Link Between Depo Provera

I have been on depo for 4 years.  My last shot was 8/03.. and my first period was around 12/03 and has been regular since.  I am in a group where all the women are trying to conceive after the depo provera.  Many have been trying to conceive for years, and no luck.  And it seems like those who do conceive have miscarriages soon after.  Its like 80% of the women who get pg have a miscarriage. Is this linked to the depo? Age? Im 22 and am trying to conceive #2.  (my son is 6 now) I am so scared that it might happen to me.  I am taking numerous herbs daily to strengthen my lining and all, but Im very very scared to miscarry.  Has there been any evidence or clinical studies linking the use od depo prover and miscarriages?
PLEASE PLEASE help.  What else can I do to prepare my body for pregnancy?
thanks, Destiny

[PregnantAGAIN]

A friend of mine went through some probs after depo, there is a website about some class action lawsuits against the maker of depo, I will email her and get the info for you if youd like. you can contact me at ***@****. Good luck, Jana

[slsa2000]

Just FYI. I was on Depo for 6 years. I came off of it in Oct. 2001, got my first period in March 2002 and didn't get pg until July 2003. It took quite a while. I did however have pg symptoms A LOT!!! Every month I could have sworn that I was pg. My Dr. assured me that it was just my body getting rid of the Depo. I can tell you that I will NEVER use Depo again. It has caused many problems for many women and it really screwed my body up when I stopped getting the shots. I have heard that the risk of miscarriage (and birth defects) is higher if you become pg before being off the shot for 6-12 months. Good Luck to you!
Shannon
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[Melissa Prevost]

I'm on the depo and got pregnant about a month of being on it and had a miscaridge I don't know that thing didn't work on me well anyways good luck...

[momttc]

I bet you are MAD that you didn't know these things could happen.  They dont' tell you any of this when you get on the shot or the PILL for that matter!!!  I had a mc with my first, and had been off the pill for 10 mos.  I know it was the pill that did it.  I wish i would have known i would have so much trouble conceiving after I was on the pill!  (never have had the shot so i don't know)  BUT the fact of the matter is that we took medication that altered what our body intended!!  I didn't think of it at the time ( i was 15 when i started the pill).  But now after having a baby, I realize how wonderful our bodies are!!!  To be able to grow a baby...  I have much more respect for my body now and will NEVER do anything to alter it's "purpose".  Hind site!  It's too late now?!

I understand your fears but there's nothing you can do other than what you are already doing.  Prepare your body.  speaking of that.. i am on clomid and am also afraid of a thin lining?  what are you taking to prevent that?

Good luck :) and stay positive.  Progesterone helps build the lining so after you ovulate have  progesterone level drawn and if it's low they can give you supplements.  :) momttc

[eshores23]

I was on Depo for about 4 years--never had a period.  It took about 10 months for me to start after I got off the shot and then another couple of months to get pregnant.  So about a year before I got pregnant.  I did have a healthy baby girl, though---no miscarriages for me.  I won't, however, take the shot again.  As the last post said, I too felt pregnant the whole time off the shot and had many tests done to see if I was pregnant.  I don't think I like something that causes me a year's wait in getting pregnant.  Note:  I am pretty sure it was the shot since no one in my family ever has problems getting pregnant within a few months.

[lisabel]

I took Depo Provera from March of last yr until Sept of last yr and I still don't have my period. Like the lady in a previous posting, I've taken several pregnancy test (4 to be exact) because I've been scared that I might be pregnant. I hate this! How long should it be before I get my period back? I will never take this shot again, I hate not knowing..you know? I'm thinking of switching to the patch..do any of you use it? If so, have you had any side effects or problems?

[nephvie]

I have a daughter who is now 2 and a half when she was about 5 months old i decided to have the depo injection(BIG MISTAKE) i had 4 shots deciding after we got married we would like another child so i stopped having the depo had no periods after for 13 months went to the hospital during this time loads of blood tests they said i wasnt ovulating and my progtesterone level was low.i felt so low and depressed couldnt understand why a healthy 23 year old could get pregnant my husband was saying is it me he is 23 too.I have now had 4 periods but have to take tablets when on my period because they flood the bed and are so painful all because of the injection.Ihave now brought a ovulation kit and is now ovulating so im trying my best now to get pregnant and hoping the depo injection is out of my system its felt like forever.I will let you know if i do finally get pregnant.Good luck to you all stay positive it will be worth the wait when it does happen.

