Expert: Diane Cheryl - 9/7/2010

Question
I got my first depo shot in May at my 6 week postpartum  appointment. After my first shot I got my period 3 weeks later and it just seemed to continue for about 8 weeks. I really didn't have any other issues. But after my second shot I feel awful. Some times I feel pregnant and I have have anxiety attacks about it. I have taken 6 pregnancy tests over the last 6 weeks, and can only hope they are accurate. But I am constantly paranoid and irritable. I have horrible cramps when I have light spotting every few days. I am concerned because these side effects seemed to come after the second shot. Are these side effects normal? could there be another underlying problem?

Answer
Yes, Maggie, there can be side effects from the depo shot. That is why I don't recommend any kind of hormonal birth control methods. I would recommend that you find some other kind of birth control method if you can. Do you need to be on birth control at all? Let me know what you think. You can email me at CHERYL51@aol.com

You can get a free pregnancy test at a local center. To find one go to http://www.optionline.org or call 1-800-395-HELP. Another helpful webpage is http://www.heartbeatservices.org and click on the globe in the upper right hand corner of the page.

Please email me soon at CHERYL51@aol.com and bye for now.

Diane Cheryl