Depo shot and emotions, and some on tightness with sex

this is going my third year on depo shot for birth control, when i first got on it my mood swings were horrible, they have gotten better with in time though. But always when i'm ready for another shot i get more emotional like i'll cry about a tv ad which never bothered me before (maybe the topic but not the ad). Also with being more stressed this time around, i'm spotting with severe cramps which hurt so bad worse i've ever had. I think stress has to do with it due to a few times before birth control when i would be really stressed (like extreme paranoia it's hard to paint a pic with out details which is too long) i would have two periods in a month and then when i was ok on regular stress or little, it would go back to normal. Being on the shot for almost three years and this first happening and knowing my stress is up i figure it's what it is and the depo shot helps for the worse parts.
Depo is the first birth control i've been on. I started it when i moved in as room mates with my now boyfriend to be prep even thoug it took half a year before we connected i had trouble with my muscles relaxing even with lube. Still have trouble with that on some days now. I don't think depo has to do with that, right? I think it's mental with me. My boyfriend is very understanding with this all, i tell him everything about like not "feeling well" in all aspects. He's even stopped if it hurts too much, though sometimes i don't say any thing cuz i get afraid about things, though it's part of unreal afraid. He always feels bad when if finds out if i hurt too much and he "finished up" cause he's a good man and he's never been mad when we've had to stop but then i feel bad cause i get worried he'll leave me, we've talked about this due to i do realize that myself isn't norm. Next week i start therapy i know some of the above is part of my past, which my boyfriend knows about as well, maybe That's why he's understanding? Sorry for babbling, But anyone suggestions with depo and tightness? I'm sorry i controdicted myself on this

I am really uncomfortable recommending the depo shot to the moms I work with. I feel like the side effects are more long lasting and extreme than other forms. Have you ever considered getting the Mirena IUD or the Implanon implant? They last long term but have a lot fewer side effects and you can get pregnant and the side effects go away almost immediately once you get them removed. These are all progesterone only methods.

If you don't have a reason that would make estrogen unsafe there are also lots of combination methods on the market. The patch, the ring, the pill, etc.

Non hormonal options would be the paragard IUD, condoms, diaphragm, and cervical cap. Or Natural Family Planning (NOT to be confused with the rhythm method). I recommend reading Taking Charge of Your Fertility if that route sounds interesting to you. This is what I am currently using.

As for your side effects, yes hormonal methods can cause some vaginal dryness which often translates to muscle stiffness (mainly due to the pain from friction). Mood swings, and weight gain are also common.

It sounds like you should talk to your primary care doctor or gynecologist about other options. You do not have to live miserable because of your birth control, there are so many, many options out there.

Idk if i'd be a lady to get the implants, i'll be 25 this year but i've never had children, i don't want kids i know right now and not sure if at all. Right now i'm not ready at all, but i thought having a kid and the implant was a factor? I like depo due to i do smoke and already over weight and i guess lower chance of blood clots and heart attacks with it rather than the estrogen way. I know i need to stop smoking but it's hard for me. I see the nurse for my depo shot in about two weeks i'll see if i can make an appointment to talk for the doc on birth control the next time due right now not a great time with budget but i do worry about bond density loss with depo. My discs in my back are already weak, and the depo i do worry will effect them more down the road. Thanks, for the info. I just get worried about forgetting to take a pill every day. My boyfriend has trouble with condoms we've both are slow learners with them as far as how to get them on properly. I've never really thought of a diaphram. I get worried of odd feeling (lol?)

You do not need to have had a child in order to get an IUD. I had one before I got pregnant with my son and I used one after I had him for awhile. The mirena and the implanon are estrogen free methods. The implanon is a matchstick sized implant put under the skin on the inside of your upper arm, it is good for 3 years. The mirena is an IUD good for 5 years, it tends to make periods lighter and be compatible with smokers. It's uncomfortable to have it inserted but taking a few ibuprofen helps and after a day or two things tend to feel fairly normal. So far the moms I've talked to who have had the implanon have liked it and said that getting it put it was relatively painless, numbing shot in arm and some soreness after.

