Lupron Depot and Bleeding: What Users Say

• TZA...
• January 3, 2012

For Uterine Fibroids "I just received my 2nd shot of 3.75 Lupron, and so far, so good! I have heard horror stories not only online, but from my friends who have been on it for various reasons, and I was more than worried to start it. I have one large fibroid, and I was put on Lupron injections to shrink it to make it easier for my husband and me to have a baby after I have a robotic myomectomy in June. I was so afraid of mood swings, but surprisingly, after 5 weeks, I am still very happy. My bloating has gone away for the most part, and I am really looking forward to not bleeding the way I did due to this fibroid! All in all, I am posting on here so that women like myself, a 35-year-old wanting a baby, will know that not all Lupron horror stories will happen to you!"

• I...
• August 19, 2016

For Uterine Fibroids "I have been on Lupron for 3 years. I began the shot in 2013 with an 11 cm fibroid that was too large for surgery at the time. I am now in my late 50s and still testing positive on hormone tests. In other words, if I go off Lupron, I am assuming the fibroid will grow again and I will begin to menstruate again and have heavy bleeding and large clots. My headaches became much less, and I only have hot flashes towards the end of my 3-month shot. I get shots quarterly. My bone density was just shy of normal with no concerns for many years. I take calcium, D3, and K2 (MK7 - helps make calcium go to bone, not soft tissue like calcification and bone spurs). For me, it has been the best thing in my life. I can't imagine why people have bad results. Oh, and no weight gain."

• LJo...
• December 15, 2014

For Endometriosis "I was diagnosed with Stage 4 endometriosis and was prescribed Lupron. After reading all of the horrible reviews and side effects, I was terrified to try this. After chatting with my doctor, we both agreed that this would be the most aggressive treatment as my husband and I would like to get pregnant one day. I am on month 3 of the shot, and I have to say that I am pleased. The worst thing are the hot flashes. For me, they are at least 10 times a day! But I will take that over the excessive cramping and pain any day. I feel minor cramps occasionally during the time I would normally have my period. I have experienced no depression, weight gain, weight loss, bleeding, joint pain, etc. I am hoping after the treatments I will be able to conceive."

• cda...
• November 13, 2015

For Endometriosis "I really feel it is important to share my experience with this drug. I did extensive research before making my decision to start the Lupron Depot pack. I was scared, and I prayed to have a good experience since most reviews for this drug are awful. I am grateful to be able to give this drug TWO THUMBS UP! I am taking one-month shots combined with the add-back pills. The first month, I experienced NO increase in symptoms. I bled for the first month and a half, now my constant bleeding is gone! For the first month, I experienced very mild hot flashes, now none at all. My quality of life is 110% better, and I am pain-free. I am so grateful I took a chance on this medication. I finally got a break from the constant pain and exhaustion from endo."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 29, 2012

For Uterine Fibroids "I had my first Lupron shot on August 10, 2012. I started bleeding on August 21, and it is now September 29, and I have been bleeding ever since. I've had a problem with anemia due to two fibroids. I had my second Lupron shot on September 10. I'm not sure I should continue this because I'm scared I won't be able to have surgery on November 2 due to anemia caused by blood loss. Overall, Lupron is not working for me."

• And...
• November 22, 2017

For Uterine Fibroids "I was diagnosed with a 13 cm fibroid. The doctor wanted to shrink it to be able to perform a laparoscopic hysterectomy. I was having constant heavy bleeding for months on end, even the tranexamic acid wasn't slowing it down. The first drug we tried was Fibristal. It was supposed to slow the bleeding and shrink the fibroid. I took this for 6 months, and it did absolutely nothing. The doctor then suggested Lupron Depot. The first week on Lupron was hard. Bleeding was much heavier than before (which was already horrible). But by week 2, the bleeding completely stopped. By 5 months on Lupron, my fibroid had shrunk to 11 cm. A bit of hot flashes, some fogginess/irritability, but that's normal for me...lol."

