periods and the depo

[leanne_1987]

I came off the depo at the begining of this year on advice from the doctor and have only had 2 periods since one in may and one in oct but this was only spotting, does anyone know how long it will take them to return to normal? I was on the depo for 3 years, i know it can take a while, but does not having a period mean i cannot get pregnant? i have all the signs of going to come on e.g stomach pains and sore breasts but i havent

[boxtops]

It says here that it can take up to a year to return to regular periods and fertility http://www.netdoctor....enshealth/202247.html

[Eve]

It took me ages to get my cycle back when I came off the second time, think it was nearly 18 months until things got back to pretty much normal (never been that regular anyway).

If you have to have the depo every 3 months I'd say you could technically get pregnant from 3 months after you last took it. All kinds of other things can affect fertility/cycle though.

Are you trying to get pregnant or wondering about contraception?

[leanne_1987]

thanks for replying, my periods have never been regular either, my partner does want to try for a baby but I have said im not ready yet, although we did have unprotected sex about 5 weeks ago so wondering if i could be pregnant if i'm not having periods?

[lcg]

i had my depo the other day and the nurse told me if i wanted another child (!) it would take 18 months for full fertility to return. bit of an odd comment for me as my son is 18 now and i'd never expressed any desire to stop contraception. i think it's good that you have some of the signs of your normal cycle (i.e. sore boobs, some bleeding and cramps), but maybe it will take a little while for the obvious regular signs to come back. that said...you may well be in a position to get pregnant, so for now - keep practising and have fun! if you are relaxed and less stressed about things (easier said than done, i know!) that will also make the process easier. pamper yourself, eat a healthy diet, take folic acid (and anything else recommended to optimise pre-pregnancy health) and i'm sure you will get there. good luck, sweetie x