OK. I'm 19 on the 21st July, I'm in a serious relationship with my boyfriend ( 22 in august). I'm currently on the depo injection and have been for about 2 yrs now. I don't have periods my doctor told me this was a common side effect. I gained quite a lot of wait last year when I became depressed and have been slowly losing it. I'm due to get my next injection on the 25th July.

My question is, is it likely I am pregnant even though I'm on the injection. I have had stomach cramps, feeling sick (mainly in the morning but at occasional times during the day as well, however I am not actually sick), I'm tired practically 24/7, I have been getting headaches, my stomach feel swollen and I seem to be gaining abit of weight again. I am worried now and would like any advice as I do not want to worry my boyfriend if I am not.

Yes you can still get PG on the shot there should be free clinics in your area to have the test done that way you'll know for sure before telling your boyfriend

Honestly, its extreamly unikely that stuffs lethal it takes a year if not more for your body to start ovulating again when you stop the jab.
I would make an appointment though and discuss the side effects you are obviously having you need to seriously think about changing your contraception, go see your dr tell them your feelings and ask for help that's what they are there for.

While it is highly unlikely that you are since Depo is so strong, it is possible. No birth control is 100% effective.

With that said, only your doctor can give you a definite answer.

Thanks for the advice. I'm going to get a hpt asap. I was told the side effects and am unable to take the pill etc so the depo was best option for me. Will a test be affected by the depo injection and will it be accurate. I have been told it will take approximatly 3 months after stopping the depo injection for it all to go back to normal.

Chances are you have only heard about the "common" side effects of the shot. Look at this site for some of the less common side effects. Drugs and Treatments - Depo-Provera Contraceptive IM - Side Effects from WebMD

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Originally Posted by Myth

Chances are you have only heard about the "common" side effects of the shot. ]

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I have heard of the side effects mentioned as I was tested for DVT awhile back as they thought it may be connected and they have asked me about many others with each visit. I have not been feeling like this the rest of the time I have been on the injection.

It honestly sounds to me like you might be getting ready to have a period. I was on Depo, and would go a long time without a period, and then I would have one. Eventually the blood and mucus lining in your uterus is going to build up so much, it has to go somewhere, so it exits stage right, so to speak.

But... like everyone else said above, it is possible to get pregnant while on birth control. I have heard of it happen before. You can take an HPT to rule out that possibility.

And might I make a suggestion? Speak with your doctor about getting another form of birth control. Depo is really hard on your body, and the side effects are insane. When I was on it, I weighed 190 lbs. and when I got off it, I dropped down to 160 lbs.!

Yeah maybe. Can you suggest any other method. I am unable to take tablets of any form. The injection was told to be as the best option but I am worried that if I was planning to become pregnant that I would be unable to or it would take me a long time. I have gained weight while on the depo however that was also while I was depressed. Lol was losing weight easier after coming off the injection, I can't seem to get rid of any. Thanks for the help

For me when I quit taking the Depo most of the weight just kind of fell off. Anything that was left over was taken care of with diet and exercise.

Here is a list of different methods of birth control for you : Birth control gallery

You can find one that is right for you and speak with your doctor about it. I am getting the IUD tomorrow. It is inserted into your uterus and that's it, you don't have to worry about it for five or ten years, depending on which version you get. I'm getting the five year version, because I may want to have another child after five years :)

Also, if you do plan to get pregnant within the next one or two years, get off the Depo now, and switch to something else. Some females take 1 or 2 years before the Depo is fully out of their body. For some it takes less time, but others can actually have it in their bodies for this long.

OK. Unfortuantly none of the other (other than condoms) would be suitable and that's why I went straight onto that. I would like to get pregnant within 2 yrs but at the same time now is too soon and I would want it to be suitable for when me and my boyfriend choose to try for a baby. Any other suggestions of contraceptive.

You can try combining methods of birth control. For example he can use condoms, you can use a cervical cap. Condoms and spermicides. Condoms and diaphragm. Condoms and withdrawl. And you can always talk to your doctor about getting Emergency Contraceptives too. :)

I am unable to take any oral contraceptive (emergency, the pill, etc) and do not want anything too long term such as caps, diaphragms. I think il have to stay with the shot as I have not been able to find any alternative that would be suitable.

Caps and diaphragms are not long term. They are inserted into your vagina before intercourse, and can then be removed. Like the female version of a condom. :)

Lol that's not really my thing. I couldn't do it. Same with the implant things in the arm.

The first thing is to find out if you are. You can check webmd and see what else is offered there are a lot of methods out there. You may even fine some info. On a planned parenthood website

Have you considered the patch? It sounds like Depo actually might be right up your alley if you are queazy with inserting things in your vagina. Why are you not able to take birth control in pill form?

Also, another thing about the IUD, you don't HAVE to leave it in for 5 years. It can be easily removed if you decide you want to have children :)

First what is webmd? Yeah I'm guna have to find out, I'm prob not and just over reacting but best to check. Second I am unable to take any tablet as I have problems swollowing them. What is done for the iud. I went with the method that was told was approprate for myself as doctors could not suggest any other method. Would have a break from the shot help or would it cause more problems?