[Nicki1433]

I was on the depo for a little over 2 years faithfully!  I got pregnant on the shot.  My last shot was 11/02...found out later that month that I was pregnant.  I miscarried soon after that.  I had several m/c between that one and when I was pregnant with my oldest son...which was a twin pregnancy, but lost one...that was in July 2004.  I also have a 9 month old that was a surprise!!!  I had another m/c in Early May this year.  

[maisysmummy]

i have been on depo 2 and a half years, 1st sot was just a couple of  wks after the birth of my daughter, me and my patner are desperate for baby number 2, i have been off depo 2 weeks but really worried that i will have problems getting pregnant, i dont think it help when i sit on sites like this reading it will take months or even years. anyone got any sucess stories please.

[Nicki1433]

I was on depo for 2 years and got pregnant while still on it and m/c that pregnancy.  I, then, stopped taking depo.  I also had 2 more m/c before successfully carrying my oldest son with the help of clomid.  Then I had my second son and have since had 1 m/c.  

[protege864]

I was on Depo for 2 years, from when I was 16 to 18. I am almost 21 now. After coming off the shot it took me 10 months to have my period and it was VERY irregular after that andhad recently gotten more regular within that last 8 months or so. I am over 3 weeks late now and took a pregnancy test (an early detection one because i belived it would test the hormone levels better don't know if that's true or not) it came out negative a big disappointment to me and my husband. I have a lot of naseua and stomach pains. Escpecially in the morning. Please help if you have experienced anything like this and could help me. I am scared i can't concieve (conceive) or that it's ectoptic or something. Are ectoptic pg common after the shot? Please help.

[Kwent]

I am beginning to get really concerned with depo..I was on Depo for 7!! years and was never told of any risks for pregnancy issues. Well they did say it can take up to 1 year to get pregnant but nothing about m/c's. Ok so not to freak everyone out but I have been trying to concieve (conceive) with my husband for approx. 1 year and I have now had my 3rd m/c I am now going to a specialist and ALL of my tests and my husbands have been normal. The first and second m/c was at 5 weeks so the doctors were concerned but not alarmed. I concieved again in July and unfortunatley had my 3rd m/c about 1 month ago. This time I was 10 weeks. I am at a loss I am now worried about any pregnancy I try to have. I truley feel Depo played a roll in this since everything is normal and the only link I can find is the shot. The doctors are not syaing much and they really dont know the next step. The last pregnancy I had progesterone suppliments and all of my blood values were normal. They did a path. review on the fetus and there were abnormalities. They said it was nothing my husband nor I caused and future pregnancies should be fine. All the genetic testing has been normal as well. I feel there should be a longer study on the shot and if anyone has any more knowledge please let me know. I feel I am in a losing battle.

[thalia22]

I was on depo for 2 years i got off and it took me 9 months to get pregnant and after 7 weks i had a miscarriage i started to bleed alot it was the most painfull experience in my life... im hurt and depressed... anyone else go through the same thing... im scared that if i become pregannt again i will miscarrry :(

Email me ***@****

[mustang306]

i am 26 and have had two miscarrages. I was on the depo shot from the age of 16 to the age of 21 due to having issues with MY FRIEND. I then got on femhert for a few years then microgestin for a few years. Ihave been off of birth control for eight months and had two miscarrages since. Is this because i was on birth control so long?

[mrswhite84]

i was on depo for 6 months. it doesn't seem as long as some of you women have. i stopped taking depo in aug of 07. i started having periods in feb of 08. my period was very irregular, they were only 2 weeks apart. in april i noticed i was having really bad cramps and was very tired all the time and my breasts were extremly sore so i took a pregnancy test. i've never been pregnant before so i just figured i was just about to start my period, but my test came back positive. in may i miscarried. i knew right away it was because of the depo. like some of you i'm in fear of trying to have a baby. i'm 24 now and i know i would love to have a child. i thought i was the only one who has experienced this. i know i have told myself that i'm never taking bc again. doctors really need to do more research because this is doing more harm than good for women.