I love my mirena IUD. No periods in like 4 years. My sister has one too and has never had kids. She got it because she never should have been on the pill because she get's migraines with aura (the pill can increase the likelihood of aneurysm for people with this).

It's so nice to not have to worry about birth control all the time

Three year sound good. I will have to look into this thank you for your all sharing

I think everyone gave pretty good advice for birth control (I've only ever taken pills, which wouldn't be an option for you, and my fiance always wears a condom)

But in regards to sex, I also have troubles with it hurting because I feel too tight/not wet enough. So the nice lady down at Planned Parenthood that I told this too told me to get a vibrator. I use it when we're having sex and it really helps. It still hurts a little, but it's getting so much more enjoyable than when we first started. Oh, and definitely keep on using lots and lots and lots of lube.

Good luck!

I had an IUD several years ago. I had a copper T, which is what it sounds like. It's very tiny, but has a higher success rate than the pill, and once it's in you don't have to think about it again. Unfortunately I naturally have a very irregular cycle, and having the IUD made it even worse. Also, my boyfriend could apparently feel the monofilament coming out of the cervix. It was EXTREMELY painful to put in, and I felt awful for the rest of the day.

There is another kind of IUD that might be better, though, I just didn't want another one after I had that one taken out, and I prefer the pill because it regulates my cycle. The Mirena similar to Depo in that it contains a slow-release hormone embedded in the material, so as well as having the function of a physical disturbance in the uterus, the hormones released do the same thing as the shots. I don't know how Depo affects your cycle, but some women don't even get periods when they use a Mirena. It is also less likely to cause weight gain or acne or emotional disturbance, which some women report with the shots.

Check this out for more info:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IUD

Ask your doctor.

My boyfriend has suggested that we get a vibrator to help on my end- I am always worried though- IDK why- It is hard to explain really- a little silly for me I guess.
OMG_ See your story here with it coming out is like what I have worried about with some of the implants- I get squeemish when thinking out it. But I guess they are getting better if one can go under the arm right
QUOTE=Visioneer;2003140]
There is another kind of IUD that might be better, though, I just didn't want another one after I had that one taken out, and I prefer the pill because it regulates my cycle. The Mirena similar to Depo in that it contains a slow-release hormone embedded in the material, so as well as having the function of a physical disturbance in the uterus, the hormones released do the same thing as the shots. I don't know how Depo affects your cycle, but some women don't even get periods when they use a Mirena. It is also less likely to cause weight gain or acne or emotional disturbance, which some women report with the shots.
Check this out for more info:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IUD
Ask your doctor.
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For sure I will be getting my depo shot next week and schedule an appointment with the doctor in December talk about more options (this is when I would be due for another shot- so hopefully time and stuff wont effect a new treatment.

Thank you all for your advice and suggestions It is great to get some feed back on this- I dont talk about this stuff except with my boyfriend which is very understanding, but yet sometimes I am like I would like to get another woman's view and talking to my Oldest sister (we just dont agree with some things so it can be hard) my other sister (we dont talk much to begin with so it would awkward lol) thank you all again

"A laugh is worth a hundred groans in any market." Charles Lamb
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=da7StUzVh3s

Okay I am 16 and my mother put me on the Depo Shot I got it twice. My periods have not came the whole time I was on it and didn't after I stopped taking the Depo Shot. After you stop getting it and while you are on it could this shot make your emotions go through the roof? I have been wondering this for a long time and my doctor is not helping me at all. For me I have been taking my emotions out on my bf and I really need some help so I can let him know what is going on. My last shot wore off back in January. Please please help me figure out what is going on and yes I did gain a lot of weight as well due to being put on the shot as well.

There is absolutely no point for a girl your age to get DEPO when you can be on a regular BC PILL with a FAR better side effects profile!

That, unless you really really really cannot make yourself take a pill every time you brush your teeth in the morning. Because that would be the ONLY reason to go on Depo, so I really wonder what your mother was thinking...