Leuprolide and Mood Swings: 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!"

• Wal...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 9, 2020

For Prostate Cancer "Have had one month injection of Eligard and will not be taking another. Side effects including hot flashes, night sweats, fatigue, joint pains, mood swings, memory loss - I get the lot. Worst decision I ever made and hope the effects wear off ASAP. I would rather take my chances than be half the person I am now. Reading other comments where there seems to be no ending to the side effects gives me little hope for a reprieve. Oncologist gave me no impression I would be suffering like this. Just 'this is the standard treatment' - it does not cure the disease just supposedly slows it. Personally I would rather have less time and good quality of life."

• Pea...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 19, 2019

For Prostate Cancer "I am 68 years old. Had 6-month injection in August 2018. Doctor told me hot flashes and night sweats were the side effects. That I could handle. What I could not handle was the loss of cognitive functions, mood swings, loss of muscle mass, weight gain, thoughts of suicide, total erectile dysfunction, shrunken penis, and testicles. It has destroyed my life. I have still not recovered all of the cognitive functions I lost, cannot get rid of the extra weight, and to top it all off, my cancer was not to the point where I needed the hormone. Eligard may have saved lives, but to me, the treatment has destroyed my quality of life."

• Bar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 2, 2020

For Prostate Cancer "Diagnosed with prostate cancer in April 2019, had a 6-month Lupron shot in May followed by 45 radiation treatments ending in early September. Went on vacation and able to do 2-3 mile hikes over rough terrain with only a little fatigue. Went in for a second shot in early November and they changed me to Eligard. They said it was virtually the same product. Within 2 weeks, I developed intense pain in my hips that has not gone away. Can hardly walk to the mailbox any longer due to the pain. Dealing with mood swings, minor depression, trouble sleeping, and have gained 30 pounds. Due to go back next Wednesday for another 6-month Eligard shot. Not going to happen."

• Rob...
• February 25, 2021

For Prostate Cancer "Got the results back. In September 2020, I had a biopsy (thanks for the delay, COVID). It came back with a Gleason score of 9 and Grade 5! They tried to operate, but there was too much scar tissue. Next was the oncologist appointment, who said we need to do something now and that Eligard should stop it from growing. What they didn't say was that I would gain weight. The night sweats make you put covers on, take covers off all night, and I get up to pee up to 9 times a night. Feeling lethargic, dark thoughts and mood swings. An emotional wreck. Went to the GP who put me on antidepressant tablets, which have amplified my emotional state. Told the wife tonight that I'm not taking any more antidepressants, not doing Eligard, and not going to a planning day. I want to go out on my terms, feeling like myself, not juiced up on this rubbish. Facts are I could have some good years left without medication or go on feeling wound up and unintentionally pushing away those that care."

• str...
• August 18, 2018

For Prostate Cancer "My husband was diagnosed with prostate cancer stage 4 in 2014. His prostate was removed, and later, he started on Lupron Depot every 3 months. His PSA went down to almost nil. Over the next four years, he has been on Lupron according to his PSA levels. Though Lupron does keep his PSA levels down, his mood swings/anger and his irrational thinking have stressed our relationship. He is mean with comments to me and his actions. He needs Lupron to live, but it has killed our relationship. The oncologist who gave him his first Lupron injection did tell us that one of the side effects of Lupron was that it could increase moods and anger. I am stressing to you wives that Lupron is one ugly drug. It makes people who are receiving Lupron depots very miserable people and their partners/spouses very stressed out, scared at times, lonely, and sad for what is happening in their relationship. Lupron gives the patient quantity of life but not quality of life!"

• Tom...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 25, 2019

For Prostate Cancer "Been on Eligard for two months, and it has taken all the joy out of life. There will be no second injection. My life expectancy is better with cancer than with Eligard, and I'm fighting such dark thoughts almost every day, afraid I'm going to hurt someone. The mood swings are unpredictable and scary. Sex is becoming near impossible all the time."

• WWI...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 18, 2015

For Prostate Cancer "Have been getting monthly Lupron 7.5 mg injections since July 2014 (just had my 8th injection). No hot flashes; some mood swings and I recently started having arm and leg cramps a few times a week. Taking Casodex 50 mg daily as well, so it's hard to know which to blame. PSA was 205 when I started these meds and is now 0.03. I believe the complete lack of hot flashes may be due to receiving the monthly vs 3 or 6-month injection dose. I hope this information helps others."

• Jer...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 30, 2023

For Prostate Cancer "I have had my second dose of Eligard 45 mg, 6 months apart. Radiology convinced me I should do this to prevent the recurrence of cancer. I had a Grade 4, contained to the prostate. Had 28 radiation treatments. My PSA now is at zero. I have told the doctors I 'will not' take any more hormone injections. My life has been ruined. I am turning 76, but I have been an active walker, biker, lifted weights, etc., all my life. Now I have intense bone pain all over my body, my muscles are half what they were, and I have hot flashes all day and night. I force myself to exercise, but life is now hell. I get depressed and emotional. Wish I had never taken the first injection. Not sure if my body will ever recover. The doctors need to educate their patients with proper data and let them make a choice."

