Depo Provera and Acne: What Users Say (Page 5)

• Chr...
• March 29, 2017

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "Took the Depo shot for the first time earlier this year. Completely changed my personality and my body. I break out easily. I bleed all the time. I spot all the time! Made me bipolar and just overall horrible. When will it wear off?! When will I get my normal period and be back to normal?! I've been off 3 months now."

• Sta...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 25, 2017

For Birth Control "WORST SHOT EVER!! I just had one shot done and didn't even give the second shot after 3 months a try. Gave me horrible headaches, acne that's so huge I look disgusting to even go out in public, pain on my right ovary 24/7, made me super mad and angry to the point my boyfriend broke up with me, and I'm even off the shot now and still have pain on my ovary. It's been 7 months, and I only had one shot just once and still no period. It's really upsetting, and it makes me suicidal. It also made my boobs tiny, I don't know how that's possible, but they went from C cups to A cups and still not back to normal."

• 070...
• March 15, 2017

For Birth Control "I opted for the depo shot when I was 16. I was horrible at remembering to take medicine on time, so I chose the shot. This is my experience. I can only speak for myself. I got the shot in May 2006. I stayed on track with the shot due to the reminder I had a doctor's appointment on such and such day. I had light, 3-day periods. Never a day longer, never a day shorter. I had no weight gain. I had no cramps. I had no breakouts. I did not experience any dizziness, shortness of breath, or headaches. I didn't lose my appetite. I had no troubles. Then, like a genius, when I turned 18, I chose to get off the shot, which was due in February. By April, I had a positive pregnancy test. It wasn't hard for my body to change from even after almost 2 years."

• Deb...
• November 5, 2015

For Birth Control "I was on Depo for only a few months. I will say you're better off being pregnant. You feel every symptom of pregnancy and even get a prego tummy. Seriously, everyone asks me if I am pregnant. It's so embarrassing. The symptoms are the worst. I've had the worst acne breakout, pains in my stomach. I can't stop gaining weight in my stomach. The good news is it does prevent pregnancy, but it's honestly not worth everything you go through. Like those weird medications that say you may die, but it's 60% effective. All I am saying is Depo will change your life, and in a not so lucky way. I would have rather just been pregnant. Instead, I look and feel pregnant with no baby. Mind you, I am a skinny person, very petite. It's extremely noticeable."

• D D...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 11, 2016

For Birth Control "My daughter took this drug only one time, and the side effects were horrible. She is never taking another. Her injection was in late June. In that time, she has gained 17 pounds, where with her level of diet and exercise, she should have been losing weight. She has horrible acne, where she's never had it before. She's constantly tired despite getting more sleep per night than she has in years, and she's irritable and depressed. Her doctor thought it was worth a try because she had such painful periods, but here's the thing: DP is a hormone. It disrupts the hormonal balance in your body (which is why you can't get pregnant), but hormones are not something that you should mess with. One little shot, and the side effects can last for months."

• sgu...
• July 6, 2016

For Birth Control "This was the biggest mistake of my life. My doctor and I thought it might help balance out my hormones and help my migraines. It did the opposite. I had migraines for days on end with no relief, not even from sleep. My skin has been clear with the occasional pimple. My entire face is now covered with acne and my back. My period was more painful than ever the one time I had it on the shot. It caused back and hip pains. I also gained 25 pounds. I only got the shot once. It's been 5 months, and I'm still waiting for it to leave my system completely."

• Apo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 21, 2015

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I'm a 30-year-old woman. I got the shot on August 9th. I have been bleeding since. I decided not to continue. Yes, it's effective at making sure you don't get pregnant because you can't have sex. It's a double-edged sword. My face has broken out, and I have a very good eating regime, and my weight is up and down, mostly up."

• Che...
• August 14, 2016

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "Was bribed with a $20 Smith's gift card and free Depo to use Depo and be a Depo guinea pig. I started Depo March 31st, 2016. The first month, no problems. Second month, spotting and a light period every other day. Third month, mood swings, hormonal acne, heavy periods, nausea, vitamin deficiencies, low on iron. One day, I put a super tampon in with a pad under it, went to work right after, and bled through my underwear and pants at work. This was not even ten minutes after getting to work. Had to go home very embarrassed. Soaked through pad after pad after pad. Again, had to leave for very lightheaded and nauseous, found out my vitamins were low. Bled the entire third month. So I decided not to get the second shot. Have been bleeding since June."

• A-R...
• September 27, 2017

For Birth Control "I've had it for two years now. It works great, I haven't had any surprise pregnancies. But I have gained 40 lbs since then, despite exercising 3-5 times a week and controlled eating habits. The first few months, I felt really fatigued and got a lot of large acne flare-ups, and my appetite increased like crazy - I was never satisfied or full. I gained 10 lbs those first few months. I've had no bleeding at all, which was nice. Those are my only complaints. I will be getting off the shot because with all my physical activity and limited eating, I still gain weight."

