Depo Provera for Birth Control User Reviews

• Gladys
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 1, 2020

"I only see the negative sides effects of depo-provera being listed. Well I started the depo mid last year (2019) and so far so good I haven't hard any challenges or side effects while on it. Before the injection I used to bleed heavily with painful cramps but since I started this, no cramps with lighter bleeding that lasts for up to 3 days. Mind you before I used to bleed for seven days. I think it's all about ones body just because it failed on you doesn't mean it will fail on another person, people are different"

• ARS
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 18, 2021

"The depo is the worst thing I have ever put in my body. Ladies please re-consider before using this. Along with so many physical symptoms (nausea, acne, fatigue, heart burn, bloating cramps, bleeding constantly) the emotional symptoms are very prominent and worse than the physical ones. I believe this drug is destroying my relationship, I have no interest in sex or physical touch, I’m irritable all the time, depressed and have a constant feeling of emptiness that was not there before the depo my personality and mood took a full 180 on the depo. I am not going back in for my next injection. Something to also note is that the FDA is trying to pull this drug off the shelves. Please if you’re considering the depo do your research! I wish that I did."

• Chan
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 20, 2021

"Took this in October. Started bleeding start of November and still consistently bleeding now 7 months later. Only took one injection. I gained weight everywhere even though I'm active and healthy, lost my sex drive which has always been very high. Nausea everyday to the point of throwing up. Insomnia for weeks on end. Raging emotions, sad and crying one minute, angry and shouting the next. Hot flashes, blurry vision, throbbing headaches and joint pain. I was not told any side effects in the clinic only that it stops periods and lessens cramps. I wish I was given a leaflet to make an informed decision. 7 months later and I'm loosing weight slowly, sleeping better and had been having sex occasional but it's a bloody mess and hit and miss if I climax at all. I just want the period to end. I would recommend ginseng as a mood booster and evening primrose oil to regulate your hormones. These brought back my libido a bit and made me less suicidal. Never again!!!!!"

• Super...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 1, 2020

"I DO NOT RECOMMEND THIS AT ALL! It is effective at preventing pregnancy but the side effects for me are not worth it at all. I have been on it for about 2 months now and I am suffering everyday. Before the shot everything was fine with me but about 2-3 weeks after I got it I started getting terrible stomach pains, headaches, bad acne on my back which I've never had before, and before the shot I've never got a UTI but since I got it I'm constantly getting painful reoccurring UT’s no matter how much water I drink, I even had to go on antibiotics twice and they came back. My sex drive is so low now because when I have sex I am in so much pain, and I know I don’t have diseases, infections etc. because my doctors even did tests and they all came back negative. THIS IS JUST THE ABSOLUTE WORST THING I HAVE EVER DONE!! I WOULD RATHER GET PREGNANT 10 TIMES THEN GET THIS SHOT AGAIN!!!"

• Kinesin
• July 14, 2019

"Please DO NOT use this HORRIBLE injection. As a medical scientist, I CANNOT believe how Depo-Provera passed the human trials and is on the market despite all the LIFE THREATENING side effects. I was hospitalised TWICE with severe bloating and kidney pain. It caused water retention (edema) all over my body, feet, legs, face, and abdomen! Constant dizziness, nausea and cramps to the point that I can't function at work or home. This injection should NOT be on the MARKET! It really ruined my life and I don't want anyone else to experience this. FDA has a website where you can report all the adverse side effects of any medication, and it encourages people to report by either calling them or submitting an online form. Please, whoever reads this if you have issues with Depo, go now to FDA's website and complain about the horrible side effects you have experienced. FDA will investigate the safety of this drug and potentially retract it from the market! It is our human right to safe medication and this drug violates that right."

• Shami
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 21, 2020

"I have been on this drug close to two months and I haven't stop bleeding. I was prescribed a medication to stop the bleeding and it didn't work . I wish there was a way to get this drug out my system now"

• Lumlady
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• June 4, 2020

"Ok so I have been on Depo-provera for almost 10 years. My last injection was February 14th, I had a period for 3 days on June 1st which is normal for me... Today is June 4th 2020 I HAVE BEEN very nauseated could I be pregnant??"