• Wha...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 1, 2022

For Prostate Cancer "My husband was diagnosed with prostate cancer 2 years ago. Underwent surgery to have prostate removed, as well as lymph nodes and some cancer that was on his bladder. He started the Eligard injections every 3 to 4 months since. His PSA levels have remained at 1.0 until recently. A friend suggested he take a multivitamin of Quercetin, zinc, stinging nettle root, Vitamin C, and D3. He has been taking it for 3 weeks and just went back in for another injection. His PSA was 0, but yet they still gave him the injection. If his PSA is 0, why would he need another injection? He continues to suffer from all the same side effects of night sweats, frequent urination, mood swings, depression, and loss of memory. I want him to stop the shots, but wondering if anyone else has quit taking the shots with a PSA of 0."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 26, 2019

For Uterine Fibroids "I got my first Lupron shot on 07/22/2019 for fibroids. My obgyn decided to put me on Lupron to attempt to shrink my fibroids/Uterus so I can have a safe hysterectomy. I haven't had a menstrual cycle since 07/22/2019, that's awesome. So far I am experiencing: the first week my buttock was very sore/tender from the injection site. I am experiencing a lot of hot flashes throughout the day and at night, they last a few minutes. No night sweats. My body, but mainly my legs, ache and feel tingly/numb. Restless nights, having trouble staying asleep. My hair is now very dry and brittle and hair loss (it was healthy before). Vaginal dryness. Memory problems, trouble focusing. I am forgetting a lot of things. Major mood swings, from very angry to crying. Increased appetite (carb craving). I hope all this is worth it in the end. None of these side effects are unbearable, but I definitely do not feel like myself. Round 2 coming up on 10/22/2019."

• Lex...
• October 5, 2015

For Endometriosis "Don't do it! I got the 3-month shot 1 month ago and have had these symptoms so far: constant and severe pelvic pain, sharp lower back pain, pain when the bladder is full and when emptying, lots of migraines and headaches, nausea, vomiting, high anxiety, extreme fatigue, very low mood swings, loss of appetite, and insomnia. The worst symptom of all is the severe depression, I have had several thoughts of suicide. I would rather deal with just the pain than all of these together. I was told by my doctor the only symptom I would get is hot flashes, and she had only heard of success stories with this drug, that was a total lie. If you react badly with other birth controls, do not do Lupron, it's a living nightmare!"

• MoM...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 6, 2020

For Endometriosis "I was put on Lupron Depot for three months for endometriosis. I received an injection every month. My treatment started in January and ended the first Saturday in March 2020. The side effects weren't all that bad. I got my period on my dose, but it eventually went after that. I had, however, severe headaches that made me dizzy, experienced some mood changes (mostly anger), painless sex, hot flashes (manageable), and joint pains at the end of my last shot. The joint pains are mostly in my knees and fingers, but I only experience those after waking from a nap. Once I get up and start moving about, they disappear. I now await my cycle to return. It has been eight weeks since my last injection, and signs of my period returning are back. I'm spotting and experiencing mild cramps. All in all, my experience wasn't bad. Hope this helped someone. Oxoxox"

• Bik...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 16, 2021

For Prostate Cancer "I was diagnosed with prostate cancer around Thanksgiving 2020 and given a one-month dose of Eligard about 2 months later. Then two more 6-month hormone shots of Eligard. I have also had SBRT and brachytherapy. So, while it is difficult to assign the side effects I am experiencing to the Eligard alone, I am affected by nearly all its known side effects. I have zero libido, 4 or 5 hot flashes per day, major loss of strength and energy, genital shrinkage, body hair loss, weight gain, frequent urination at night, some short-term memory loss, mood changes, apathy, and increased frequency of bowel movements. I have trouble carrying groceries up the stairs where I live now because of my loss of strength. I have continued to exercise, and I take calcium, vitamin D, and multivitamin supplements, but I am still getting progressively weaker. The good news is my PSA is around zero now, and if it doesn’t increase, I won’t have to get another Eligard injection when this last one wears off."

• Unh...
• December 3, 2022

For Prostate Cancer "Eligard has ruined my life. I have no ambition to do anything, I have mood swings and tire easily. In addition, I have developed an irregular heartbeat as one of the side effects and have a pacemaker. I can no longer go for long bike rides or walks on the beach. I have refused to take my next injection, and hopefully will get my life back. What a horrible medication, why it is on the market is beyond me."

