My girlfriend has been experiencing vaginal bleeding after we have intercourse. I have an average sized penis, and we haven't been engaging in anything rough. When she was 15 (she's 18 now) she had cysts removed from her ovaries that had ruptured as a result of polycystic ovarian syndrome. After leaving the hospital she was treated for pelvic Inflammatory disease, which she contracted in the hospital. She has a severe fear of anyone seeing her vagina, and refuses to see a gynecologist. I spoke with her primary care doctor and he suggested that her Depo-provera injections may be a contributing factor to her vaginal bleeding following sexual intercourse. He's referred her to a psychiatrist to help ease her worries about seeing a gynecologist. She's planning something special for our anniversary (that involves sex) and I'm concerned that the depo-provera might not be the cause. If anyone has any experience with depo-provera causing vaginal bleeding after intercourse please respond.
Can Depo-Provera cause vaginal bleeding after sex?
Question posted by Anonymous on 18 Sep 2015
Last updated on 17 February 2021 by Joel_macks290
12 Answers
But what if you recently just got off depo I wanna say in November I haven’t had a period since or while I was on within that time frame but suddenly after me & my guy have sex I start to spot/bleed ? Is that normal? Can it be my body just getting back to normal without being on the shot ?
I am experiencing that too currently. It all started the first time i did it after getting my first shot the next morning i had break threw bleeding. After that i bled for 2 weeks then stopped. then i had sex again and exactly when i finished i had instant breakthrew bleeding and it continued for another 3 weeks and im still bleeding. I have no idea why... but it's really affecting my life and my emotional state.
Very common with Depo Provera.
There's quite a bit to know about Depo, & I don't know what you know already, so I'll give you the lot & you can take what you need from it...
Depo Provera works by convincing your body it's pregnant, even to the point that you can get pregnancy symptoms/side effects. Lower back ache is common, as your pelvis ligaments soften, ready for a growing baby. Leaking breasts can also happen from time to time.
It's common to get irregular bleeding. That can be a mixture of bleeding, spotting (pink/brown/red), or no bleeding at all, until you've had 2 or 3 shots, & then you typically find that your periods stop, altogether, until you come off Depo Provera. Sometimes you can get a little irregular bleeding/brown discharge in between shots, especially after sex or around the time that my shot was coming up to be due. Bringing your shots forward can resolve that, if your provider is happy to do that.
That's how they solved mine, in the UK, but I wouldn't do that now. I wouldn't use artificial hormones at all, now, though.
The Manufacturer advises that you should not be on Depo Provera for longer than 2 years, unless you have no other option for contraception. This is due to the significant risks that come with the Drug. In particular, Depo Provera is known to cause bone thinning, leading to osteoporosis. There are other conditions associated with Depo, such as certain cancers, for example, however, there are such risks with all hormonal contraceptives, so it's just a case of making an informed decision.
The Manufacturer also states that if you have to stay on Depo Provera for the long-term, that you take regular breaks, every couple of years, to give your body a rest, & that you have an MRI scan after a significant time on the Drug, to monitor your bones. I've just been through this, & have to have the scan repeated when I reach menopause, which is when any bone damage is most likely to show-up.
The Manufacturer also advises that even after just 1 shot, you may be infertile for up to 18 months. Don't rely on this for contraception timing, & still get your shots every 12 to 13 weeks (12 is best as it gives you a week's grace, should you be unable to get your shot), but you may find that you either don't get periods for quite some time after stopping Depo Provera, or that they are very irregular. Sometimes, you can even get very heavy & constant bleeding, after Depo Provera. I had that, too. We hear of many women who's periods struggle to get back to regular cycles, at all, after Depo Provera. I managed to sort mine out, after 2 years of medical procedures & intervention, by using Vitex. Worth writing down, in case you need it in future. You can get it at health stores or online. If I'd known about it earlier, I wouldn't have had to go through all the medical intervention.
Most of the information I'm giving you can be found on the sheet that comes with the shot, & also on the Manufacturer's website. In my experience, the doctors/nurses rarely give you this sheet. You can ask for it, though. Otherwise, just go to the Manufacturer's website (Pfizer), & look for the Depo Provera page, & the sheet to download, called 'Depo Provera CI U.S. Physician Prescribing Information'.
