User Reviews for Depo-Provera

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.

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.

I have been on Depo Provera for about 8 years and I've loved it. I haven't had any cramps but I do spot for a couple weeks before my shot is due. I never gained weight, although I should note that I have a very high metabolism. However, my doctor recently had me do a bone density test and the results were not good. I'm 25 and my bone density levels were very close to those with osteoporosis. Studies show this is reversible once you are off the shot, however, the studies are not clear about the long term effects. So, unfortunately, my doctor no longer wants me on the shot and I am currently looking into another form of birth control.

I am 29 years old and I have had 3 jabs of the depo in the last year and a bit, MY PRO'S: No period pain every month. No babies ( three is enough for us ). No worries about tampons etc. My CONS: headaches alot, Mood swings - am a little depressed and snappy at the kids, I don't want to get intimate with my poor husband at all, and my face is covered in acne (not really, but for me YES). I have gained weight!! (5kg) I was supposed to have my next jab in June this year and I didn't go for it and I still don't have my period 5 months later!!! I think for me personally, It is no good.

Been on the Depo for 3 1/2 years now. No periods. Terrible weight gain. Mood changes. I'm looking to get off of it.

I have used Depo-Provera since I was 16. It started to control my period as it was irregular, and ended up years later as birth control. I have never had a period since my first injection, also never had any side effects. This is an awesome idea for someone who is irregular or just hates that time of the month. The only bad side to this medicine is I have lost a lot of bone density in the 8 years I have used it. My advice is take lots of calcium while using this drug. Other then that it's great and I have recommended it to others in my years of using it and will continue to.

After 2 years on Depo-Provera I decided to stop because I was concerned about not having my periods. My period didn't come back to normal until after 7 months, during this time off Depo I realized that suddenly my mood had improved and I wasn't sad all the time anymore. I switched to Alesse and now realize how bad Depo was for me. It made me moody all the time.

I became pregnant with twins, as I was not informed to refrain from sexual activity for 2 weeks.

I have been on Depo-Provera for 11 or 12 years and love it. I started out with very few periods and all of them were very light. Now I normally will lightly spot or clot before my next shot is due. Now I never have any periods so it's been great. The only problem I've had is just recently, for my last shot I went to a different doctor and they gave me the generic version which caused me to bleed very heavily and severe cramping so I know to never use the generic form again.

I tried Depo for almost a year before finally switching to the pill due to repeated irregular bleeding. And the symptoms I experienced were incredibly heavy and painful like I've never experienced. It worked great as birth control though and I didn't ever get pregnant but there was no prediction or pattern to my irregular bleeding and the pain of the cramps was something I've never experienced since.

I had been using Depo for about 3 years. I spotted for almost a year and then my period went away all together. I had a 5lb weight gain, which isn't so bad. I had a decreased libido. But I think worst of all was that I had terrible acne. I've never had acne like this. I've been off the shot now for 8 months and I just got my period back (though irregular) about 2 months ago. My acne is still there but seems to be getting a little better. As a birth control, it was easy and it worked.

Well i've been on depo for almost 8 years now, and the only benefit is I have no "that time of the month" but i've had major weight gain, no sex drive, and I break out more then I have when I was in high school! It's a good birth control, but this last shot I had is my last. Not good for my health, you would have to try it yourself and see if anything happens to you. I suggest watch it closely.

I am 17 and have been on the shot for a year now. I already have 2 kids and this form of birth control seems to be very effective. I can't remember to take the pill so the shot is great for me. The only problem I have with it is I can't seem to lose the pregnancy weight from my second child. But I rate it a 10!

I've been on the shot for about 9 years on and off. What I mean by on and off is that I take about 3 shots instead of 4 shots a year. I started doing this because after the 1st year of being on the shot I found out I had precancerous cells in my cervix. Not positive that the shot caused this but I give my body a break for several months before I start again. Every time I start the cycle again I get a different side-effects. I usually have a very high sex drive during the 1st month and 1/2, I always have acne, always have mood swings and depression, sometimes I get headaches, and I gain weight continuously regardless of diet and exercise.

