Is there anything I can take to stop the spotting/bleeding? It's ruining my relationship. I hate it.
Depo-Provera - I've been bleeding on the Depo shot for the past month, when will it end?
Question posted by Kasmellski93 on 11 July 2013
Last updated on 15 January 2020
The information on this page reflects personal experiences shared by our community members. It is not reviewed for medical accuracy and should not replace professional medical advice.
37 Answers Page 2
SaraStone2017
5 Jan 2017
Hey ladies! I took my first Depo injection (3 month shot) on 22nd Oct. I'm 21, my bf and I have been together for 1.5 years so decided it was time I get on contraception. Everything was great for the first month… my period usually comes on at the end of each month… the following month (Nov.) my period came as scheduled, it was a normal one… day 5 and it was still as heavy as day 1 – which is very peculiar for me. Weeks later and my period never left, it became very draining plus the hormones from the Depo making me feel very down and drowsy it wasn't a great mix at all. I heard about the drug norethisterone which delays your period before it has arrived… but presumed it could possibly stop it if I were to take it whilst on it. I quickly scheduled an appointment with my GP – I made up a story and said I was going on holiday and wanted to delay my period for sometime… he suggested the Norethisterone.
I avoided taking it for a few weeks just to see if my period will go… 5 weeks later beginning of Dec – my bf was about to go away for a month – I decided to take it on the Thursday (as he was going away on the Saturday) after taking the pills the second day my period completely stopped *yippy!!* once I stop taking them they began again… :((. Now 5th Jan and almost bleeding for 6 weeks I've gone back to my normal flow… the bleeding has stopped and I've been getting my normal discharge. Couldn't be happier! So my point in writing this is: 1) you must be patient, it really sucks but if it persists for longer than 2 months visit your GP. 2) if you're going on holiday or simply want to have an intimate night with your partner get the Norethisterone drug to stop it for a couple of days/weeks. I go in to my GP for a second injection which I will be very clear I do not want… I've decided to go off contraception til I feel my hormone levels have balanced out. When I do go on it I've decided to try the coil as it has no hormones involved. I hope I've helped any ladies reading! Xxx
jlwwoman88
18 Dec 2016
I have been bleeding for over 6 weeks on the depo shot. It's been awful. My mood is awful and I feel like crap all the time. I'm never getting this shot again. My doctor is afraid I'm anemic from all the blood loss. I will know Monday
brianna23
15 Dec 2016
@kasmellski93 i recieved 1 shot of depo in october this year, in mid-november i started what i thought was a normal period, it was normal for a week and then faded to light spotting and i thought i would be lucky enough for it to stop. it is now mid-december and i am STILL bleeding. since you posted this question so long ago, i was wondering how it turned out for you?? when did the bleeding, if it did ever, stop? i also just started taking the pill, instead of my next injection, and am on day 4 but it doesn't seem to be affecting the bleeding. I would really appreciate any help with this and would like to know how it turned out for you and how long it takes for this horrible bleeding to stop? Also, if there are any recommendations for ways to help stop it i would love to hear them! Thanks in advance!
ukkiwi
10 Jan 2017
I hope you have already found something to work for you, if not ask for Norethisterone. It stops the bleeding but it is not for long term use.
Hopefully this works for you and everything is fine from them on.
A warning though, I thought Norethisterone was brilliant, and it definitely does the job, but it didn't last for me. I had to have a few courses of this and always started bleeding again.
After seeing a specialist a couple of times I now get a Zoladex injection which essentially puts you in a temporary menopause. Not ideal if you still want children, but for me it is the best option and works.
I had my first Depo shot around Sept 2013, I was miserable until I got the Zoladex injection in July 2016. Now, I feel so much better, it is amazing to see how many things the Depo and related stress had affected, that are now coming right again.
LJ434
4 Dec 2016
I have been suffering with heavy painful periods for many years. More recently I began to have lower back pain and it was assumed I had kidney stones. After a CT Scan it was discovered I did not have stones, but there was heavy congestion in my fallopian tube. I was sent to a GYN who agreed I do a laparoscopic procedure to remove the tube when it was discovered I had horrible fibroids and pelvic vein congestion. I got the depo shot 10/27, 12 days after my last cycle. On 11/25 I began to spot, and by 11/28 I was full on having a cycle. It has not stopped yet. It will ease and I think it's over and back it comes. HELP!