• Kat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 18, 2017

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I got my 1st shot in Feb 2016. My tubes are tied, but Dr. recommended I get it to help stop the cramps I'd get prior to the shot. I bled the first 3 months after the shot, and it didn't help, so I asked my Dr. if I needed it again. He said to try it for 6 months and stop if it didn't help. I got my 2nd shot in May 2016 and bled for that 6 months. Then I stopped as it never helped with cramps. It's now April 2017, and I still have side effects-mood swings that are destroying my marriage, depression, anxiety, headaches. I've lost 32 lbs (only weighed 122 prior to the shot), dizziness, fatigue, acne, no sleep or too much, feelings of going crazy, and cramps worse than before. I was told with a regular period, the shot will leave."

• 123...
• June 12, 2015

For Birth Control "I switched from a hormonal contraceptive to Depo Provera in January of 2013, never had any problems (weight gain, acne, irregular bleeding) for the first year and a half and only bled about a week or two before my next shot was due. Starting about 8 months ago, I was bleeding almost 2 months before every shot, and the last shot I received in March, I continued to bleed 2 weeks after getting the shot. I also noticed an increase in extreme depression and anxiety. I have also spent the last 6 months dealing with breakouts (which I never had before) and an increase in keratosis pilaris on my face (not sure if it's related to a hormone imbalance). I would never recommend this shot to anyone."

• 123...
• June 12, 2015

For Birth Control "I switched from a hormonal contraceptive to Depo Provera in January of 2013, never had any problems (weight gain, acne, irregular bleeding) for the first year and a half and only bled about a week or two before my next shot was due. Starting about 8 months ago, I was bleeding almost 2 months before every shot, and the last shot I received in March, I continued to bleed 2 weeks after getting the shot. I also noticed an increase in extreme depression and anxiety. I have also spent the last 6 months dealing with breakouts (which I never had before) and an increase in keratosis pilaris on my face (not sure if it's related to a hormone imbalance). I would never recommend this shot to anyone."

• Lad...
• August 23, 2017

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I got the shot to control my bleeding and cramps from fibroids, so I thought... however, this has been the worst decision ever. I have had heavy bleeding and tons of blood clots. I only took the shot once and won't be getting it again. Also, it has increased the acne on my face, I'm suffering from severe depression, and my sex drive is gone. Lastly, this keeps me from wanting to have sex anymore because it's embarrassing... who wants to have sex with a bloodhound! I feel incredibly stupid because I normally do my research, but I let the doctor talk me into it as she claimed it was the best option due to my challenge with high blood pressure. This was the worst decision ever and I won't be getting it again. I'm stuck riding it out!!"

• Nic...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 14, 2022

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I've been on Depo before many years ago. I don't remember bleeding for months on end. I got my first injection on Jan 7th, 2022, and I've been spotting, heavy bleeding sometimes, clots, and it comes out of nowhere. When I think it's stopped, NOPE. I have to wear a tampon every day, regardless if I'm bleeding or not. 9 out of 10 times I am. My mood has turned to depression and horrid anxiety. I have acne now that I never had before, and I just feel unwell. I WILL NOT BE GETTING A SECOND INJECTION!! Ladies beware, it also dries you out down there, so sex is uncomfortable and hurts."

• Anonymous
• November 7, 2012

For Birth Control "I have been on the shot for 1 year. I have not had any trouble with acne or weight gain. My sex drive is just as high as usual. I have been depressed, but depression has been a lifelong battle for me. The only real con I can think of is that for the first 3-5 days after I get the shot, I am a crazy person. The mood swings are 100 times worse than PMS after those first few days. The rest of my three months are normal. Just hoping for the best with my bones."

• Nat...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 19, 2019

For Birth Control "I stopped this after 2 years after I bled for 6 months straight. My hair, eyebrows, and eyelashes are falling out, my arm and leg hair got thicker and longer, and I grow hair in a vague beard pattern, and the hair in between my eyebrows grows extremely long now, and I have to shave it. My skin and hair are now extremely oily, even more oily than it was in the summer, so this doesn’t make any sense. The acne I got in one/two months after stopping this has left tons of scarring, and I’ve needed to get an antibiotic for it. I wanted to start taking it again just to get rid of these horrible symptoms, but I know it will just be worse next time I try to stop. The bleeding threw off my pH balance, and I have had to fight odor down there since then. Horrible drug. Hopefully, these symptoms will subside, but it’s been two months."

• Amy...
• June 13, 2016

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I've been on the pill for 4 months. I was on the pill but was taken off because I suffer severe migraines and have a family history of blood clots. I also have PCOS, and my doctor said this is better for me. The first shot I got, I bled severely 2 days after and was in so much pain and got hormone therapy, and that helped. Then I got spotting a few weeks later, and that lasted on and off. I got my second shot just over a month ago, no bleeding for 3 1/2 weeks, and now I've been bleeding lightly on and off the last 2 weeks, only old blood, but hopefully this will stop soon. Apart from that, no side effects other than some pimples. Hopefully my body gets used to it by the 3rd or 4th shot, and the bleeding stops for good."

