Ladies - one more BC question about Depo

Can anyone tell me their experience on this? I would love the option of one shot every three months compared to remembering a pill everyday. The patch does not work for me and anything I have to "insert" is out of the question unfortunately.

The things I am mostly worried about are potential bone loss and weight gain (I am currently trying to lose weight).

I have an appt with my GYN in two weeks to discuss but any experience/information from actual users would be greatly appreciated.

added later - Sorry forgot about the Girl Talk board.  

Thanks,
Dawn

I remember a fairly recent discussion about Depo on one of the BC threads on Girl Talk.  Maybe try a search (I don't think it was a thread dedicated to Depo), I'd find it for you but my experiments are calling...

I'll definitely do the search, thanks. I looked on the Health/Ins board but did not find much.

Off to the Girl Talk board I go -

If you don't find it, post here again. 
I can tell you about my experience. 

Avoid it like the plague if you have ANY history of depression, including PND.

I gained 20+lbs and my sex drive went to zero while on Depo.  I'd avoid it at all costs!

I gained 20+lbs and my sex drive went to zero while on Depo.  I'd avoid it at all costs!

I agree! The same happenned to me plus the depression I went into was awful. I had PND, which turned into a normal bout of depression. When I stopped the Deop so did the depression.

I agree! The same happenned to me plus the depression I went into was awful. I had PND, which turned into a normal bout of depression. When I stopped the Deop so did the depression.

The GYN at the family planning clinic where I went completely ruled it out for me when she saw on my notes that I'd had PND. 

It's a BIG no-no for people w/any history of depression, apparently.

I thought Depo was okay for the first two years or so. 
It was great not having a menstrual cycle. 
By year four however, I realized that I had gained 20 pounds and I had absolutely NO sex drive. 

I can't find the thread I was thinking of, but here's one...if you haven't found it already.

http://talk.uk-yankee.com/index.php?topic=16092.0

I was on Depo and loved that I didn't need to remember to take it, loved that my periods stopped.  But I had problems with acne and I completely lost my sex drive.  But I guess everyone's response is different. 

I've been on depo for years and have never had any problems.

I did find the other threads and did not like what I read mostly. 

I have decided even though it would be wonderful to only think about getting four shots a year compared to remembering a pill everyday that it is not for me. I do have depression and am on medication for it and also the potential bone loss bit really bothered me too. There were just too many horror stories. Also. I am overweight now and don't want to blow up anymore. 

Anything that has to be "inserted" is out of the question and I have tried the patch but it gives me a rash (maybe the adhesive). Also, everytime I would change the patch it seems like it would take off half my skin with it. So, I guess it is pills, pills, pills. DH is going to get the ol' snip-snip done after he graduates in December so that will be good, then I won't have to think about it anymore. 

Thanks for the info ladies!

Don't rule out things that have to be "inserted" so instantly!  I've been on the NuvaRing for almost a year and I LOVE it.  Everyone thought I was strange for getting on a BC that goes "inside", but I feel like I have one over them!  It's easy - no fuss, nothing to remember daily, very convenient, and DOES NOT hamper sex.  It controls my periods very well, has minimal side effects (I only felt slightly queasy the very first time I inserted it) and convenience is excellent.  You can control whether you want 4wk or 5wk cycles or skip periods altogether by 'stacking' Rings.  It's comfortable - like a tampon, you do NOT feel it.  The only time I ever think about is on my removal & insertion days!  My ex told me that he could feel during sex in certain positions, but it didn't get in the way.  If you ever do feel uncomfortable, it can be removed for up to 3hrs at a time for lovemaking sessions.

I sound like a commercial .  I'm just very sad/anxious for when I move to the UK, because it's uncertain of whether I'll be able to carry on using the Ring!  I've gotten to used to its convenience, I don't really want to go back to oral contraceptives!

Don't rule out things that have to be "inserted" so instantly!  I've been on the NuvaRing for almost a year and I LOVE it.  Everyone thought I was strange for getting on a BC that goes "inside", but I feel like I have one over them!  It's easy - no fuss, nothing to remember daily, very convenient, and DOES NOT hamper sex.  It controls my periods very well, has minimal side effects (I only felt slightly queasy the very first time I inserted it) and convenience is excellent.  You can control whether you want 4wk or 5wk cycles or skip periods altogether by 'stacking' Rings.  It's comfortable - like a tampon, you do NOT feel it.  The only time I ever think about is on my removal & insertion days!  My ex told me that he could feel during sex in certain positions, but it didn't get in the way.  If you ever do feel uncomfortable, it can be removed for up to 3hrs at a time for lovemaking sessions.

I sound like a commercial .  I'm just very sad/anxious for when I move to the UK, because it's uncertain of whether I'll be able to carry on using the Ring!  I've gotten to used to its convenience, I don't really want to go back to oral contraceptives!

It's not available in many parts of the UK, if at all, just yet. 

I cannot use it b/c I cannot take the combined pill - over 35 w/strong paternal history of hypertension and heart disease.

They try to push the Mirena coil here a lot, must get a discount on them  , but progesten and I don't mix well. 

I finally managed to get them to fit me for a diaphram, but it's faffy to fit - no big deal if you've had kids - and you need to maintain a steady weight.

Don't rule out things that have to be "inserted" so instantly!  I've been on the NuvaRing for almost a year and I LOVE it.  Everyone thought I was strange for getting on a BC that goes "inside", but I feel like I have one over them!  It's easy - no fuss, nothing to remember daily, very convenient, and DOES NOT hamper sex.  It controls my periods very well, has minimal side effects (I only felt slightly queasy the very first time I inserted it) and convenience is excellent.  You can control whether you want 4wk or 5wk cycles or skip periods altogether by 'stacking' Rings.  It's comfortable - like a tampon, you do NOT feel it.  The only time I ever think about is on my removal & insertion days!  My ex told me that he could feel during sex in certain positions, but it didn't get in the way.  If you ever do feel uncomfortable, it can be removed for up to 3hrs at a time for lovemaking sessions.

I sound like a commercial .  I'm just very sad/anxious for when I move to the UK, because it's uncertain of whether I'll be able to carry on using the Ring!  I've gotten to used to its convenience, I don't really want to go back to oral contraceptives!

I'm 32 and I know better but - the whole idea of inserting a "ring", leaving it in even during sex, and then trying to find it again does not set well with me. Almost like that "will it get lost" sort of thought which I know is complete nonsense, but for some reason I have that mentality about it.

But I will look into it to school myself on it, I really don't know that much about it.