• Anonymous
• January 25, 2012

For Uterine Fibroids "I was bleeding 24/7 and anemic due to a large fibroid. First, I tried Depo Provera shots, which didn't work. All bleeding stopped about a week and a half after my first Lupron shot. At this point, it's only been a month, so I don't know if I'll still need a hysterectomy."

• EJo...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 27, 2012

For Endometriosis "Six years ago, I experienced severe pain caused by an ovarian cyst and endometriosis. I eventually had my cyst removed, but after a few months, severe pain returned. I was dying of pain most of the time, until I could not tolerate it any longer. In August 2008, I was given Lupron Depot. The first month was a nightmare for me, I thought I was dying because of extreme bleeding. After that one month, my body slowly progressed. For three months, I had a 3.75 mg dose, and after that, I was on 11.25 mg. I am so relieved that it has allowed me to live a normal life. I am pain-free, and fortunately, the side effects were not too extreme. My last shot was in March, and I was supposed to have it last June, but due to the unavailability of my specialist, I am waiting for my next step. So far, I am doing fine."

• KSt...
• September 25, 2022

For Uterine Fibroids "Do not be afraid of this drug. I am in my forties and have several fibroids. I was bleeding continuously for 8 months and needed a hysterectomy. My hemoglobin at the time was too low for a successful surgery, so my doctor suggested Lupron. It worked wonders. Bleeding stopped. Bloating went down. I'm sure my fibroids shrunk also. Hemoglobin recovered from a 6 to a 12 in just 4 months. Soon I will have my laparoscopic hysterectomy. Lupron saved me."

• rub...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 11, 2018

For Uterine Fibroids "I had 8 tumors in my uterus, and the doctors told me there was no way to remove them. They gave me 2 shots of Lupron, and I started losing my memory, and the bleeding increased. I did a search for doctors that remove the tumors, and I found one. He took out the tumors, I was able to keep my uterus and have had no problems since. I thank God every day for this doctor! The only bad thing is, thanks to the drug, my memory is damaged for life."

• Ali...
• October 24, 2013

For Endometriosis "I just got my first shot 10 days ago. Was bleeding 2 weeks before the shot, and it has not stopped yet. Pain has gotten a little more intense and has interfered with my sleep. Skin is also more dry than usual. My fingers are crossed that this will work. I have had very painful cycles since I was a kid, and I'm ready to not have to call in sick to work and miss social activities due to pain. No hot flashes, mood swings, or any other side effects, maybe due to the progestin I'm on. Will probably post in another couple of weeks."

• Tri...
• November 29, 2019

For Uterine Fibroids "I started the shot in June 2018 due to having multiple fibroids on my uterus. I was bleeding very badly for months nonstop. I had the Nexplanon (BC) in and took that out to see if the bleeding would stop as well. I took the shot for 6 months, and then the doctor removed my fibroids located outside the uterus on November 29, 2018. The doctor stated that he could not remove two fibroids in my uterine cavity and that he would keep an eye on them. As time went on, I was still bleeding badly and got back on the Lupron injection in August 2019. I had another surgery on November 7, 2019, and my fibroids located in the uterine cavity shrank. I did not get the shot in November and had a cycle on November 23, 2019. It was heavy at first, but it stopped after 5 days. My fibroids have grown back since last year and are located on the outside of my uterus. The shot may help some, and it may not."

• Jay...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 28, 2020

For Endometriosis "I was put on this medication after laparoscopic surgery to remove cysts that were causing me pain. They found out I have stage 2 endo and recommended the Lupron with the acetate pill. The first month was fine, but the second month my period came early and never stopped. I can deal with the hot flashes, but I've currently been bleeding and cramping for 4 weeks, and they just keep telling me to wait it out. I'm due for the second shot in July, and I don't know if it's going to help at all. I am depressed, and the night sweats are a lot to deal with. I would rather have dealt with the endo pain 2 days a month than to have done this."

