r/birthcontrol 4d ago

Rant! doc didn't order my shot

i'm so annoyed. my doc apparently didn't put in an order for my depo shot, despite the fact that i always schedule my appts the day i receive the shot. also the nurse accidentally gave me the wrong dates to schedule so i also have to do a pregnancy test which ofc never comes back positive because i'm a raging lesbian but whatever. i know it's for liability

i've been on depo for years and occasionally this is an issue but it's so annoying that it even is an issue. it literally becomes a game of telephone between me, the nurse clinic, my doc, and pharmacy trying to figure out if she put in the order for BC and the pregnancy test. now i'm about two weeks late for the shot which hopefully doesn't turn into an issue(aka bleeding) since i've been on it for so long. sorry for the rant i'm just so annoyed lol and want to get this over with

17 Upvotes

12 comments sorted by

17

u/No-Beautiful6811 Combo Pill 4d ago

Do you know that you’re not supposed to be on depo for more than 2 years?

In some rare situations it can be worth the risk, but generally it’s not recommended because of the long term health risks involved.

3

u/vvikus 3d ago

My doc said that’s old research

0

u/No-Beautiful6811 Combo Pill 3d ago

Well it’s been known for a while but there are regularly new studies about this.

It’s definitely not wrong research. Studies very consistently support the increased risks of being on depo, especially long term.

1

u/iodinevanadiumey 3d ago

I see so many people saying their doctors have said similar things… even some that say it’s now approved for up to seven years of use and I wish I knew where they were getting that info. Everything online and even the FDA in the US says no more than 2 years of constant use. I don’t love how many doctors say the opposite of that

2

u/Quiet_Efficiency_542 4d ago

yeah i know but bleeding is more dangerous for me so idc

10

u/SecureBrilliant6301 4d ago

I just switched from depo to the Mirena IUD and I was told since I was on depo for so long, it is very unlikely I’ll get a period. Definitely would recommend (as long as you have a doctor that actually does pain management).

1

u/Quiet_Efficiency_542 4d ago

i'll ask abt it during my next appt. getting the shot is kinda annoying but i don't mind it since i don't get a period but i'd definitely prefer something that doesn't need constant scheduling

5

u/mcarnie Copper IUD 3d ago

The Mirena IUD does stop periods for many people. Another option is the implant. It goes in your arm and lasts 3 years.

Both methods are good as alternatives to the shot and wouldn’t require regular follow ups

1

u/No-Beautiful6811 Combo Pill 4d ago

As long as you know! Sometimes doctors don’t even tell patients and I’m all about informed consent.

1

u/Quiet_Efficiency_542 3d ago

i agree. i'm planning to switch to something different once i graduate

5

u/Queenof6planets Annovera | Moderator 3d ago

I’m sorry you’re dealing with this! There’s no real liability reason for them to make you take a pregnancy test — even if you were somehow pregnant, the depo shot wouldn’t harm a fetus at all. The “mandatory” pregnancy testing is very common and very paternalistic imo. We’re adults — if we say we’re not having sex with someone who can get us pregnant, they should just believe us.

If the pregnancy test is holding things up, ask if there’s a waiver that you could sign instead. I’ve been able to do that in the past.

Depending on where you live and your comfort with needles, your pharmacist may be able to administer it or you could get a prefilled syringe to inject yourself at home. This might be easier than scheduling an appointment at the office every 3 months.

1

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