I am 21 years old and have been on Depo since 1998. The first year I was on it I was either constipated or had diarrea. This was all normal adjusting according to my military health care provider. I also have been dealing with vaginal atrophy for the last few years. This condition has caused my vaginal walls to thin so much that they do not produce moisture, therefore sex is incredibly painful even with lubricants. I am taking a suppository cream called Premarin everyday to help add estrogen to help me create lubrication. This medication is prescribed to menopausal women for the same reason. Sex is still painfully dry even with the medication. I also have what feels like a yeast infection without the discharge every couple of weeks. My gyn has no explanation for this. She says that the vaginal atrophy symptoms will disappear when I stop taking Depo-Provera.
Despite these problems, there are a few bonuses to Depo. I haven't gained any weight. I don't have periods. I don't suffer from any of the other side effects that you are told about when you get your first shot. And, most importantly, I haven't gotten pregnant.
I'm sure there are side effects that have not been released to the public and I am not completely confidant that this form of birth control is safe. However, all I can do is trust my health care provider. If anyone has similar problems, let me know......