To think this was caused by the depo injection?

[Sparklfairy]

Posting here for traffic, sorry if it's a bit long. I've been on the depo injection for nearly 10 years. I love it, no periods, no side effects.

I came off it last year as I was single and starting to think maybe it was time to stop pumping hormones into myself. My periods came back around May last year. Wow I'd forgotten how annoying, messy and horrible they can be, and they weren't even that bad!

Anyway, in early January this year, I decided to go back on it, mostly to stop the periods. I went to the drop in clinic and got it sorted.

A couple of weeks later, I developed a gallbladder infection. The pain was like nothing I've ever known. Had to have morphine and IV antibiotics in hospital, and a week long course of antibiotics at home. I also cracked a rib as a result of the jolting pain .

I've read a few things about pregnant women getting gallbladder problems, attributed to raised levels of progesterone. This is the hormone the depo injection uses.

I know it could be coincidence obviously, but my hair also completely changed texture and 'style' (?) while I was off it. Normally naturally dead straight and very low maintenance, suddenly became bushy and wild and dry, and really really curly! A few weeks after going back on it it's become much more manageable again

I'm posting because I was due my shot mid April. Obviously I didn't go due to lockdown. I'm now officially 'off' depo again, and I have to make a decision as to whether to 'risk' another gallbladder problem when lockdown is over for the sake of no periods and nicer hair

I don't get on with any other contraception as much as this. It worked so well for years, then I took a break and it all went to shit Has anyone else had similar experiences? Would you go back on it if you were me? Please help me decide!

I think you should ask if they have changed the ingredients or makeup in anyway. I used the patch for years but when I went back on after having dd it just wasnt the same. The gp warned me that something in it had changed since I last had it.

It could possibly have changed and your body doesn't like it now. Not sure if it would have caused the gallbladder issues though, that could be coincidental, but you don't want to risk that happening again. Try and speak to your doctor about it.

I'm surprised that you were on Depo for 10 years straight - isn't the advice to take a break due to a higher risk of it lowering bone density?

I can't comment on the gallbladder situation. I had gallstones since my second pregnancy. I went on the Depo after, never noticed the situation getting worse (it improved if anything). I hated the Depo though, I put on weight that I'm still having trouble losing, took absolutely ages for my period to both come back and then have a normal cycle after I came off it, my hair has all fallen out, then when I did fall pregnant (the whole reason to come off it), it didn't stick sadly. I won't know the reason why, but I do worry the injection has had a negative effect on my physical health.

Oh @MouthBreathingRage I'm so sorry This was part of the reason I initially thought stopping was a good idea - we don't know what hidden changes (damage?) it's doing to us.

Every time I went for a shot they would mention the bone density thing, but it was only said in passing and brushed over, more like, 'just so you're aware, if you're ok with it we'll give you the shot' sort of thing. Bone density supposedly recovers once you stop as well.

I hadn't really thought that they might have changed the formulation. I can definitely ask when the time comes. If it was anything other than gallbladder I'd probably toughen it out (I really really hate periods! ) but the pain was unreal. The worst injury I've had was multiple broken ribs after a car crash. That felt like a papercut compared to the gallbladder infection

I was on depo for about 3 years and loved it, (I too had no periods) but then after a couple of years I got horrendous periods lasting months and came off it.
sorry this doesn't answer your question but I think it's possible for your body to suddenly respond differently to it? (disclaimer - not a doctor)

@Poppyismyfavourite eeeek. I guess it's possible. I assumed that because I'd come off it and my body had gone back to 'normal' (periods coming back), then starting up again from zero, the high dose shot of progesterone had caused all the problems. But what you've said shows that you can react differently at any time!

Why do men not have to deal with this shit, pumping hormones into themselves and weighing up the side effects?

Did anyone notice any other differences being on/off it. My hair changing when I came off was so weird. Particularly underneath near my neck, a mass of kinky waves! I had to invest in hair straighteners, something I've never ever had to do! I also didn't need to wash it nearly as often, which was a good thing because the evening was a write off once I'd committed to washing, blow drying and straightening it! It went back almost to it's old self a few weeks after going back on depo. I can mostly leave it to air dry, and it doesn't kink overnight like it used to anymore. Fucking weird.

It is advised to stop Depo at 50

So I assume you are younger

Yes, 32