[datgurlmandee]

i am still on depo and i think i had a miscarriage. i went to the bathroom one day and i had really bad back pain and stomach aches. then i started bleeding really heavy and i saw whati thought was a baby and after i looked up miscarriages on the internet i really sort of know it was now i cant stop thinking about it. well i will find out what it was when i go to the doctors on monday. if some one went thru the same thing please help me out

email me @:***@****

[Cardinal08]

Sorry 2 hear that about the previous comment!! But I had been on depo for 5 years and I decided 2 let it go in nov. of 07, I was scared that I wouldnt be able to later in life concieve (conceive) and then I got on these pills that were screwing my head up so I let that go and said F*** IT!!!LOL and of course Im proud 2 say that Im living proof that you can indeed get pregnant, it all really just depends on you as a person..Well Im currently 15wks and 1 day preggo w/TWINS!!!! So maybe this will help those bcuz for a while I felt the same way!!!GOOD LUCK 2 ALL!!!!

[baby_edgar]

i was on depo for 2 years from the time i was 18 till i was 20. ( my doctor told me it was not safe to be on depo for longer then 2 years at a time) so i got off the depo in january 2007 and i went on the pill to regulate my cycles. i got my period at the end of january 2007 and continued on the pill until november 2008 when i stopped taking it. i then fell pregnant in december 2008 and i had a happy and healthy baby girl 5 weeks ago and she is just perfect.

i will be going back onto depo next week at my 6 week cheek up. but i will only stay on it for 2 years at a time. i recommend that if you are having trouble getting your periods back go on the pill to regulate your cycles. it worked for me.

[BlkBtty75]

I have had issues due to depo icluding m/c's.  I had only 2 pregnancys with two full term healthy girls before i took that poison.  I only took it cuz it was touted as such a great option and considering my situation after my second child i was being responsble.  And then I developed health issues and didn't want to get pregnant with the strong medications i was on.  5yrs and i was finally healthy enough to get off it is now almost 6 years since my last shot.  I miscarried a son feb 21/05 and discovered that it had not been my first m/c when i went back to the doc.  I have had few since then.  I want to scream cuz I feel i did the right thing and now i am paying for it.

I want more children and I know that my problem isn't getting pregnant, it is staying that way.

Yes i admit i am mad but i refuse to let it stop me.  

I would like to ask if you could post those sites for the class action suits on here.  And those of you who have found a doctor who believes you and helped with clomid and progestin supplements.... I was wondering where you found that help?  I keep talking and the doctors here just keep ignoring instead of figuring it out.

[Mybaby08]

I am 24 I took the depo shot only once right before I got married.  It worked great while I was on it but then decided to stop taking it because of all the side affects I read about AFTER I took it.  I did not have my period for about 15wks and then was bleeding for an entire month.  My first few periods after that were extremely heavy and painful.  Then right after that I got pregnant (so that would be about 5months after).  I was soo excited but had a miscarriage at about 5/6 wks.  It was devastating. I wracked by brain trying to come up with reasons why this happened since no one in my family has had trouble  conceiving.  The only thing I could come up with is the depo.  I will NEVER take it again! I wish doctors would tell you about all the side affects before you take it so you could make an educated decision about taking it.  I am pregnant again, but scared to death that this too will end in a miscarriage.  I take every day in stride and try my best to stay positive.  

[Boratsmom]

OMG!!!! I just got on the shot about a month ago... From what the doctor told me, it was a great option. She told me, "you won't get any more periods! You seem like a person that doesn't want her period, so it's a great option!" I asked her, "Will it affect my fertility at all? That's a big concern of mine, so if so, I'd rather just do the pill." She responded, "Nope, the only side affect it could have is weight gain and osteoporosis if you're on it for more than three years."
Then, after reading up on side affects because I was feeling really sick about a week in, I found out that it wouldn't completely stop my period and could make it longer... Well.... I had a two and a half week period...
Now I come to find out it DOES cause fertility problems.... I'm p****d! On top of that, the nurse that gave me the shot didn't even check my pregnancy test until after she injected me with it.... I didn't see the test... But I haven't gotten a period and am getting a lot of questions from people that think I'm pregnant... I'm very angry because my fiance and I weren't using ANY birth control for the six months that we've lived together and NOW I might be pregnant!?!?! On top of that, if I am, I can expect a F-ing miscarriage!?!?!!?

