I am currently on my 3rd Depo shot and I want to know if it can cause permanent infertility? I have done research and some say it can cause infertility. What's your experience? Please let me know!
Does Depo Provera cause infertility?
Question posted by bcmoss4102 on 24 May 2012
Last updated on 30 December 2023 by trayci6768
67 Answers Page 3
trayci6768
13 May 2016
I only came across this question because I was researching to see if there was any evidence that Depo extends your fertility. I used Depo for 8 years straight from 1999-2007 and stopped when I was 39. I loved it and had no side effects of any kind. It took nearly 2 years to get a period and then another year or two to get regular periods. I figured I was headed for menopause. I had one child born in 1993, he is now 22. I had never been married. Five years ago I met the man that is now my husband and we got married when I was 44. Six weeks after our wedding I found out I was pregnant, but I miscarried when I was 9 weeks. We continued to not prevent, but for two years nothing happened and I was 46 and I was sure I was going to begin menopause at any time. In December of 2014 I found out I was pregnant again. On August 18, 2015 I gave birth at the age of 47 to the most amazingly healthy and happy little boy.
(My husbands first by the way.) Full term pregnancy with no complications and no problems. I had not tried to conceive from the time I had my son in 1993 until now and at such a late age, I refused to do any fertility treatments or IVF, etc. I felt that if it was meant to be that I get pregnant I would and if not, so be it. But I had wondered if using Depo for so long had somehow paused and therefore extended my fertility. I came across this post and thought I'd share my experience.
Corabby123
5 May 2016
I had a little girl in March of 2012. To prevent having any pregnancies at that moment or for the next year or two. My OBGYN suggested that I get on the Depo shot since I was one a new mommy and two I suck at remembering to take a pill... Lol.
So after getting on the Depo and being on it for around a year I noticed some drastic changes, my periods stopped like the doctor said they would, I also gained weight like he said I would do. Those things didn't bother me much because my doctor let me in on what to possibly expect. But things started getting weird...
I started having the weirdest mood swings when it would be around the time for me to get my next shot, I'm talking crying like the end of the world was here, laughing uncontrollably, bouts of depression, and raging fits of anger. I felt like I was on a roller coaster everyday because everyday was something different with my moods. That was the first noticeable thing and the one that made the biggest impact on me. So after talking it over with my husband, (he immediately agreed) we decided it was best to get off the depo.. so we talked with my doctor and we then stopped all depo shots and also never proceeded to get on any other birth control (we figured condoms would be best till I can get back to normal) although fearing we would get pregnant at times we never got back on any birth control what so ever. My periods didn't come back for a year after stopping the depo all together we were only getting shots for a year straight, it got to the point where we were going to try having a baby again. So we stopped the condoms and have literally been trying every chance we got since... Here we are with a four year old now, still have not gotten pregnant unfortunately, not once. So we went to the doctors and at first they thought it was my husband because he is 16 years older then I am. Haha however we got news that he was perfectly healthy down there and his counts were good and so was everything else with him. When it came time to check me being at the age of 22 now, they have told me that I am permanently infertile due to the depo. Worst news we could have got in the entire world. But god works his miracles and we ended up getting the chance to adopt my ten year old brother and 14 year old sister and we did. We now have three children. So although it was bittersweet, god has a reason for everything... But I am proof, the depo does make you infertile. DONT GET THE DEPO!!!
KatYZF
18 April 2016
Unfortunately it appears that only women who had a bad experience are responding to this post. It is important to remember that most women will not have any issues, except for the fact that it will likely take up to 14 months for you to become as fertile as the average woman. It is also important to keep in mind that multiple factors can alter fertility, including the stress of conceiving (or the inability to conceive), or a different partner... but it's easier to blame the shot when we can't identify the real cause.
I have been on the shot for nearly 12 years (from 16 to 28) during which I never had any period, only some light spotting once or twice a year. When last November came, I didn't get my shot. About five weeks later my period returned, and it was heavy and lasted two weeks. The following month, nothing... but I soon found out that it was because I was already pregnant.