• Mel...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 24, 2019

For Birth Control "3 stars because it does the job. Very effective at preventing pregnancy. Convenient to only go every three months for forgetful people like myself. And it completely stopped my period from the first shot! However, too many negatives. I’ve always been slim and just 9 months on Depo, I gained 25 pounds without any changes in my lifestyle. My depression was bad, I got more acne than usual, and I had absolutely no sex drive. After getting off of the Depo, it took me three months to get my period back and get back to normal."

• ste...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 10, 2016

For Birth Control "I was on Depo-Provera for 15 months, and the only negative side effect I experienced was weight gain, which is why I recently stopped. I loved the ease of the whole process and the high efficacy of the drug. I had 2 periods my entire time on the shot (yay!), didn't spot, it didn't break me out, didn't mess with my mood, BUT I gained a lot of weight (which did plateau). When I got off, I immediately got my period, and my skin broke out worse than it has in the last year. I also am experiencing a definite decrease in energy. Overall, I recommend the shot, and I may go back on it in the future, but pay attention to your side effects!"

• cmt...
• August 10, 2009

For Birth Control "I had been using Depo for about 3 years. I spotted for almost a year, and then my period went away altogether. I had a 5 lb weight gain, which isn't so bad. I had a decreased libido. But I think worst of all was that I had terrible acne. I've never had acne like this. I've been off the shot now for 8 months, and I just got my period back (though irregular) about 2 months ago. My acne is still there but seems to be getting a little better. As a birth control, it was easy, and it worked."

• NWa...
• September 5, 2019

For Birth Control "The Depo-Provera birth control was convenient until about the one-year anniversary of me starting it. This is when I started experiencing extremely painful cramps that would come and go, and sexual activity caused me to have extreme cramps and heavy menstrual bleeding. I then bled consistently for 5+ months, even with no sexual activity. I realized it was likely connected to the shot, which has a reputation for causing irregular bleeding. I stopped it and now seem to have tons of acne, which I noticed would pop up if I was a little late getting my shot but would go away when I got it. I had to go on the pill to stop the bleeding but stopped the pill too because I was sick of being dependent on these medications, and I’m now waiting to see if the bleeding comes back. I now am going to have to see a dermatologist for the angry red acne on my face. My advice is to stay away from this method of birth control."

• Jad...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 29, 2014

For Birth Control "I had this Depo for two years, and as much as it was easier with no pill, no period, etc., it ended up the worst thing I've ever had. I have developed cystic acne, hard nodular lumps under my skin, which have left me depressed with how they look. They were awful, and my hair was shedding rapidly. I went to the doctor and came off it, he put me on Dianette and advised to take it the first day I come on. Three months in and no proper period. One weekend I suffered severe, and I must emphasize severe, pain and cramping. I could not move and was having very dark blood clots. To this day, my skin is still awful. I am now on lymecycline, and the doctors told me to use the Dianette contraceptive for my skin anyway. I have never, ever had skin problems prior to this."

• K-f...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 12, 2016

For Birth Control "As far as birth controls go, this is slightly more tolerable than any of my past experiences (not saying much). My first shot was August 2nd. It's September 12th. I have actually lost weight, which I attribute to the ketogenic diet I started 2 weeks ago. My acne got worse at first, but I discovered cell salt #12 (seriously look it up #lifechanged), and my skin has never been better. My maybe S/O mentioned that I've been moody, but I chalk it up to it making me less tolerant of his shit ;) I've been on my period since August 16th, so I've been without sex for a while (might explain the moodiness). Point: is any birth control worth it? Lower sex drive? Weight gain? Irregular periods? Change in personality? Let's use condoms, y'all"

• and...
• August 2, 2016

"I was offered this by my doctor due to excessively heavy periods (I am 51 and possibly starting menopause). I had tried tranexamic acid tablets and the mini pill, both of which did not make any difference. I decided to give this a try on 10/05/2016. I can only say this has changed my life. I have had no period since having the injection. I did spot for a few weeks, but even this was better than I had been experiencing (they used to last 4 weeks, and I had to take a change of clothes to work as they were so heavy and sleep on towels in bed). No weight gain, no acne, and I'm tired anyway, this was before the injection. I have just had my second injection and feel fine. I know different things work for different people, wish I had been offered it sooner."

• Roc...
• September 20, 2016

For Birth Control "I am 13 years old, and I used to have horrible cramps to the point where I would wake up in the middle of the night screaming in pain, nothing would help (Advil or heating pads). I also had really bad acne, and no face wash would help. Tampons were also super uncomfortable. After I started using Depo, all my cramps were gone. I had no period, all my acne was gone. I definitely recommend this, it changed my life."