Kenyyaaaaaa
13 Nov 2016
I went to my ob/gyn for my second shot.. I got the shot and she prescribed me Naproxen. I was told to take this one every 12 hours for 5 days. For me personally the bleeding most immediately.
tiredofthisbs
2 Oct 2016
I have the same problem I just got it in September it's October 2 now and I had it for 2 weeks it's now the ending of the 2nd week and it still shows no sighns of letting up and it stops turns brown and I think I'm done I get excited then it fires back up again and I wanted to go swimming for my parents anniversary hotel stay I'm just mad that it won't go away cause it's ruining my vacation and tampons make me feel awkward and nervouse
Jenhrt
5 Oct 2016
I have been on the depo shot since April 2016 and I'm about to get my third shot by the end of this month but I'm scared of it because I have been bleeding for the past month on and off and I don't know if that's normal. Can anyone tell me if they have had the same problem please
Birgitte
8 Oct 2016
I've took my first shot in May 2016, supposed to have my third shot at the end of this month. I haven't stopped bleeding I'm months!! Getting lots of clots too and am going crazy! I went on this to stop constant spotting and it's been 100 time worse... I just want it to stop. Is there anything to take that can stop it??
Jenhrt
12 Oct 2016
I went to my doctor and he actually said it's the side effects of the shot and I told him my regular period would last three four days and this bleeding had gone to four weeks so I let him know that I would not be taking my third shot in to scared
Nicole585
16 Oct 2016
After the first shot I didn't have any bleeding at all what so ever for about 3 mos. After the second shot my husband and I had sex and he didn't pull out of me. A week later I started bleeding nonstop (6 weeks) started light then became heavy with clotting. I went to my doctor b/c I was due for a third shot but I refused it and he recommended I start the bc pill with estrogen and to take one ibuprofen for a week for every 4 hours and after two weeks my period finally stopped. Important: start BC pill the day your shot is due and take it at the same time everyday or the bleeding with not stop it will worsen. It could take 6 mos to a yr for the depo to be completely out of your system so your period may continue to be irregular.
lashauna
13 Sep 2016
I am new to the depo injection am seeing some bleeding and pain how can I stop this and what has cause it???
clrayner1
30 Aug 2016
I am having similar issues. I got my 4th injection on 23rd March 2016 and in May I started bleeding. I decided to not continue with the depo. I have been bleeding even since, I have had a couple days for here and there. I went to the doctor had swaps taken, have a ultrasound and examination but everything looks fine. The blood can be quite dark and now I have been getting blood clots as well. If I do have a few days without bleeding I will have sex but this can be painful and starts the bleeding again. I have been told by my doctor to come back at the end of Oct if things don't improve but they will not do anything until then : -(
XenoMom
17 May 2017
Did you ever get a conclusion. This is exactly where I am right now. :/
Mommyof05
15 Jan 2018
I been on the debo for a for a lest month .. and I been spotting off and on past 7 days but to day it got really heavy so I been on it 8 day all together what should I do
ladycapricorn
3 Aug 2016
it was my very first depo shot last april 28, before i went to the us. A month after, i started bleeding continuously until now. Ive been bleeding for 2 mos. i dont know how to stop it. im scared. and i am on my 6th box of tampons. does somebody know if this is normal? thats gonna be my first and last shot though.
ukkiwi
24 Aug 2016
I started looking into this after I had problems with Depo, and although not normal it seems pretty common. Before I had the injection I had no problems and my periods were like clockwork.
I had 1 injection 3 years ago, it was fine so I had the second. I immediately started bleeding and it did not stop for a whole year. I kept going back to the doctors and was told it needs time to leave my system and then the bleeding would stop.
After a year I saw a different GP who gave me northisterone (3 a day for 10 days), it stops the bleeding immediately but they say it is not for long term use. It stopped the bleeding for a couple of months before it starts again and doesn't stop without intervention.
This cycle continued until I was referred to a specialist.
I would not recommend Depo to anyone. I wish I could go back to before I took it.
