His and Her Health

I feel like a moron here, because I am certain that this is a ridiculous and unimportant question, nonetheless I do want to know the answer and my doctor is not being very informative. After years of being told by doctors that I could never get pregnant, I find myself (whoops) pregnant. Well, that problem has been resolved, through, unfortunately A LOT of pressure from the father, and now I am looking into going on Depo Provera, this is my first foray into the wonders of birth control, since I obviously never thought I needed it before. I am curious to know if anyone has any information about what the side effects are of DP on people who have opposite reactions to medications....ie when I was on Lithium it increased my libido, nyquil keeps me up all night etc... Any responses to this question would be greatly appreciated.<p>[This message has been edited by Scylla42464 (edited 20 June 2003).]

I'm so sorry. Men! Hopefully someone here can help you with your DP question.

Here is Planned Parenthood's information on Depro-porvera:<P><A HREF="www.plannedparenthood.org/bc/depoforyou.htm" TARGET=_blank>www.plannedparenthood.org/bc/depoforyou....lt;/A><P>It does have, at last check, one of the highest incidents of serious side effects of any means of hormonal birth control, with sexual side effects being common (though they list them as "less common" or some such on this site). Many doctors have been known to not tell their patients these types of things.<P>For alternative options, such as the ring, visit: <A HREF="www.plannedparenthood.org/bc/" TARGET=_blank>www.plannedparenthood.org/bc/</A> or <A HREF="www.epigee.org/guide/hormonal.html" TARGET=_blank>www.epigee.org/guide/hormonal.html</A> or <A HREF="www.fwhc.org/birth-control/thepill.htm" TARGET=_blank>www.fwhc.org/birth-control/thepill.htm</A><P>It's very important to do your research and find out which method is best for you. I've been on continuous (meaing, I don't skip the 7 days most women normally do) birth control pills for quite some time, and on some form of hormonal birth control for over 15 years due to health complications. It did take a while for me to find the right one, but over all I've had good experiences. This is not true of some women. Your body will dictate what is best for you, and the more knowledge you have, the better.<P>Good luck in your search. <P>

Since you haven't tried any BC yet, I would suggest starting with the pill. Since you tend to have different reactions to medications, I would try the pill because if you don't like it you can go off of it, or try a different one with different hormone concentrations. If you don't like the Depo, you're still stuck with it for 3 months. The nice things about the Depo is that you could lose your period (67% of people do), but I also had a friend who was on it and spotted for 3 months straight. Again, it's up to you, but I would suggest the pill. Even though you have different reactions to meds, I would still think it would prevent pregnancy (although of course you should use a condom as well because BC doesn't prevent the spread of STDs). The reactions you mentioned to other meds are different but not unheard of. So while you might have some of the less common side effects (ie. bleeding more with Depo vs. less) which isn't unheard of, but is also a little different. But you won't know until you try.

In my personal opinion, Depo Provera is evil. Of course there are women who've done fine on it, but the majority I've had discussions with have had many side effects, including weight gain, loss of libido, depression, constant bleeding, etc. Sure, it may be convenient to get one shot every few months, but you have to wonder what's in there and how strong it is to last that long. It just seems very unnatural for the body. On that same note, I don't like any of the hormonal contraceptives due to bad personal experiences. I use an IUD, and have no complaints.

I'd have to agree with both Jen and Sept.<P>It sounds like you may have already chosen not to have children. If that's the case, then an IUD would be an excellent choice. It would be reversable if you changed your mind, it wouldn't have any hormonal effects, and it's very effective. (I know of a women, who has since deceased due to old age, who had one of the early IUD's put in. She simply forgot about it. When she ended up having a hyst, they "found" the IUD. She was way past child bearing years then, but it had worked well and unobtrusivly.) IUD's have gotten a bad rap from the terrible Dalcon Shield.<P>However, if you have it in for less than a couple of years, it's probably cheaper to use some other method.<P>Nuvaring may be an excellent choice. (Though from what I can tell, it's the most expensive (over a given amount of time) of any hormonal type.) Provera and Norplant can be excellent long term, but there are quite a few who are less than happy. Provera also can inhibit ovulation for quite some time after stopping the drug for some people. (Like many months to years.)<P>So, I think I'd consider Nuvaring/Evra, OC's, IUD and then Provera or Norplant - in that order. (Obviously, your priority may vary.)<P>Oh, and read the plannedparenthood.com site on birth-control. It's one of the best sources of information where you get really straight info, not slick marketing info, or info of dubious value.<P>All the best,<BR>Greg<P>------------------<BR>My profile has my email address and website. Click on the icon at the top of this post that looks like a head with a question mark.<P>Also note, I am *not* a doctor, and this is not intended as medical advice - Please talk to your doctor about your concerns.

Provera is not a form of birth control. You're confusing medications.

