Question:
My cycles are so irregular now, will that cause weight gain?
Since the beginning of the year, my mentrual cycle has been way off. One time it lasted 4 months, went to the gyn, tried everthing, ended up on the depo shot. I was due for my shot in Oct. but due to an extreme family emergency, I missed the window to have the depo shot. My cycle stated in the 3rd week of November, lasted for 3 weeks, and has not been on since. I feel extra bloated all the time, extra gasy, and have put on 10 pounds. Has anyone experienced this problem? or Can you actually gain 10 lbs within 3 weeks and it is from water weight gain, and constipation? I need some help, and answers. I do have a gyn appt scheduled for this month, but this is driving me extremely nuts.... Please give some advice... — davia.p (posted on December 30, 2003)
December 30, 2003
I too was put on the depo shot - just to keep from getting pregnant. Well,
I had the shot three time which is over the course of 9 months. During
that time I gained 60 lbs. I wasn't doing anything wrong, I was eating
semi ok. But not bad. I don't really weigh myself so I didn't notice it
right away. When I did I had already gained 40 lbs. Went to my NEW OB and
told her what I was doing what was going on and asked why I was gaining
this weight. She told me it was because of the shot and she will not give
it to her patients because of that reason. I hate that shot I would not
have gained the weight if it wasn't for that. Anyway, I do hope this
helps.
— Virginia D.
December 30, 2003
I never gained a pound from the Depo shot, so take that for what you may.
I started it as a pre-op and took it as a post op too. Never a weight
problem at all.
I assume (because I assume you are post op) your cycles are irregular
because of the estrogen levels in your body not being regular due to
extreme weight loss. This is very common. If you're not post op- I'd get
it looked into further.
I would be concerned about gaining 10 lbs in 3 weeks too. But yes, it's
possible, through water retention and constipation to gain that. If you
are post-op, I'd be very concerned and speak to my surgeon immediately.
You might want to think about switching to a different BC method, but, you
probably have already thought of that!
Good luck to you!
— LMCLILLY
December 30, 2003
All of the things you mention could account for 10 lbs, especially the
constipation. I know when things aren't moving for me I feel 10 lbs
heavier even if I am not. Your hormones are all messed up from surgery,
the changes occuring and then the short stint on Depo. They could have
given you your shot late, all they had to do was run a pregnancy test
first.
<p>I've been on Depo since 1995 and have not gained one lb that I can
attribute to the Depo. I am almost 11 months PO and the weight has come
off very nicely so it definitely has not been a deterrent to WL. Usually
it does take about a year for things to settle down into a pattern with
Depo also. It's not an instant result, other than from a BC standpoint.
<p>I just had my tubes tied last week but will be staying on the Depo
in order to keep the hormones in line. My body has never worked like it
should. I wanted extra assurance of not getting pregnant so I got the
tubal. I don't totally trust the Depo because of my wacko body. Then
again I'm paranoid of getting pregnant at almost 43. LOL Depending on
where you are in your WL there may be other options available to you for
BC. Just don't rely totally on BCP's as way too many WLS patients end up
pregnant before they should from BCP failure. If you aren't interested in
having children any time soon then I'd go back to the Depo and give it a
year to see how things settle out. Also do something to get the bowel
moving on a regular basis. Good Luck!
— zoedogcbr
December 31, 2003
I thank you for all of your suggestions and comforting answers. I did have
my pcp give me some water pills to relieve some of the bloated feeling. No
I have to work on the feeling of constipation. And I wish I would have
known that all the GYN doc had to do was run a pregnancy test. That
probably would have saved me from all of this mess. Oh btw I dropped 5 of
the 10 pounds... Thank you again. I have notice with this surgery, that for
the most part, women who had reqular cycles are now irregular, and women
that were irregular no have their cycles like clockwork. Go figure!!!!???
— davia.p
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