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The makers of Depo-provera should be reprimanded for the many lives they are delaying and those they have destroyed. I know first hand because I have been an avid user for 7 years. When I was younger, I decided to use this particular form of contraception due to its:1) high success rate to prevent pregnancy, and 2) it's infrequency of being administered (which left an important aspect of my life to be treated once every three months which made it convenient. By the second shot, my cycle had disappeared completely. I experienced weight gain even while being extremely active (I attended two dance sessions and the typical gym session in school). I loss some hair, I became very emotional over nothing, and my sex drive was low (which I guess wasn't a bad thing since I was young at the time).

I am now engaged to be married and would like to start a family in the near future. My last injection scheduled (in June) I did not receive. I have not had my cycle yet, and are experiencing side effects from not getting the injection again. My decision was based on my fiances' wishes, as well as horrible information I discovered while researching Depo-Provera. One that is extremely disturbing is the many lawsuits resulting from woman who took this injection. There cases range from women experiencing fractures due to the loss of bone density, to the inability or struggle to bear a child, to problems with getting a cycle. No woman should have to go through these changes/side effects in an attempt to gain control of her reproductive ability.

Some of these side effects are explained in the pamphlet that accompany the vial containing the hormones, but many have just been discovered by the makers. Where does that leave those who did not sign up for this? Being forced to take calcium pills in hopes of preventing osteoporosis in mid life from this shot exclusively is a shame. Waiting and hoping that either your cycle returns, or it regulates for up to eighteen months in order to try to conceive is a shame. It's understandable that it may take a long time for these hormones to leave the body, but to rob women of motherhood completely is a crime that need to be persecuted. My advice to the women reading this is to choose another form of contraception, because you don't want to live your whole life in regret for making a decision that seemed good for the moment. Think for the long-term and not for the moment. Any women that you know on it...please tell them to weigh their options. Any women that are thinking about going on it...don't. You may just be one of the unlucky ones.

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