I understand my case is also an exception as being able to conceive only two months after the last due shot is extremely uncommon. Don't lose hope!
macy35
1 April 2016
I have had three children and began having the depo provera injection after my third child. I had 3 injections in total then went off it due to side effects and me just not feeling right.
That was 14 years ago now, I am 35 and have had 2 miscarriages and an ectopic pregnancy.
14 years of trying without success. I believe it is due to the depo provera injection. I easily conceived beforehand resulting in three children. I went from a healthy, young mum of three to a woman suffering from chronic abdominal pain that could not be explained or treated and still no babies. Very sad. The manufacturers should be held accountable. Depo provera ruined my life!
nickey1016
4 March 2016
Wow this is really shocking reading these responses. I'm 29 yrs old and I've been on the depo shot for 5 yrs now. My period stopped when I got my first shot. I didn't have a period for 4 yrs. Then suddenly my period started and now I haven't had a period for one year. I'm nowhere near a position to have kids right now but I would like to have kids in the future. I've never heard anything about this being bad for your fertility. I thought no period was great because my periods are awful.
e264
10 Feb 2016
I am a fun teenager with a serious relationship and I wasn't ready to get pregnant. my doctor informed me that a depo shot would be best because it left no room for human error. I took it, and I've non stop been bleeding for 2 months. has anyone experienced this and how do you get it to stop??
sbgump
17 Dec 2015
I was on depo for five years. However, my doctor informed me that it could cause infertility, and that was in 2006. I have never wanted biological children so I was okay with it. It's up to health care professional to know and give a complete run down of the possible side effects. If your health care provider says that they were unaware, they are not being honest with you, because it was something that the manufacturer made very clear. I would go after the health care provider because the manufacturer is covered. The health care provider did not do their job properly and did not inform you of this possible side effect. I do not believe this birth control should be marketed to women who wish to have children eventually but is great for women such as myself.
angelm14
15 Dec 2015
Hey ladies. I'd like to share my story
I got pregnant with my daughter when I was 18. Her father and I we knew what we were doing but did not care I do not regret at all. After I had her I was 19 then 2 months later got the shot. When I turned 20 I stopped so I got a total of 3 Shots total. During the whole process my periods never stopped they were heavy heavy changing pads every 30 mins cramping was terrible. Headaches every 6 hours throwing up, boobs hurt, I had literally pregnancy symptoms minus the blood. Anyway I had a period that lasted 3 weeks. Then 11 days later I got it again. I would go on every other week period or whatever crazy stuff was going on. So that's why I stopped in said screw you it wasn't worth it. So my boyfriend at the tme whenever we could we had unprotected sex for a year things weren't good between us no more love but anyway didn't fall pregnant at all.
I knew something was wrong anyway because my daughter boom no problem. We then when I was 22 went our own way he found someone else I did too I'm married now happily BTW. The first 6 months we wanted a baby together I actually wanted another one couldnt. And so I had to go on clOmid my progesterone levels was a 0.4 100mg it worked . 23 I had my son I am now 24 alms 25 it's been Almost 5 years I cannot get pregnant . After stopping the birth control pill my periods were fine until now 7 month trying periods 11 days apart spotting for 6 days on and off one min no spotting next hour blood period 5 hours later nothing it's been hell for me. So pls pls don't go on this it's causing so much hassle and I'm never doing this again. I'd like to sue them because this isn't right.
emily987654321
18 Jan 2016
I wanted to ask some advice, I was on the depo provera from the age of 14 - 17 as my doctor suggested it can help to control emotions (last shot was supposed to by around christmas 2014 but i decided to come off) and up until around 5 months ago I hadn't had a period, and then they started irregularly again maybe having 2 periods a month, and then stopped again, I haven't had another period now for almost 3 months, do you think there could be a chance that I'm unable to have children? I'm unsure of what to do, and reading some of these comments are very worrying...