Common side effects are basically anything you might get with a period or pregnancy, or other hormonal change in the body. Weight gain is one of the most commonly reported, as is the lower back ache, but I also got less common side effects, too, such as very painful intercourse, & constant cystitis, which both stopped after a year or two of coming off Depo Provera.
It's important to alternate which buttock you get your shot in, otherwise the same buttock can become concave until you stop getting it in the same side each time.
Hope that helps
I’ve been on depo for a year after a pregnancy scare. I was in ROTC, Band, and I had a job part time so I loved the no periods but had slight cramping. First 7 months were great... then I was getting sick after eating anything. I would feel like I was going to throw up but only after I ate. I started to get bad headaches almost everyday. And I bleeding during and after sex. I went to the doctor and she said it was the shot. I didn’t have dryness that she could tell, no cyst, no stds. But she said I was haven’t menopause symptoms at 16. MENOPAUSE. what the actual hell right. I don’t recommend this shot to anyone and get off ASAP. I’ve been off of it for 6 months now. Normal periods. No feeling sick. No headaches. No hot or cold flashes. No dizziness. And no bleeding or during sex.
I am having the same problem I am due my third shot soon and the past couple of weeks I have been on and off bleeding and it is happening after intercourse. I'm so worried can anyone help?
There's quite a bit to know about Depo, & I don't know what you know already, so I'll give you the lot & you can take what you need from it...
Depo Provera works by convincing your body it's pregnant, even to the point that you can get pregnancy symptoms/side effects. Lower back ache is common, as your pelvis ligaments soften, ready for a growing baby. Leaking breasts can also happen from time to time.
It's common to get irregular bleeding. That can be a mixture of bleeding, spotting, or no bleeding at all, until you've had 2 or 3 shots, & then you typically find that your periods stop, altogether, until you come off Depo Provera. Sometimes you can get a little irregular bleeding in between shots, especially after sex or around the time that my shot was coming up to be due.
The Manufacturer advises that you should not be on Depo Provera for longer than 2 years, unless you have no other option for contraception. This is due to the significant risks that come with the Drug. In particular, Depo Provera is known to cause bone thinning, leading to osteoporosis. There are other conditions associated with Depo, such as certain cancers, for example, however, there are such risks with all hormonal contraceptives, so it's just a case of making an informed decision.
The Manufacturer also states that if you have to stay on Depo Provera for the long-term, that you take regular breaks, every couple of years, to give your body a rest, & that you have an MRI scan after a significant time on the Drug, to monitor your bones. I've just been through this, & have to have the scan repeated when I reach menopause, which is when any bone damage is most likely to show-up.
The Manufacturer also advises that even after just 1 shot, you may be infertile for up to 18 months. Don't rely on this for contraception timing, & still get your shots every 12 to 13 weeks (12 is best as it gives you a week's grace, should you be unable to get your shot), but you may find that you either don't get periods for quite some time after stopping Depo Provera, or that they are very irregular. Sometimes, you can even get very heavy & constant bleeding, after Depo Provera. I had that, too. We hear of many women who's periods struggle to get back to regular cycles, at all, after Depo Provera. I managed to sort mine out, after 2 years of medical procedures & intervention, by using Vitex. Worth writing down, in case you need it in future. You can get it at health stores or online. If I'd known about it earlier, I wouldn't have had to go through all the medical intervention.
Most of the information I'm giving you can be found on the sheet that comes with the shot, & also on the Manufacturer's website. In my experience, the doctors/nurses rarely give you this sheet. You can ask for it, though. Otherwise, just go to the Manufacturer's website (Pfizer), & look for the Depo Provera page, & the sheet to download, called 'Depo Provera CI U.S. Physician Prescribing Information'.
Common side effects are basically anything you might get with a period or pregnancy, or other hormonal change in the body. Weight gain is one of the most commonly reported, as is the lower back ache, but I also got less common side effects, too, such as very painful intercourse, & constant cystitis, which both stopped after a year or two of coming off Depo Provera.
It's important to alternate which buttock you get your shot in, otherwise the same buttock can become concave until you stop getting it in the same side each time.
Hope that helps
So it sounds like your body needs a break from Depo. It's common to bleed after being on it longer than 2 years.
