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

• An...
• December 22, 2016

For Endometriosis "This has been a nightmare. I got the shot to ease pelvic pain my provider suspected was due to endometriosis. At first, I felt like I had the flu for a week or two. Almost exactly a month after getting the shot, I started getting a lot of spotting and had to wear a pad constantly. After a week of spotting, it became a full-blown, heavy period, and my pelvic pain came back worse than ever before along with severe cramps, muscle aches, and even trouble using the bathroom because of the pain. The pain is far worse at night. I can't sleep. Ibuprofen and heat packs no longer help. It's been three weeks. My doctor isn't sure what to do, and others I've talked to said it took several months for the pain from the Depo shot to go away. I'm in agony."

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 9, 2014

For Birth Control "My first shot of Depo was great, no mood swings or any other side effects other than some very light spotting. Happy with my first shot, I got a 2nd, but it didn't turn out as the first shot did. I'm happy because there's no mood swings or really any mental side effects, which is why I switched from the pill. However, I was told my period would completely go away or just be light spotting, but for some reason I have now been having a normal/heavy period for over a month now, which is concerning. I've also been experiencing a lot of headaches and cramps that can get so bad they'll sometimes wake me up from dead sleep. I'll be going to the doctor soon to get off of this, blood loss is not fun :c don't think this is super common though."

• Kir...
• October 3, 2020

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I started Depo-Provera in January 2020. I was bleeding for 3 1/2 months, the end of February through 2 weeks in June. It was very light. It would go away, and I would have sex, and it’s around for like 3 or 5 days and it’s gone. After June, it stopped completely. I was so happy, like HAPPY HAPPY. I still felt cramps and stuff, but no period. So today, October 3, I see I’m spotting. So I guess I’m going back to the 3 months of bleeding. I would not recommend this, only if you want to gain weight. But it really does make sure you don’t have babies because of bleeding for so long."

• 123...
• January 4, 2015

For Birth Control "I got my first Depo shot November 19th. Since then, I only had minor spotting and cramps, no mood swings or major weight gain, if anything, my weight is far more stable and satisfactory. Although on the 2nd of January, I began my normal period again and am hoping it will end on the 6th. Definitely would recommend."

• ROX...
• September 26, 2016

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I was given the Depo to slow the bleeding of my heavy periods because I am anemic. I have only taken one shot and am due for the second in a week or so, I will be refusing to have it. I have been bleeding for over a month nonstop. Horrific cramps in my abdomen, extremely heavy bleeding, and blood clots almost the size of golf balls. I am surprised I still have a boyfriend considering the mood swings and lack of attention he gets since I've been on the Depo. I DO NOT recommend this product."

• Anonymous
• July 1, 2009

For Birth Control "I have been on Depo-Provera for 11 or 12 years and love it. I started out with very few periods, and all of them were very light. Now I normally will lightly spot or clot before my next shot is due. Now I never have any periods, so it's been great. The only problem I've had is just recently, for my last shot, I went to a different doctor, and they gave me the generic version, which caused me to bleed very heavily and severe cramping, so I know to never use the generic form again."

• Mzn...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• May 27, 2015

For Birth Control "I've been on Depo since I was 15 years old. I am now 33 years old. I first got on Depo because I had really bad cysts on my ovaries and breast. With Depo, it has controlled the pain and size of cysts. I've gained maybe 5 pounds since I've been in this. No bleeding, no spotting whatsoever!!! I do get lower cramping once in a while, but it is tolerable. I also do not plan on having kiddos, so this was the best choice for me :)"

• EJJ...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 1, 2019

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I was recommended the injection by my doctor after a bad experience on the pill. Every single day I wish I never had it, ever since my first shot, I have bled. I had the shot for around a year, and I’ve now not had one for 7 months and still to this day I am bleeding. I have horrendous period pains every day, my skin is awful, my moods are all over the place, thrush on and off, and I’ve developed dermatitis down there due to having to wear pads/tampons every single day for a year and a half! My doctor has arranged an ultrasound to check if everything is okay and if they can explain this ridiculous amount of bleeding! It’s nearly cost me my relationship because sex is a no-go, it’s a good job my boyfriend is understanding. I wouldn’t recommend this to anybody in a million years! I just want this to end, I just want to go back to normal. It’s a living nightmare."

