User Reviews for Depo-Provera

Depo was fantastic at doing what it was intended to do - control birth. However, I was on this for 4 years and gained at least 20 pounds. I was also bipolar and cried over everything. On the plus side - I only had my period 4 times a year right around the time of my next injection.

I'm 31 with two kids and I always had regular periods. I was on the pill for many years and decided to try the Depo shot. I had some spotting but my period completely stopped after the 2nd shot. It was very nice not having a period and taking a pill every day. I didn't start gaining weight until the 2nd shot, and I felt hungry all the time! I've always been a small person and maintained my weight without diet even having 2 kids. I had 3 Depo shots total and went back on the pill because my weight kept going up. I gained 10 lbs and haven't been able to get rid of it since.

I've been on the Depo shot before and other than slight (maybe 3-5 lb) weight gain and slight mood changes I had no problems with it. I was off of it for about 5 months and just got back on it and in one week have gained 27lbs and get skin rashes pretty consistently now. My mood is ridiculous; I cry like every day, sometimes out of happiness, other times out of sadness.

I'm 23 and was on the shot for 6 months. Before I was on the pill but didn't like the side affects and remembering to take it everyday. The first month on the shot was great! Then slowly things went downhill and got bad. I was getting acne on my back, which I never got before and was really insecure about, and my periods were getting longer. I decided to get the second shot because I knew my body had to get used to the hormones. Then I got very intense cramps that would wake me up in the night and make me feel sick. My period would last 2 weeks! Before I had a very light and short period and light cramps. These new changes are too much for me so didn't get the third shot. Going to try the patch.

I have been on the Depo shot for 21 years. I have always loved this type of birth control. First year, period was unpredictable. But ever since, wonderful not having one. About ten years ago, I read in a magazine about the Depo causing problems with bones, while sitting in doctors office to get my shot. I asked the nurse about it and she advised me to get a bone density test, which I did. The doctor called me when he got the results and asked why I would take such a test and was not happy that I did. So I keep it with my records and kind of forgot about it. Went in this month to get my shot and the doctor informed me that this would be the last shot he gives me, that he is going to refuse any future shot. Not Happy! Loved Shot!

I have been on the shot for two years now, and overall it's been great. I couldn't remember to take a pill everyday, so my doctor suggested the Depo Shot. When I first got the shot I bled for almost two months straight. After that, nothing. Besides some spotting when I'm up for my next shot. However, I have noticed I've lost some of my hair, my depression worsened and I experience major mood swings from time to time; I didn't gain any weight. My doctor just notified me of the risk of osteoporosis and suggested taking 1000 MG of Calcium and 400-800 MG of Vitamin D per day. This is suggested after receiving the shot for 2+ years. Either way, I wish I knew this sooner. I would have been taking those vitamins since day one.

I am not able to use oral contraceptives containing estrogen, as I have migraines with auras (which puts me at a highly increased risk of stroke). As such, I have been getting Depo-Provera shots for the past 2 years. I have not gained any weight at all while on the shot and my weight has remained extremely constant. I stopped getting periods altogether after the second shot and have had very light spotting only a few times (lasting less than a day). My only issue is that my sex drive has decreased slightly, but not severely enough that it has significantly affected my relationship with my boyfriend. I think the shot affects everyone differently, but for me it is the best option available and I have not had many side effects using it.

I am 21 and Since I first received the shot in January, I have been bleeding ever since. Sometimes light, sometimes like an actual period, with cramps and migraines. Also, this medicine has completely jacked up my hormones. I am angry ALL the time, ALWAYS sad. I cry everyday, over the smallest issues, or for no reason. I am happy, and in a split second I will feel very low or even have suicidal thoughts. I experience extreme mood swings and flip out on my boyfriend- coupled with less sex from the bleeding. It's very frustrating. I am hoping that this is just my body still adjusting to the medicine. I haven't had any weight gain or acne though( knock on wood).

I've been on the shot for 5 months now. When I first got the shot, about three weeks in I started to bleed like normal period but then got lighter and lighter and continued for 3 weeks. Eventually it went into light spotting about every 4 weeks for a few days. I also will get a lot of sharp pain cramps that will last a few minutes every now and then but this happens randomly. Other than that I have no side effects. The doctor tells me the spotting and cramps will stop as my body gets used to the shot.

It was very effective & I didn't experience ANY weight gain (I lost weight). My periods were short/light & it was nice not having to remember to take the pill everyday. I DID experience more PMS (also known as random crying), tiredness, dizziness, and light bleeding between periods. I heard your body starts to adjust to these symptoms after a while though, but I got too nervous about not getting my period every month, so I switched back to the pill. If you're on the fence, remember, every person is different, so why not give it try? It's only for 3 months at a time. You can always switch back to normal birth control if you have any issues.

I always had trouble finding the right birth control for years now. Not only would certain ones contribute to a lot of weight gain or very bad mood swings, I was horrible with taking my birth control pill on time. I was having horrible cramping and pain with my periods to the point that I would have to call off from work! Since being on the Depo shot, I have had no side effects. I always eat a lot and I don't work out often so if I do gain weight, that's my own personal issue. I'm glad to read these reviews and to be informed about the bone density because my doctor clearly never told me that. I haven't had any mood swings or emotional break-downs like the other pills did to me!