I am due my 3rd shot only started getting the depo this year but my blessing is on and off and is all the time after sex
Sorry, i thought it was 3rd year not 3rd shot, I misread. As I said, it's very common in the beginning, until you've had 2 or 3 shots. If it goes on longer than that, you'll need to speak to your doctor as it may not be going to suit you.
Along with the bleeding after sex do y’all experience cramps or any abdominal pains???
Yes, i have had cramps along with the bleeding. It usually happens a say or two after intercourse with me and it’s kind of freaking me out a little because it could last days even weeks.
Depo-Shot, first time using it, Its about to be 3 months already. Since I’ve been on the shot. Whenever Im having sex I bleed or after that I start to bleed. Whenever we having sex and I bleed we just end up stopping.
I had gotten my depo shot last month. I've been bleeding all the time except for one day. I had intercourse that day. I didn't start bleeding until the next day. I looked it up online. It usually goes away after the first shot. But for some it could last Six months to a year or longer. If it doesn't stop the period for good it will probably be light and short. At this point for me I don't care if it doesn't stop my period if it make it lighter and shorter.
This post was a while go but I recently started experiencing non stop spotting for almost 2 months and I have been on the depo for 6 months now. . There will be some days where I would stop bleeding but during intercourse and after my bleeding would come back. At first it started happening only after intercourse and planned parent hood scared me and said it could be an STD but IT WAS THE DEPO!!! How ever a gynecologist is the best way to get your answer. My boyfriend and I love the concept of depo but this bleeding we can not handle.
I have now had three (3) shots with my next (4th shot) due in late February. I have been on Depo in the past and absolutely LOVED it! I had no periods and absolutely no side effects. I had been off the shot for awhile and decided to go back on since I was entering a new relationship and wanted to be protected from pregnancy as I am older now and do not want kids. The first two months were the same bliss as I had experienced in the past! EXCITED! But out of no where I started spotting/breakthrough bleeding two months in which occurred once after having intercourse with my NEW boyfriend (embarrassing to say the least). Ever since then I have not stopped bleeding. After to speaking with my doctor, who practically ensured me that it would stop SOON, I continued and as I said on my third shot now. It has not stopped, it changes from "almost" nothing to all of a sudden bammmmm there again within hours of one single day.
I'm not sure why I had no side effects in the past and can't figure out why I have them now but this is close to ruining my new relationship as we have not had intercourse since that "one" time and I it looks like I have to wait all the way until late February and then some because I don't even know what side effects will linger in my systems after I don't go for my 4th shot...
I know you posted this a while back I have been on the depo injection since January and haven't had a period since I started it but in the last couple of weeks I have been bleeding after sex. I have no idea why but it is really starting to affect me as I have no idea why I am bleeding. Like you mentioned the sex isn't rough so it's not like its from that. My two sisters have had polycystic ovaries and we have all had serve problems with our periods like excessive bleeding and this all just seems strange after no periods for more or less a year.
Hey your still not alone, I've been on the injection since October, and suddenly I've started bleeding while any interactions with my boyfriend,
I've only been with my boyfriend a few months, and it's only recent that we have had sex and started anything sexual but I'm bleeding. During and after, which isn't normal for my body ( I wasn't a virgin before him)
Have you been to the doctors to find out if you should come off of it ? Or will the side effects fade away, as it kinda ruins the moment, and it's making me feel not very nice, even though he's completely caring and undertanding.
Any ideas or suggestions about the injection and this side affect?
I know that the bleeding ruined that moment. I have the same problem
I've been on the depo shot for almost 9 months now. I've had bleeding after intercourse lately and am worried about it, but relieved I'm not the only one. Not sure if I should go off of the shot .
I am having the same problem and wondering the same thing but I've heard going off of it just makes the bleeding worse for some people for almost a year after
Yes, Depo can be the cause. If your GF has been on Depo a while (more than 3/4 shots), then her Doctor can give her the next couple of shots at 8/9 week intervals. That will likely stop the bleeding, & she can go back to having the shots at the normal, 12 week intervals.
Yes, the depo can do that. Any hormonal birth control can cause bleeding, but depo is one of the worst for it. PID isn't usually a hospital acquired infection.
Her cervix became infected post-op and led to the PID, thanks for your input though.
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depo-provera, provera, birth control, contraception, sex, bleeding, vagina, girlfriend
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