!

Anyone else experienced this?

• counteract

yep depo. I had constant low quantity bleed on depo, and vile moods , so went on the pill as well/ instead. once pill was started bleeding stopped, my temper improved too.

Can't say I have had any of the specific issues you mention op. Maybe there is something else that would be better for you? My periods stopped completely apart from the odd bit of spotting very occasionally.
Re weight gain, surely it's about what actually goes in our mouths rather than the medication itself??? Does the medication actually cause weight gain or does it cause increased appetite therefore causing weight gain??
I ask as this time round I have put on some weight but I have been over eating so have started cutting back. I read a lot that depo makes you gain weight but I confused as to whether it's the actual medicine or not???

Bulbasaur that quote says 'may lose significant bone mineral density' not will irreversibly ruin your bone density.
ilovepowerhoop the leaflet talks about possible but not proven effects and suggests caution in young women and women with other osteoporosis risks.
FWIW I think that contraception is woefully under-researched. I am using depo atm and find the spotting annoying, but I haven't had any other noticible side effects. I am considering changing to the POP which appears to have less serious possible side effects.

I had a period for about 3 months whilst having the depo.

I gained 3 stone on Depo
, despite going to the gym four times a week.
I lost all the weight once I stopped the injections.
Lack of sex drive was also a problem.

Yep, I was on depo for less than 2 years, and at 25 years old I have had 2 vertebral compression fractures due to osteoporosis and osteopenia in my spine.

Yep, I was on depo for less than 2 years, and at 25 years old I have had 2 vertebral compression fractures due to osteoporosis and osteopenia in my spine.

See I now thinking twice about this after reading these posts. I have put on about a stone since starting depo this time but nurse said to me it's what you put in your mouth that causes weight gain, not the depo. And I thought ye that makes sense.... Not so sure now. Had zero other issues tho. Not sure now

Depo is not a long term birth control, please don't use it as one. It will irreversibly ruin your bone density.

I get my bone density checked every few years. I have been on the depo for 10 years and my bone density has not changed at all. I also haven't had a period in that time and I've had no headaches and I weigh less than when I first went onto it and my BMI is totally normal.