Contraceptive injection.- weight gain?!

[wellington77]

Hi - I’m posting in here for traffic, got nowhere in the health forum!

I’ve just been given the contraceptive progesterone injection. Reading the leaflet given afterwards it says it can cause weight gain as it can make you feel hungrier. The nurse did not mention this. I have limited options for contraception due to various medical reasons. I’m concerned about this as I am already overweight and I don’t want to add to it. If there is someone out there that has been on it-please tell me your experiences. If there are any medical professionals out there- in your experience is it common or heard it’s common to gain weight?

I put on lots of weight with it. It seems to be a common side effect

I've been on the depo injection for a good couple of years and haven't found this. I actually lost 4 pounds last week and was already slim to begin with.

Put on half a stone in the first three months and ruined my mental health. I didn’t go back for the second injection.

Got fat and turned into a psycho

would not do it again

I’ve been on depo on and off (between having children!) for about 17 years. I still weigh basically the same as I did when I started having it.

I put on weight the first time I was on it. I put this down to lifestyle though - was with a steady partner, settled down, stopped going out drinking, and enjoyed nice food and wine. I put on about a stone. I completely blamed depo but really it was because I was happily enjoying an unhealthy diet.

I went back on depo in November ish. Lost 11kg since Feb, calorie counting. 1500 calories a day, not found myself especially hungry. Cut alcohol significantly.

I’m sure that medications do impact metabolism etc but equally I think there are some people for whom cognitive dissonance comes into play. It’s easier to blame a medication rather than have some uncomfortable reflection on whether it’s down to our own behaviour.

edit: I am 42 now and would say that for probably the last 5 or so years I have been an utter misery around PMT time. I’ve been lovely since going back on the depo though. Realised the other day that I’ve completely lost track of my cycle because I’ve not got any days I can track where I’ve been an arsehole.

Not even had any spotting since my first dose. It’s definitely the right contraceptive for me.

I don't remember any weight gain, but I do remember being very grumpy. I would never have it again.

I've been on it for 15 years with gaps for pregnancy. Have put on about 6 lb in all those years, likely due to aging rather than the depot.

I was on it for years I gained a little at first but is was also my first semester at university so I think it was more the ‘freshman 15’ thane the BC… I lost it and never put back on while I was on it.

Thank you everyone for your comments, really useful to know. I’m going to see how the next three months go then make my decision if I want the next jab or not