While Depo Provera might have been the worst thing to happen to you, I just wanted to post up my belief that it was the best thing to happen to me.
Back in 1997, at the age of 15, I was diagnosed with severe primary dysmenorrhea. The cramping in my uterine wall was so severe that I became physically ill every time I got my period. My premenstrual symptoms included vomiting, restlessness, migraines, and severe cramping. My periods lasted nearly nine days rather than the typical five, and my bleeding would be heavy throughout that time. I was missing several days of school because of my menstrual cycle and felt I was being robbed of a normal adolescence.
The gynecologist who first diagnosed me suggested I go on birth control pills to alleviate the symptoms I was having and to control the bleeding. I asked plenty of questions and agreed that the pill was the best course of action.
However, after several months on the pill, I was still sick. In fact, I felt even worse. Instead of one nine-day period every 28-30 days, I was getting a four-day period every 14-18 days. Though these periods were a bit lighter, the cramping was still horrible. My doctor put me on progressively higher doses of hormones, but I wasnt feeling better.
Five years after my initial diagnosis, I moved out-of-state and began to see a new doctor. After talking about my history, she suggested I use Depo Provera instead of the pill. She explained the benefits and risksshe never mentioned fibromyalgiaand after our discussion, I decided to begin taking Depo Provera shots.
I have been on Depo Provera now for four years, and couldnt be happier.
When I began taking the shot, I did bleed quite oftenbut it was just spotting, which the doctor had told me about and which was perfectly normal. Now, though, I have no period at all, nor do I have any of the other symptoms of dysmenorrhea. I also did gain a lot of weightnearly 25 poundsbut have lost most of that. Looking back on my weight gain, I see it was mostly from making bad diet choices and not getting enough physical activity. I now go to the gym on a regular basis and eat betterand I am losing weight on the shot, not gaining it.
What Depo Provera has done is allow me to live a normal life. I dont believe it poisoned me at all. Yes, it is unnatural to put a chemical in your body, but I think its also unnatural to suffer with my kind of illness if it can be treated. The FDA has done hundreds of studies on Depo Provera, as have health organizations around the world, and it has been deemed safe. Like all forms of hormonal contraceptives, it has risks, but it is safe for most women to use. Though it can cause weight gain, any health-conscious person can keep this in check.
I think your website is very misleading. I know several women who have read it and been scared away from taking Depo Provera. When I told these women that I was taking Depo Provera, they looked at me in shockshouldnt I be like you, in pain and overweight? I told them what I think is rightnot that taking Depo Provera is good, but that they should discuss it with their doctors.
If everything you wrote about on your site really happened, then Im very sorrybut I doubt that your illness was the result of taking Depo Provera. Fibromyalgia is a serious illness whose onset is often sudden and whose causes are sometimes mysterious. Hormones sometimes do play that role, but since Depo Provera is non-hormonal, that wouldnt affect it at all. I do think Depo Provera could have made you gain weight, but ultimately, you decide what to put in your body.
I hope the best for you, but I also hope women who come to this site take it with a grain of salt.
Sincerely,
Rachel
Back in 1997, at the age of 15, I was diagnosed with severe primary dysmenorrhea. The cramping in my uterine wall was so severe that I became physically ill every time I got my period. My premenstrual symptoms included vomiting, restlessness, migraines, and severe cramping. My periods lasted nearly nine days rather than the typical five, and my bleeding would be heavy throughout that time. I was missing several days of school because of my menstrual cycle and felt I was being robbed of a normal adolescence.
The gynecologist who first diagnosed me suggested I go on birth control pills to alleviate the symptoms I was having and to control the bleeding. I asked plenty of questions and agreed that the pill was the best course of action.
However, after several months on the pill, I was still sick. In fact, I felt even worse. Instead of one nine-day period every 28-30 days, I was getting a four-day period every 14-18 days. Though these periods were a bit lighter, the cramping was still horrible. My doctor put me on progressively higher doses of hormones, but I wasnt feeling better.
Five years after my initial diagnosis, I moved out-of-state and began to see a new doctor. After talking about my history, she suggested I use Depo Provera instead of the pill. She explained the benefits and risksshe never mentioned fibromyalgiaand after our discussion, I decided to begin taking Depo Provera shots.
I have been on Depo Provera now for four years, and couldnt be happier.
When I began taking the shot, I did bleed quite oftenbut it was just spotting, which the doctor had told me about and which was perfectly normal. Now, though, I have no period at all, nor do I have any of the other symptoms of dysmenorrhea. I also did gain a lot of weightnearly 25 poundsbut have lost most of that. Looking back on my weight gain, I see it was mostly from making bad diet choices and not getting enough physical activity. I now go to the gym on a regular basis and eat betterand I am losing weight on the shot, not gaining it.
What Depo Provera has done is allow me to live a normal life. I dont believe it poisoned me at all. Yes, it is unnatural to put a chemical in your body, but I think its also unnatural to suffer with my kind of illness if it can be treated. The FDA has done hundreds of studies on Depo Provera, as have health organizations around the world, and it has been deemed safe. Like all forms of hormonal contraceptives, it has risks, but it is safe for most women to use. Though it can cause weight gain, any health-conscious person can keep this in check.
I think your website is very misleading. I know several women who have read it and been scared away from taking Depo Provera. When I told these women that I was taking Depo Provera, they looked at me in shockshouldnt I be like you, in pain and overweight? I told them what I think is rightnot that taking Depo Provera is good, but that they should discuss it with their doctors.
If everything you wrote about on your site really happened, then Im very sorrybut I doubt that your illness was the result of taking Depo Provera. Fibromyalgia is a serious illness whose onset is often sudden and whose causes are sometimes mysterious. Hormones sometimes do play that role, but since Depo Provera is non-hormonal, that wouldnt affect it at all. I do think Depo Provera could have made you gain weight, but ultimately, you decide what to put in your body.
I hope the best for you, but I also hope women who come to this site take it with a grain of salt.
Sincerely,
Rachel
