Depo-provera 3 monthly injection experiences

[Liz84]

Hello,Me and my consultant have decided to try depo provera 3 monthly injections as the next thing to try to help manage my endometriosis.

Just a quick post to see if anyone has a positive or negative experience in terms of side effects and if it helped with the endometriosis?

Thanks 🙂

[SavageGold]

HiIt definitely helps me. I had bled constantly and I was at my wits end. I had the injection and the bleeding stopped overnight.

I didn't bleed again or have pain until they swapped it for sienna press. Then they put me back on Depo to stop the bleeding again.

I was getting my injections at 11 weeks. 12 weeks was too long a gap. I'm now on them every 10 weeks.

I got random bleeds at 6 weeks with unimaginable pain with the injection at 12 weeks. I also bled with having sex.

I don't get the usual side affects like depression while on the injection. I get that when it wears off. And it helped me put on weight (I was under 7 stone before the Depo and I'm now 9 stone)

I don't get the breast tenderness that they say you get either.

They say if you get migraines on the depo you must come off it. Again, my migraines disappeared when I started the Depo. Only once when they were messing me about in 2022 did I get a migraine at work.

The big one they worry about is bone density. But if you keep up the calcium and weight bearing exercises like cycling and weights (dead lift, preacher curl, and military press give a good overall coverage) it won't be a problem. The urse goes on about a bone density scan. But I've never had one. I've been on Depo since 2008/9. People say stay from high impact sports but I've done boxing fit, military climbing exercise, triathlons.

It also took away my main endometriosis concern being stuck on the toilet with the runs.

I think the Depo is a miracle hormone. But I have noticed the ladies who comment on here are getting it at 8 and 10 weeks. I think this is because endo can either make it own oestrogen, or it somehow stimulates oestrogen production. That's my personal theory. Please don't take that as science. It could be we all have hyperactive bodies and metabolise the progesterone quickly which is what my specialists on my panel at the surgery agreed together.

High levels of progesterone can increase levels of cortisol if you're not already an anxious person. Breathing exercises or just getting that exercise out on a hobby will help. Singing is a good vibration for the Vegas nerve.

Good luck🙂

[Liz84 in reply to SavageGold]

Thank you so so much for taking the time to share, super helpful hearing all the different aspects you talked about!

I know there is no telling how I will tolerate it but I always find hearing women's experience super helpful.

You have definitely given me some good questions to talk with the consultant about especially the medication frequency, concerns about bone loss and mental health side effects! Thanks again!

[Tinkerbell29]

I found it amazing. I was on it when I was in my 20s (as contraception) as I couldn’t take the pill due to side effects. I didn’t get periods. When I came off of it to try to conceive I was shocked to find out I had endo but consultants have told me it’s because it managed my symptoms so well. Good luck!!

[Liz84 in reply to Tinkerbell29]

Thanks very much! Lovely to hear that it worked so well, definitely helps give me a more balanced view on it and here's hoping for no periods! Lol

[Tinkerbell29 in reply to Liz84]

Good luck!! X