• Kat...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 24, 2015

For Birth Control "Everyone's body is different, so I was unsure of how mine would react, but I've had a pretty good experience with Depo. I started at the beginning of my junior year in high school because my periods were so bad that I would miss school because of cramping. Just taking regular Tylenol or ibuprofen wouldn't lessen the pain. So we decided to go and see if we could try something that would help. And the Depo has been amazing for me. I don't have periods, although for the first month and a half I did spot on and off. I do sometimes get small cramps, but they are nothing like they were, and they're only around the time I should be on. My moods are pretty good, I'm not depressed, although I do get angrier a little easier. Best of all, I've lost 10 lbs."

• Hor...
• February 9, 2017

For Birth Control "If I could give this shot 0 stars, I would. One is really pushing it. I got the Depo in the middle of January, it is now the beginning of February, and yesterday I was at the ER and my doctor's office all day. I woke up having horrible cramps, then it led to blood clots with grayish tissue looking stuff inside. It was nothing I've ever seen before. I passed about 6 of those, then the pain started to be mild again and easier to deal with. I've never had a miscarriage, but if I could imagine what the pain felt like, it would be that! DO NOT GET THIS SHOT. I'm scheduled for another, and I'm canceling, I would much rather take a pill every day! After dealing with it all day, and now I'm on the 11th day of my period, it was confirmed it was a side effect of the shot."

• You...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 17, 2019

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I have been on Depo for about a year and a half. I was loving this form of BC until about 3 months ago. I started having massive and debilitating headaches that would last 2-3 days after getting shot. My last shot (a month ago) I started bleeding 2 days before I got my shot and have been bleeding ever since. It's rather a heavy flow and goes from being brown for a few days to bright red with clots (with horrible cramps) for a few days then back to brown blood and keeps alternating. I have never even spotted from the beginning of taking this drug until this last month. I have an appointment in a week to get a PAP and lab. Will update on how this goes."

• Tee...
• January 2, 2016

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I got on the shot July 6th. Two weeks after I got the shot, I had my period, and it has been six months of me bleeding non-stop. I would bleed heavy some days and light other days, but not once have I gone a day without bleeding. The doctor keeps telling me it's normal, and I know it can't be. My back hurts so bad sometimes I can't stand straight, and these contractions... I mean, cramps are worse than my pregnancy. I'm an exercising maniac, and I still cannot get rid of my lower stomach, and I have a personal trainer. Refuse to do the third shot."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 3, 2023

For Birth Control "Since the Depo shot, my fiancé and I have not had sex, all emotions are literally gone. No form of intimacy at all. Barely kiss, touch, spend time, nothing. This injection has made her emotionally unattached, it has absolutely changed her and everything about her. I'm afraid that it's going to ruin our relationship if she continues, because I don't know how much longer I can take. I'm loving, caring, nurturing, but I get nothing in return. The only thing this shot has done was help her with her bad period cramps. If anyone has any solution or answer for me, please help. FYI, I'm a guy, she's my fiancé. I'm just reaching out for help. Sincerely, thanks."

• Kat...
• November 1, 2015

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I've had it, and I have breakthrough bleeding here and there, very light but lasts for a while. I've noticed a slight shift in mood, and I haven't broke out as much. Still cramps around period time, but rarely bleed, but my sex drive has depleted completely. I hate it. Excellent at preventing pregnancy, but that's only because you lack the motivation for sex."

• Roc...
• December 2, 2015

For Endometriosis "Do not get this shot! It tried to ruin my life. Heavy sporadic bleeding, mood swings, depression, headaches, body aches, no sex drive, terrible cramps. I have little/no emotion for almost everything. I only had 2 shots. I just want to get back to my normal :("

• veg...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• October 26, 2014

For Birth Control "I have been on the shot for 9 years. I love it. My doctor said I will have to take Xanax and Lexapro with the Depo to even out the mood swings. I am fine, and my moods are good. It is natural that your body has bleeding and spotting, I have it too, but it does not bother me as much as I suffered with PMS, forgetting things all the time, and being bitchy. Now I don't have that. I feel great! Cramps, yes, but not as bad."

• kek...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 1, 2016

For Birth Control "I hate this drug! The side effects are awful! I woke up feeling the worst nausea every morning, to the point where I would sometimes vomit. It causes awful headaches. I had a really large clot once, along with killer cramps. My period was still irregular. Yes, it was not as heavy, but it did cause spotting for a majority of the 3 months I was on it. My skin (which happened to be getting clearer!) was breaking out throughout the 3 months and in places that I never used to break out in. Also, I went from being one of the happiest people to majorly depressed with anxiety and mood swings. I now have the worst panic attacks. It will also make your sex life become horrible! Please don't take this! Read all the reviews before you do!"

