Depo Provera for Birth Control User Reviews (Page 5)

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 19, 2024

"Surprised there’s so many bad reviews though I get everyone is different just surprised me with how this medication is great for me. I can’t take birth control pills due to a medication I’m on making them less effective and I would struggle to remember to take them anyway. I’m also not comfortable with IUDs or the like. It’s convenient, works well, no periods, no weight gain for me. I like it a lot. I slightly struggle with getting it on time and will experience slight bleeding but not a real period. That’s really my fault though for being late with it a few times."

• Spy...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 5, 2019

"Depo saved my life. My period cramps were so bad during my cycle I couldn't work, walk, eat, lay down, sit up, drink. I couldn't do anything. My GP or my OB couldn't figure out what was happening. They finally sent me for an ultrasound during my period, and it turned out when my uterine lining was shedding, it would tear away from my uterus. I've been on Depo for 4 years, and I never want to go back. It stopped my period completely, I still get occasional cramps, but it's worth it to not have my body ripped apart every month. Everybody's body reacts differently to the drug, some people told me horror stories about never stopping bleeding. But for me, it worked amazingly. Thanks for reading."

• Bro...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 28, 2013

"Great experience, it's very convenient for someone who doesn't want the trouble of keeping up with the pill. Have had the shot in both bottom and arm and surprisingly had less pain in my arm. Slight weight gain (5-6 lbs). I feel hungry more often, but I'm working on controlling it. No period, no more buying tampons! Definitely recommend."

• Use...
• March 26, 2015

"I have been on this shot for 5 years, almost 6 now. I had had no serious problems. I gained about 40 pounds, and I am having trouble losing it, but that is it. When I first got on this, I actually lost weight and was the smallest I'd ever been, but I decided to try to switch to the pill (hated it) and then got back on Depo, which is when the weight gain happened. I had major mood swings, but am now on another medication to help control that. It definitely works, and I love not having a period! Just hate the weight gain. This is definitely a birth control I would recommend."

• mae...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 25, 2016

"To all the negative reviews, it really depends on the person. I had my youngest December 26, 2015, and in mid-January, I got the Depo shot, and I've lost weight. I hadn't had a period, I only had two days of spotting. My sex drive is starting to come back, and as far as moody goes, I've been moody my whole life. Here, my skin is clear. That's about all I can say, so please don't listen to the negatives. I know there's a lot, it depends on the person."

• Ray...
• 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 5 lbs 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. It's my love of food. Anyway, 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."

• jay...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 13, 2015

"I've been on the shot for 2 years, I've experienced no weight gain or any of the other common side effects. I have not had a single period and only spotted one time. I started the shot when I was 16, and now that I am 18, I want to change methods because it is recommended to not be on the shot for over 2 years because it can lead to osteoporosis. I have tried other methods before, such as the patch and the ring. But the shot was my favorite of them all. If I didn't have to switch methods, I would definitely stay on the shot."

• Abb...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 28, 2016

"I was on it for about 5 'cycles,' which is about 15 months. After the first month, I did not get my period anymore or spotting. I have been off of it for almost a year and still haven't gotten my period. For me, it was quick, easy, and convenient, I had no side effects whatsoever... except the weight gain. I started right after I had my daughter and I was about 215. I am now pushing 270 (don't judge). I fully understand the shot itself cannot make you gain weight, it just gives you more of an appetite, but my god, that's a lot of weight in a year and a half. I am also convinced it messed with my metabolism, but there's no medical evidence I can find to support that. It's also scary how strong of a dose of hormones it is."

• 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!"

• Laa...
• 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 on June 9. I have no stop to bleeding at all. I sometimes feel like I will faint. I am soooo depressed. I left my partner as I found out he was married!"

• Moa...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 18, 2019

"I have been on Depo for just under a year. I am due for my next injection on the 22nd of December, and I will definitely not be going back for it. It did what it was supposed to do, prevented me from becoming pregnant, but the side effects were horrendous. I have had headaches every day, I have pains in my arms and my legs, extremely tired, and spotting all the time. I hope I am not the only person experiencing these side effects. I do not recommend this form of contraception to anyone!"

• 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 medication. 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."

• idk...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 21, 2021

"I was on Depo Provera for 6 months. Prior to taking it, I was 130 pounds with a flat stomach and DDDs. I am a power lifter who exercises at least 3-4 times a week for about 2 1/2 hours. I am now 175 pounds with H cup breasts, covered in acne in places I’ve never had it before, exponentially more tired and depressed, constantly nauseous, the gastrointestinal issues I had prior were made 100 times worse, and now that I just passed the date I was supposed to get my 3rd injection, I’m on day 31 of my period. I was never warned about any of this except 'you may gain about 3 pounds in a year of taking this!' I’ve been on two other brands of birth control pills and never have I experienced this or anything similar. The Depo injection has ruined my body and my mental health. If I could negatively rate, I would."

• ang...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• March 3, 2025

"I am 39 and have been on Depo since the age of 16, personally love this contraceptive. Immediately my period stopped and hasn’t come back at all, which is heaven. No weight gain has occurred, and never has there been even a pregnancy scare, and my boyfriends over the years haven’t used condoms. My OBGYN told me the shot is even slightly more effective than your tubal ligation. I do make sure to exercise regularly and have a calcium-rich diet. I have been injecting myself for years now instead of the extra trip to the doctor, and it’s extremely easy. If you want total peace of mind and don’t want to remember a daily pill, I absolutely recommend trying Depo-Provera."

