Does Depo cause weight gain?

Depo (depo-medroxyprogesterone acetate) is an injection that females can use to prevent pregnancy. It is given every 13 weeks and needs to be done in a medical facility. Lots of women like this because option because it doesn't require them to remember to take a pill every day. After multiple injections, many women find that their periods stop entirely (not a bad side effect!).

However, one of the biggest complaints is that Depo causes weight gain. Will it cause weight gain for you? The truth is that we don't really know. Here are some observations:

• Weight gain happens in about 25% of teenage females who use Depo

• Weight gain happens more frequently with Depo than with other types of birth control

• Weight gain usually starts after the first dose

• Poor eating habits can make weight gain worse

But remember, there is something else that causes weight gain almost 100% of the time -- pregnancy. If you are interested in having sex, do not want to get pregnant and cannot remember to take a pill every day, Depo might be worth trying. If you see your weight go up too much after the first shot you can consider other options. You also might love it! You never know unless you try.