Depo Provera and Bleeding: What Users Say (Page 4)

• Ell...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 8, 2022

For Birth Control "Do not take this shot. I took one dose, I discontinued use and didn’t get my second shot due to the side effects. I bled for 3.5 months straight. It was as if I had my period the entire time. I had to take iron supplements. I went to different doctors, no one really helped. They put me on estrogen, it slowed the bleeding for about 2 weeks, but I was still spotting. Then it just stopped working completely, and I was back to bleeding heavily again. The last week of it, at the 3.5 month mark, the bleeding was so heavy I debated going to the ER. It was one pad an hour at that point. After the heavy bleeding for about 3 days, it abruptly slowed down. It took about a week of spotting, and now it’s finally out of my system. In total, almost four months of bleeding. The shot stays in your system for a few weeks after the three month mark. If you’re experiencing anything similar, just wait it out and don’t take the second dose. This stuff's poison."

• ove...
• November 12, 2019

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I cannot stress enough how important this forum is because I finally feel seen. I hate that we’re all in this horrible situation and that doctors look at it like we’re over-exaggerating. A part of me feels like they honestly don’t have a remedy to take away this bleeding. I took my first Depo-Provera shot in May 2018. I didn’t like the way it made me feel physically/mentally, so I decided that would be the end of Depo for me. After about a couple of weeks, I began to bleed. Didn’t stop for a whole year. That’s when the doctor told me to just complete the process and to go on it all over again. Like the idiot I am, I put my faith in her judgment. I was desperate because it’s not like I can take ibuprofen or estrogen pills due to my lupus. Anyway, I’m down to my last shot, which I took two days ago. Guess who’s still bleeding, ladies -_-. Honestly, this is unacceptable, I was never aware that this was a thing that happens. Doctors need to be more honest, and we need to be more aware."

• Bee...
• May 26, 2017

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "Omg! Do not get it if you haven't already. I got my first shot like 3 weeks ago and lost all sex drive and have been bleeding constantly. My partner and I used to sleep together every time we were together, and now I can't because of this blood. My hair is falling out too, my face is breaking out, I feel cranky and have no energy, I have no sex drive and the bleeding. This man-made drug is clearly no good for us women and should be taken off the shelf!!!"

• Rac...
• August 7, 2015

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I found this site and comments of great interest. My daughter had a shot earlier this year and complained of continuous bleeding (not spotting), feeling bloated, nausea, headaches, cramps, and very depressed and emotional. She went to another doctor who has put her on antidepressants and pills to supposedly stop the bleeding, a week on, still bleeding. My daughter is 24 and has changed from a lovely, bubbly, happy person into an ill zombie who sits on the sofa all day, fatigued and in pain. I certainly intend to seek legal advice."

• Gel...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 5, 2020

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I have fibroids and heavy bleeding. I am nearing menopause, so I was hoping I could receive some type of treatment so that I wouldn't have to have a hysterectomy. My doctor recommended the Depo shot. I received the first shot on October 3, 2019, and had 4 weeks of no bleeding. I started bleeding in November, and it has been non-stop. It started off light and got heavier. I received the second shot on December 26th, and the bleeding has remained heavy, clots included. I'm now on day 60 of bleeding. I don't plan to get the third shot."

• Fig...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 4, 2016

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I had the shot on March 20, 2016. I had 2 weeks before the bleeding started. At first, it was spotting, but every day. Then it was heavier bleeding. Then it got so heavy I was changing an ultra tampon every 45 minutes to 2 hours, even at night. I was at my doctor's, exhausted from lack of sleep, crying, anemic, with hormonal acne, horrible back pain from constant period pain, and terrible mood swings. I only had the 1 shot. I refused any more. It's currently August, and I am still bleeding. There is no sign of it ending! I would not have this shot again, even if they paid me!"

• Ano...
• September 19, 2015

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I have been using the shot for a little over 6 months, and from the moment of starting it, I have not stopped bleeding. If I could go back and reconsider my decision, I would not take it. Horrible, so uncomfortable. My acne is on 100, my mood is even worse, but the bleeding has definitely been what has made me regret this. I don't recommend this to anyone!!!!!"

