How long do I wait before seeing someone about lack of libido caused by Depo injection?

[LittleRebelGirl]

It's been 9 months. I had a depo injection in November 22. Within 2 weeks my libido had gone from high (much higher than my lovely DP!) to zero. I don't want to kiss, don't want to touch, hold hands, nothing. Absolutely nada. I have managed sex twice in 9 months. I just don't want any intimacy at all.
Except I know I do, I want the old me back. Depo has stolen a part of me that I desperately want back.
Before depo I wasn't on regular birth control. We struggled to manage regular sex for various reasons. But I regularly fantasized and masturbated. When there were times were sex was more frequent I would go on Microgynon as this had no side effects for me. I only had the depo because my GP said I was too fat (paraphrasing) for Microgynon and as I needed contraception in order to be prescribed acne medication (Accutane) then I felt I had no choice.
13 years ago I had the same response as this when I had the implant. That was removed after 4 months and I seem to remember my libido returned after a couple of months. But this has been 9 months and nothing...
At what point can I get help? And where from? Will I just be laughed at and sent away humiliated? I am so sad right now. I just want me to come back.

I used the depo for years and just assumed i had no sex drive. I came off it last year when i was sterilised and realised that was not the case at all! Not sure what to suggest really apart from trying a different contraception. I do wish id realised quicker and chosen an alternative method. Good luck

Hi @LittleRebelGirl do you mean you had the depot for contraception? ( Just checking as some people have a depot as mental health medication).

If it is for contraception, technically it should only last 12 weeks, as you go back 3 monthly and have it repeated to maintain the effectiveness of the contraception.

If you've only had it once, all those months ago & it's still having that effect on your libido, I would say you are justified in going back to the GP now. I'm not sure what they would be able to do, as I can't think that there is a way of reversing the effects, you just normally let it run out.

There is some evidence that lots of hormonal contraception is having this effect on women. It would be worth looking this up before seeing the GP. There was a really good podcast on this by Andrew Huberman. It was Huberman labs & Dr Sara Gottfried from 30 Jan 23 & she discusses the effect of hormones on libido. This links to evidence that women's libido is dropping & we are having less sex & hormonal contraception might be the cause. From a contraceptive perspective, you might be best to consider non hormonal types (condoms or the copper coil). Good luck, I hope you get sorted & back to your normal.

Yes, I had it as a one off for contraception, so it should be out my system but it wasn't. My periods didn't return at all, so 3 months ago when I did actually finally start on the accutane, I demanded Microgynon off the GP, be damned with fat. I know it works for me. And no previous issues with libido. They very very reluctantly gave it to me. Part of my hope was to kick start a "period" in the hope it might help. I can't come off it just yet, as I'm still on the accutane for a couple more months. I've had my breakthrough bleeds, although it took a lot longer in the cycle for them to come (the full 7 days after finishing day 21 pill) than they ever did previously (normally 2-3 days in to the break).
I was hoping that when I come off Microgynon that maybe my periods will return properly and my libido would too. I don't know. I'm grasping at straws.
All I know is that depo lasted way longer than the 12 weeks it should.
I will try and find what you have posted and read more before going to the GP.

I had no issues with libido on the pill, until I did - then it disappeared for years and I didn't know why. You may find that non-hormonal contraception (eg copper IUD) works better for you. Definitely discuss with your doctor.

I had a copper coil some years ago which was so horrific I can't even bring myself to explain why. I'm 38 now, so not too many more years to worry. But I definitely can't go through that again.

I'm sorry, that sounds awful. Please do look at other options though. Lack of libido can be soil destroying after a while (ask me how I know...)

Well that was absolutely fucking pointless. GP is trying to blame a psychological issue - which it most certainly isn't. He said the depo is out of your system. Well it might be, but the fact my periods didn't return and nor did my libido points directly to the depo as the cause. Something is off kilter in my body, not in my head.
He tried to suggest at my age it is normal to have a reduction in libido (I'm 3fucking8 not 88, and it's a total loss, not reduction!).
So I'm going to take matters in to my own hands. I'm coming off microgynon, to see if my period will return. I'm going to give that a couple of months. Unfortunately even if it does return, it means I can't have sex as I absolutely can not risk pregnancy and wouldn't trust a condom alone. The medication I am on is iatrogenic - you can not get pregnant on it. I've probably got another 3 months of treatment on accutane, so I can manage that. I really just want to want a fucking cuddle ffs!

I just thought I'd update this.
16 months after the depo shot, my libido has finally bloody returned!
I love my DP, I actively reach for him for a kiss, cuddle, and yep, sex! Intimacy is big on the agenda again!
Hallefuckinglujah! I thought it was gone forever. It was 100% the long term side effect of the depo. And most definitely not in my head as the GP suggested. I did nothing. Just waited it out. And a month or so ago, it just trickled back in like it had never been gone. Nothing happened. Nothing changed. The old me just returned, good as new.
But my gosh, I will never have that awful contraceptive ever again given how shit it has been for 16 months.

Yay! The libido rides again! Great to hear its come back - what a relief. We certainly don't know everything about the effects of contraception, but you certainly know your own body. Foolish GP suggesting it was in your head.
Enjoy yourselves.