Does thebirth control shot depoprovera cause weight gain and what are the side effects?:confused:

Does depoprovera cause weight gain?

Hello keyco knows,

I will advise you based on personal experience. I was on Depo Provera for other medical reasons other than birth control for 3 years. In the last 6 months, I gained 60 pounds. (That's no exaggeration!) Doctors could not figure out why I was gaining the weight and yet doing everything properly (exercise, diet, etc.) until we pinpointed it to be the Depo shot. Not every woman does experience this very unwanted side effect but many do. So I would definitely answer your question with a yes as to whether it does (or could) cause weight gain.

Some other possible side effects listed are:

More than 5% on Depo reported:

Menstrual irregularities (bleeding or amenorrhea, or both)
Abdominal pain or discomfort
Weight changes
Dizziness Headache
Asthenia (weakness or fatigue)
Nervousness

1 to 5% reported:

Decreased libido or anorgasmia
Pelvic pain
Backache
Breast pain
Leg cramps
No hair growth or alopecia
Depression
Bloating
Nausea
Rash
Insomnia
Edema
Leukorrhea
Hot flashes
Acne
Arthralgia
Vaginitis

Events reported by fewer than 1% of subjects included: galactorrhea, melasma, chloasma, convulsions, changes in appetite, gastrointestinal disturbances, jaundice, genitourinary infections, vaginal cysts, dyspareunia, paresthesia, chest pain, pulmonary embolus, allergic reactions, anemia, drowsiness, syncope, dyspnea and asthma, tachycardia, fever, excessive sweating and body odor, dry skin, chills, increased libido, excessive thirst, hoarseness, pain at injection site, blood dyscrasia, rectal bleeding, changes in breast size, breast lumps or nipple bleeding, axillary swelling, breast cancer, prevention of lactation, sensation of pregnancy, lack of return to fertility, paralysis, facial palsy, scleroderma, osteoporosis, uterine hyperplasia, cervical cancer, varicose veins, dysmenorrhea, hirsutism, unexpected pregnancy, thrombophlebitis, deep vein thrombosis.

I would definitely say that weight gain and irregular bleeding (since Depo is supposed to stop your period completely) are the most common complaints mentioned, both in my own personal experience and with others. I hope this helps!

- Dreamer