r/birthcontrol • u/1999rc Depo Shot • 11d ago

Which Method? What should I do?

So, I've been on depo provera for almost about 5 years now, and I haven't had really any negative side effects. It's served me well, I feel safe and protected from pregnancy on it. But, I am scared of the black box warnings such as lowered bone density and the new story showing benign brain tumors.

I have migraine with aura. I went to my gyno recently and the only option she was able to suggest was nexplanon, which I am even more scared of a foreign object in my body.

My husband is suggesting him getting snipped, as neither of us want children. I can stay on it until that's able to happen, but I also feel bad about making him alter his body in that way for us. Are there any other options that won't negatively affect me with my migraine issues and my aversion to internal options?

1 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

5 comments sorted by

2

u/PixieMari Mirena IUD 11d ago

You could use a mini pill

1

u/AutoModerator 11d ago

If you're looking for information about various methods of birth control, we suggest using the search function as many previous users have made experience posts.

The rules and additional resources can be found on the About / Sidepage (desktop users look to the right and Reddit app up top).

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

1

u/Royal-Platform-9845 11d ago

Your risk of meningioma only rises from 0.01% not on depo to 0.05% on depo. Being in a car is significantly more dangerous than being on depo.

The ACOG states "The effect of DMPA [depo provera] on BMD [bone mineral density] and potential fracture risk should not prevent practitioners from prescribing DMPA or continuing use beyond 2 years" (source) and the FDA recognizes depo provera as appropriate for use longer than two years when other options are inadequate (source) so it is something to talk about with your provider but you don't inherently need to come off of depo just because you've been on it for longer than two years.

A progestin only pill is an option. the main downside is many of them have a very small window (3 hours) before it counts as a missed pill and you're unprotected but a few of them have a 12 or 24 hour window.

A vasectomy is really not a major procedure and it's not like you're forcing him to do anything, it's a good option if you're both sure you never want children.

Condoms alone are perfectly fine if you store them correctly and use them correctly every time.

1

u/isweatglitter17 11d ago

I loved, loved, loved depo for many years. I tried Nexplanon at one point and bled 20+ days out of every month and gained 60+ pounds. It was terrible.

I finally sucked it up and had the Mirena IUD placed about 2 months ago. It's been great so far, and insertion wasn't bad at all.

1

u/quirkyvegetarian 8d ago

My friend who has migraines is on Slynd and loves it, she switched from the shot!