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

• Jen...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 7, 2019

For Birth Control "I wish I never took this contraceptive Depo-Provera. Constantly bleeding. Some days heavy. Finally stopped for a good 6 weeks. Started bleeding for 5 days again after sex. Stopped again for a few days again. Had sex again, bled for 9 days, was pretty heavy, stopped again. And again! Bleeding for 7 days and counting. And it's only been 5 months since my first and last shot. Was a horrible experience! Stomach pain finally went away and diarrhea. Retained water. So much hair loss. Was super depressed. And anxiety."

• Chr...
• November 14, 2016

For Birth Control "Have been on Depo for about 9 years now and have no periods. When I first started Depo, I was bleeding for about a month 'til it just went away. Probably gained some weight. I feel the Depo has me very moody and also makes me feel tired, it gives me lots of nervousness, but surely prevents pregnancy. I'm not sure that it's safe to be on Depo for a long time because it can cause weakness in bones, so consult your Dr on how long you should use it."

• Lil...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 19, 2021

For Birth Control "I have read other women's experiences on this drug obsessively to give me comfort with sensing when I may feel more like myself. So here is my experience coming off. This drug is said to last 12 weeks, approximately 15 weeks for it to no longer be detectable in your system. Prior to this, I was on Monofeme for approximately 8 months. No issues with the pill except when forgetting to take it. Limited space, you know the bad side effects, so here's the withdrawal. All symptoms started to slowly ease up bit by bit. From week 5, I recorded improvements weekly. Most feeling I'm returning to myself around the 9-week mark. It's been 14 weeks, and I'm thinking clearer, joking and laughing again, mood/anxiety and energy improved, but libido not fully. At least I can get wet and enjoy sex, but it's not the same, and masturbating feels impossible to start. Light period. Now for hormones to balance naturally with ginseng, primrose oil, and ashwagandha daily. Cruciferous veggies help with hormones too. Exercise/running also."

• Scu...
• January 13, 2016

For Birth Control "First shot went great. I didn't really get any side effects. I didn't have any bleeding whatsoever, nor any weight gain. I was hungry often, but actually lost a couple of pounds. I did feel anxious the first few days, but that went away. Haven't decided if I want to get the second shot yet, but overall I did well on it."

• lil...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 9, 2021

For Birth Control "This is just me, but first I started on pills, which made me nauseous and gave me bad anxiety, so I stopped taking them for 3 months. May 10th, I chose the Depo Provera injection, my doctor didn’t show all the side effects it says on Google. I’ve been constantly nauseous every day, unable to do activities outside because of how nauseous I feel, sometimes to the point where I throw up. I’m miserable, these birth controls don't mix well with my body. Now I’m just waiting for it to wear off so I can enjoy my summer. For some people, it's great, though, this is just my experience."

• Aly...
• December 28, 2015

For Birth Control "I was told that I had to get two shots, or else it could be potentially dangerous to be taken off of the shot. Three months later, and a ton of anxiety attacks and bleeding, I'm in the office going back on my pill. The worst thing I could've ever possibly done to myself was this shot."

• mot...
• May 18, 2015

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I was never into birth control, so I have 6 kids. My oldest is 7 years old. I tried the Depo shot after I gave birth in November to my 6th baby, all-natural vaginal births, no epidural. This was my first time, it was the shot in the booty and arm. I have had nothing but anxiety, no, it's not my kids. I never felt this way before, and I gained a ton of weight, more than I usually do after a baby. I weigh 160, I usually get down to 140 three months after I give birth. I've been bleeding nonstop. I decided I didn't like the shot. I'm getting tons of mood swings, more than the ones that I get from pregnancy. I'm just going to tie my tubes. It's a nightmare. It's May now, so from November to May, I've been bleeding. I went to check my hemoglobin, it's fine - it's just depressing."

• Hat...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 23, 2016

For Birth Control "If I could rate this product less than 1, I would. Awful! I was never told by my provider it could cause fertility issues in the future. I have been off it for almost a year and still don't have a regular period back. My period symptoms have increased in intensity. It also, over the period of 18 months I was using it, caused me severe anxiety and weight gain. I would never recommend this to anyone."

• Nat...
• April 25, 2017

For Birth Control "Believe the reviews!! I got my first shot last month. How is this legal?? I just have light brown bleeding every day, hot flashes, and night sweats every night. I can't sleep, and I keep having crazy vivid dreams - again every. single. night. I don't take any other medication, and I never had crazy vivid dreams like this. Between the night sweats, vivid dreams, and being anxious, I probably sleep two hours a night, and I have a 5-month-old son who sleeps all night. I have acne, and I have never had acne as a teenager or an adult. I had it slightly at the beginning of my pregnancy, but it wasn't like this. I swear every bad side effect I read, I have! This has never happened with any meds before."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 20, 2017

For Birth Control "I was on the shot at 19 for about 2 years, then went back to pills. I decided 6 months ago to go back to the depo, I had no bad side effects at 19. Now, at 24, the side effects of this shot are terrible. My anxiety has worsened, I'm depressed, but the overall worst is the acne! Cystic acne on my neck and chin. I've never had acne, not even as a teen. It's awful. It's gotten much worse. I spent $80 on acne meds!!! Not to mention it has no estrogen in it! I'm due in 2 months for my next shot. Definitely not getting it again! Going back to pills to hopefully get back to my normal self and skin!!!!"