Nolandthesaints
26 Dec 2017
I know this is old but what did the specialist say when you went
09152014
12 June 2016
I went on the depo shot the day before my period was supposed to start in September of last year, and just came off of it last month. If I remember correctly the first few weeks were fine, no period at all.. I thought I was one of the lucky ones but I was being naïve. After those first few weeks I started bleeding again so I thought I was just going to have a new start date to my cycle. The problem is that after that, I never stopped bleeding. When I went into my gyno for the next shot in January, I told them what was going on. However I was strongly advised to carry on, I was told that after my third shot in March the bleeding would become regular or stop all together. So I got the shot in March. The bleeding didn't stop though. I bled almost every day up until the day before my shot in June. When I went into that appointment I refused the shot and demanded that they start me on something new.
My doctor tried to tell me that I should really stick it out until my 4th shot, that most women stopped having the problems I was having after a year in the shot. But I still refused. Almost nine months of near constant bleeding was taking its toll on me and my relationship. So they put my on the pill instead. I started them last Sunday (it's now Saturday) and I haven't bled a single drop yet. I have no idea what depo was doing to my body, the long term effects it could have on my cycle or future fertility. I do however know that if you're having problems PLEASE talk to your doctor, try to find a different method. Depo may seem easy but the effects are not worth it and I would NEVER recommend it to anyone.
Queen45
12 June 2016
I looked up the hormone medicine that PPP suppose to take when the depot makes ppm bleed. What I'm not understanding is how is the hormone given out to prevent cancer and studies is suppose to show that depot cannot cause cancer so something isn't right about this shot
justalways
24 Sep 2016
When you bled was it spotting? Or was it breakthrough bleeding?
Lauren899
10 Sep 2017
Hi, after you started taking the pill, how many days did it take for the bleeding to stop? Also, after you had finished taking the pill did the bleeding continue to stop?
blfenske5
4 May 2016
Go to your gyno. You probably need estrogen pills to thicken the uterus wall because it has become too thin. For those of you who are bleeding and JUST started the shot, your doctor should have told you that will happen. Your body is getting used to the shot!!! It takes about 3 shots to get into the swing of things and I am pretty shocked most of you didn't know that. I've been on the depo for 3 years now and when the bleeding starts, I go straight to my doctor. They can figure it out for you. As for your relationship, your significant other should be understanding and not making this seem like it is your fault.
shayjo
6 May 2016
I was on depo for two years up to 2014. I never had periods. Came off then it took 3 months and two tea servings of dong quai to start my period. However I remained unfertile for another year. After IUD moved (after a week since insertion) doc convinced me to take depo until my TL appointment :( I had resisted her idea for a whole year in March this year I gave in. Took depo shot (tears). One month later I started spotting.. 12 days later I was bleeding fully. Got a tablet called pos... N took that for 7 days. It stopped on day 3. Was absent till day 10 (that was 7 days ago) still bleeding. Ok given Premano). Waiting to see how this goes.
Whatsur20
26 March 2017
I have had spotting and normal periods the whole 3 months on Depto. I am almost a month past when I was supposed to renew my 2 shot. I been bleed more heavy then spotting. My Dr never told me anything about the shot or what to expect. I have called an left messages to be seen with no call back. I was very misinformed about the shot. The first 3 weeks of the shot was very hard. I was really nauseous for three weeks. Had to keep running to the bathroom at work. Felt really bad pains in my stomach. I don't think I'm going back to the Dr or getting the shot again. I take to another Dr about getting my tube tied I'm 30 and don't want kids I think it's time.
whitneyjones
28 March 2016
My name is whitney jones I'm on the depo shot and I'm still bleeding when will it stop I peer the birth control pill instead
Flowerchild21
16 March 2016
I got on the depo shot oct/November of 2014!!! I didn't start bleeding until about a week maybe two into it, I highly advise anyone not to get on the depo!!! I got two shots of the depo and I've been bleeding nonstop ever since. We are now in MARCH OF 2016. I've gone to the doctors and they just say I'm fine. I am not fine. I'm bleeding non stop. How is that fine smh. I just want to cry
Tonihughes
16 March 2016
Go get check for polyps had the same issue and that was it went to so many different doctors
rmccorm
16 May 2016
Has your period stopped? I had 2 shots of depo since 11/2015 and I'm terrified that this is going to happen to me. My 2nd cycle of it is supposed to end this month and I'm so worried that the bleeding will never stop. Have you seen anyone else about this?
