Gee what was I thinking... Off topic.

[cindysue]

I discovered that quitting depo can cause many of the same side effects that starting it can!

Hey, As an on-again, off-again depo user, please tell me why you switched to the pill. I have an appointment tomorrow to go back on depo (i'm in a relationship again), but I'm wondering if I should consider something else. I originally started depo 10+ years ago because the pill *induced* acne. No acne on the depo, but I think some side-effects of depo may be lower libido and maybe a little bit of an increased appetite. Also, I swear the cellulite is worse when I'm on the depo. Hard to tell what causes what.....

[bounceswoosh]

Hey, As an on-again, off-again depo user, please tell me why you switched to the pill. I have an appointment tomorrow to go back on depo (i'm in a relationship again), but I'm wondering if I should consider something else. I originally started depo 10+ years ago because the pill *induced* acne. No acne on the depo, but I think some side-effects of depo may be lower libido and maybe a little bit of an increased appetite. Also, I swear the cellulite is worse when I'm on the depo. Hard to tell what causes what.....

Hi, Cindy!

Hrm, you ask the tough questions. I'll split this into two sections.

1) Why I switched to the pill and/or things I found out about depo:

* After so many years without my period, I guess I wanted to see some proof that the "plumbing" was still working

* I had suspicions that depo was helping me retain fat (inconclusive so far)

* Turns out depo can cause acne, whereas the pill always reduced acne for me ... for the last several years I've had the really deep, painful pimples that just nest under your skin and make you want to scream

* The main reason I started depo was because I was a younger person who often couldn't know if she'd be sleeping here or there on a given night, so taking BC regularly was a pain. My life isn't nearly as chaotic now.

* When I mentioned how long I'd been on Depo, my doctor encouraged me to take a break

* IMPORTANT: I just came across this article suggesting that Depo causes irreversible bone density loss: http://www.cmaj.ca/cgi/content/full/172/6/746

2) Effects I've noticed:

* I haven't noted an increase in libido, BUT my sex life has gotten SO MUCH BETTER. Turns out Depo was somehow inhibiting my ability to 'get there' during intercourse. I'd be on the edge, but I'd never quite get there. Very frustrating. As soon as I switched, I realized what I'd been missing and why.

* My breasts got firmer and shaplier. DH is quite impressed; not that he wasn't before!

* The first two months, I had a lot of side effects I don't recall when I first took the pill as a teenager: extreme breast tenderness and stomach upsets being the two prominent ones. Now, in my third month, these seem to have subsided. This may be a result of effectively having two loads of hormones (residual depo plus the pill).

[cindysue]

Thanks Monique. I've heard about the bone denisty issue (previously from the nurse). I'm still not sure what to do. I guess I'll discuss it further with the nurse tomorrow. Thanks for the informative post!!!!

[bounceswoosh]

Thanks Monique. I've heard about the bone denisty issue (previously from the nurse). I'm still not sure what to do. I guess I'll discuss it further with the nurse tomorrow. Thanks for the informative post!!!!

One thing I forgot to mention: I've talked to a lot of women about hormonal birth control, and every single one of them had a slightly different reaction to them. One turned into a zombie; no emotional response, positive or negative. One's kidney's almost failed. Some turn into nymphos. Some stop having periods. Some ... well, everyone's different, is the point. So my experiences may or may not have any relationship to yours. I think the important thing is to try to be aware of the side effects you experience, even though they can be hard to identify.

[Irulan]

It' been nice to not have to deal with the BC thing since the hubby got snipped 14 years ago. And my how things have changed.

I'm just wondering... does anyone use anything like diaphragms or IUD's anymore? I do have one friend who is married to a OBGYN who uses a new generation IUD. I could never,ever get my head around the concept of altering my body's hormonal makeup by taking the pill or anything else. I never even considered it due to the problems that my sister had with the earliest versions of the pill. I sucessfully used a diaphragm for almost 20 years.

Irulan

[bounceswoosh]

It' been nice to not have to deal with the BC thing since the hubby got snipped 14 years ago. And my how things have changed.

I'm just wondering... does anyone use anything like diaphragms or IUD's anymore? I do have one friend who is married to a OBGYN who uses a new generation IUD. I could never,ever get my head around the concept of altering my body's hormonal makeup by taking the pill or anything else. I never even considered it due to the problems that my sister had with the earliest versions of the pill. I sucessfully used a diaphragm for almost 20 years.

Irulan

I'm not comfortable with the idea of a barrier method, like the diaphragm. Also seems like it's a lot of work. That being said, I know people who do use it, specifically people for whom hormones don't work well.

The way IUDs were described in sex ed class lo these many years ago sounded downright scary, so I guess I've never liked that idea.

There is a new BC method now, I think called NuvoRing, that's a hormone ring you insert for three weeks at a time. It's hormonal, but at much lower doses than the pill, and you don't have to remember to take a pill; just to remove it for your week off. Some of my friends have really liked it. I still haven't wrapped my head around the idea of inserting something "way up there," but I'm thinking about it because of the lower hormone dose.

[cindysue]

new BC method now: NuvoRing...... I still haven't wrapped my head around the idea of inserting something "way up there," but I'm thinking about it because of the lower hormone dose.

Hey Monique, I decided to go with the nuvoring. Kinda wierd -- it looks like a clear hair-tie -- and larger but thinner than I expected. No problem inserting it, but I'm wondering if my partner will feel it. I'll let ya know how it goes.......

[CorsairMac]

My 2 favs:

On the outside door (non-automatic) of a Wal-Mart was a sign that said: "if you need special assistance inquire inside". They've must've figured you didn't need any special assistence to GET inside!!

An Arbys had a big sign that said "picture menus available upon request". If I can't read - that sign doesn't do Me any good now does it!

[bounceswoosh]

An Arbys had a big sign that said "picture menus available upon request". If I can't read - that sign doesn't do Me any good now does it!

It helps literate companions of folks who can't read, including little kids =P