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Depo Provera for Birth Control User Reviews (Page 4)

Depo Provera has an average rating of 5.2 out of 10 from a total of 953 reviews for the treatment of Birth Control. 38% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 43% reported a negative experience.

Reviews for Depo Provera

  • Melly
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • October 16, 2019

"Read a lot of negative stuff about the Depo after getting my first shot, made me paranoid as anything. For me it's been perfectly fine so far, currently coming up to my third shot. No massive hormonal changes or mood swings, no weight gain everything is working well."

9 / 10
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13 Report
  • Jane...
  • February 28, 2013

"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."

5 / 10
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24 Report
  • Lisa
  • July 10, 2019

"The Depo shot has ruined my life! I took the shot one time in February 2019. I was in school but had to drop classes because the side effects were so horrible! I suffered extreme anxiety and depression to the point of rally dark thoughts. Before the shot I would cry for my boyfriend because I missed him and since the shot I have doubted if I love him and feel indifferent. I was also very close to my family and had a very deep tender love for them and I also feel indifferent with them. I had very violent thoughts and a little paranoia and weird dreams. I became physically ill due to the anxiety, loss of appetite. I lost 7 pounds in 3 days. It caused nasty back acne. I did not get another shot when I was due in May 2019 and its been two months since I was due for the next shot and I am still struggling. I don’t feel like myself, I feel like a ghost and I just exist. I believe I am still suffering with depression."

1 / 10
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13 Report

Frequently asked questions

  • Anonymous
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • June 24, 2022

"The absolute worst thing I have EVER tried in my life. It has made my life a living hell for the past 6.5 months and I still live in hell. I have gotten 2 shots of Depo and refused to go for the 3rd shot which was due a lil over 2 weeks ago. I have gained 20 Ib so far and it’s gotten even worse since I stopped the shot 2 weeks ago. Depression, acne and mood swings are horrible but the worst of all was the constant heavy bleeding for 5 months EVERY SINGLE DAY! I became severely anemic that I could barely walk for 10 min due to extreme fatigue and exhaustion. No sex drive and no desire to do anything at all! Just sleeping half of the day and feeling tired without doing anything. This shot has been the worst nightmare for me. I wish I had done my research before getting it. I now regret it %200"

1 / 10
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7 Report
  • Chello
  • August 17, 2016

"I felt like I had to review this because I almost didn't start it since all the reviews were truly horrifying. I have been on depo for a few years and so have two of my best friends. We all absolutely love it. I haven't had a period since the first shot. I never experienced any weight gain or hormonal changes. Best of all, My bleeding and cramps from hell finally went away. I started taking this not for birth control, but to get rid of my extremely painful periods that started all the sudden once I turned 30. I'm not saying don't believe the horror stories, just remember, people usually only review when they have bad experiences. I like this way better than the pill and I don't have to take it everyday."

10 / 10
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18 Report

Are you taking this medicine?

  • Mmm
  • June 13, 2019

"I took the depo shot right after birth of my baby and then I had really bad anxiety and depression I had to get on medicine , but I would go to the ER thinking my body is ready to shut down , just thinking I'm about to die ... they did every test they could just to tell me everything is fine. I can't even drive with out me going into a panic. And I been bleeding for 3 months straight with blood clots that come every time I use the bathroom . I would never in my life get this shot again it is so scary and it makes me dizzy too . I can't wait to feel normal again"

1 / 10
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13 Report
  • Raye
  • August 4, 2014

"I am 25 and I have been on Depo-Provera for about 3 years. My mother is my doctor so she warned me about the weight gain. I somehow lost 5lbs once I started taking it. My weight has been up and down for the past 2 years but I don't think it is due to the shot. Its my love of food. Anyways, the shot is great; every 3 months. I haven't had a period for 3 years. Spotting every now and then but that's okay. I am very worried about getting off of the shot but I will prepare for that when the time comes."

9 / 10
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21 Report
  • Beth
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • November 11, 2019

"Depo-Provera made my periods stop after about 7 months (amazing). It gave me relief from chronic migraines I've had for years. I only have occasionally cramping now and have not gained weight. HOWEVER, the first two injections sent my moods wild. I was often extremely anxious and sad (this did go away!). I am doing great now and most importantly I am not pregnant."