• Ica...
• April 4, 2017

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I got the Depo shot on the way out the door of the hospital after having my daughter. I wasn't good at taking a pill every day, so I thought this sounded good. Like others, I have been bleeding for 8 weeks straight. I had horrible mood swings, depression, and increased anxiety. No desire for sex, and really my ability to have sex has been limited. I went to the OB/GYN for a pap smear, and she said my cervix is friable and very thin, and so is everything in my vagina, so sex is very painful. I believe the hormones from the Depo did this. I also have a lot of nausea and am sure I have gained weight. I have lower back pain and abdominal cramping. Causes bone loss, which runs in the family."

• Jas...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 24, 2017

For Birth Control "I've been on this shot for 5 months. The first 3 months I was always spotting, and I was always angry. I always had acne, but this shot made it worse. I started having nightmares, and my anxiety was worse, but I still decided to go on with my 2nd. Once I got my 2nd shot, the bleeding went away, most of the side effects went away except for my acne-it got worse. My skin hasn't been this bad in years! My hair is falling out like crazy, I'm afraid to even brush it. My sex drive also completely went away. I also started bleeding again while on this, and ever since I started bleeding again, I'm severely depressed. I don't know how to shake this feeling off. If you have a history of acne and depression, please don't get this shot. It will bring everything back."

• Jes...
• June 5, 2017

For Birth Control "Worst birth control I've ever been on. Even compared to needing my Mirena IUD surgically removed. All birth control comes with side effects, but I had the worst experience with the depo shot. I stayed on it just over a year and a half (thinking it would get better eventually?) and I decided not to continue it, with all the issues I've had. ZERO sex drive, extreme fatigue, lots of weight gain, major anxiety (needed medication), moodiness. Now that I stopped, I'm having major abdominal cramping, similar to mild contractions. I would not recommend this birth control. I feel like I've become a completely different person with all these mood changes and fatigue. I hope I can get back to normal after this. Really regretting doing the depo."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 25, 2017

For Birth Control "This shot is terrible, and I do not recommend it at all. My mood swings are terrible, I was put on an antidepressant because it made my anxiety terrible, and the abnormal, random, heavy bleeding with no warning after being on it for almost a year sucked. Not only was the bleeding random and heavy, it was for weeks at a time too. The shortest period I had was about a week. The only good thing that came of it is it definitely prevented pregnancy for me, and I didn't gain weight from it."

• Est...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 18, 2016

For Birth Control "It's not worth it. I had one dose and bled for 3 months nonstop and felt like a whole different person, I was constantly worrying and giving everyone attitude. I've been off it for 6 weeks now and I'm feeling a bit better, hoping my next period comes regular. Overall, the only side effects I experienced were anxiety, mood swings, a long period, and I would sometimes get short but sharp backaches. The worst thing I did was read all the horror stories because I got paranoid. You just have to wait it out. I would not recommend this method."

• Sle...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 17, 2019

For Birth Control "I took the first shot, and I had a shorter period than normal, and it was very light. What I couldn’t stand were my moods. I was very angry, and I wanted to hurt myself. It gave me severe depression. I never got the second shot. Well, I’ve been bleeding ever since! Bleeding has been one month and two days. I have severe cramping and huge clots. This medication gave me anxiety with a very rapid heartbeat. This is not a good medication for me. Now I’m gonna try an IUD for my heavy bleeding. Never again!!!"

• tro...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 7, 2015

For Birth Control "I took the shot after 6 weeks postpartum due to breastfeeding as well. Slowly but surely, I started experiencing minor side effects which gradually became worse after the 3rd shot...OMG...I gained 26 pounds in 9 months, severe insomnia, heart palpitations, hair loss, severe anxiety, arm pain shooting from my shoulder to my fingers, numbness and tingling in both arms, fatigue, depressed. When I really started getting concerned was when I started twitching and would bolt out of my sleep with anxiety attacks...I had chest pains and poking sensations in my heart...I had no clue it was really from the shot till I decided to skip my next appointment. Within days of not getting the next dose, I started feeling so much better...the shot is POISON!!!!"

• Kar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 21, 2019

"I got on the depo October 10, 2019. Four days later, I completely lost it. I was paranoid and anxious about everything! I felt like a complete zombie, and I could not sleep at night. It got to the point where I can’t even drive. Before this shot, I was completely fine. Now I do not feel like myself. I was put on antidepressants because of all the symptoms I was having. Mood swings, not feeling like being around anyone, even feeling like I could not take care of my kids. I will NEVER GET ON THIS SHOT AGAIN! Crazy how they do not tell you what side effects this shot could do to you."