• Nev...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 30, 2020

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I've been bleeding for over two months straight with massive blood clots. Inside, my stomach feels raw and unstable. I spoke to my GYN, and she prescribed (in addition) a low dose of birth control pills, in which I'm not consistent with taking, to try and stop the bleeding. I feel completely miserable, and this was my first Depo shot in over ten years. I'll never do it again. Lastly, I started having hair loss."

• Sam...
• April 23, 2015

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I've been on this for exactly a month now, and I have been bleeding since the day I got it. Granted, I had to get the shot when I started my period, but the bleeding hasn't stopped. I am heavy enough to where I have to wear a regular-sized tampon. It's messing with my sex life, and it's driving me insane. I'm going to get my second shot in June, and if this doesn't stop, I'm going to stop the shot altogether."

• Mag...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 6, 2016

For Birth Control "I've been on Depo Provera since October. I had to switch to this as I was getting migraines from the pill I was on. I've just gotten my third injection 2 days ago. It's the best choice I ever made!! I know a lot of people get bad side effects, but I got none, I got no bleeding, and my periods have stopped completely, which is a bonus as I used to get extremely bad cramps. I have had an increased sex drive, which is a good benefit, and if anything, my boobs have gotten a small bit bigger, and I've maintained my weight! I was put on this merely for contraception as I'm 18 with a boyfriend, but I couldn't recommend this more. I read reviews before I got it and was terrified, but it's worth a shot if you're unsure!"

• Kei...
• September 8, 2015

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I know what you're going through. I've been on my period since July 16th, and here it is, September 8th. I will not be getting my second shot in a couple of days. If I knew it would make you bleed this long, I would never have got it in the first place."

• Bab...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 9, 2015

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "This was awful! I got my first shot at UVA two days after my first baby was born. They pushed it in me and didn't mention any side effects. Stopped bleeding (from giving birth) three weeks later. After about a week, it started again and hasn't stopped. I got a second shot because they told me that can happen from my body getting used to the hormones. But I never went back for my third. Over six months later, I'm still bleeding, almost a month after I should've gone in for a third shot. I don't know what to do. It's exhausting. I'm constantly tired, moody, and depressed, and I want to eat everything in sight! I wouldn't recommend this method of birth control for anyone!"

• Ela...
• November 14, 2014

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I've been on the shot since January, and today is my 1st time bleeding. I've been on and off of it for over 14 years and have never had bleeding while on. After getting off at times, I've had constant abnormal bleeding until my period regulated again."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 29, 2019

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "OMG! Why did I choose this shot! I received the shot on 11/26/19. It is now 12/28/19, and I’m STILL bleeding!!!! OMG, I started thinking I had cervical cancer or something! This shot is the worst!! I’m never getting it again!"

• dep...
• October 6, 2015

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "A few months ago, I shared my horrid experience about this drug. This drug increased my bleeding tenfold and continued for four months of very heavy bleeding. I went to a specialist, and he said I should have never been prescribed Depo, and the effects are irreversible and they stay in your body for more than eight to ten months, and there is nothing that can be done. You can only imagine my despair. I did, however, manage to get in and see another doctor. This doctor is my miracle. She prescribed me Yaz (drospirenone and ethinyl estradiol) tablets. The first two days the bleeding increased tremendously, but after that, it COMPLETELY STOPPED. To me, this was a miracle. I am sharing this hoping that it could bring women in my condition some relief."

• Nat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 8, 2013

For Birth Control "My first shot of Depo-Provera was almost three months ago, and I am due for my second shot in less than two weeks. I will not get that second shot and must say Depo-Provera worked very badly for me. I've been bleeding straight for two months now, awful mood swings and depression, extensive hair loss, and no sex drive at all."

• Jad...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 7, 2017

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I started Depo Dec. 19, 2016, and everything was going good until January 9, 2017, when I started my period and haven't stopped. It is now March 7, 2017. I'm not bleeding heavy, it's more like spotting, but for the past couple of days, it's been heavier, similar to a period, and I'm just so over it. I'm not going back for a second shot, which is due this month. I just want to know if someone else experienced this and how long the bleeding lasted. Did your periods go back to normal? I miss only bleeding for 6-7 days."