8 / 10
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12 Report
  • Coley
  • November 4, 2019

"Despite reading some of the horrendous reviews and comments I can honestly say this Depo-Provera injection was the best thing for me. I tried a few variations of the pill which made my skin terrible, I suffer with acne but my skin became a lot more oily and harder to manage whilst on the pill. I had the injection for 4 years and my periods stopped almost immediately, I experienced no cramping, no spotting, I didn’t really notice any drastic change in my mood neither did my partner. I worried a lot about conceiving as I had read than it can take almost a year for things to return to normal and my partner and I got married September 2018 and had discussed a baby for many years prior to getting married. My final shot ran out in October (after our honeymoon) on the 4th January 2019 I found out I was 4 weeks pregnant with our first baby! She is now 7 weeks old. The injection was marvellous for me and I am hoping to recommence the injection now my body is settling back to normal"

9 / 10
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12 Report
  • No kids
  • Taken for 10 years or more
  • January 26, 2015

"I have been on Depo for 16 years. It's effective! No kids! I started seeing side effects around year 6 which included a little facial hair. Around year 19 I gained about 25 pounds (I went from 120 to about 145) it's still so worth it. No periods and no cramps after year 1! I take calcium supplements and I lift heavy weights so along with getting bone density test-so far so good."

8 / 10
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20 Report
  • Pangel
  • February 18, 2014

"I have been on Depo for about a year now! I got it in April in 2013 and now it's February 2014. I kept bleeding since I got it till about October. So I had about 2 shots by then. When got my 3rd shot, I stopped bleeding. I haven't got a period since then. I weighed about 105lbs now I weigh 130lbs, I gained so much weight."

5 / 10
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21 Report
  • TLC
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • February 26, 2020

"I started out using this medication for birth control reasons. I never had an issue with acne or anything like that before or after starting this medications. I didn’t notice excess weight gain or any of the so-called “common” side effects. The only thing that happened was I stopped having my period completely after a month or so. And I was okay with that since I’ve always had painful menstrual cycles. I was on this medication for 5 years but was told that I had to change birth control methods due to bone density issues that others have had. I cannot wait to get back on it when I can."

10 / 10
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11 Report
  • Amber...
  • January 28, 2014

"Being a newlywed, I was looking for a birth control I could trust, I originally was on the pill, but I have cyclical vomiting syndrome, I'll basically have cycles where I vomit uncontrollably, so during a 3 week cycle, I realized the pill would not be a good fit for me. So I switched to the shot, the second month I was on my period for a full 30 days, which I was told was normal, after that I haven't had a period at all, I have had no side effects, no weight gain, and most importantly no pregnancy scares."

10 / 10
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21 Report
  • Saman...
  • October 18, 2014

"I was on the Depo-Provera for 5 years. It worked amazing for me. Never got my period after the third shot, and never got pregnant. What I didn't love was that I got all the bad side effects that came along with it. But don't think this is a bad birth control because I got every side effect that came with it I was just unlucky my body is different then other peoples. My friend got no side effects on this birth control. Just note that this is a short term birth control tho. I think I was on it for too many years. I'm on something different now. I would recommend this birth control"

7 / 10
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20 Report
  • Kokob...
  • April 24, 2013

"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)."

4 / 10
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22 Report
  • SaraBug
  • May 7, 2015

"Honestly everyone's bodies work differently and I've heard horror stories about every type of birth control but this one has been really excellent for me. I've been on the depo shot for 5 years now (planning on switching soon). The shot does sting a bit so be sure it's injected into your hip instead of arm. First month I spotted nonstop, but I haven't had a single period since. No pregnancy scares. Very gradual weight gain for me, 25 lbs over the past five years. Cleared up my acne, have plenty of libido. I give it 10/10."

10 / 10
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19 Report
  • Laa_a...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • August 25, 2021

"What is the point of this depo injection. I wouldn't even inject my worst enemy with it. I took my first injection in June 9 ... I have no stop to bleeding at all. I sometimes feel like I will faint. ......am soooo depressed. I left my partner as I found out he was married!!"

