Contraceptive Injection?

Question

I have been taking the contraceptive injection since i was 13, i am now 17. the other day i went to another doctor for something different and he asked if i was taking any other medication so i told him bout the jab and he was slightly angree. he said i shouldnt be taking it and the doctor that prescribed it to me was really bad.

He said it has very very bad side affects at such a young age but didnt want to tell me what they were. can some1 please tell me what these side affects are?

am a bit worried now :(

Thanks

xxxxx

Answer 1

i also had the injection for about a year in my teens,i had very bad headaches and spotting until i stopped.i sounds like a good idea as it stops you having a period,but periods are a natural part of being a women.try the pill

Answer 2

All hormonal contraception has potential side effects. The injection, depo-provera, is a strong dose of hormones and can cause a lot of side effects. The most worrying one is that it messes with your menstrual system, and even when you stop taking it, your fertility may take some time to return.

Perhaps talk to your doctor about the contraceptive implant, Implanon, which works in a similar way to the injection, and works for three years. But when you take it out, fertility returns immediately! This may be more important to you as you get older and maybe think about starting a family.

You may also want to consider a 'hormone free' time of something like three months, just to give your body a break. Of course, this means you will need to use condoms, as though depo can damage fertility you may still get pregnant.

I don't know about other countries, but in the UK there seems to be a determined move within sexual health providers away from the injection and towards the inplant and newer, better pills (the progestrone-only mini pill, for example).

Instead of seeing your doctor, who seems a bit over-reactionary, try seeing a dedicated sexual health nurse or service for advice and information.

Answer 3

It is definitely not good for teens to be on the depo shot.  The depo shot affects your bone density and growth, so when you are a teen and still growing it is not a good idea to be on it.  You are really only supposed to be on it for 2 years at a time and then take a break from it because of the bone density loss.  It also has a high chance of affecting your fertility in the future, especially since you have been on it for 4 years already.  In general, the depo shot just messes up your body and can even have long-term side effects.  There are also side effects like headaches, nausea, weight gain, and many others.  Since you didn't mention any of these problems, I assume you haven't had these side effects.  If I were you, I would get off of the depo shot.  Since you are so young and have been on it for so long, there's a good chance you could have quite a few side effects from it in the future.  If you need to be on birth control, I would suggest trying the pill or even the contraceptive patch.  I hope this helps!  Good luck!

Answer 4

There is some evidence that it affects bone density. Maybe take calcium and iron supplements to help. I agree with your doctor, you shouldn't have been on it. It may also affect your fertility since it stops ovulation for a long time. Don't have your next shot, try getting your menstrual cycle back. Eeat well and exercise. If you don't get a period withing about 6 months or less, then you must go back to your doctor. Don't worry, he can give you something to help.

Answer 5

I thought they tended not to give in the contraceptive injection in people so young, I could be wrong. Dr Frank would be a good person to answer this question.

I agree with one of the other posters, try going to a family planning clinic and seeing the sexual health Nurse.

Answer 6

My friend just got it and she just turned 17 I don't know of any side-effects?

Your doctor should tell you what the side-effects are - it's your body and you have a right to know.  

Answer 7

Bone health loss, infertility, etc...

http://www.rateitall.com/t-330-birth-con...

Read the reviews here.

You should get a bone density check done asap.  

And, get OFF of the shot.  

Answer 8

Your GP was probably concerned about bone density, but he should have discussed this with you, the good news is that once you come off the injections, your bone density will go back to the normal level before starting the injections.  There is also no evidence that your fertility will be affected long term, so dont worry.