Depo Provera - I just found out that...

[fezsarecool]

After using it for 5 years you can expect to lose 5-6% of your bone mass.... With only partial recovery after a couple of years abstinence.

WTF

So call me stupid for not reading the fine print on the leaflet in the box that the depo comes in.

I would expect any health professional prescribing to maybe mention something so significant.

How can I find out long term side effects of implanon, is it even old enough to have those answers?

Must dash, back soon. TIA

.

That info is now outdated. I was on it for 4 years and came off it because of that. When I questioned dr again after 4 years without he said new studies showed totally different findings and it was fine to take up to your mid 40s.

So don't panic - it's old (and alarmist) news.

I used depo for five years and was asked to go for a bone scan. And there was damage which they feel is most likely to be caused by depo.

So its something to consider I think.

buttonmoon - if it was outdated info would it still be printed in product information for product on pharmacy shelves today?

I didn't know it was. I will ask my gp and post the details of the study he showed me.

Thanks, that would be much appreciated.

'Researchers have found that teens are more likely to lose bone density while taking Depo-Provera®, however, bone density fortunately improves in most women after they stop Depo-Provera®. Girls also lose bone mass during pregnancy so each young woman needs to think about the risks of pregnancy compared to the benefit of effective birth control with Depo-Provera®. Your teen years, especially the years you are going through puberty (11 to 15 years), are particularly important for you to gain bone density. So until we know more, the best advice is to use Depo-Provera® at least two years after you start your menstrual periods, take in 1300 mg of calcium in your diet, take a multivitamin or 400 to 800 units of vitamin D each day, get lots of weight-bearing exercise, and maintain a healthy weight (don't be too thin). Talk to your health care provider about all options for birth control, especially after you have been on Depo-Provera® for 2 years or you have a strong family history of low bone mass (osteoporosis). If you are 18 years old or older, there is much less concern about Depo-Provera® but you should still take in calcium and vitamin D and get plenty of exercise. No matter how old you are, make sure not to smoke while on hormones.' youngwomenshealth.org

?The package insert contains a black box warning about possible bone loss: "Women who use Depo Provera may lose significant bone mineral density (BMD)." BMD measures how much calcium is stored in the bones. Using this method over time can result in a calcium loss, but calcium starts to return once this method is stopped. about.com (sorry - crap website!)

This is all for starters. It fits in though with what my dr said ie if you don't have a family history of osteoporosis you'll be fine as bone density decrease is reversible and that you should take calcium supps throughout.

Will still check with dr though.

Thanks Buttonmoon. Was causing me a bit of concern.

Don't stress.

I had it for 4 years and stopped cos they told me this. I went on the pill and had dc3!

Had the coil most recently but will be getting depo again once we've had dc4 (currently not even in utero!)