2 of the side effects to the patch is latex and adhesive reactions but if you can use them it is a great idea

WebMD - Better Information. Better Health. we use at the office to get information for our patient. It has load of info.

Thxs for the suggestions. Are the patches like plasters as I cannot use certain ones.

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Originally Posted by xxsamxx110

first what is webmd? yeh im guna have to find out, im prob not and just over reacting but best to check. second i am unable to take any tablet as i have problems swollowing them. what is done for the iud. i went with the method that was told was approprate for myself as doctors could not suggest any other method. would have a break from the shot help or would it cause more problems?

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WebMD is a website all about illnesses and symptoms and causes. You could check it out :)

When you go in for the IUD the insert it through the cervix and into the uterus. They are 99.2-99.9% effective. The 5 year version has a small amount of progesterone hormone, which is to decrease cramping and bleeding from your period. The 10 year contains no hormone. Which ever one you would pick, both can easily be removed whenever you choose. It just depends on whether you want hormone or not :)

No there are like the ones that are used to stop smoking you change them once aweek for three weeks and off a week so you have a normal period. You can shower with them and go swimming

Here is a website about the patch : Birth Control Patch

If you have a latex allergy, I wouldn't recommend using the patch. There have been a number of women using the patch that developed skin disorders such as hives and rashes.

Thanks for all suggests but the injection still sounds best for me. Shame about some of the side effects and that. If I came off the injection for 6 month or so would that help in any way or would it make things worse?

Going on and off the Depo shot will throw your hormones off balance a little bit. But they will eventually get back to normal. If you are going to use the shot, stay on it until you are ready to not use it anymore, then your body will have a chance to get back to normal.

OK thanks everyone. Will see if I have the money for a HPT and go from there, maybe even talk to my boyfriend see what he wants.

You're welcome and good luck! :)

It is very possible you could be pregnant! I was on depo for almost a year and I still got pregnant. They said its common some women just don't react to it, although the number of miscarraiges while getting pregnant on depo is high. We thought everything was fine and we miscarried at 12 weeks and the docotor told us that is what caused the miscarriage so I would find out as soon as possible

My friend who gets depo shots was told that when she did want to get pregnant, that she would most likely miscarry the first time since depo is so strong. (And that is if she were to go off it) So in your case, since you are still on it, you most likely aren't pregnant, and if you are, the chances of your body keeping the baby are slim (since your body miscarries fetuses that aren't properly developed and depo is such a strong form of birth control). Also, you may try the NuvoRing. It is inserted in the vagina and stays there for a month... constantly releasing hormones. I was going to switch to it after my next period, but my period never came. I got pregnant on Ortho Tricycline Lo. :)

Thanks for he info. I wouldn't be comfortable with the ring and will be staying on the depo at least for a while longer. I have been told I have a high chance of miscarrying as there is family history of problems while pregnant, my mum lost 2 babies before I was born. Does this mean I won't be able to carry 1 at all?

No it does not mean that. Miscarriages are not genetic problems. If a baby is miscarried, that means it wasn't getting all that it needed to stay in the womb :)

Although, you didn't mention what the medical problems were behind the reason for your mom losing those 2 babies. Do you know off hand what they are?

I don't know the name of it but I was checked when younger if I would be able to have children as they thought it was possible I may not. Anyway they said that I would but may have misscarrages and have problems carrying the child. Something about my body not wanting to keep the baby for full term. All I know is that she lost them in the first 4 month and to have me had to have some sort of injections.

Was it perhaps something to do with her immune system, that causes her body to think the growing fetus is foreign material, and fights it off, causing miscarriage? I am not sure what that is called... but does that sound like what it was? By the way, I just wanted to point one thing out(though you may already know about it) from your previous posts. You mentioned that you were depressed before while taking the shot. When on the depo shot, an increasingly common side effect is depression/suicidal tendencies. You just got to be careful to watch out for that, and should it become an issue, make sure that you stop the shot and consult your doctor immediately. As far as being able to conceive after being on the shot, there is no way to tell for certain how your body will react when the time comes. The shot effects every woman differently. Some women have no problems getting pregnant immediately after, and yes, some do get pregnant while on the shot. However, it can also take years, and some women are diagnosed with an" unknown cause of infertility" after being on it. I must say that am shocked that you were told only three months for it to get out of your system. Three months is the duration of the shot, at which point it starts to lose its effectiveness and you need to get another shot to renew it to its full potency, however, it is still in your system. When I started taking it, I was told that it would be 6-12 months to get out of the system (depending on how long you are on it and how your body reacts to it) and up to 18months before I could expect to get pregnant again. In any event, after you stop taking the shot, it is wise to use another form of birth control such as condoms, until at least 6 months after your last shot, as a way of trying to ensure that the shot has been given a chance to leave your system, before you get pregnant.