1 / 10
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8 Report
  • Ashle...
  • August 15, 2015

"I've been on this medicine for 2 years now and have not had any negative side effects. For those of you reading this you shouldn't let somebody else's review determine what her or not you take this medicine, that should be decided after a long talk between you and your doctor. Every body's body is different so these reviews can not give a completely accurate description of what's going to happen to your body. I'm my experience I had irregular bleeding for about 4 months but that is the time it took my body to adjust to the medication. If you have irregular or constant bleeding for more than six months, which is two cycles of the medication then you may want to talk to your doctor because the medication might not be the right one for you."

10 / 10
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18 Report
  • Bean
  • Taken for 5 to 10 years
  • July 16, 2019

"I’ve been on Depo for 7 years because I couldn’t remember to take pills regularly, it has worked and haven’t had a period for like, 6 of those years. This is what scares me: that I won’t be able to have a regular cycle coming off of it. I do want to conceive one day and I’m worried that I won’t be able to having been on it so long with no periods. I suffer from extreme anxiety and depression, but always have, and I don’t believe that the Depo increased or decreased it. I have been with the same man for the past 9 years, so no protection nor “pull out method” was ever used and I have not ever gotten pregnant while being on Depo. It worked for me, but I am looking forward to coming off of it."

8 / 10
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12 Report
  • rikita
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • March 21, 2014

"I took this shot about 2 months ago and was excited for it. I had read many good things about it and I am quite a forgetful person so a shot once every three months was great. Little did I know though that it would not be great for me. I had my period for 17 days. It finally went away but now I have my period again, hoping it won't last 17 days again... Just like a previous reviewer stated as well, I was super energetic and lively and this shot has made me quite withdrawn and quiet. I really hate that. I also feel myself becoming a little more emotional over small matters that I would laugh at before. This wasn't the birth control for me."

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20 Report
  • Tzhjudg
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • January 6, 2020

"I got the depo shot again after being off birth control for 8 years. The dr talked me into it, although I warned her I go crazy. By crazy I mean extreme mood swings, severe depression and suicidal thinking. I thought okay maybe now that I'm in my 30's birth control would be different. I am the same person I was when I was a teenager. Depo and all horomonal birth control cause severe mental health issues for me, my mother put me on birth control as soon as I hit 15. Soon after I was diagnosed and put on various psyche drugs. Took many years to believe in myself and stop listening to drs that horomones don't cause issues that severe. Well they do. And I made the mistake of trying it again .I won't be getting my next shot this month. Do the rhythm method ladies. Hormones are a disaster for your mental health and your body."

1 / 10
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11 Report
  • 12356
  • January 4, 2015

"I got my first Depo shot November 19th. Since then I only had minor spotting and cramps, no mood swings or major weight gain if anything my weight is far more stable and satisfactory. Although on the 2nd of January I began my normal period again and hoping it will end on the 6th. Definitely would recommend."

9 / 10
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19 Report
  • girls...
  • Taken for 5 to 10 years
  • December 9, 2016

"I have been getting the shot since I was 16 (Now 22). No weight gain, no increased appetite for me but everyones bodies are different. I wasnt fond of the shot the first 6 months but all of my minor side effects dissappeared and my body became use to it. Once I wanted to conceive it took only 3 cycles to become pregnant. Now that I have my daughter I will be going back on the shot and hoping I still have a good outcome with it."

10 / 10
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16 Report
  • Hayle...
  • July 28, 2013

"I got the Depo-Provera when I got the intrauterine device taken out. I've only had the Depo for three weeks but I've been bleeding everyday and because of being injected with hormones my mood has been awful I've practically broke up with me boyfriend so now it seems I've got the Depo for no reason. "

3 / 10
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21 Report
  • Anonymous
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • April 30, 2014

"I have been on Depo since last August (3 shots). I love it! I had two pill pregnancies, so obviously, I had to get on something that I didn't have to worry about remembering. In the first 4 months, I did have some bleeding issues (I would spot for weeks at a time), but I haven't had a period in a long time. I haven't experienced any of the other side effects either. I love it and I recommend it all the time!"

10 / 10
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20 Report

Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or to remove inappropriate language and content. Reviews that appear to be created by parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any particular medication. While these reviews may be helpful, they are not a substitute for the expertise, knowledge, and judgement of healthcare professionals.