• Lov...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 10, 2017

For Uterine Fibroids "I was on Lupron a few years ago. For chronic pain, multiple cysts, I was bedridden a week or two of every month. This injection saved my life back then. I lost coverage, so I stopped. Now I have coverage and decided to try it again... it's not working this time! I'm in pain all the time still. I have trouble sleeping at night or staying asleep, my libido is gone... and I'm in the 4th month of treatment and started bleeding and have really bad pains again... and my hot flashes are back. The first month is the worst! The worst period of my life... but there was no bleeding until now... so I would recommend trying the once-a-month doses first."

• Mar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 28, 2024

For Uterine Fibroids "I have been on Lupron for 4 months, about to have my fifth shot. I have a 10 cm submucosal fibroid which was causing pain, severe bleeding, and anemia. Since starting the Lupron, my migraines increased by double (I had to switch meds so I could go to work). I’ve gained 10 pounds, I have night sweats, hot flashes during the day, my mood gets angry and sad the week after the shot, and now my hair is thinning. I also am still bleeding daily (spotting). I was put on progesterone to offset some of the side effects. I have two more shots until my second surgery, and I can’t wait to be off this medication."

• Flo...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 9, 2021

For Uterine Fibroids "The Lupron injection was a lifesaver. In November 2019, I was 50 years old, and I had been bleeding for 75 days due to uterine fibroids. My hemoglobin was down to 5.1, and I had to have blood transfusions in the hospital. So far, so good, no bleeding at all until today, when I started bleeding again for the first time since November 2019. I'm now almost 53 years old, and I'm scared to death. I have to go to the doctor on Thursday. Has anyone else had their periods restart after so much time, not having them following the Lupron injection? I know the injections wear off, I'm not sure if they will administer more to stop the bleeding now?"

• Ann...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 12, 2022

For Uterine Fibroids "Update from post Sept 23. It's been over 1 month since my Lupron shot, and I have been bleeding continuously since Sept 21st. On and off from light spotting to filling pads every 30 minutes with large clots. I can tell the shot has affected my hormones as I get hot flashes through the night to the point of sweating, I lose my train of thought and I forget easily. My Gyno just told me to increase iron intake from 150 to 300 and take TXA when needed. I completed 3 iron IVs to help build my blood. Hopefully, I will stop bleeding for my surgery on Nov 14th."

• End...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 27, 2023

For Endometriosis "I am a 22-year-old Black woman who started taking this injection in February after undergoing diagnostic surgery for endometriosis. I don't know what stage of endo I'm in, but it has spread to my intestines, liver, ovaries, and bladder. When I was informed about the injection, I read about its effects, so I'm not surprised, but it doesn't make me feel any less miserable. I experience severe hot flashes day and night, weight gain, and a severely decreased libido. Fortunately, I haven't felt any joint pain yet, but I hope I never do. I'm scheduled for the second dose, but I'm on the fence about continuing due to my decreased libido and weight gain. This injection is affecting my self-esteem, but I can't handle being in pain for 13 days every month. Although I still had a period every month, my last one was the worst, with heavy bleeding, extreme bloating, and gastrointestinal pain. If you're informed about this injection, choose to use it wisely."

• Lil...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 7, 2016

For Endometriosis "I had been suffering for years. Horrible pain, cramps all day and night, and meds NEVER took the severe pain away. The bleeding was excessive. I never had a light day. My period lasted for a month, sometimes almost 2 months. At the age of 15, I was taken to the gyn, which at that time was diagnosed with ovarian cysts and a bad case of endometriosis. Not only were the cysts bad, but the endometriosis had grown all over my ovaries, in my belly button, and was making it hard for me to move my bowels. The doctor politely said, well, you have a bad case here and you need surgery. So I said, ok, well, when? And he said, TOMORROW. So surgery happened, and not even 6 months later, I was having surgery again. I'm 34, and it's all back."