other than the crazy breakouts I've had for about a year now, I've never really had any issues with Depo. It's been VERY NICE not having AF visit me each month - after 7 years...it's gonna be hell when I make the transition. But I'm doing it because eventually, my fiance and I want to have kids, and we decided it's better to ween myself off Depo and onto a pill form, and then to nothing once we're at the point we want to try to conceive.

Buttonz - YES. I was on Depo for almost 2 years, and I averaged a gain of about 5-7 pounds per shot - no change in diet or exercise, it was pretty frustrating. However, almost as soon as I stopped taking it, I lost the weight again.

I really think it's per individual. My best friends sister was on depo for a while and she bleed all the time. I've been on and off Depo for the last 4 year (like on for about two years, go off for one cycle, then back on) and I don't get a period (love it!!!). The only reason I've gained weight now is that I'm not as active as I was the last couple of years. I stopped going to the gym all the time and I wasn't coaching, so I got lazy. It's me and has nothing to do with the Depo.

As for breakouts, I have broken out alot this last month, but I've also been super duper stressed. (Teacher, don't get paid during the summer but have bills to pay, very stressful on how to pay said bills).

Now I've been on the pill. I was put on the pill in high school because my periods were erratic and the cramps were horrendous. It was really my dad who wanted me to go on something, I don't think he liked seeing me in that much pain. But then freshman year of college, my dad got a new insurance company and for some reason they didn't cover the pill but they covered Depo (yeah go figure), so I went on Depo.

The thing is that not everyone is going to have the "cake walk" that I have had. That is why there are so many different forms of birth control because we all react to them different ways. I love Depo, others hate it. For me it's like, why should I put myself throught the wretched pain of a period when I have no plans to concieve any time soon.

hahah. well said.

I have the Mirena IUD and I love it. I will admit it was quite painful having it inserted and a lot of money. The good thing is it lasts for 5 years and most people have no period or occassional spotting. Luvin' it!

I tried that but my body didn't like it and, how is the nice way to say this?, rejected it. So sad because I was looking forward to no AF for a while.

Yeah my Dr. said that was a possible risk especially for women who have not yet had children. I have had mine for almost 2 years now, so hopefully it is well anchored in place.

Just be glad you realized your body rejected it early on rather than 9 mos later :D

If you end up pregnant, you're going to gain more weight than the pills would EVER cause you to gain.

Oh, and TMI about your boyfriend and you being fiends.

So true. My personal opinion is that any girl who is having sex (with her bf, randoms, whomever) needs to be on the pill or protecting herself in some way.

I've heard so many excuses from girls my age who aren't on the pill because "they don't want to get fat/it gives them headaches/etc." I think to myself, a baby is going to cause you more headaches than the entire pack of pills combined.

I totally agree! I was off the patch for 6 months then went on the ring, and those 6 months were so scary, even using condoms, i had a complication and didn't get my period for 3 months, and i was absolutely terrified. it turned out that it was b/c of the patch, but I immediately went on the ring, and will definately always be on BC.

This may have already been said but the best pill out there is Yasmin. This is the first pill I haven't had any problems on! I strongly recommend it.

Not to mention STDs, AIDS?

So doctors will at least try it if you haven't had a kid yet, I hope? I am getting so frustrated with having no good BC options!! (Pills don't work for me.) :mad:

All the literature I've read on it says it's only for women in committed relationships (due to an increased risk of STDs) who have already had at least one child.