Could one shot of depo have messed up my fertility?

[CrazyCatLady]

In Oct I caved and got one shot of depo to humor my boyfriend.  Well now the boyfriend is gone and I have an opportunity to become a surrogate for a wonderful couple.  I keep reading horror stories about how long it takes for fertility to return after depo.  Does anybody here know any facts on this?  Is all of the terrible stuff I am reading true?  I am generally very fertile, so I am trying not to worry...but it's hard.  Thanks

[CrazyCatLady]

Also does anyone know any ways to "detox" depo from your system?  I have heard lots of water and exercise, but no idea if any of that is true or not.  Thanks.

[cristeen]

It's different for everyone.  The general recommendation is 18 mos before conception (or it was when I got it years ago), but fertility usually returns well before then, the recommendation is actually to use a secondary form of BC in that time.  If you're not charting, I'd start, that'll tell you when fertility returns.  I would explore the possible repercussions it could have on a pregnancy though, since I believe that's the reason for the recommendation for the 18 mo gap. 

There's a reason you're supposed to get the shot every 3 months - that's all the longer it works.  You theoretically could have a return of fertility in the 4th month.  The more consecutive shots you get, the longer it takes to wear off, so with only 1 shot, I wouldn't expect it would take much longer to clear your system.  I know my cycles returned pretty promptly after that 3 months (I also only got 1 shot, the side effects were dreadful). 

And I'm not buying water and exercise.  Don't know that there is a way, but I wouldn't believe that one, myself. 

[mrs_mandolini]

I didn't go back to "normal" for at least a year. but I was on it for 2 years or so at least. I had a long, continuous, heavy bleed (6 - 12 weeks?) before returning to normal. Charting is a great idea since you are TTC.