[kaykay05]

everyone is talking about how they dont have a period well i first started taking the shot in april and been bleeding ever since? i asked my doc if this was normal she said yes everything is fine..now im not going to receive anymore shots and i am also aworried about my pregnancy. my mother got pregnant with me while she was on birth control so im wondering if the same could happen to me

[rickysmommie3]

I sit here an read all these bad stories about depo. I guess I am one of the lucky ones. I had my 1st child at 17 got the shot 6 weeks later, was on the shot for 4 years as soon as I got off it I got pg within a month. I had my daughter in June, got back on the shot right away but this time I only got it 1 time never went back for the 2rd shot and was pg again in less than 5 months. So now I have been back on Depo for 3 years and no real problems except weight gain. So dont give up hope on being able to have a healthy pg because I never had an mc and all 3 pg's were healthy and delievered within a week of due date. Good Luck!!!

[claire24glas]

at 15 & in my first serious relationship i started the depo inj, i was on it for just under 9 years!!  Im now  24- it took me between 6-9 months to get a proper cycle going, i was constantly bleeding or having spells of no bleeding it was so frustrating. Having eventually got my period bk to norm i got tested to see if i was ovulating - i was, i became pregnant (18 months) after coming off depo, however m/c at 5 weeks i am completely devestated & upset, i was never given any cause for concern regarding depo / m/c. i desprately want to start a family with my partner & hope im successful next time round.

[shannon483]

I was on the shot for 3 years and i got off it about a year ago then i got pregnant i was suppose to be 12 weeks but the baby stop growing at 9 weeks. Then i had a d&c done Then i went back on the shot for about year then i got off the shot in october 09. I finally got pregnant in july 2010 then i just have had a miscarriage. Im not even going to get on shot ever again. I wasnt on any birth control when i got pregnant from my son i didnt have any problems with him at all. Only reason why i got on the depo shot was cause i'm not good at taking pills

[CayotGrad08]

I have a serious question that I hope someone can answer.
I am 19, and have gotten ONE shot, October of last year, so almost a year ago. My husband and I have not used protection, because the shot has lasted up until July, 2010. I got pregnant, and 3 days ago lost the baby. Could there STILL be a link between that damn shot and my MC???? :(  Please email me with any information. thank you.

***@****

[lovemy2]

I had one shot in May 2007. I got pregnant in October 2008 and miscarried in December at 6.5 weeks. I then found out I was pregnant that following January. I was terrified of having another miscarriage. However, my daughter in now 17 months. After she was born I started the shot and had 4. I've been off 10 months now and possibly want to have another child. My cycle hasn't returned and I'm worried of having another miscarriage. I didn't know they were linked to the shot until reading this thread. I wonder if it will take longer to conceive since I had four shots instead of one.

[shayleekae]

I was on the shot for about 2.5 years. From 15-almost 18. I got off of the shot in June of 2010 and didn't receive a period until February 2011 and then it waws mostly very light, I then didn't get another period until April 2011 and got pregnant that month. I then miscarried in June 2011. I have been curious if this had something to do with the depo shot? Nobody in my family has ever had trouble conceiving or had trouble with their pregnancies. Miscarriage is not common in my family. I don't know anything else that could have happened. I did everything that I was supposed to do. I have never drank, smoked, done drugs, or anything else in my life. I am only 18. I should be able to have a healthy pregnancy shouldn't I? And now I am extremely worried that I will have another miscarriage if I get pregnant again. It's been almost 2 months since my miscarriage and I still haven't gotten my period. Would this have something to do with depo as well? I would also like to see the lawsuit cases on this thread if someone could post them. I really need help. I am desperate to start a family with my husband.

[Kitty_Kat20]

I wason depo for 2years got my last shot Dec of 2010 and it took almost a full year to get my period back. A full 7months and I got a regular period back.

[Hk1000]

Hi
I have just seen your post!

I have been doing some research on depo after having a miscarriage and I am absolutely discusted to see that there are probably thousands of womens that have had the same experiences. I am very angry that the company Pfiezer are allowed to get away with selling this horrible drug.  NHS that supply it to women daily I feel are also responsible they must have had some feedback or some kind awareness that this is going on. Why on earth are women not made aware before having the injection

I would really like to help with the class action law suit
More women should not be affected by this

Any info on who to contact
Or advice on how to take action would be great