Glam
1 Nov 2015
I also had 3 Depp shots after my daughter was 13 mths old. I was a young mum in a new relationship. I was not warned about the dangers of infertitly. 19yrs latter... I have not been able to have more children despite fertility tests. Do not take this if you want more children. It has ruined my dreams.
awiwi
12 July 2015
i can advice you to stop and wait for your next menstration and see if they will be present... its one year and two months since i had my last shot of depoprovera and i have not seen my periods... and it was my first shot of depo
Chucks4Ever
7 July 2015
I was on depo for about 13 years. Got off of it in 2010 when the hubs and I were ready to start our family, it took 1.5 years to get pregnant with our now 3 year old daughter. Been trying to have another but no luck, even with temping, charting my cycle and all that. I definitely believe that is has had an effect on my long term fertility.
frustrated101
27 April 2015
So it's been a few years since I posted this and I have now had an abortion due to circumstances I'd rather not discuss. But I am now expecting a baby but I'm only in the first 2 months. But I am also going threw a bunch of surgeries due to cronic pain in my abdomen which has no explanation yet so if I can keep the baby or not is still in discussion. But the moral of the story is I can have a baby.
Gypsewriter93
23 March 2015
To be honest I have been on depo twice. Once when I was 19 and got my period back right away pretty much. then again when 20-21. Both of these times I only got three shots. I have been off the shot for almost a year and still no sign of my period. I am worried it took away my fertility to be honest. I plan to make a doctors visit to see the possibility as to why I am not hAvj g a period is possibily because I am now infertile. I would never recommend the. Shot to anyone
Dlehr2
31 March 2016
I know this is old but I'm in the same boat.. I didn't have a period for over a year and now they are so messed up I can't get pregnant. Did you ever end up getting pregnant again? Did you have to go through treatment?
Ban Depo shot
8 March 2015
I'm not sure if I will be able to have more kids after getting my first and only shot last week. I only got the shot to make sure my body would have a chance to heal up after having a horrible 20 week miscarriage ( I had to have a 20 unit blood transfusion). Anyway I've been doing a lot of research about depo and infertility, especially after reading the posts here, I feel so bad for the women who may never become moms and pray that the information I've found may help those of you who can't conceive and those who are having bleeding and other issues due to this poisonous shot. The info on natural fertility websites seems promising as well as this one supplement(did a whole lot of research on that) called wobenzyme N. It has 5 powerful enzymes in it. It has been used in Germany for over 40years to treat all kinds of things. It may get rid of cysts and help hormonal balance and repair the damage caused by the shot.
I've read studies about it actually helping cancer patients along with many, many other ailments. It was originally created for inflammation and joint health, but over the past 40 years has proven extremely useful for so many other things ( found it on a fertility site and went from there). I ordered it and it should be at my house by the 12th. I'm even going to have my mom start taking it. I would start out on it slow if you have stomach problems, I've read of a few people getting diariah when they start out on recommended dose it has detoxifying affects, which is good, but if you have a lot in your system to clean out or plaque in your arteries, I would start slow. One of the many reasons I'm gonna take it is to try getting the depo poison out of my body. Good luck and God bless you all.
briannam12
10 Jan 2015
I Got my first shot October 2012 got my last shot August 2013 it took June 2014 to actually get my period back July I was having sex trying to have a baby we had sex for 3weeks straight after my period was over August 2nd I spotted I thought maybe this meant I was pregnant for two months straight around the time my period was supposed to come I spotted Brown after that nothing nd September I peed blood and had to wear a pad but I was still spotting all the while I'm going to the dr and tests are always negative since September my period or spotting has never came back I'm getting bigger acne everywhere smelling everything and finally got a ultrasound nd the tech tells me she thinks but not sure that something doesn't look rite with my ovaries but I feel something moving inside of me I really wish I never got on depo it has ruined my life
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depo-provera, provera, infertility
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