• The...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 15, 2013

"I've been on Depo-Provera for about 6 weeks now. As for my period, it's been amazing. I haven't gotten my period once, and I've gotten spotting once, and it lasted around 2 seconds. Unfortunately, about once a week, I get excruciating migraines to the point where I can't see. Also, I am having such bad hair loss, I'm starting to get worried. I'm also finding some foods I love are making me nauseous, and I've become slightly claustrophobic. The worst of all, though, are my constant mood swings. I am constantly mad over nothing at my boyfriend. Almost every other day, I seem to get really mad out of nowhere. It's like I'm not myself. Depression isn't really an issue, but it comes with my mood swings. I also have no sex drive whatsoever."

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 30, 2020

"DON’T DO IT. I’m a nurse, had my Mirena removed as 5 years had passed and wanted something short-term for birth control. Thinking of baby planning... My gynae suggested Depo, she didn’t give me any huge information, but I took her recommendation. 3 weeks in, I started crying for no reason and hysterically. I became anxious to leave the house. I had achy hips, bloating, weight gain, and hot flushes. When speaking to doctors and pharmacists, they explained I was in ‘temporary menopause’ and I’d have to ride it out. I’m now 7 weeks in and still not feeling myself. My emotions have improved, I still have pain and bloating. Dreading coming off the Depo and wished I’d conducted my own private research. Will not be taking the next injection, let alone ever again. I’ve also been told ovulation can take months to return, which horrified me as I told my gynae I wanted short-term contraception as I was hoping to start planning for kids in a year max."

• Tzh...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 6, 2020

"I got the Depo shot again after being off birth control for 8 years. The doctor 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 30s, birth control would be different. I am the same person I was when I was a teenager. Depo and all hormonal 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 psych drugs. It took many years to believe in myself and stop listening to doctors that hormones 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."

• MsT...
• December 5, 2014

"I've been on the shot for 7 years, no cycle, no other children, and no weight gain. The only side effect that I think I'm having now is a low sex drive because I can't get into sex like I used to. I don't like taking pills and forget to with vitamins, so I know they wouldn't be a good idea. But I do think being on the shot for so long actually messed with the hormones because my face tends to break out every other week, but other than that I love it, but it's time to get off!"

• Dev...
• September 20, 2016

"I am writing this review because most people don't bother writing reviews when they have a positive experience, and it can sway others not to use Depo when many women don't have issues. I have been on Depo consistently for 5 years now, with zero complaints. In the first year, I had irregular periods and stopped having them completely after that. I get about one period per year now, if that. I did not get any acne, but I've never had acne problems anyway. I do believe Depo causes weight gain, although it could just be because I started taking it at 18 years old (about 120 lbs) and now I'm 23 (145 lbs). I can't say for sure if it's the Depo, but I have to work out just to stay the same. All around though, I would recommend Depo 100%!"

• Sam...
• January 3, 2014

"I have been on DEPO PROVERA shot for about a year and a half. It works, of course. But I have recently decided to quit with the shots because of the horrible side effects. I have headaches every single day. I just want to sleep, and that's all I want to do. I'm a very active person, so that was easy to notice. Also, I get horrible shooting pains that are in my lower stomach and back."

• Lou...
• November 6, 2018

"I recommend no one ever tries this. I had my first injection and felt fine for 3 months (at least I thought I did). After my second injection, I felt completely different. Since having my second injection, I don’t feel like the same person. I have had 4 panic attacks and am suffering with bad anxiety. I am constantly worrying about my health and diagnosing myself with all sorts of side effects of the injection. I feel like a severe hypochondriac at the moment. Not only has it messed with my mental health, making me constantly worried, anxious, and stressed, it has caused me to get cystic acne. 2 weeks into my second injection, I saw 3 spots appear on my face (I’ve never had spots in my life). How wrong was that, causing them to get bigger and painful? The more the injection wears off, the smaller they seem to get. I have not yet been to my GP about my problem yet, as I want to let it wear out of my body and pray I get back to my normal self and my skin gets better - do not get it."

• Pan...
• 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 I got my 3rd shot, I stopped bleeding. I haven't had a period since then. I weighed about 105 lbs, now I weigh 130 lbs. I gained so much weight."

• mar...
• March 2, 2016

"If I wanted to be covered in acne, moody, and in pain, I would have just gone out and gotten pregnant! Several days after receiving the shot, I had strong-smelling, dark brown discharge for about a week, which was followed by 4 LONG MONTHS OF CONTINUAL BLEEDING. Haven't been able to test out its effectiveness because I haven't been able to stop discharging/bleeding, which defeats the purpose of this shot. Although this seems like a great option, these shots last for 3 months, so if you react to it like me, you'll be stuck until it flushes out of your system. Got the shot back in September, and my periods are still not back to normal."

• Cyn...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• June 2, 2016

"I started taking the Depo shot in 2012 after my son was born. I absolutely have no problems up to date. Within the first shot, I stopped getting periods. I spot a teeny tiny bit when it's close to getting the shot again. But such as hair loss, weight gain, and acne, and all the other side effects, I have none. I'm satisfied with the shot."

• Kit...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 27, 2020

"I was on Depo-Provera for about nine months. I would bleed consistently for a month and a half... consistently. The other month and a half would go by fine. Sometimes the bleeding would start at the beginning month and a half, and sometimes it would start at the ending month and a half. This caused me to get so many bacterial infections (my doctor said the bleeding was throwing off my pH). I was cranky and depressed for no reason. Yes, it did prevent me from getting pregnant, but the side effects I could not deal with!"