• Kar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 21, 2019

"I got on the depo October 10, 2019. Four days later, I completely lost it. I was paranoid and anxious about everything! I felt like a complete zombie, and I could not sleep at night. It got to the point where I can’t even drive. Before this shot, I was completely fine. Now I do not feel like myself. I was put on antidepressants because of all the symptoms I was having. Mood swings, not feeling like being around anyone, even feeling like I could not take care of my kids. I will NEVER GET ON THIS SHOT AGAIN! Crazy how they do not tell you what side effects this shot could do to you."

• Sar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 12, 2019

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "The first shot: I slept for 3 days straight nonstop. I was so tired for no reason. I wasn't hungry, I was feeling nauseous nonstop. 4th day... AWFUL diarrhea and out of nowhere anxiety just HIT. I thought I needed to go to the hospital. 5th day... I was fine. A month went by and I got my period... okay sure... TWO MONTHS LATER still have my period and I tell my gyno office they say that with the second shot it should stop it. I got the shot, went to the grocery store, and I got so light-headed and dizzy with a panic attack, it was terrifying. I had to sit down for a bit. So, the second shot stopped my period for 2 days. Now, 4 months later... I still have my period. The gyno prescribed me birth control pills to make it stop, and so far 5 days in, still haven't stopped. I'm so annoyed. 4-month-long period."

• Wha...
• September 5, 2019

For Birth Control "I have been on Depo since I was 15 years old for migraines and PCOS. I've never had side effects. My doctor advised in my 30s to have a Mirena inserted instead. I had bad side effects for 18 months - spotting, hair loss, cramping, and bad anxiety. I had it removed and was told Depo would be given at my next cycle. Flow came the following month, with cramps and bad anxiety. From 35 to 38, I was on Depo and anxiety-free, and then we decided we wanted a family. I stopped, and 3 months later my flow, pain, and anxiety returned, so I went back on Depo. I'm now in my early 40s, and my doctor has said I need to stop it. I read some articles about a progesterone and anxiety link coming off Depo. It's called a hormone storm - Depo keeps progesterone high in the body. When Depo leaves your body, large amounts of estrogen return, and progesterone drops, causing anxiety. I will be asking my doctor about this, as anxiety is the biggest concern in stopping. Has anyone else experienced this, and did the anxiety decrease as they got back into regular cycles?"

• Jay...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 7, 2018

For Birth Control "I started Depo when I was 18. I was on it for 3 ½ years. It did its job, I didn't get pregnant. However, I noticed my hair became really brittle and thin, I had increased anxiety, and I experienced a lot of weight loss. I took a break for 2 years, and halfway through the second year, I got pregnant with my first child. I decided to resume with the Depo after my pregnancy because I didn't want to get pregnant immediately after having my first child. I'm currently on it and have decided to discontinue it altogether because symptoms have worsened. I have extremely achy bones in my back and knee joints, my hair is still brittle, and I have extremely painful periods now. I consulted with my doctor, and even she recommended not to use Depo as a long-term contraceptive. I would like to say good things about Depo, but it's not good for your health or your bones and joints in the long run."

• bec...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 30, 2022

For Birth Control "I started the Depo shot after having an awful experience with Nexplanon. I had Nexplanon for about a year and bled every single day with awful symptoms of anxiety and depression. After that, I went on the shot for about 3 years. It started off really great! I only spotted a little bit in the first year, and the past 2 years I've had no period. Nothing. However, when I started the Depo, I weighed around 150 lbs. Now, after 3 years, I weigh around 190 lbs. I know this could be due to outside factors, but I feel I have a pretty active lifestyle (healthy diet, weightlifting, running, etc.). After a few months of trying to diet/extra exercise, I feel like I'm still continuously gaining weight. I do feel as though the Depo made my sex drive a bit dull. I am going to switch to the Junel Fe pill to see if my body has a better reaction. I wouldn't say the Depo was bad at all, it was amazing to have no periods and no pregnancy scares. It's just time for me to find what works better for me!"

• Cas...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 5, 2021

For Birth Control "I started the Depo-Provera injection in 2015, gained 50 pounds in 5 years, my hair started thinning, so I stopped it in December 2020. Now I have crippling anxiety and heart palpitations. WOULD NOT RECOMMEND!"

• Bcp...
• March 20, 2015

For Birth Control "I would never recommend this shot to anyone! I know everyone is different, but I am 18 years old and have been on it for 2 years! I've experienced crazy weight gain, hair loss, and my anxiety was bad before, but now it is terrible, where it is causing me to not even sleep at night anymore! I do like the no periods, but all the other side effects just kind of ruin that! If you are looking for birth control methods, all I have to say is just DON'T pick the Depo shot!!!"