"i took depo for 5 years.  loved it for the most part.  first starting it was kinda rough. i lightly bleed continuously for 3-5mo for the most part. i had really heavy periods before hand so i didn&#039;t think it was that big of a deal. after about a year on it my periods would stop for 2.5 months then start 2 weeks before my shot was due.  my side effects: i gained 20 my normal average -30 pounds heaviest being unhealthy on depo. i started when i was 19- stopped @24.  so weight gain is pretty normal so i&#039;m sure it wasn&#039;t all depo related.  i also slowly lost my sex drive and it  became nonexistent.  after 5 years i&#039;m getting off because i think i didn&#039;t take enough calcium and now my joints started to ache. remember to take 1500 mg calcium**"