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!

I've been on the Depo shot for 1 and a half years. I love it because I'm not getting any periods and it's not like the pill having to remember it daily. However in the course of being on this shot I have gained 70 pounds. I'm always hungry and I get very moody. I also have extremely bad headaches. I'm switching to the Nuvaring because my weight gain is unbearable and my headaches are chronic.

The shot is great for forgetful people like myself. Also if you have bad cramps and/or heavy miserable periods. I've been on the shot for almost 3 years and it has been a good run; no period, no weight gain. However, I have absolutely NO sex drive. I feel out of touch with my body and emotions.

I've been on The Depo for about 4 months now. I got on it to stop my period but I've had non stop bleeding the whole time! I asked my doctor if there was anything she could do and she said to wait it out. I searched about bleeding on the shot and tons of people said they bleed continuously the whole time they were on and some said once they stopped the shot the bleeding didn't stop. I also am breaking out in places I normally don't like in my neck line and forehead. I'm not getting the shot again if the bleeding doesn't stop.

I'm 15 and got the shot about 2 months ago. So far, my periods have remained regular. On the downside, I now feel hungry ALL the time. All I do is eat.. I have these irresistible cravings now. I'm noticing weight gain of course because I'm stuffing my face, but I'm miserable if I don't eat what I'm craving or when I'm hungry. Also, I've been having excruciating headaches. I already have migraines. I had them for years, before I got on the shot. but they had stopped when I started a new medicine. now they're back since I'm on the shot. It's terrible, hopefully the cravings, appetite, headaches, and also these mood swings I've been having get better. If not I'm switching.

I have been on the Depo shot for almost a year. No period, very few side effects. EXCEPT... I've gained almost 40 pounds... The weight gain has stopped at that but it's very disconcerting.

I was on birth control pills (Ortho Tricyclen Lo) for about 7 years. My DR told me I have high blood pressure. She thought it would be a good idea to get off the birth control pills to see if that was the main cause of the high blood pressure & recommended that I go on Depo instead. She told me I could get the shot right there and then, and then I would have to come back in 3 months and get another shot. I have only been on Depo for 2 months. The first month I never got my period. The second month I've had my period for 3 weeks. I can't have sex because I'm bleeding, I'm crabbier/moodier then usual. I can fall asleep just fine but I wake up at 5am every morning and can't fall back to sleep. Never had this happen before.

I have been on Depo for 3.5 years now and the first entire year I had spotting almost everyday. After that I would only get my period about a week after I would get a new shot which last at least a full week but are very light. I love this birth control because I don't have to remember to take a pill every day. I didn't experience weight gain, I actually lost weight after taking the shot but I did experience some acne which I am not sure is because of the Depo or just minor adult acne. I definitely recommend this method for birth control!

Been on Depo Provera shot for 2 months. Don't know if it's still early not to experience any side effects. I'm still happy on it and looking forward for my next shot. The only thing I've noticed is weight loss, which I don't have a problem with but so far so good.

I hate to be another bad contributor but... I basically, started out fine. No period for the first month. Then I was bleeding for the next two months. The worst part, gave me the most ridiculous acne of my life. I have never broken out on my jaw line & cheeks before this shot, so that was very strange & painful. I have been off of Depo & switched to Trinessa & am on my 4th pack. I STILL am trying to get my skin normal and regulate the hormone change. And I'm waiting for the dark spots from my acne from months ago to disappear. It's nice to not remember a pill, but because I had such bad side effects I didn't even try to get my second shot.

During the nine months I was on the shot I had a constant period, sometimes heavy, sometimes light. I was tired all the time and began to have suicidal thoughts, which I've never had before. I had crazy mood swings and would start crying for no reason at all. I switched to Nuvaring and all my symptoms have gone away. I know the shot works for many people, but clearly it's not for me!

I've been on the Depo shot for over three years now I was so happy to get rid of my period. I've had none of the side effects that people have mentioned such as depression, migraines or loss of libido actually I think it increased mine haha but the only thing that I've noticed was the weight gain and it was only maybe 5lbs a year so it wasn't that noticeable. The only thing that I've noticed is that as you are ending the year and getting your first shot for the new year you tend to bleed irregularly for a week to two weeks but I've had nothing but positive things from this shot.

I was on the shot for a year. I spotted for months at a time which didn't seem like a good trade off for no period. I also experience mood swings that I couldn't seem to control. My acne got out of control and I had break outs in areas that I didn't normally have issues with. Then to top it all off I gained about 15lbs while on this shot. To me the pro (convenience of getting one shot every three months) didn't out way the cons.

I am 17 and have been on the depo shot for over two years. No periods besides occasional spotting, no pregnancy, no weight gain (I've actually lost a few pounds). I am a little more moody and my sex drive has decreased, but I am most concerned about the long term bone density loss. I take calcium supplements daily. It is well worth it!