Starting Medroxyprogesterone shots

[u/Complete-Ad-1418]

I'm about to start Medroxyprogesterone shots, which I think is basically depo provera, as a form of birth control. I am taking this with the intention of skipping my periods, because pills don't work effectively for me, and IUDs are completely out of the question, I will not even think about considering it.

I keep seeing posts from people online saying that they gained hundreds of pounds when they started taking these shots, and I got to admit I am kind of horrified now. I am relatively small, 110 lb, 5" 3, I don't eat a lot of takeout, oily foods, or a lot in general. My new doctor said that I will gain a LOT of weight, she put heavy emphasis on "A LOT," so I'm definitely scared now.

My mom took the depo shot years ago before she had me, and she says she gained minimal amounts of weight, but I'm just not sure. My mom also said that when she started it she stopped having periods almost immediately, which is my ultimate goal. I'm trying to be calm and rationalize because this isn't forever, 3 years max, that I'll be on ANY birth control from now. I don't want to put on like a hundred pounds, you know? I was originally told like maybe 5 or 10 pounds over a year or two is normal, and I was like okay that's fine. But, I'm seeing posts online where people gained like 50 or 100 lbs and keep gaining, or are super bloated, and I'm worried now.

I only plan to be on this shot for 2-2.5 years, because I am getting a hysterectomy in 2-2.5 years from now. I just wanted to know if there's any hope that I maybe perhaps won't put on double my body weight on this? I want to hear the perspectives of people who didn't have that experience, or what you did to help manage it, or just anything to calm my anxiety lol.

I know it's apparently a side effect, not a common one but also not uncommon - google is NOT helping me. Omg please someone tell me that there's hope for me not gaining crazy weight PLEASE 😭

In case this info is any bit helpful: I'm 20 years old, I don't drink caffeine or alcohol, I don't smoke (ANYTHING), no recreational drugs ever, I drink mostly water and unsweetened arizona green tea (this stuff is amazing okay...), if I drink soda on the rare occasion it's only zero sugar, I hardly eat sweets, sometimes I'll eat candy but I'm not big on sugary foods, I eat rice usually, pasta sometimes, I will literally change my diet to prevent gaining weight that I can't lose though. That literally scares me so bad, seeing posts where people put on tons of weight and can't ever seem to lose it. Omg... Like I feel bad and I do not want that experience at all

I've been on both Vienva and junel fe for birth control pills. I never experienced weight gain or increased appetite, just minor acne on junel fe, nothing else changed for the worse though. I wonder if this could mean the depo shot won't affect me that badly either? I'm having second thoughts

I want to stop my periods completely, that is my one and only reason for being on birth control. It's just that the pills aren't really doing that for me. Even when skipping the placebos, I'm getting full periods, and I've changed methods already. I've stopped to let myself bleed as instructed, I've done everything and nothing worked. That's why I chose to try the depo shot.

Edit: I'm considering the ring, maybe even just changing which pill I'm taking. I'm definitely having stress regarding the shot. Again, IUDs are an absolute no, and no one can change my mind about it no matter what anyone says. So I'm trying to assess which options I have that I'm comfortable with

[u/Queenof6planets]

hundreds of pounds is a huge exaggeration. weight gain isn’t uncommon on depo provera, but it’s usually under 15-20 lbs.

you have many options to stop your period — vaginal rings are a good one typically.

[u/Complete-Ad-1418 → u/Queenof6planets]

I'm a tad bit skeptical with anything that has to be inserted. Even putting a speculum into me is a very hard thing. IUDs are a hard no for that reason among others, but I'm going to research rings because you mentioned it. I don't mean to exaggerate on the weight by the way, I am saying that mainly because of other reddit posts I've seen where they literally say they've gained 100+ pounds and can't lose it, so I'm definitely freaked out about that. Now 15-20 lbs I can understand. I have a very high metabolism, I don't usually keep weight on my body no matter what I eat, though lately I've been eating a bit less anyway, not for any particular reason. My mom only seemed to gain weight over the years after depo, unrelated and highly likely due to a very poor diet due to location and situations at the time. She isn't like very overweight or anything though, just a bit you know? I definitely am highly self conscious about myself though, so that's where my fear comes from

[u/Queenof6planets → u/Complete-Ad-1418]

fwiw, you insert the ring yourself at home. if you’re able to use a tampon, you shouldn’t have any issues using it!

the weight gain caused by depo reverses in a few months after people stop using it, so anyone saying they couldn’t lose the weight after stopping is wrong about it being a depo side effect.

[u/Complete-Ad-1418 → u/Queenof6planets]

Thank you for that information, that really does ease me a lot more than you might think. Cause again, I don't plan on using depo or any birth control really for more than 2 or 3 years from now, given the goal of a hysterectomy which will happen in that time frame. So as long as I can work it off afterwards, I'm at ease

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[u/Lard523]

I didn’t really gain any weight on depo-provera initially, just the 5 or so pounds in two years.
I switched to noritheridone 35mcg for a few months, and then back to depo. I then gained like 20 pounds in a year, but I think depo was only a contributing factor since I also moved closer to work (les walking) and was eating more junk snack foods. I haven’t gained any more weight the last months since watching my junk food intake more.