Hi everyone,

I've been on Depo for about 4 years. I've experienced complete loss
of period and cramps (after irregular spotting [but still no cramps!]
the first year). Other than that, no mood swings, weight gain, or
loss of sex drive. I love Depo! I'm kind of a natural-everything
freak, so I don't take any other medicines, but it was important to
me to have the best possible birth control, and the loss of my period
is an incredible bonus. I used to spend 5-6 days each month feeling
nauseous and/or in bed doubled over with pain, not to mention all the
nice undies I ruined with blood, so my feeling is, even if Depo
shaved off 1/4 of my life, it has GIVEN me 1/4 of my life back each
month! (Not that I've heard anything about it threatening your life
in any way.)

I'm glad to know people can conceive afterwards, but honestly, I'm
not sentimental about bloodlines; if I want a kid later and can't
conceive, I'll just adopt.

I have just recently started having a small period, but I think I
can attribute it to 1 of 2 things. 1) I was about a month late on
getting my Depo the last time, so maybe I'm just readjusting. (I hope
it doesn't take a year of spotting this time!!) or 2) I hadn't had
sex with a man, or any penetrative devices :) for about four months,
and this period started a day or two after having sex again. Does
anyone think my body could be reacting to that somehow? I'd had sex
regularly the whole time I'd been on Depo, except the past four
months. I'm mostly just curious, since either way I'm going to stick
to Depo.

One other note: a lot of women freak out about not having their
periods because it doesn't feel "natural." But remember that the
natural state of women is to be pregnant or giving birth, so
basically it was only when women started choosing when to have
children that they started having their periods regularly. I don't
think you can consider it "natural" to menstruate every month for
years and years, so maybe the unnaturalness of Depo is balanced by
its preventing this other unnaturalness.

To anyone thinking about trying Depo, I would say, be prepared for
the side effects, and consider quitting right away if you get any of
the really bad ones, like depression, loss of sex drive or dangerous
weight gain. But it's worth a shot (no pun intended): if it does work
out like it did for me, you'll be soooo happy!

later,
Carol

PS--I'm from the US, for those who were curious about positive US
experiences.