While it did prevent pregnancy while I was using it, it has also stolen every bit of desire for sex I once had, putting a huge strain on my marriage.

I've been on the Depo shot for a yr and a half now and I have been bleeding ever since I took it. I have experienced a lot of weight gain and depression and tons of moods swings. You get cramps everyday as if you just got your period. I wouldn't recommend it if you don't like bleeding. Might work for some people but not for me.

I love it

I had the Depo shot 3 times and for the whole 9 months I was bleeding. The first 3 months I was told it was normal and to wait another 3 months so I did. Then I was told that I needed to wait ANOTHER 3 months and so I did. Finally I couldn't take it anymore. I was going through boxes of tampons and it had ruined my sex life with my boyfriend at that time. Now I have best friend who had been on it for over 3 years and she has had NO PERIODS whatsoever! Not fair right? This is not for everyone. I would recommend only giving it 3 months to see what your body does.

Im 20 and took one shot back in October, my husband and I decided on trying for a baby within the next year so I did go for the second shot in December. The first month was great but ever since then I will go almost a month bleeding off a week or so then another month and I have the worst cramps ever. I am just now starting to get over the mood swings and depression. My face broke out bad, clearing up now. I also gained 20 Ibs and I know that was from the shot because I eat right and exercise. I will never take this again and will never recommend it to anyone. Now hopefully it will hurry and be completely out of my system so we can start making babies.

I got my first shot in August and I didn't get my period until late October right before my second shot. It is now March and I have not stopped bleeding since October. That's like six months. The Depo has also made me gain twenty pounds and I have acne as well.

I have been on Depo-Provera for 4 shots (1 year) and I have had relatively little side effects. Before Depo I was on regular Ortho-Tricyclen pills and Ortho Lo. On both previous methods I definitely gained weight (at least 5-10 pounds) and was moody with total lack of libido. I also got headaches a lot - not really bad ones but annoying enough. When I went back to get my prescription refilled, I told the doctor about the headaches and that one of my eyes was becoming slightly nearsighted. From these two factors, she recommended the shot rather than the pill. I had slight spotting, then periods were gone after 2nd shot, no headaches, small weight gain, and still less interested in sex than I would like to be but no birth control is perfect. Try it.

I'm 19 and have been on Depo for about 1.5 years. Yes I get moody, but I have a mood disorder so it could be that. Yes I break out but its not absolutely horrible and I kind of always have had acne. I think I may have spotted a couple of times but only for a couple of days (so far). Unsure about bone density since I haven't had a test done yet. I love not having a period or having to remember to take something more often than every 3 months. I think it's important to keep on schedule with it (none of this off and on stuff). No weight gain at all on it. Definitely no lowered sex drive. Only complaint: it can be scary not getting your period. But you can always take a test. Also remember, its different for everyone.

I have been on this shot for almost 3 years now, starting out just to help with abdominal pain and now for use of birth control. I love that I have never had a period let alone spotting, no cramps, nothing. Just recently I have been having terrible headaches that make me nauseous. I have gained at least 15 lbs, which is very depressing, and sex drive...well that's long gone(which seems very odd for a 20 year old). Reading the reviews helped a lot, thank you!

I was on the Depo for about 2 1/2 years, and after some initial spotting (about 9 months) I loved it. Super easy, nearly painless, very effective. If it weren't for the bone loss controversy, I'd still be on it. I didn't notice any side effects, my period was replaced by light spotting about 3 weeks before I was due for my next shot.

Depo Provera was the first hormone birth control I used. I only got it once. Pros: no pregnancy; no weight gain; no period; didn't have to worry about taking a pill everyday. Cons: was in tears for basically 3 months straight; sharp decline in sex drive; increased acne (probably from crying all the time); bleeding for 4 weeks straight when I got off it.