Flowerchild21
23 May 2016
I finally went to a doctor who knew what to do, she put me on oral birth control to get my periods stopped and literally the first day taking them the bleeding stopped. However she did tell me that with bleeding so much I may have damaged my ovaries and I find out on the 26th if anything is wrong with them! I advise anyone not to get on the depo shot! And if you do stay on top of the bleeding of it's been more than 2-3 months of bleeding. Go see an actual Doctor instead of a clinical Doctor.
Laporsha
14 June 2016
Smh I feel I like it something wrong with me also I got the depo shot ones in June 2015 and I've blooded almost everyday since and I'm still bleeding like crazy and it been a year almost this month ...
Laurenford8
7 Sep 2017
Me too!!
harper2015
17 Feb 2018
did your bleeding ever stop? did the Dr give you something to stop it? I took my first depo shot a month ago and I've been bleeding heavy ever since
riojas3479
4 April 2018
Hi, same here ... I got the shot February 21 , 2018 and i have been spotting ever since and now i cant even tell when its my period !!! Did your bleeding stop and if so what or how did it ???
Fgoodson84
16 March 2016
How to stop spotting while on deposit? One month before my shot is due I start spotting
Punkin26
25 Jan 2018
I took my first shot in Dec. I m not do for my next shot til March. Should I be spotting on the second month of my shot.
NayRose03
17 June 2018
Same thing is happening to me... but it didn’t start happening until I had Sex with my boyfriend... I got put on the depo on April 24 of this year and I started bleeding on May 29 and it still hasn’t stopped... it’s been 22 days and it still isn’t going anywhere... some days it stops then the next minute I’m spotting then the next day it’s a heavy Flo... I don’t know what to do
Chantelgross
21 June 2018
I have been on the depo shot for 5 years almost 6 years now and I just started bleeding on Tuesday 19.18 of year and I have never bleed while being on the depo shot. This is the first time. And I have been getting real bad pain my my girl part and it’s bleeding dark red. Should I get check out???
Kassmae
12 Jan 2016
I'm on my second shot of depo and I've been bleeding for almost the whole three months. If I let my depo run out and quit, my bleeding will stop???
ash77
11 Feb 2016
Almost a year ago I decided to get on the depo because I had been bleeding irregular for 6 to 7 months. I had blood work done a pap smear the whole 9 yards even thought I was pre menopausal, I was completely healthy nothing was wrong ovaries in baby making mode although my tubes have been tied for years. I got my first shot still same problem second shot Same ugh is this ever gonna end. Well my my husband was working out of state and I went with him we came home for 4 days and I begged them to let me have my shot 3 weeks early because I wasn't gonna be back home for a while. I stopped bleeding for 3 months Nothing A Miracle. My last shot I was almost 2 weeks late getting and I've been bleeding ever since. I think the every 9 weeks shot works but only after the 3rd one. HOPE THIS HELPS IF NOT WE MAY ALL NEED TO BUY STOCK IN TAMPONS!!!
beverly broussard
15 Feb 2016
Im still trying to find out whats wrong with me i had one shot an been bleeding since my gyno told me it should stop on its own but its been 7 months with non stop bleeding im about to see my old gyno to see what she thinks about it
KarmaRenee
13 April 2016
I recently started Depo (Nov '15) , bcuz the Nexplanon was horrible
Justanothergirl17
28 July 2016
Been on the shot since February and about 2 weeks later i started bleeding while working out i thought its cool they said you could have "alittle" bleeding for the first couple of months but nope it was heavy and last a week i got rushed to the hospital because 2 things fell out like tissue we thought i had a miscarriage but the doctors swore up and down it was just tissue due to the shot. Then I continued to bleed for 2 months it finally ended then about 3 weeks ago i started bleeding but it was so brown like dry blood yet it wasnt i probably go through at least 2 pad and about 6 tampons a day and im still bleeding really heavy im so tempted to just get off of it im tried of bleeding everywhere and everyday bleeding through all my pants and underwear. It makes me soo self conscious to go out in public
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depo-provera, provera, relationship, bleeding
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