• Anonymous
• April 12, 2009

"I had nothing but negative effects from the Depo shot that are continuing even after the duration of action of the Depo. I am now experiencing terrible migraines (I rarely, if ever had even minor headaches). They have been occurring multiple times per day including nausea and diarrhea. I experienced these same symptoms for the first time after I received my first shot. I also experienced neck stiffness, severe mood swings, bouts of depression that seemed to arrive from nowhere, no sex drive what so ever, and worst of all menstrual bleeding for an entire month straight which was only counteracted by a high dosage of birth control pills. "

• Vic
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 1, 2019

"I would rate this drug 0 out of 10 if possible. Yes it helped with my periods (I didn’t have them just a bit of spotting) and I didn’t get pregnant! I had my second shot two months ago and I won’t be going for a third. I am EXTREMELY moody, depressed, anxious/nervous and I always feel on edge. I have also been getting paranoid about my relationship, has anyone else experienced paranoia on this injection? Definitely do NOT recommend!!!!!"

• Erin
• March 22, 2013

"I've been on Depo Provera for about a month now, and I absolutely love it! I haven't had ANY bleeding, no cramps, no headaches or dizziness, no mood swings, no swollen or tender breasts, no weight gain, nothing! I still have a sex drive and I feel perfectly normal, most people with good side effects don't think to share their experience, so remember that everyone's body is different and your experience might be like mine!"

• Shay...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 3, 2020

"For the last 3 months I've been non stop bleeding. My hormones are way out of whack and it's making me want to literally do ANYTHING to stop the bleeding. This drug also made me gain close to 100 lbs in 2 years. Before this drug I was a size 2. Now a 16..."

• Shae
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 6, 2020

"This birth control Depo-Provera is the worse birth control ever made. Don't get it - it will mess you up. I bled every single day for months and good birth control doesn't make you bleed everyday heavy so you can't have sex anyway. Think about your options don't choose Depo-Provera it's awful "

• Dizzy...
• December 19, 2020

"I am now 34 and getting really really fed up with contraception. I’ve had my kids and I’ve tried them all. Each one seems to have these nasty side effects for me. I feel us women have to go through the mill with all these awful side effects. Some women won’t even know it’s because of contraception and end up so confused because most healthcare professionals will tell you it’s not the contraception that is causing the problem. My husband is now getting the snip I’ve told him enough is enough. Men should take more responsibility I’ve been doing it for 20 years now. Anyway! The depo. I stupidly decided to get it whilst my husband waits for the snip. So week 1 banging headaches. Piercing side headaches - paracetamol and ibrofen wouldn’t even work. Week 2 - back ache. Terrible back ache. Ended up going to physiotherapist. Week 3 - joint pain all over. Week 4 - weight gain. Week 5 - thrush. Week 6 - depression. I am now on week 7 and I just want this all over."

• Violi...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 2, 2015

"Everyone I talk to seems to have had different experiences with Depo. For me it has been a perfect experience, but my sister had a horrible time with it. I had very light spotting after the first shot during what should have been my monthly period, and since then have had absolutely no period or spotting. My weight has remained at a constant level the entire 4 years that I've been taking it, and I haven't experience moods swings, hair loss, or any of the other common symptoms. My doctor warned me that the shot could make my migraines worse, but I haven't noticed any difference in prevalence or severity. Everyone's body reacts differently, but it is definitely worth trying. I love this form of contraception - no periods and no babies!"

• Skyly...
• May 14, 2021

"I do not recommend depo injection! I thought getting on it was going to help my period issues, also the fact I was told I had endometriosis (which turns out I don't).When I got on it I was fine for the first month and loved not having a period or the pain that came with it. By the second month my moods started to change and I got very mean and aggressive towards people and anything they say. By the third month I was a total train wreck! I would cry constantly, and I fought with literally anyone and everyone!. I decided to get off depo for the greater good of relationships with my family and my boyfriend. I thought getting off it was gonna be a problem solver but I got off it and it got worse!. Multiply the other issues I talked up by x10!. Which now also includes; cramps, terrible emotional problems and thoughts, questioning my relationship (it comes in waves I love him tremendously and then my brain goes do you?), and more unfortunately. Please read reviews before getting on depo!!."

• Angel
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 7, 2020

"On 9/13/19, the nurse gave me the 1st depo shot but she didn't said nothing about the side effects. I spotted until 1 week before thanksgiving. Then I bleed every other day. I gained a few pounds, no sex drive, vaginal dryness and had some strong cramps. On 12/29/19, I went to the ER and the doctor said Depo is making me bleed and it should stop within couple months. After that day, I bleed heavier everyday & I was getting tired of it. I went online to see reviews about this & I discover a remedy. I took two 1300mg Evening Primrose oil capsule each day and on the 5th day my bleeding stop. The FDA should never approve this shot. I hope one day the FDA will take this off the market. No lady should suffer like after taking a medicine that should help them."