Argh, It's bothering me that you somehow deduced that she may have "chosen" not to have any children.<P>Scylla, IUDs usually aren't recommended for women who haven't had any children because there is a remote possibility of infertility. You may change your mind in the future. I know I wouldn't risk it, but some young women take the small risk anyway.<p>[This message has been edited by sharon3 (edited 20 June 2003).]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR><font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2"><BR>Provera is not a form of birth control. You're confusing medications. <BR></font><HR></BLOCKQUOTE><P>Perhaps I shouldn't have shortened the name to just provera. However, if you had actually read and comprehended Susan Rako's book, which you claim to love, on page 27 you would have read... <P> <BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR><font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2"><BR>"A 'depot' is a suspension of any substance in an oil base, which is injected into muscle and tends to disperse into the general blood circulation gradually over a period of time."<BR></font><HR></BLOCKQUOTE><P>Thus, Provera is Medroxyprogesterone acetate (basically progesterone).<P>It would follow then, that depo-provera would be a depot injection of Provera (medroxyprogesterone acetate) - which, amazingly, it is.<P>But you don't have to believe me or Susan Rako, just do a google search on "depot injection" - you'll find I'm right. Even easier, you could have followed and read the link that Dona gave earlier.<BR><A HREF="www.plannedparenthood.org/bc/depoforyou.htm" TARGET=_blank>www.plannedparenthood.org/bc/depoforyou....lt;/A><P>It makes it quite clear.<P>Cheers,<BR>Greg<P><BR>------------------<BR>My profile has my email address and website. Click on the icon at the top of this post that looks like a head with a question mark.<P>Also note, I am *not* a doctor, and this is not intended as medical advice - Please talk to your doctor about your concerns.<BR><p>[This message has been edited by distressed_12345 (edited 20 June 2003).]

Not in this thread! Please don't bicker here. This is a woman who has obviously gone through a lot recently.<P>-Zaneblue (not Circe, only Medusa)

Hi. I am on depo. I haven't had any nasty side effects. It did take away my period completely (big plus). But other than that, I have had no loss of libido, no spotting or anything else. I can't really tell you if I gained weight or not, because at about the same time I got on it (age 14, yes I know I was young, but my periods laid me up in bed for days.) my father moved out. So I don't really know whether I gained weight from depo or from eating all the comfort food I did. Hope this helps.

Also, please note that Depro-provera isn't the only thing that will stop periods, if that is part of your goal (which I am not sure it is, but since it's been addressed in this thread I thought I'd address it). The continuous method of birth control is designed to do exactly that. It was developed to help women with serious PMS, and I've had great success with it. This method isn't, of course, for everyone; but it is a method that you can easily switch if it doesn't agree with you. That is a luxury you don't have with Depro-provera or the norplant system. You can, of course, go off of both of these methods, but it takes significantly longer and the expense will be greater.<P>You might also consider a diaphram, which I note hasn't been discussed here, either. This is in the planned parenthood link I posted above, and is an option that might work well for you (though, as with birth control pills, you'll want to use condoms to prevent STD's).<P>As you've recently undergone an abortion, and IUD may or may not yet be an option for you. I am not sure how long you need to wait (and it is only an assumption on my part that you need to wait at all, actually). These are great questions to ask a helpful doctor. As you said you doctor isn't being very forthcoming, I would recommend seeing a different gyn if you can afford to do so. Finding a good, caring doctor who is comfortable and open about sexual questions (which, amazingly, there are lots of gyns who aren't--you'd think they'd have picked a different specialty) is priceless, especially if you can find one before you have serious need of one for a physical issue such as reproductive problems, sexual issues, etc.

Well, thanks all. Thank you for the planned parenthood direction I think I will prpbably get the most information there. As an aside thank you, Zane. I have learned however, that that which does not kill me makes me stronger, I mean that in the Nike sense rather than the Nietzsche sense. Which is a surprising and delightful change of pace. Not that I would go through the same experience again, if I had it to do again, but I am glad to have come into myself in the way that I have as a result of what I just went through. Also, Dona, in defense of my doctor, she is an excellent ob/gyn and pcp, I have been going to her for about ten years and feel very comfortable speaking with her about a variety of things. She is familiar with my particular issues and has always been very helpful, in fact, I should perhaps note that I received an email from her this morning telling me that she looked into the side effects that other people who suffer side effects differently have reported. So while she wasn't immediatey forthcoming I believe that she has demonstated that she has a deep interest in my well being.<p>[This message has been edited by Scylla42464 (edited 23 June 2003).]

Just some anecdotal info here. I have used Depo-Provera for several years and love it it. Not only did my periods stop completely but the PMS related symptoms stopped as well. No more mood swings,cramps, breast tenderness etc.... My husband has become very spoiled...... I think he almost forgot what it was like to live with someone on a hormonal roller coaster.<P>BUT! I do know of several women who have had many problems with side affects. I did not gain weight but many people do. The weight gain seems to be a continual thing not a "total" average. (2-6 lbs. additional each year gained)<P>For me, it was a perfect fit. For others it can be totaly wrong. I suggest you try it for at least 6 months........ Sometimes it can take a while for you to hit a groove with it. Be patient.... I did have some bothersome spotting in the very begining but everything is now on cruise control so to speak.<P>My husband also learned to give me my injection so when I get the Rx filled I also get a hyperdermic for IM injection to use with the vial. It would be a real pain in the butt (or upper hip at least) to have to go to the Dr. every 3 months just for a 1 second shot from the nurse. It is not at all hard to learn and it the shot itself is not painful. If your man is reluctant just tell him its kind of like playing darts......<P><BR>

Hey Lori, thanks for the info, I realize that all information I will gather from my post will be anecdotal and that is exactly what I was after. Thanks for taking the time to respond to my post. I appreciate it a lot.