Depo Provera Has Ruined My Life By Taking My Hair From Me

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Depo Provera Has Ruined My Life By Taking My Hair From Me

by Sussycat
(Windsor, Ontario, Canada)

I had three injections of Depo during 2003-2004, when I was 23, from the doctors at my university while I was in school.

After the first, I didn't notice any side effects aside from missing my period completely. After the second shot, I noticed mild melancholic mood swings (which is very uncharacteristic for me...), and as the date approached for my third shot, I noticed some slight weight gain - about 5 lbs.

After my third shot, however, my weight gain spiked drastically and dangerously - I gained 60 pounds in about four months, despite no changes to my diet, lifestyle, or exercise regimen (I played co-ed competitive basketball 2 nights a week, and took Tae Kwon Doe lessons at the blue belt level two nights a week, and on Saturdays, and my classes were very manageable and not at all a worry for me). I'm a strong student and a very active, athletic person, and there was no other reason for such a huge gain - I had stretch marks for the first time, ever, and none of my clothing fit at all anymore, because it seemed to happen overnight. I also noticed that my hair began falling out more than usual.

In six years, it hasn't stopped falling out at all, and has actually accelerated. I have stopped dyeing it or using any heat treatments on it, I brush it only when I have to (which I have come to dread) and have gone from daily washes to a couple of times a week, to help preserve what I still have. A bald patch is developing on the crown of my head, and my scalp is clearly visible along my part in a two inch wide strip. I am young, and there is absolutely no baldness or thinning hair on either side of my family - it is quite the opposite, and even my 60+ year old aunts and uncles boast the same thick, lush hair that I once had, both paternal and maternal. My grandparents all have gorgeous hair, too.

I went to my family doctor, who told me that there were no problems with my thyroid, my blood test results were the best he has ever seen in a girl my age, and said to keep doing whatever it is I am doing, nutritionally. He sent me to a dermatologist, who started telling me that it could be female alopecia, until I said that I had been on depo, to which he said "Ohhhhh." Basically, there is nothing that can be done for me.

I am only 29 years old, and have to decide whether to wear a wig on my wedding day someday, since extensions show through my thinned top hair, or to have my natural hair styled to hide the bald spots as best as possible, which will be near to impossible after the dramatic loss that I have sustained. I have asked my boyfriend not to propose to me twice (8 years into our relationship) because I just don't want to think about that, yet. I can't even pull it back to hide what is happening anymore, because I have lost too much - my scalp shows through in stripes.

I now have horrible self esteem issues, as I am still battling those last 35 pounds or so that I gained, too, and my hair looks so bad. I was the prom queen in high school, and now when old friends see me, they are horrified to the point where they can't hide it from me very well. They stare in shock for a few seconds, before realizing they have their W-T-F faces on, and then "smoothly" try to talk about something else - they don't ask how I am much, because I think it makes them uncomfortable, or they are trying to be polite.

Because I am tired of people looking at me like I am a leper now, I avoid nearly all social functions that don't involve my immediate family, and will not allow photos of me to be taken. I don't really want to have a wedding at all anymore, and I am scared to have children because I have heard that sometimes being pregnant causes hair loss, too. I hope that doesn't sound too superficial of me, but honestly, our society is obsessed with looks, and people treat you differently - for a female, hair is so important for our self esteem and for our identity as "feminine."

To start going bald in your early twenties is horribly traumatic, and I am having a really hard time getting past that and progressing in my life. Even job interviews are traumatizing, because you want to look your best, and I am unable to hide my hair - all I can think about is that this potential employer must be wondering what the heck is wrong with me - drugs? Mental health issues? Why else would a perfectly healthy young woman lose her hair? This is ruining my life.

If you are considering Depo Provera for yourself at all, I strongly caution you not to do it - it is NOT worth rolling the chemical dice to see how your particular body will react. I have heard depo stories that are far worse than mine - it is a horrible product, and I do not know how it managed to pass testing and scrutiny to reach the market.

I have heard far too many similar stories to chalk it up to "some users MAY experience some side effects;" everyone I know who has tried it had experienced negative side effects to some degree. Its just such a bad risk to take for simple convenience. I wish someone had talked me out of it, or that I had done more research on this product, first. Taking it was the stupidest thing I have ever done, and now I have irreversible side effects. Don't do this to yourself!!!!!!!

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Depo Provera Has Ruined My Life By Taking My Hair From Me

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Jun 21, 2010
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Me Too!
by: Marne

Thanks everybody for sharing your stories! I was on Depo-Provera for 5 years (1998-2003) and my hair started falling out once I took the shot.

