I am writing on behalf of my wife. She is not really comfortable discussing this, and her attempts to do so with her last doctor did not go well.

In the spring of 2012 my wife started the birth control shot Depo Provera as a treatment for fibroid tumors. The side affects were terrible. She went from being someone with boundless energy to being tired all the time. She went from having a very healthy sex drive to having none at all. She gained about 75lbs, despite having and continuing abnormally healthy eating and exercise habits. Even her personality changed.

While she was on the Depo Provera we moved cross country and we ended up with terrible insurance and new doctors. By the time she saw her new doctor, it was late fall 2012, and she asked to go off the Depo. The new doctor prescribed Lutera to transition off the Depo.

That was fall of 2012. Since then, she has not noticed any changes. She continually asked her doctor, who seemed to think the issue focused only on weight gain, and recommended the usual diet and exercise. My wife explained her diet and exercise habits, which should have been more than enough to lose the weight, and the doctor assumed she was not being truthful "if you were doing all that you wouldnt be fat". The doctor kept suggesting "go on atkins". Eventually, to placate the doctor, my wife tried atkins, and ended up gaining another 10lbs. At this point she insisted the doctor test her hormone levels, the doctor then switched her birth control to Necon. That was spring of 2014. She has still not noticed any changes.

Now we have changed insurance again, hopefully for the better, and are looking for new doctors. We don't want to repeat any of this. It's been over 2 years, she wants to be her old self again, and I want my wife back. What do you suggest?

Hi dntml,

Unfortunately, many of the side effects that your wife experienced with the Depo Provera, can continue with the other hormonal forms of birth control. Had she been on any sort of hormonal contraceptive prior to the Depo Provera? If so, did she tolerate it well?

What were her hormone levels like when she was tested?

When you see a new doctor, I would discuss other options for birth control that do not include hormones. Some women simply do not tolerate them well. It may be helpful to at least allow some time to pass before trying them again.

If necessary, you could also consult with an endocrinologist.

She had never been on any form of birth control before the Depo.I've suggested going off hormonal birth control entirely, but NONE of the doctors think it's a good idea. I'm not sure why.I don't know what her hormone levels were I will try to get that information. I don't think they gave her a copy of the results.

Does she still have the fibroid tumors? Have they checked them lately?

They seem to have gone away with the first injection of Depo.

I don't think she's had them checked since then, but THOSE symptoms are gone completely.