• Nickn...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 9, 2020

"When I first got the shot I bled for a month straight. This is pretty normal. Then I didn’t have a period for the duration of my time on the shot. However....I kept starting and stopping. Don’t do this or else your body will have to start all over again. Like if you stop and start you body will have to go through the cycle and you might go through the bleeding for spotting for a month or so.. But after my 3rd start over I just didn’t bleed anymore during the adjustment period. I was on depo for around 2.5 years and I got paranoid that maybe I might become infertile. That’s a risk for almost every medication though. I’m currently off the shot. It took 6 months for my period to come back after I stopped the shot cycle for good. Which is what actually scared me the most about me being infertile even more. But 10/10 pregnancy prevention for me. This baby was like metal armor for me. I am hoping to get back on it soon."

• saugu...
• June 8, 2009

"It started off great, for the first month. But then by the second month, my period became a monster. It lasted for so long and started on a very random day that wasn't even close to my regular period cycle date. Also, I'm on an emotional roller coaster ride and almost constantly angry at something or someone. I don't like this at all. "

• Starr
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 11, 2019

"This has ruined my life, took my Depo-Provera first shot on April 12th, 2019 and being on it I have massive mood swings, memory loss, headaches, I use to have 2 jobs and now have no desire to work. I use to be very very driven women and now I don't even want to leave my house/bed. I would never recommend this to anyone, I have never been in such a dark place in my life and have constant thoughts of deaths. My sex drive is gone and my relationship is in danger and so are my jobs. This makes me feel bad, evil, horrible, non stop. It's hard to smile laugh or have any joy at all. Please do not take this medication ever. It is just not worth it."

• Anony...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 21, 2020

"I was weighing about 130lb in December 2019 when I got my first Depo-Provera shot. I gained 50 pounds and it's August 2020 !! I weight 180lb now. I have so many stretch marks on my legs. I wouldn't recommend at all. I have so much spotting randomly. I have nightmares almost every night. -100/10"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 7, 2015

"It's very effective, I give it that. I didn't get pregnant. I've been on this birth control for 6 months and I've gained 40lbs. Yes.. 40!!! I ate healthy and exercised everyday. I DO NOT RECOMMEND if you want to keep you figure or plan to lose weight."

• Sadie...
• September 24, 2014

"I'm 15 years old. I'm a sophomore in high school. I started taking the Depo-Provera shot around my freshman year. It actually hasn't given me any bad side effects beside loss of hair, I haven't lost a lot a hair, and mood swings. My freshman year I weighed 155 and now I weigh 119. I'm 5'3 and haven't gained a pound from this shot yet. I hate shots but it's definitely worth taking for having no period. I haven't experienced depression or any of the other side effects except the ones listed above. But not everyone is the same. I would recommend talking to your doctor about it before jumping into taking it!"

• Sam
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 30, 2023

"I first had my shot on 28/9/2022. I was told there were no side effects so I went along with it and was all good for the next 3 months. When I was due for my second shot I was a week late because I was experiencing chest pains and weird visions so I went to the emergency room. The doctors did blood work and X-rays and everything was normal. The doctor diagnosed me with anxiety. Never have I ever experienced anxiety in my life. I didn’t think much of it, I went and had my second shot. This is when shit hit the roof. 1-2 weeks later I experienced: Dizziness, fatigue, anxiety, panic attacks, breathlessness, body aches, tiredness, irritability, vision changes, and a weird feeling like I'm going to die are some of the symptoms I've experienced. The worst of them all was severe, extreme, ongoing chest pains! I was diagnosed with Costochondritis and have had to have numerous tests to check my heart is all well. I’ve been in pain these whole 3 months and still am in pain. Has anyone experienced chest pain while taking this?"

• tnk
• November 30, 2014

"I got this shot a few weeks ago and my side effects are already horrible. I had anxiety before but now it's so much worse. My mood swings are unreal and my breasts have been so tender to the point where I can't touch them at all and they've grown a ton. Not to mention the few pounds I've already put on in the short time. I will never take the shot again. I don't recommend this form at all. Once you get the shot, not matter how miserable the effects are you can't do anything about it. Going back onto the pill once this wears off."

• Anonymous
• August 6, 2020

"I’ve been on depo-provera shot going on 9 months and so far I love it because I have absolutely no periods and only spotted maybe once for twice for a few hours and that’s it. I haven’t gained much weight even if I did. I was weighing around 115 when I was active but since college and not being active I’m up to 120. I cramp every now and then but mostly when it’s almost time for my next shot! I’ve heard some bad things about it though so not sure how long I’m going to keep doing it but so far I love it!!"