Well, I am now 36 years old and it has been 7 years since my last shot and my hair is STILL MISSING. It is horrible and embarrassing. The entire top of my head is just scalp. I don't know what to do. I am scared and so depressed every day.

I don't know if my hair loss is related to Depo-Provera, but that is when I started losing hair -- when I started taking the shots. I have had seven different high intensity thyroid blood tests and my thyroid is normal.

Jun 15, 2010
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Still Battling Hair Loss
by: Dee

Three months after giving birth in 2008, I noticed that my hair was beginning to shed. This lasted around 3 months before it started to slow down and my loss gradually returned to normal. I?ve been battling to grow it back to its original state, which was really long and thick.

In Jan of this year I decided to have a shot of depo after I kept forgetting to take my pill. I didn?t really notice any side effects until April I noticed that the dreaded shedding had begun again. It started off as been just a slight increase but is now awful again. I literally use 100's of hairs morning, noon and night.

I?m starting to feel sick at the thought of washing and brushing it. Does anyone know how long this shedding will last for if it is caused by depo? I haven?t had another shot! I?m going to visit my doctor for some blood tests although I?m pretty sure they won?t pick anything up as didn?t last time. I just really want this to stop.

Jun 05, 2010
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Take Sea Kelp to help hair re-growth
by: Anonymous

Hi I am sorry to hear what a horrible side effect you have had from the DEPO jab. If you read this comment page, I would just like to let you know that I have been taking Sea Kelp tablets to try to help aid my weight loss (they are supposed to speed up metabolism), however, according to my haidresser they are also good for hair and nails.

Having taken Sea Kelp tablets for almost a year, my hairdress commented that I had a lot of new hair growth. So may be this might also help your hair to grow back.

Belinda
Exmouth, Devon, England
X

May 28, 2010
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Depo Side Effects
by: Alicia H.

I am currently experiencing baldness as a side effect of the Depo Provera. I was washing my hair just two weeks ago and asked my newphew to help me blowdry my hair and then he said," Auntie, did you know you're going bald?" I responded," Maleik, stop playing with me! You have to be joking!!" I was laughing hysterically until he took a picture with his phone and showed me. I was shocked to see a patch in my head, at the crown, that was so bare and bald that it looked like there was never a strand of hair there. As if that wasn't enough, he continued,"It's another one back here too." The second one was not as big but nonetheless, I was mortified! And to add insult to injury, I am also missing a strip of hair on my vagina. I will be honest, I loved the shot because it was carefree and dependable. I have never had a 'mistake' on the shot but now that the side effects are catching up with me, I am so worried and I shouldn't have to worry about this at 27. I hope that this doesnt spread because I have a hard enough time trying to cover up the two bald spots in my head as it is but I'm hoping when I go to the doctor next week, they can tell me what I can do to stop this from spreading further.

Apr 26, 2010
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Depo Provera Ruin My Life Too!
by: Anonymous

I have also taken Depo Provera in the '90s but didn't know the reason why I was balding until reading some of these comments. I had no idea.

I also have large strips of bare scalp. It is getting increasing harder to camouflage. It is truly embarrassing. I have tried numerous products, but to no avail. I have also had a biopsy just to confirm that hair will never grow in those bare areas.

San

Apr 20, 2010
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I know how you feel
by: Karly

Hi. I am so sorry about what's been going on with you. I, too, have had a really bad experience with this shot. I only had one shot, and will regret it for the rest of my life. Within the first month, my hair started changing...for the worse. The texture became super soft. (too soft to even hold styling products and the strands started becoming very thin instead of the thick healthy strands I've had my whole life.)I then started having other problems and after a long and horrifying 6 mos, I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism. I know that shot set it all off. I had no problems with my health before having it. You see, the Depo Provera shot is a hormone. Once you alter one hormone, you alter others. I wish I knew back then not to go playing with what mother nature did not intend.

Now, 11 years later (I was 24 when I took this shot), I am on life long medication for this thyroid problem, and I've been wearing a wig for almost 10 years. My hair became so unmanageable that I could no longer take the frustration and embarressment. I got looks from people, and couldn't look people in the eye. I lost my self esteem and when an old man handed me a comb at the grocery store-I wanted to die! I avoided going out also. I just didn't want to be seen! I totally understand what you are going through.

