Depo-Provera & Lunelle (The Shot)

[zoe]

"The Shot"

Is anyone on either of these? (Please specify which) If so.. how much did it cost you, what side effects have you had, and have you stopped getting your period because of it (if so, how long had you been on it until it stopped)?

Are you happy with it?

Thanks!

[super_chevy2000]

I was on depo-provera for a year. It is so much better than having to take the pill every day. It only costs me 65.00 per shot and I can get a friend to give it to me which saves the doctors bill for letting him give me the shot. I never completely lost my period but I only bled one day a month.

[The Sage]

kuju is a big fan of the shot, when she gets back from her long weekend she should be able to post her tales.

[kewlgal99]

is there any way to get it cheaper? i want to go on it at some point (when i start having sex) but chances are i won't be able to afford that...its four times a year right? isn't there a cheap way from planned parenthood at all?

[The Sage]

okay, some relative costings (this is in west australia btw...):

the pill for 3 months is approx $70
the shot effective for 3 months is $85

yes, the shot is more expensive (by $5 per month) but then you add up the extra like not needing to take a pill daily at the same time every day, people that have trouble swallowing pills, no problems with throwing up the pill, etc etc.

there's pros and cons for both sides, and really when it comes down to it the price is not really an issue.

[LynzyLou*]

Im on Depo-Provera. Ive been on it for about a year and a half, and I stopped getting my period about 6 months after my first injection. I pay $80 per injection, but my health plan covers $60 of it so I really only have to pay $20! It makes life so much easier not getting my period every month. But, be aware that the opposite happens to some ppl. Another girl I know who is on it gets her period every 2 weeks since she's been on it, but its more likely to stop getting it. As far as side effects go, I really didnt get any. Some possible ones are:
-Increased or decreased appetite
-Weight gain or weight loss
-Cramps
-Headaches
-Bloating
-Spotting

and I forget the rest...I have the little book about it somewhere around my house...

[DeviantSweetness]

My friend used the shot for awhile but stopped because it gave her too many problems. She would go months without her period but then she got it and bled hard for a month straight. She got it for $70 a shot I think
Its different for everybody.
But I can get the pill (after insurance) for 15 so its only $45 for 3 Months
depends on the insurance

[kewlgal99]

i hope that whenever i take it my period goes away...that would make it worth justa bout any price... although i will shop around. is lunelle any different than depo-provera? different chemicals or whatever?

[kuju]

Thanks for the intro Nate.

I've been on the shot for a year now. I never really stopped getting my period; I get it once every three months, and it lasts a week or so... VERY LIGHT. I'm talking maybe five drops a day. it's such a bother to have to wear a pad at all (I don't use tampons).

I get the shot from my local Planned Parenthood clinic (well, it's not actually PPH, but it's a similar sort of thing). At this clinic, the pill aws $8 per month, and the shot is $25/3 months. It's a VERY good deal considering the fact that to get it from your doctor costs three times as much. Same goes with the pill.

You can get it injected into your upper arm or your thigh. They keep telling me I should get it in my thigh, but I keep choosing upper arm. It's stiff for a couple of days afterwards but it's okay. In fact... I have one tomorrow, and like a total fucking idiot, I scheduled it just before my guitar lesson. I'm going to have one stiff arm!

The shot is progestin only, you don't have to worry about diarrhea or vomiting ruining the effectiveness, and there's not as much of a threat against effectiveness from antibiotics. I'd still suggest using a backup method for when you take antibiotics though, and for a week following.