Switching from Depo Provera to an IUD

I am thinking of switching from Depo Provera to an IUD and was wondering if anyone else in the forum has had this done?

I have been on Depo for a more than two years and have experienced some horrible symptoms that I think are all connected to the shot. I gained 30lbs in the first year and even though I have a personal trainer and work out far more than I ever have since September I have lost no weight. Also, I have gotten to the point where I am depressed just about everyday and worry constantly. I've started to realize that I have been becoming a bit paranoid and think my boyfriend is cheating on me even though I know he isn't. Thirdly, I am always hungry and even though my doctor diagnosed me with reactionary hypoglycemia, he does not know why I have it. Also, I have found myself becoming easily confused and have a hard time making decisions, but that might be from the depression.

The one good thing about the Depo (besides not getting pregnant) is that my periods stopped. I cannot stand getting my period and being without it is great!

My main question is can you immediately start the IUD after getting off of the Depo? I read that you may have to wait for your hormones to balance before you can start another birth control. Considering my boyfriend is allergic to latex and I want the most effective birth control I can find, I am hoping I can switch to the IUD immediately.

I cannot see any reason why you would not be able to start on an IUD. Mirena IUD stops periods in about 30% of users. When your metabolism has been disturbed so much, personal trainers are of no help.

There are many non-latex condoms on the market - latex allergy is not a valid reason to avoid using condoms.

The only reason I don't use the non latex condoms is because I don't think they have enough protection against pregnancy. But of course they are better than nothing.

In such matters you need solid data from reputable sources - it is not something to "think" about but rather something to "know for sure" about. What is the data on non-latex condoms?

What does your well woman care provider say about switching?

I made an appointment with my gynecologist, but that won't be until another 3 weeks from now so I figured I would ask here for other people's experiences.

According to the Mayo Clinic when using condoms more than 1 out of 50 couples will become pregnant in a year even when using condoms correctly. That is too much of a risk for me. For the IUD it is less than one percent. It may not sound like it, but that is a big difference to me.

sure, and condoms doubling up the IUD will make the risk infinitesimal.

If you disliked having a period, you should not get Paraguard IUD because it makes periods much worse.

I had paragaurd for 2 years and my periods got progressively worse until I was bleeding for two weeks (one week very heavy, followed by spotting.) then I would ovulate and have spotting with that so I would only get one good week out of the month. If you go with an IUd go with mirena

Yes, go with the Mirena IUD. I'm on my second one. It has eliminated my periods. I no longer get the nastiness related to menstrual cycles - bloating, cramping, migraines, depression, nausea, vomiting, heavy bleeding, etc. I did feel crampy for the first three month after getting my first IUD, but that went away. I had only a few hours of cramping after the second one inserted. The things have saved my life!

Ehttp://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12729137valuation of the efficacy of a nonlatex condom: results from a randomized, controlled clinical trial.

RESULTS:

<quote>During the first five uses, the nonlatex condom had a higher frequency of breakage or slippage during intercourse or withdrawal (4.0%) than latex condoms (1.3%); the breakage rate for the nonlatex condom was about eight times that of latex condoms. The six-cycle typical-use pregnancy rate did not differ significantly between users of nonlatex (10.8%) and latex condoms (6.4%). The six-cycle consistent-use pregnancy rate was higher for nonlatex condom users than for latex condom users (4.9% vs. 1.0%). <quote>