• but...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 25, 2015

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "Warning: unless you want your life turned completely upside down, do not take this form of birth control. I have been bleeding for 8 months now. Constant bleeding, no breaks in between whatsoever. Do not believe when the doctor tells you after your second or third shot it'll stop. It won't. I've had more than numerous tests done, everything's normal. I've been to a specialist twice. Everyone says your body has to go back to normal on its own, which could take up to a year or two. At this point, I'm begging them to give me a hysterectomy. I'm only 32, they won't. I've passed out twice already due to low iron because of blood loss. Had a blood transfusion once because of the blood loss. Please explore your other options first."

• but...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 25, 2015

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "Warning: unless you want your life turned completely upside down, do not take this form of birth control. I have been bleeding for 8 months now. Constant bleeding, no breaks in between whatsoever. Do not believe when the doctor tells you after your second or third shot it'll stop. It won't. I've had more than numerous tests done, everything's normal. I've been to a specialist twice. Everyone says your body has to go back to normal on its own, which could take up to a year or two. At this point, I'm begging them to give me a hysterectomy. I'm only 32, they won't. I've passed out twice already due to low iron because of blood loss. Had a blood transfusion once because of the blood loss. Please explore your other options first."

• Poi...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 28, 2019

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "This birth control definitely kept me from getting pregnant because I’ve been bleeding nonstop since my first shot, so guess what? I haven’t been having sex. I only had one shot since December, it will be May in 2 days, and I’m still bleeding. Thus, I definitely won’t be getting a second one. I’m glad I found this forum because I thought something was wrong with me. I thought by now the bleeding would have stopped or at least lightened up."

• Oki...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 7, 2021

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I’ve been on Depo Provera for almost two years and never experienced bad side effects. No mood swings, weight gain, or periods. As of 2021, all of that changed. In late March, I started bleeding a normal period that lasted over 2 weeks, then stopped when I got my next injection. Then in end April, beginning June, I started bleeding again for over a month, even after I got my next injection. The bleeding stopped after a week of that last injection. Now it’s the beginning of July, and I’m bleeding again. Not only that, but my body feels weak. I can see myself gaining weight. They definitely altered the drug. Just read an article that Pfizer is stopping the production of Depo Provera, so maybe that plays a role. But it’s not okay that they didn’t tell us if they altered the drug. It originally makes our bones weaken, what if the new version is even worse?"

• LX3...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 17, 2017

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "When I got this, all the clinic told me was, 'We have the Depo shot, it's a shot you get every 3 to 4 months. You won't have a period, and it is 99% effective.' Of course, that sounded appealing. But this was one of my worst decisions. It's not like the pill where if you feel side effects, you can just stop taking it. I took this shot in Feb 2017, it is now May 2017. It is about time for my next shot, but there is NO way I am getting it. I have bled every single day since Feb. Not a lot, but enough to where I have to wear a pad every day. I've never had acne issues, but now it is constant, my sex drive has almost completely gone away, and your period won't go back to normal for up to 12 months after the last shot. I would not recommend this to anyone."

• Nei...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 4, 2019

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "Like most, my first shot went well. No periods. All good. The second shot I bled from July to January. My doc had no remedy. Putting me on estrogen then progesterone didn’t work. The only thing that stopped the bleeding is I started taking evening primrose oil supplements. It stopped the bleeding the next day."

• Lac...
• December 21, 2014

For Birth Control "I'm due for my second shot next week. I'm very torn about getting it. When I got the shot, I didn't have any side effects (at first). Every month since the shot, I bleed for about 3 weeks straight. It really bothers me. One of the main reasons I got on it was to try to help my periods. Just makes them worse!"

• Hor...
• December 4, 2019

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "Depo is the worst decision that I ever made in my life. There are so many horrible side effects with this drug. I am constantly moody, depressed, and have no energy to do anything! I'm constantly snapping at people and just losing it. The worst part is the constant bleeding! I got the shot 12 weeks ago, and now I am bleeding so heavily, soaking through pad after pad. I bled for the entire 3 months I was on it. It was usually light, but I guess now that the Depo is leaving my body, it's super heavy. Please never get this shot. You will bleed for months. I would rather just have my period than go through this anymore."