• Ado...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 16, 2019

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I took the Depo shot to stop the prolonged periods, and I got another long period, which I know is one of the side effects. But after that, I just kept on spotting and having cramps, and it’s so irritating. Birth control pills didn’t work out, and I don’t know what else to do. I just want my period to be normal again. I feel like this shot is a waste of time, and I don’t know what other birth control I can use to have a regular period again. I started this medication back on July 22, and now it’s November."

• Jen...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 29, 2019

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I got my first Depo-Provera shot in May of 2019. I had really heavy and painful periods, I was told that the Depo shot would likely stop my period altogether and I wouldn't have to worry about the pain anymore. It's almost November, and I have been spotting every single day since May. I'm due for my third shot in December, and I was told it can take up to a year for your hormones to fully regulate. I have some friends who have gone on it, and they love it, their periods have stopped completely. It seems to have regulated my mood swings because I was a basket case before. But the lack of sex drive and the permanent period might be the most annoying part of my life. Thankfully, I have a ridiculously understanding boyfriend. I'm starting to think the whole idea behind it is that if you just bleed a little bit constantly, then your uterus is completely uninhabitable for an egg, but also you feel disgusting constantly and never want to have sex. Birth control mission accomplished."

• But...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 30, 2019

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "So I’ve been on this Depo-Provera shot off and on since I was 16. It was the only birth control I would even consider using. My son just turned 3 months old, and my mood swings have been through the roof since I got the shot about a month or so ago. I get really upset at my husband for absolutely no reason. My depression has gotten worse to the point my OB-GYN has had to put me on medication AND increase the dosage already. This may be TMI, but tonight while I was in the shower, I started cramping really bad, and all of a sudden, there is a clot about the size of my palm on my hand/on my loofah. Sorry, I know that sounds really disgusting, but has this happened to anyone else? My first thought was maybe I had a miscarriage, but then I read the comments on this site. My OB-GYN also ordered a colposcopy/biopsy for me after being put back on the shot, but I haven’t had the money for the test. Should I be worried?"

• ESa...
• January 25, 2021

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I'm a 38-year-old female who started Depo last January. I spotted or had a period almost daily until I received my 4th injection in November. My period stopped, and then about two weeks ago I started bleeding. The last 4-5 days it has been very heavy and has clots. And I am cramping. Has anyone else had this? I do not think I will be getting another shot in February. I can't deal with this!!!"

• Ang...
• May 25, 2015

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "Worsted birth control ever. I got it January 12. It's April 25 today, still bleeding two months now, straight every day, all day. First, it was brown and black color, no cramps. Then last week I had very bad cramps and passed a blood clot the size of a golf ball. Now I have bad cramps and bright red blood, tired all the time, hemoglobin at 11.6. I'm due for the second shot the first week of May 2015. I will never do this to my body again. Everyone in my house is suffering: my husband, kids, and myself."

• Sos...
• September 21, 2016

For Birth Control "I beg you, ladies that are wondering if they should give this a try, to do their research. I'm 24 and have never been on birth control until this year. I asked my doctor for his recommendation, and he said Depo Provera is very effective. I got one shot, which lasts 90 days. At first, it was great, as someone who had bad cramping and heavy periods, it was amazing to not feel pain nor experience heavy bleeding. After about 30 days, that all changed. I started spotting every single day. Every single day! You need a lot of liners, pads, and tampons. It has now been over 100 days, and the spotting has not stopped. Some days are much heavier than others. The drug has worn off, but the effects continue. I obviously never went back for another shot. Don't do it!"

• Jal...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 9, 2016

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I'm 39 years old. I have 3 children. After my 3rd child (@30 years old) I got my tube tied. A few years after that, I started with very, very bad cramps and very, very heavy periods. I suffered with this for 9 years until August 2015, when the doctor suggested an IUD. But, because I have fibroids, that couldn't be inserted. So, she suggested the Depo. I agreed to it because I had it after I had my twins, and I never had a problem. So, I got my 1st injection in August 2015. I was fine for 1 month. September 17, 2015, my period came on and hasn't been off since. Today is January 9, 2016. I feel depressed. I don't feel like sex. Sometimes it's heavy. The past month I've been having bad cramps. A lot of clotting, a lot!! So, 2016 I'm saying bye to this Depo."

• Wor...
• May 4, 2016

For Birth Control "Do not take it!!!! Ever since I got my first shot in January 2016, I haven't stopped bleeding. (It's May 2016). It gives me horrible cramps, mood swings, and a decrease in breast size. I had basically all the bad symptoms from this birth control... Please don't take it. I've been bleeding for 4 months straight, and it's driving me insane. Please pray for me that this will end soon."