Depo - what can I expect?

[eeniemeaniemackaracka]

I had my first depo injection two weeks ago, at start of my last period which then went on quite a bit longer than usual and I have had spotting daily since. I know it's only early days and I probably need to give it time to settle down, but can anyone tell me what I can expect cycle-wise? I don't actually know anyone else who's using it, but I had heard it was supposed to stop your periods altogether? I'm a little concerned as I'm at the start of a new relationship and I was rather hoping to be having a lot of sex and I'm a bit worried now! Anyone??

i bled for 12 weeks :(

Yikes! Dare I ask how were things after then?

I got acne type painful lumpy spots on my back, and it took 18 month after 1st jab to get pregnant

It stopped my period completely. Have been using it for around a year now with no ill effects.

I used it for 10 years when I was younger. Took almost 6 months for spotting to stop completely but then no other side effects. Can't remember what happened coming off it so there probably weren't any issues.

I would say to do some googling - apparently it can cause problems with bone density and damn, I forgot the word but it's that condition where women's bones are too thin, osteo something. It improves once you stop taking the depo though.

sb - thanks - good to know not all bad! How long til your periods stopped?

gallic - yes I'd heard about the osteoperosis risk but I do exercise regularly and I take supplements so I'm already doing what I can to take care of that side of things. Could I ask was that daily spotting for months or occasional?

sorry- can't remember. I know it was heavy enough sometimes to use sanitary products. It varies lots though.

My periods never returned after my first injection which I had mid-cycle.

It was such a relief as I always had very heavy, painful periods.

Just in case your gp hasnt mentioned it, you are supposed to wait at least a year after your first injection before ttc (just in case its something you are thinking of in future).

Oops, a year after your LAST injection!

My sister bled continually, put on 2 stone and had very bad migranes.

She had it removed.

I have been having the depo for about two years. It took until the third injection or so for my periods to stop completely. Have found I have put on a reasonable amount of weight, but I may have done that anyway!
DH is having vasectomy later this month and looking forward to forgetting about contraception.

I'm currently on week 11 of daily spotting! Don't think I'm going to have another jab as I think progesterone contraception doesn't seem to agree with me.

I had it at 17, took 3 inj, 3 months apart and after final one it took 18 months for my periods to return and very sporadic after that. They've only become normal after having the coil.

Just going to chime in here - I've been on depo since June last year, and had no noticeable side effects. I've put on a tiny bit of weight, which may be due to being stuck inside for months rather than the jab. I'm no different mentally to my previous self, and the best part is my annoying, sporadic periods have stopped pretty much altogether!

It's different for everyone obviously, but just wanted to let you know it's not all horror stories!