It's a sad thing when something goes wrong with your health, but when it is apparent to others, it's so much worse. A woman's hair is her glory. I had a great head of hair and many compliments on it throughout my lifetime. This was so devastating for me to go through. It really affects us in so many ways. And though some may view it as a vanity issue, they are the ones that have not gone through it. They do not know how horrible it really feels.

Anyhow, if I were you, I would push the thyroid thing with the doctor. (maybe find a different one-or several-just keep looking for one who will work WITH you). My tests came back normal for 6 mos. Then, I pushed for a more sensitive test that came back that there was a problem. Keep seeking a doctor who will help you. Don't give up-they can check your hormone levels, and your thyroid is a hormone that has a lot to do with your hair. I'm not saying it is your thyroid, but I would do some research on your family history of thyroid disease. Note other changes you feel too. I am very willing to speak with you if you would like.

Take care-Karly

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Apr 20, 2010
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Submitted by: Karly

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Comment
Hi. I am so sorry about what's been going on with you. I, too, have had a really bad experience with this shot. I only had one shot, and will regret it for the rest of my life. Within the first month, my hair started changing...for the worse. The texture became super soft. (too soft to even hold styling products and the strands started becoming very thin instead of the thick healthy strands I've had my whole life.)I then started having other problems and after a long and horrifying 6 mos, I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism. I know that shot set it all off. I had no problems with my health before having it. You see, the Depo Provera shot is a hormone. Once you alter one hormone, you alter others. I wish I knew back then not to go playing with what mother nature did not intend. Now, 11 years later (I was 24 when I took this shot), I am on life long medication for this thyroid problem, and I've been wearing a wig for almost 10 years. My hair became so unmanageable that I could no longer take the frustration and embarressment. I got looks from people, and couldn't look people in the eye. I lost my self esteem and when an old man handed me a comb at the grocery store-I wanted to die! I avoided going out also. I just didn't want to be seen! I totally understand what you are going through. It's a sad thing when something goes wrong with your health, but when it is apparent to others, it's so much worse. A woman's hair is her glory. I had a great head of hair and many compliments on it throughout my lifetime. This was so devastating for me to go through. It really affects us in so many ways. And though some may view it as a vanity issue, they are the ones that have not gone through it. They do not know how horrible it really feels. Anyhow, if I were you, I would push the thyroid thing with the doctor. (maybe find a different one-or several-just keep looking for one who will work WITH you). My tests came back normal for 6 mos. Then, I pushed for a more sensitive test that came back that there was a problem. Keep seeking a doctor who will help you. Don't give up-they can check your hormone levels, and your thyroid is a hormone that has a lot to do with your hair. I'm not saying it is your thyroid, but I would do some research on your family history of thyroid disease. Note other changes you feel too. I am very willing to speak with you if you would like. Take care-Karly

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Apr 16, 2010
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My Story
by: Anonymous

I would have to agree that I regret taking Depo every day of my life. I have not had a normal cycle and I have not had a Depo shot since I was 22 and I am almost 28 now. We tried to conceive for over 3 years and had 2 miscarriages and no more pregnancies followed. I also have bad acne like I am in high school and hair loss to the point where my scalp shows through. I am starting to grow facial hair as well. My body has ballooned from a size 5 to a size 12. I am tired all the time and am afraid to take any more medications due to the possible side effects. I wish that I stop any girl or woman from taking this as they would be making a horrible mistake.

Feb 18, 2010
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Hairloss in general
by: Kay J.

I encourage all women that have hair loss issues --to please GET A BIOPSY from a dermatologist. A biopsy of the scalp determines the type of hair loss you have and also if hair growth products will work. It will save you time and money. The biopsy will determine if such products will work for you. I wasted a lot of money before the right doctor suggested a biopsy. Sometimes it is possible to get help if it's early. I wish someone would have given me this advice twenty years ago.

Feb 18, 2010
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To the young lady who used Depro-provera
by: Kay J.

Just want you to know that I understand how badly you feel and I know what it is like to have those feelings. I was misdiagnosed with female pattern baldness when I was losing my hair my 30's, I had no appropriate treatment for my condition. I am 61 and just now had a biopsy. The doctor determined that I have had scarring alopecia (type is lichenplano pilaris), not female pattern baldness. (no chance of my bald spots having hair regrowth) Trust me, it doesn't matter what age you are, it is devastating to go through and I understand your fears of job interviews (I am in the position of looking for a job now) and limiting your social life. My alternative to looking nice now is a wig or hair piece and it is also a difficult transition. I will soon try it. I wish you all the best in the world with your your adjustments. I will be glad to talk with you on this site. I have been looking for a support group for a long time.

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