Hello, I'm sorry to hear you're struggling so much. I've been on depo twice and had a horrible experience when I went on it last summer. My periods had never been regular but the first time I went on it took that to a whole new level, so I had over a year without any then had some random ones. I didn't want this to interfere with work since I had no idea when or if I'd bleed, so I made the awful decision to go back on the thing that had messed up my cycle in the hopes of stopping my periods. The second time round, I ended up spotting for over a month at a time, so it actually made things worse. Luckily, I was able to use menstrual sponges so didn't have to change my services, but both my mental and physical health seemed to go downhill as soon as I got the injection last year. I am neurodivergent too and already have mental health issues, but my mental health worsened and I had various unexplained physical symptoms in the months the injection was in my system and afterwards on withdrawal (I didn't get it done again after the three months). I was desperate for the three months to be over which was miserable when there was nothing I could do but wait. Other than the injection, the only birth control I have used has been the combined pill, so I can't offer any advice on alternative contraception unfortunately.

Sorry to hear you are struggling, I've e never been on the pill but I do take estrogen gel and it's not a huge dose so I still get my randy week once a month. But too high estrogen just shuts down the ovaries and testosterone production will be lower and that's not good for the sex drive. Maybe try maca or shatvari but look them up first for yourself, Maca really drives up my sex drive. Also a study on Saffron extract found it really helped women on anti-depressants to get sex drive back. I know that when my estrogen and testosterone goes down 4th week I don't want to be around anyone and men annoy me so I don't work but take time for myself. It's difficult because hormones do dictate our sex drive massively, For me anyway I'm very sensitive to progesterone and suffer with very bad pmt without estrogen gel Most contraceptives have high doses of progesterone and that hormone makes me very anti social and a bit rageful so putting up with anyone else's demands are super difficult for a week of my monthly cycle. I can't do Escorting just for the money I need to enjoy the sex and interaction and be tolerant.

Could you be very sensitive to progesterone and talk to your GP, Unfortunately they are often not well trained in hormones. A lower progesterone dose contraceptive might be best. Progesterone kills my sex drive and mood.

Hope you get yourself levelled out with your hormones and sex drive back.

Thanks for all the input, advice and sympathy, I really appreciate it!

I had a chat with the family planning clinic and after running through everything I've tried in the past and the issues I've faced their response was to try the copper coil again (a no go because of the constant bleeding and pain during sex) or double dose the progesterone only pill and use condoms with everyone including my partner (if I wanted to use condoms with my partner I wouldn't be messing with my hormones)

So having shot down both of those suggestions it looks like I've got to go back to my GP and ask for the umpteenth time to have a discussion about sterilization or reply on just counting the days of my cycling and timing it right... there's demand for pregnant escorts, right? (joking!) xx

a discussion about sterilization or reply on just counting the days of my cycling and timing it right... there's demand for pregnant escorts, right? (joking!) xx

I understand that you're joking, but, seriously, please try and consider every possible option with utmost wisdom!
Above all, don't rely on counting the days of your cycle, because a large number of factors can make it unpredictable, believe me!
And, if you allow me, stop believing in Docs, most of 'em are there to get rich on our health issues, not to make us comfortable and safe!
Instead of following their "prescription" I suggest to listen to your body who perfectly knows what needs!

Take care, dear!

Doctors in NHS family planning clinics aren't 'getting rich', Cuddly.

Amy, thanks for reminding me of that! Thanks God! But, by personal experience I'd affirm that the majority of the medical practitioners, at least in the countries where I resided, have chosen their profession certainly not out of a humanitarian impulse..
The noticeable exceptions shouldn't take this remark of mine as an offense, quite the contrary...