• Bri...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 27, 2018

For Endometriosis "Honestly, I was so sick of having surgeries constantly, so my OB recommended trying Lupron for my endometriosis - 1 shot once a month for 6 months and longer if I would like to. I was told I couldn't have any more babies. I had tried everything, and nothing worked to have another. I got on Lupron for my extreme pain from endo, and for the first month, I got a horrible, period-like period, then after that, I didn't have a period. When I got off it, I was prego and didn't even know. I got my rainbow miracle baby, thanks, Lupron, and my endo hasn't returned since then, thank goodness. Yes, hot flashes, being sick in the morning, tired a lot because I couldn't sleep, and mood swings from hell was all worth it. I will definitely be back on this if my endo comes back!!!! Definitely a 10-star review from me! (I stayed on Lupron for 9 months)."

• Anonymous
• April 10, 2010

For Precocious Puberty "I was diagnosed with precocious puberty when I was 8 and started getting a Lupron shot once a month. It stopped all signs of puberty except the mood swings, which often worsened in the week before I got a shot. After 3 years, I was taken off the medicine and started puberty normally. I had continued to grow taller throughout that time and am now 5'1". My grandmother and cousin both had precocious puberty as well, and neither were treated. They both stopped growing around age nine and neither reached five feet."

• bar...
• October 30, 2013

For Endometriosis "Feb this year I had an ovarian cyst on my right ovary rupture, it was the size of my 3-year-old's head. When they operated, they found I was covered with endo... ah, finally a reason for my pain for the last 2 years... I have just finished my 6-month course. Endo pain fine, but OMG the side effects, dealt with hourly hot flushes home and at work.. gained 10 kgs (awesome), but the mood swings, REOW!! my poor partner. Lucky he is amazing... no pain yet, but have to wait and see what's next. Maybe Mirena."

• sur...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 27, 2021

For Prostate Cancer "Had a prostatectomy in Oct. 2019, and PSA rose in April 2020. Took bicalutamide pills and a Lupron injection in Aug. 2020, second injection in Jan. 2021. The next injection is May 2021. My side effects are mostly really bad hot flashes day and night, extra fat around my waist, and got the mood thing going. My wife said I should talk to the doc before the next dose. I also got an inguinal hernia after surgery. It is a hard drug to live with, but at 71 years old, I'll take it every day. I see the doc next month for a checkup after a blood test. I also had 39 radiation visits in Jan. 2021. I hope my PSA is still around 0.034 due to Lupron. I have to take a total of 5 injections, which have been every 4 months. Good luck to people who have to take this route."

• Anonymous
• March 26, 2009

For Endometriosis "I am on my 2nd shot of Lupron, and I am not liking the new me. Everyone says after the first 6 weeks it gets better. I don't know if I can take anymore or if anyone else can take my mood swings. I am very hormonal, frustrated all the time, and mad about everything. My job and family are suffering. The hot flashes are constant, I am miserable. I don't think I will continue with the other shots."

• Ind...
• March 4, 2008

For Endometriosis "The shot is not too bad in the butt cheek. My problems were the side effects. I think that the hot flashes are the worst of it. I am on my 5th shot, and now I am going through a lot of mood swings as well."

• jul...
• October 6, 2015

For Endometriosis "I've been suffering with very painful menstruation and chronic pelvic spasms for over 20 years. The first time I did Lupron, it was a godsend, finally, I didn't have to plan my life and work around my period. Now I'm on a second round. I'm using the 3-month injection, and I love life. Yes, I have hot flashes, and I can be a bit emotional at times, but I'm not in pain, and that is what I was going for. I'm 42 now, and I'm hoping I can stay on this medication until I'm 50. I would really hate to go back to having to deal with this again."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 9, 2012

For Endometriosis "I received my first Lupron shot a couple of weeks ago. In the past two weeks, I have noticed that my pain isn't as bad or as often as it was before the shot. The downside is the mood swings and hot flashes. I thought I had a few weeks before I started experiencing the side effects, but I guess not. I know that the next six months are going to be rough, but the way I see it... I've been suffering for five years already, what is six months of hell to help make it all go away? In my opinion, the Lupron shot is worth it."

• Anonymous
• December 21, 2011

For Endometriosis "I was actually surprised to learn I had stage 4 endometriosis, along with 2 endometriomas and a dermoid cyst. I had always had a poochy gut and severe menstrual cramps since I was 16. I am 27 now and have been pain-free for the last 5 months on Lupron Depot. I had a laparoscopic cystectomy and a laparotomy this year. I did suffer side effects of hot flashes and mood swings, but was prescribed 1 mg estrogen daily, and I'm pretty much normal! In about 6 weeks, I will begin trying to conceive my first child! The Lupron and my doctor have been a blessing!"

• Anonymous
• March 6, 2010

For Endometriosis "At first, I really thought the Lupron treatments were worth it, but now that I have made a trip to the Emergency Room. Well, let's just say if you are going to go the route of Lupron, you better be single. This drug takes its toll on the family, not just you. Everyone goes through the mood swings, headaches, blood pressure scares, joint pain, feeling like you are going to pass out. So, no taking your kids to school or sporting events. No joining carpools. Don't get too far away from the restroom, urinating more often is not unusual. The things that are the easiest to handle are the hot flashes, night sweats, and chills."